Stitch, Fabric & Thread: An inspirational guide for creative stitchers
Product ID: 40130203
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Experiment with stitch, fabric and thread to create your own unique textiles. This inventive book is a treasure trove of over 40 inspiring practical exercises, a rich and creative exploration of fabric and stitch, and a fascinating all-round read. Elizabeth Healey's approach to sewing is that it should be fun, and not like a chore or an exam we need to excel in. Her aim is to simply encourage you to pick up a needle and thread and get sewing! The exercises draw inspiration from around the world: create corded works of art inspired by Milton Glaser's iconic Bob Dylan poster; create bold embroidered African masks; layer up and cut away to create Mola applique; use bleach and fabric paint to create Aboriginal dreamtime lizards; create knotted works of art inspired by ancient Mayan counting systems; embroider varsity cross-stitch letters or try out decorative Japanese book binding. Alternatively, try a host of other techniques such as quilting, printing, dyeing, couching tumbled crockery, creating pleats and puckers and needlelace. Packed with stitch galleries and bursting with slow sewing ideas, the book also contains 'behind the stitches' features: illuminating insights into sewing movements such as Boro textiles, Gee's Bend quilting and Dorset buttons. Review: Think outside the square: this is not your traditional embroidery book! - This book has more than fulfilled my expectations. If you are looking for a traditional embroidery book, this is definitely not it. If you are looking for inspiration and thinking out of the square, and open to the suggestion of mixed media, then this is one for you to consider! This is not a stitch dictionary either, although the necessities of a hand sewing basket are discussed, and stitches explained and shown, but most of us do not consider India ink a vital ingredient, until you see what you can do with it when you drop it into paint and then add bleach, before you start embroidering on the resultant background. This is a great introduction to hand embroidery as an essential part of modern textile arts and mixed media that can be used on its own, as part of another project like an art quilt, or even as part of art journaling on rag paper and so crosses into many other areas that are not always considered compatible. The author explains techniques and gives examples you can follow as you build your personal repertoire and suggests places to look for further inspiration ranging from art galleries to the latest fashion shows to your backyard. Anything that catches you fancy is fair game. She also includes chapters on traditional crafts like Dorset buttons, creating pleats in fabric to turn them into 3D pieces then doing the same in felt for a totally different take on the idea, and even Suffolk puffs and paper piecing get an airing, with a modern twist. But this is not a quilting book either. Its about what you can do with a base fabric, (which does not have to be store bought material for embroidery), anything that can either be threaded through the eye of a needle, or couched down by thread or yarn, which is a wide interpretation of all those words, and embellishments made from things that often end up in the rubbish bin, such as useless wrappings, packaging or similar, can be re-used to make a unique piece of art. As someone who loves mixed media and textile arts along with painting and dyeing, and thinks recycling is a good idea, and enjoys working with her hands, this is right up my alley. From traditional work to the latest Indie ideas, there is plenty here to fill me with inspiration as I work out how to transpose those techniques onto another medium, combine them in a different way for a new twist, and then incorporate them into something else. Art feeds on inspiration, and once those creative juices get going, its amazing where they will take you. This book will get you started on that journey and take you down a few paths less travelled without the need to buy complicated and expensive appliances or brand name supplies. There are no major projects as such, its technique driven. Its up to you to what you do with the information the author shares, and the sky is the limit! Review: Very nicely produced helpful design book - One of the nicest books on stitchery I’ve came across. Well laid out, with excellent photography, interesting projects and an excellent history of each technique. I’ll most definitely be getting myself a printed copy to add to my burgeoning craft library.
| Best Sellers Rank | #177,484 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #58 in Textile & Costume (Books) #59 in Embroidery (Books) #98 in Sewing (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 543 Reviews |
C**R
Think outside the square: this is not your traditional embroidery book!
This book has more than fulfilled my expectations. If you are looking for a traditional embroidery book, this is definitely not it. If you are looking for inspiration and thinking out of the square, and open to the suggestion of mixed media, then this is one for you to consider! This is not a stitch dictionary either, although the necessities of a hand sewing basket are discussed, and stitches explained and shown, but most of us do not consider India ink a vital ingredient, until you see what you can do with it when you drop it into paint and then add bleach, before you start embroidering on the resultant background. This is a great introduction to hand embroidery as an essential part of modern textile arts and mixed media that can be used on its own, as part of another project like an art quilt, or even as part of art journaling on rag paper and so crosses into many other areas that are not always considered compatible. The author explains techniques and gives examples you can follow as you build your personal repertoire and suggests places to look for further inspiration ranging from art galleries to the latest fashion shows to your backyard. Anything that catches you fancy is fair game. She also includes chapters on traditional crafts like Dorset buttons, creating pleats in fabric to turn them into 3D pieces then doing the same in felt for a totally different take on the idea, and even Suffolk puffs and paper piecing get an airing, with a modern twist. But this is not a quilting book either. Its about what you can do with a base fabric, (which does not have to be store bought material for embroidery), anything that can either be threaded through the eye of a needle, or couched down by thread or yarn, which is a wide interpretation of all those words, and embellishments made from things that often end up in the rubbish bin, such as useless wrappings, packaging or similar, can be re-used to make a unique piece of art. As someone who loves mixed media and textile arts along with painting and dyeing, and thinks recycling is a good idea, and enjoys working with her hands, this is right up my alley. From traditional work to the latest Indie ideas, there is plenty here to fill me with inspiration as I work out how to transpose those techniques onto another medium, combine them in a different way for a new twist, and then incorporate them into something else. Art feeds on inspiration, and once those creative juices get going, its amazing where they will take you. This book will get you started on that journey and take you down a few paths less travelled without the need to buy complicated and expensive appliances or brand name supplies. There are no major projects as such, its technique driven. Its up to you to what you do with the information the author shares, and the sky is the limit!
M**3
Very nicely produced helpful design book
One of the nicest books on stitchery I’ve came across. Well laid out, with excellent photography, interesting projects and an excellent history of each technique. I’ll most definitely be getting myself a printed copy to add to my burgeoning craft library.
S**7
Great Content - print is too light for comfortable reading
The content of this book is excellent and inspiring. The only reason that I'm not giving it 5 stars is the print is so light that it is challenging to read in anything but ideal lighting conditions.
D**W
A fresh take on decorative needlework
I've been in the market for a different take on hand sewing and embroidery, not so much as a how to buy as more of a source of inspiration. I'm delighted with the book, it covers not only materials and tools but addresses a variety of things including fabric manipulation and Japanese bookbinding. If you're new to creative needlework this will definitely get you started on the right foot. If you're more experienced you'll likely appreciate the imagination and creativity of Ms Healey's work and and the projects in offer.
B**.
Wonderful
Wonder book lovely illustrations, informative, inspirational. Love it.
C**D
Love it
I loooooove this book. Everything you need to know about stitching and more!!
L**G
Very nice!
Love the inspiration this book offers. Highly recommend. Beautiful photography and instruction on every page. Can't wait to start creating some new projects inspired by some of the ideas within the pages of this book.
S**O
such a good read!
Unique projects and so much interesting information. I read it as an ebook but will be buying a physical copy to add to my library! If you enjoy any kind of textile art this is a fantastic resource.
M**T
très bon achat
Je suis ravie de cet achat, c'est un très bon livre qui ouvre de nombreuses perspectives sur l'art textile, en le rendant très accessible. De nombreuses photos, plein d'idées, certaines applicables pour l'embellissement ou la réparation de vêtements, d'autres pour la déco ou l'apprentissage de techniques. Que ce soit pour le plaisir pur de l'art textile ou pour l'utilité ce livre est bien sympathique.
R**A
Um mundo novo só com linhas e tecidos
Para quem gosta de costurar e bordar, este livro nos leva um passo adiante usando os mesmos materiais. Inspirador.
M**A
Good book
I like this book, very inspiring
A**R
Fantastic book
Arrived when expected. This book is very inspirational and more than just a project book. It is also a good read with lots to absorb. I have finished one project based on information and am working on another.
C**M
inspiring for any stitcher
I love, love, love this book. It is such a creative, inspiring world trip around all sorts of stitching techniques, which will be of interest to anyone who sews or embroiders. The author is clearly a talented expert. I particularly loved the little case studies about quilters and patchwork garments and so on. There are projects that are accessible and interesting, sending you off in all kinds of directions and inspiring anything you might want to do. Just wonderful to pore over and go on to create.
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
3 weeks ago