Twisted Stitches: 30 Corrupt Cross Stitch and Embroidery Designs Paperback – April 30, 2011

Like the author, I consider myself a non-traditional cross stitcher. I really enjoy crafts and needle arts, but I find the majority of cross stitch patterns (cutesy animals, samplers, etc.) to be antiquated and boring.Like other reviewers, I didn't *love* every design in the book, but I would be surprised if there was any book on earth in which every pattern appealed to any one person. I've made several of the projects so far (including calaveras [sugar skulls], a tromp l'oeil skull/water scene, a "Bite Me" vampire-esque design) and I plan to make more when I finish other projects (especially the burlesque zombie). The book also contains a good tutorial for those who are completely new to cross stitching.I would recommend this book to my crafty friends that like different patterns. I showed the book to my grandmother (aged 76) and she thought is a Halloween themed book (probably because of skull and vampire themed patterns).

While a good idea for a book, I feel like the designs I got weren't really the best. Some of them are cute and funny, but when you sit down to stitch them, it's just kind of....meh.I disliked the barbed wire and poisonous flower designs, as they looked way too chunky and not very clean looking (clean as in, the designs I feel had too many colours going on that muddled it all up. Hard to explain unless you've been stitching patterns for a while).I did get a friend into cross stitch because of this book, he decided to go with the zombie/vampiress for his first cross stitch. He really liked doing it, so I feel like this would be a good present for beginner stitchers, if only for the small simple projects like the rabbit or humpty dumpty. Kind of shows you don't have to do flowers and kittens when you stitch. I personally do video game/fantasy stitching, so I'm not into the flowers or kittens unless I'm desperate for a project.

I'm a fan of making my own designs, and this book doesn't allow for that at all. The designs they do offer are cool I guess, but you can't see what the finished product would look like, the patterns are arranged using different symbols, making them difficult to picture if you look at them, and you can't even see most of the patterns in full, because the book usually only shows cropped pictures of the finished project. This wouldn't be too much of an issue if the book didn't expect you to use the designs to make specific things, like key chains and aprons. It's difficult to decide if you're into pattern when the only picture shows 1/2 of the finished product warped over a pillow or something. There are also not that many designs per page, a large portion of the book is dedicated to explaining the designs.This is less of a traditional cross stitch book, and more of a collection of various full products. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's not that it's poorly put together, but there are maybe 3 patterns that I would actually use, and I couldn't imagine giving it as a gift. It's not easily accessible to people just starting out, and it isn't flexible enough for more advanced users.

There are a lot of really interesting patterns and craft ideas in this book. It's more than just a pattern book like some cross stitch books are. Most of the patterns come with full project instructions. The reason I'm taking off a star is that the patterns are sometimes a bit hard to read compared to other books I've used. Not unmanageable, but slightly more difficult. I also feel like some of the patterns (the bug one in particular) aren't very interesting or seem like something I'd actually want to make.

Love the idea behind this book and the designs; however many are not presented well in the book. Pictures aren't very good (for example, you see only a tiny bit of Zombie Burlesque in the pic in the book). Not laid out very well at all.Also, I don't like that a lot of the designs are just cut around the edge and then appliqued onto other things instead of cross-stitched directly onto the item. (They do at least include pattern instructions for the full item, such as apron and tote, but would be better if all were incorporated.)

Why is it that cross stitch patterns designed by men are always my preference? Maybe because there are no unicorns, puppies or other oh-so-precious (and boring) choices here. I usually have to buy individual patterns to get designs more to my taste. This book is great: definately different. If, like me, you're sick of the cookie-cutter designs usually available, you'll love this book. Lots of truely twisted designs to appeal to those of us with slightly sinister tastes. These designs are wonderfully warped and there is even a pocket at the back of the book containing large charts for viewing ease - a nice little plus. I look forward with eager anticipation to the next collection from this author. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

I just recently picked up cross stitching after not doing it for years. I saw this book on Amazon, and was a little nervous since I couldn't preview it before I bought it. Well, I'm glad I nabbed it. The patterns inside are fun and just my style. If you don't like 'grim' or 'morbid' things, and you prefer to cross stitch flowers and little teddy bears, this probably isn't for you. There are skulls, zombies, a ransom note alphabet, bugs, vampires, and even Lizzie Borden! I can't wait to get stitching some of these!

The worst delivery method ever! I love this book and would give it a pure 5 stars, but it was delivered by some off-brand guy who came in his own car, spent a long time just sitting in front of our home, then tossed the package onto our front walk, not onto the covered porch. It was raining harx and by the time I git dressed and went to get it, it was soaked. The book is wonderful.

Love it Love it Love it! This book has a bit of everything and are alternative enough to keep cross stitch interesting. Great projects that I can't wait to start I've already ear marked a few for christmas and birthday present especially the bite me cushion for a Trueblood loving friend . Some have a bit of black comedy about them like the front cover. The only downside is that the patterns are all in black and white using symbols instead of a colours which could make it a bit harsh on your eye sight, you could photocopy the patterns and colour the copys in? definitely a book for cross stitcher's who want to avoid cutesy animals and traditional flowers

Full of amazing designs, this is a fantastic book for stitchers that prefer the more creepy and weird to flowers and butterflies.

Love this book..had some great designs in . Had a giggle at the santa and there's a lovley sugar skull. Only downside is that I will have to get some of the charts enlarged...wish there was a larger size available. Really pleased with it though.

I fancied cross stitching something a little different.I really wanted to see some of the the patterns before buying.Pig on front cover is one of the patterns, + a blood patch for t-shirt, butterflies & skulls, barbed wire, day of the dead skulls, bite me (vampire) pattern, i love fly, swatter, splat but my two favourite are Sexy Santa and Twisted Balloons plus loads more. Hope this helps you.

I wish there were more books like this. It brings cross stitch into the 21st century! It is beautiful to look at though a lot of the patterns are far too complicated for me, but I will do some of the simpler designs. I look forward to seeing the next book by this author.