The Patterned Tent Project Pack Review

Finger Step Designs, 2015. Distributed by Custom House, $18.

Another in the series of inventive project packs combined with stitch dictionaries, this one focuses on things you can do just with Tent and Reverse Tent.

With almost 150 patterns using two or three colors, this pack gives you fantastic ideas for enlivening areas that use Tent. Early in the book the author gives six reasons why you want to use Tent on a canvas. Two of these, small spaces and backgrounds I love for Tent.

Most of the time I prefer a subtler approach than she uses by preferring to use threads that are close in color but different in texture. This is the approach I call needlepoint damask. While all the patterns are diagrammed in black and white and will work to create damasks, the patterns as stitched in the projects are more colorful.

The projects are the heart of this book, more so than in many of the other Finger Step publications. There are six presented. The first is a straightforward stitch sampler showcasing 49 patterns. The second two samplers are based on quilt blocks. One features the muted colors of old fabrics, while the other uses bright modern colors. The remaining projects, one is pictured on the front cover, above, are more complex. Each is divided into quarters, each of which is different from the others. The quarters are complete and interesting enough to stand on their own as small projects. The designs are varied enough to suit most tastes.

The projects are clearly presented with complete materials lists with an introduction that gives information about the design and featured patterns. The overall plans for the projects have large clear numbers that go to the diagrams of the individual patterns.

In the case of the front cover project, the design is complex and uses many patterns. In this case the instructions and diagrams take up over ten pages of the guide.

The diagrams of the patterns are, except for a few patterns, extremely clear. As is the case with all these Finger Stop that makes these books great as a continuing resource.