:: July 2002 
Review
The Needleworker's Companion
Author, teacher, and needlework businesswoman Shay Pendray has written a useful, portable guide for needleworkers entitled, The Needleworker's Companion which has just become available. It is a 7"x5" spiralbound paperback which fits easily into a sewing bag.
In her discussion of needles, Ms. Pendray covers several types, including tapestry, chenille, couching, embroidery/crewel, darners, milliners, sharps, and quilting needles. She also provides tips on caring for needles.
Types of needlework, fabrics, threads, and stitches are described clearly by the author and illustrated clearly by illustrator, Marjorie Leggitt. The reader will be pleased to find additional sections on fixing mistakes; blocking, framing, and finishing; and cleaning needlework.
CyberFibres recommends reading The Needleworker's Companion (only 112 pages including the stitch diagrams and index) from cover to cover. In this way, the reader will pick up lots of useful information as an overview of needlework. It is a luxury for the fibreworker to get to absorb knowledge calmly when not facing a project deadline. Subsequently, the reader can use the guide as a quick reference for specific questions