April 20, 2020
Tang, of the Etsy store Jim Jam Crafts, savvily combines literary themes and cross-stitch designs in this visually appealing collection of projects. Early on, Tang defines this slightly idiosyncratic embroidery form’s quirks and requirements, one of which is to use Aida fabric, which (on average) has a count of “14 squares per inch.” Other useful introductory sections concern how many plies of embroidery floss to use, how to cut and place patterns, and how to mount them when finished. While the patterns aren’t organized by difficulty, it’s pretty easy to suss out the simpler and harder ones. Bookmarks make up the fastest projects, and among these, the cross-stitched Book Riot motto “Read Harder” and the “Books!” bookmark, patterned after a college sports logo, offer simple cross stitching options. Some of the most striking patterns are more elaborate, such as the tattoo-inspired “Book Life” project, which will “let the edgier side of your bookish identity out for a joyride.” The ample crossover between book lovers and crafters should ensure a sizable audience for Tang’s delightful resource.