25 JANUARY 1908, Page 11

ART IN NEEDLEWORK.

Art in Needlework. By Lewis F. Day and Mary Buckle. (B. T. BatsforcL 5s.)—In this third and enlarged edition the authors have given us a really useful book on embroidery. The first part is a minute and accurate description of individual stitches, greatly helped by the excellent illustrations and diagrams. A. noteworthy feature of the reproductions of samplers is that the back of the work is shown on the back of the illustration. These samplers, too, are not mere collections of stitches ; they are in themselves harmonious designs, and would be well worth copying, particularly No. 41, called "Offshoots from satin and crewel stitches." One of the great uses of the book will be to remind the needlewoman of the many ways there are of embroidering. It is easy to get into the way of using two or three effective stitches, and to neglect others equally suitable. But the owner of this book has only to turn over the pages to have her memory refreshed and her ambition aroused. Mr. Day also gives some wise advice on the designing of patterns for embroidery. The illustrations of old and new work, of which there are more than a hundred, are well chosen, and are not the examples that are generally reproduced in art-needlework books.