I really like the work of Beatrix Potter – the original books especially, but also the many styles of embroidery kits of her work that have appeared over the years. I have collected several of them, when I come across them on Ebay, for example.
Recently, I managed to get hold of a copy of this little gem of a book:
It’s in French (the title, ‘Le Monde de Beatrix Potter’ is a bit of a giveaway there!) – it means ‘The World of Beatrix Potter’. The book is small in size – 6 x 8.5 inches – and only has 80 pages, but it’s gorgeous, nonetheless.
It is by the French cross stitch designer Veronique Enginger. If you haven’t come across her before, try looking at the page dedicated to her on her publisher’s website. She does beautiful cross stitch kits and books – always in a very distinctive French style. Many are available on Amazon.co.uk.
This book is rather different for her, though, as she sticks very carefully to Beatrix Potter’s signature style, as in the watercolour illustrations from the books.
The book is mainly composed of double page spreads of little collections of motifs on a theme, such as Peter Rabbit, or Pigling Bland. There are one or two larger designs per two-page spread, and then lots of smaller motifs scattered around, on the same theme and colourway.
So, really, this book is more a collection of motifs for you to choose from when composing your own projects, than a book of ‘complete designs’. All the colour keys give thread colours for DMC stranded cotton. There are several pages of styleshot photos, showing how the cross stitch designs can be used in items such as cushions, tote bags, and so on.
At the back of the book is a section on how to do cross stitch, materials needed, how to work out how big any particular motif will be when worked on different counts of fabric, etc. Beware, though, that these are, obviously, written in French, as it’s a French book! So, if French isn’t your best subject, just stick to using the book for the designs themselves.
I’m considering taking motifs from this book and making a kind of ‘soft book’ with about six pages in (so that’s twelve page sides to stitch), to be able to use my favourite images from Veronique’s book. I could fill in the space around the edges of the pages with the smaller motifs, and design my own cover. If I get the time, that is. If not, it’s just a pretty book to look at!
As I said before, I ‘managed to get hold’ of this book – it is out of print now, and has been for a while. It occasionally pops up on Ebay, or Amazon (also, try the French Amazon site, as that’s where I got my copy from). But be warned….it’s not cheap now. My copy cost me over £40. But I think it’s worth it, for such a pretty book, with so many well-designed classic images in it.
Le Monde de Beatrix Potter, by Veronique Enginger (out of print)
Originally 10 euro when in print.
Mango Pratique Series, published by http://www.fleuruseditions.com
80 pages. Paperback.
ISBN 9 782842 706326
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Janet Granger's Blog 
I’ve seen it before. I occasionally try to find a copy as well. I love Beatrix Potter’s illustrations. I was actually tempted to get the coins when they came out in the UK last year =D
Love, Love, LOVE Beatrix Potter! Haven’t started on the Alphabet Sampler I got from you yet, but I am working on the Tailor of Gloucester seat cover… although it’s slow going!
This is an absolutely lovely book… hope we get to see what you make from it 🙂
When I get round to making something from it, you’ll get to see it 🙂
this article gives us great insights. and I have learned lot more by your blog. Thanks and appreciate your hard work
Love it! I would like purchase this book, but it costs over $150 on amazon.com!
Yes, unfortunately it doesn’t appear for sale very often, and when it does, it can be expensive! Keep looking though, because sometimes people offer it without knowing how desirable it is!