Subversive Cross Stitch: 33 Designs for Your Surly Side

by Julie Jackson

In this wicked little book, Julie Jackson reinvents the age-old craft of cross-stitch, finally putting an end to all that saccharine sentimentalism and giving modern stitchers the chance to say what's really on their minds. Stitch up Bitch in Kitchen for a heartfelt housewarming gift. Spread cheer with the ever-festive Bite Me . Or whip up This Place Sucks for a cherished co-worker. This fully illustrated book includes 33 of Jackson's best patterns and easy-to-follow directions. Jackson outlines the simple tools and techniques needed and even offers encouragement and tips on how to create one-of-a-kind revolutionary designs from craft-store patterns with subversive sentiments all your own.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Humor, Adult, Sewing

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Oriana]

I already told this story in someone's comments somewhere, but I can't remember where.

There was a thing going around on Facebook recently where you posted that you would make a craft thing for the first five people who responded, which I thought was lovely. I've been a beaded-necklace maker for years, so I figured a bunch of ladies would respond and I'd send them all mediocre necklaces. Well no, the first person to respond was a dude. So I was all, "Oh shit, really? I don't know how to make crafts for dudes." And my friend got all pissed, saying that I was sexist and a bitch for assuming that handmade things were only for girls. Jeez! So I thought maybe I'd make him a necklace that said "fuck you," but then of course I wanted to show him I could make him something he'd actually want, and I hit upon the idea of a cross-stitch bookmark that said the same. Anyway, I thought I was so uniquely brilliant, but then it turns out that this idea has already been had, of course, and a million thanks to Ceridwen for showing me the light.

This book is awesome, and of course the first thing I did—even though I haven't cross-stitched a thing since I was probably eleven—was try to modify the words and the border pattern, with, naturally, mediocre results. My sister is leaving town for some crazy travels, so I wanted to make something for her first. Hopefully this will be used to patch the knee of a pair of much-patched jeans, and she will wear it with pride until it falls apart.



***

Hey, I did another one! In order for this to make sense, you have to know that my BFF has decided that "balls" = "love". I'm not sure why. Anyway, this is what she requested, so this is what I delivered.

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I admit I'm a little concerned about what will happen when she brings a dude home & he sees this hanging on her wall... Hopefully she will explain that it is not a command but a slightly twisted observation; I've told her that I will not be held responsible for any testicular hijinks.

***

Oh look, I did another! Each a little absurd-er than the last. This one is for my bf, and it features a rainbow taking a shit. It was his idea, honest. He's a classy guy.

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[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid cross stitcher, I bought this book for the mere fact that the designs are not filled with flowers and those fucking tatty teddies (I HATE those goddam designs!)

It's a nice idea and some of them will make nice, funny presents for friends but they are incredibly easy to do and really there is not that much to them. I like my designs to be a tad more difficult than this; this is not a case that simplicity is best, it's just the designs all look rather bare once they're completed.

When I get time I like to try and design my own designs, difficult as I cannot draw. A good thing about the designs in this book is that they have a nice variety of borders to use so that makes it easier for me and my attempt at designing.

It's a fun book, but unfortunately it's a bit too simple for my liking.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate this book for being a liberating, crafty book with good information to people just trying out the cross-stitching waters. However, my friends were able to write about 20 alternative sayings over the course of one dinner that were wittier, funnier, snarkier, irreverent-er, truthier, etc. than the epithets in this book. Bottom line: a good manual for beginners or a fun coffee-table book, but if you have cross-stitch experience you could just make these up yourself.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This missed the mark for me. I am down with the concept. I am all about reinvention. The idea of using a traditional medium to express modern sentiment is right up my alley. But this was an overly simple take on that idea. The designs were uninspired. All the focus was on the text without much attention paid to visual elements. There is a more sophisticated way to be funny and irreverent.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had some fun with this... To see what I did, click the link: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love subversive cross stitch, and these designs are fun.

I want one that says "Fuck off Amazon".

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few craft books I have done almost every project in. Great for the person who has never done cross-stitch before and does not want to be stuck doing boring kittens or flowers.

[Delanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYBODY needs a pattern for embroidering Merry Effing Christmas.

[Mind the Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebayfynd. För när jag inleder något nytt projekt i livet vill jag helst läsa en bok om det.

Redan en aning daterad, men det kommer ju ständigt nya subversiva sägningar. En på jobbet visade mig olika exempel en dag - 'c***' och 'not today, Satan' är några jag minns. En jag gillade direkt är 'This is not a whorehouse. This is a whorehome.' EXAKT min humor. Oväntat, mörkt, men med medmänsklig värme och tolerans!

För mer brittisk och popkulturell touch, lyssna gärna på följande podcast:

https://aca.st/2c3e06

[Laurla2]

-i would rate this book only 1 star, because it was republished as "subversive cross stitch: 50 f*cking clever designs for your sassy side" with these exact same 33 designs, plus 17 new patterns.

i read that '50' book first, and rated it first. so to me, this book was disappointing because this is the repeat book since i read the other first. (even though this book was published first)

-most of the website links in the back of the book no longer work.

basically, just skip this version and go straight to the other version with 50 designs rather than this one.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the meek, this book contains all the cross stitch patterns for the stitcher that's done the mundane. Have something to say? Why not stitch it? Includes 33 designs that are perverse and oh so fun! As I went through the book, I knew immediately who I would make each one for. Can't wait to get started.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun to read through and my imagination was sparked with all the other trite sayings one could subvert via cross stitch. The joke wore off pretty quickly and I got tired of the f-word on so many of the pieces. Not even an * in the alphabet in the back of the book. But it was clever. I also appreciated all the vintage wallpaper used as backdrops for the framed work and was hoping the one I grew up with would make an appearance. Alas, no...

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great patterns!

[Cat Fithian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky, bass-ass, snarky. Fun patterns.

[Augie Swanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to try all of her patterns. The advice was really easy to follow!

[Sarah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and easy to follow. Great funny gifts for someone new or experienced with cross stitch.

[Carmencita · Rating 5 out of 5]

so funny, i want to do so many of these patterns, julie jackson the genius that you are

[Rat de bibliothèque · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first it was just a website (www.subversivecrossstitch.com) where you could buy the pattern and material to cross stitch sayings like "Happy Fucking Holidays" and "People are Cattle."

For anyone who, like me, lost their pattern - you could be sent another. But now thanks to this book if you have a late night desire to create, rather than wait for your threadless kit to arrive you can.

Also provides great resources in the back for creating your own patterns using websites known to do so.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed like such a great idea; take a slightly ho-hum craft that I happen to love, and bring it in to the 21st century by adding some spicy language. It fell a little short for me though, in the sense that it's not enough to just stitch a piece that says "Go F*%#k yourself". It actually has to look good and be creative too. Although the sayings made me laugh out loud, the designs were too simple for me, too boring. And I must admit, if I ever did create a wall hanging that said "Happy F%^@#ing Holidays, I could never invite my Mom over again. Nice try, but better luck next time.

[BookScout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subversive Cross Stitch is a refreshing take on cross stitched samplers. The patterns are large, easy to read and attractive. Very simple and quick to complete. The best thing about the designs is that they're so easy to adapt - you can simply mix and match little motifs or add your own subversive message to produce your own original, irreverant heirlooms. Whilst reading Julie Jackson's charts you find new ideas popping into your head. Loads of fun.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I haven't actually stitched anything subversive myself (yet!), this book had me in stitches (pardon the pun). I loved the sentimentality of "old-fashioned" cross stitch turned on its head. This is genius and I wish I had thought of it myself. Warning! Some folks might find this book to be offensive as it's full of dirty words and dirty thoughts. Stay far, far away if you're offended by the "f" word. For other subversive & crafty people out there, you'll love this book!

[Holly Booms Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets its stars for concept - this is not your Grandma's cross stitch pattern book! Zombies, vulgarity, and pop culture all appear in cross stitch here. Perfect for the goth or 30-something hipster in your family for Christmas. If they never make a project, they'll get a great laugh at the patterns inside.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, the idea gets five stars for jumpstarting interest in reinventing cross stitch. But the patterns themselves seem almost painfully simplistic. Sometimes "Go Fuck Yourself" needs to be on a stark, simple design, and sometimes it doesn't. I wish there were more variety in terms of layout, level of detail, and level of complexity. But it's a fine start.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that will give you patterns for stitching swear words and/or not all that witty sayings, this book is for you.

If, instead, you're looking for cross stitching patterns that are more hip/hipster than grandma, but that might still be suitable for a gift or, say, a throw pillow, this book is not for you.

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't tried any of the patterns, but I like this lady's spunk and attitude! She's got a great sense of humor. The book is just a jumping off point for getting started on your own snarky concoctions. She gives suggestions for creating your own designs or just changing the wording in those oh-so-cutesy, sickeningly sweet cross-stitch kits at the craft store.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully, different kind of stitching book. A lot of people expect cross stitch to be nice and for older women, but I started stitching when I was 7 and still do it now at age 30. I like that there is a book out there for women in that category who have an adult sense of humor. A lot of the designs are a little too simple but still enjoyable.

[Brody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book props for being early in the trend of reclaiming hand-crafts for contemporary re-interpretation. The problem now is that it feels dated with the proliferation of this sort of thing across the market and with more clever entries nearly everywhere. That said, the book is readable and the patterns are usable, as proven by my very own sister!

[Miki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are you tired of cross-stitching cute little bunnies and kitties? Sick of country geese and sugary mottoes? This book is for you. Some of it is pretty vulgar, but just reading it made me laugh....even the really bad ones! I'm not actually going to make any of them - they're just too much for me - but it's worth reading just for fun.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like this better if I didn't think she'd ripped me off early in my art career. One in particular is too much like a piece I did in graduate school! But maybe it was just an idea whose time had come.

[Shaebay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the easiest to follow cross stitching guides that doesn't overwhelm the reader. The website and this book are one of the main reasons I continued to cross stitch after learning how to do it. It gave great pointers, and most of the designs are pretty spiffy.