How did Betsy Ross know how to sew those stars and stripes together? As part of the fabric of the tradition of this craft, Needlecrafts For Dummies explores the art of putting needle and thread to practical use with a touch of grace. Needlecrafts For Dummies author Cheryl Fall helps you jump through your first hoops, from filling your sewing basket with the necessary needles, floss, and frames to working with patterns and designing your own creations. Cheryl then keeps you in stitches -- freestyle embroidery, cross stitch, satin, and needlepoint -- even guiding you through machine embroidery. If you're a beginner, Cheryl's handiwork shows you the steps to creating your first sampler, until your fingers begin to fly through the finishing steps. Try any of the sixteen projects included (with patterns and illustrations), such as a crewel placemat and napkin ring or a needlepoint pillow featuring pears, and get started showing off your stitchery wizardry. And don't forget to sample a few of these extra goodies from Cheryl's basket: tying French knots, mounting and framing your work, or adding a tassel to your treasure! Needlecrafts For Dummies is a stitch in time, showing you what Cheryl learned from her mother and passed on to her daughter, for all time.