Book Review | Mr X Stitch

Book Review - The Sewing Room Sampler Quilt by Yoko Saito

The Sewing Room Sampler Quilt | Textile Art

The Sewing Room Sampler Quilt combines two of Yoko Saito’s favourites: blocks featuring traditional quilting motifs, such as stars and houses, plus one-of-a-kind sewing-themed applique designs. You can use the block and applique designs individually, or combine them to create this quilting masterpiece. Step-by-step colour instructions illustrate how to piece the 16 blocks together and assemble the quilt. Full-size templates of the 8 applique motifs are included on pattern sheets.

Cross Stitch Wildflowers and Grasses by Hisako Nishisu

Cross Stitch Wildflowers and Grasses | Textile Art

Book Review – Hisako Nishisu invites you to try her new collection of Cross Stitch Wildflowers and Grasses, designs inspired by beauty and simplicity. There are over 30 stunning motifs to choose from, so whether you admire the lily of the valley or the violet, or prefer to stitch the Japanese silverleaf, there is sure to be a project that will catch your eye. After a gallery of beautifully photographed embroideries, a cross stitch overview is provided outlining the tools, materials and techniques needed for completing these charming samplers. This is followed by a clear, full-page chart for each design. Once your floral sampler is finished, frame it and hang it for a beautiful addition to any room, or use the designs to add pretty motifs to your linens, clothing and accessories.

Modern Mending

A review quote on the front of this book reads, “A fun, practical guide for anyone wanting to reduce fashion waste.” I couldn’t put it any better myself, that’s exactly what this fabulously colourful inspiring book is. It encourages you to bring your old clothes back to life instead of throwing them in the bin and running out to buy new things.

Pulled Thread Embroidery

The sub title of this book is ‘Stitches, techniques and over 140 exquisite designs’ so it’s jam packed with pulled thread pleasure. Pulled thread embroidery is a technique which involves sewing thread to pull on the threads of the fabric you are using, allowing you to produce beautiful designs without cutting or removing anything.

Embroiderer’s Guild Transfers Collection

The Embroiderers’ Guild Transfers Collection: 90 Rediscovered Treasures to Transfer and Stitch – to give it its full title – is a beautiful collection of embroidery transfers which Annelle Collinge discovered in the archives of the Embroiderers’ Guild. As Annette explains in the book, Embroiderers’ Guild transfers were first referred to in a magazine published in 1932 so the description of the book as a ‘treasure trove’ on the back, is really true.

Thread Folk

The author Libby Moore marries together a few different artists’ illustrations coupled with a good old traditional embroidery hoop and hand embroidery to showcase a number of repeatable patterns. The patterns vary in theme, from floral to confetti.

Jessie Chorley: Multi-tasking Textile Master

Jessie Chorley is a talented textile focused designer maker with the ability to juggle running a growing business and being a full time artist. She also often holds workshops and until recently was running an arts and crafts shop in London.

Book Review - The Textile Artist: Expressive Stitches

The Textile Artist: Expressive Stitches | Textile Art Book Review

The Textile Artist: Expressive Stitches delves into the creative process of collecting and storing natural items, exploring pattern, texture, media and markings to cultivate the final design. Dyeing, embellishing and stamping transform fabrics into vibrant, textured artworks using a combination of traditional hand stitching, machine stitching, and other media. A step-by step guide of techniques explores Jan’s stitched landscape, memory cloths and bird sculptures. Each project includes a break down of materials, tools and techniques used providing inspiration for your own textile artwork.

Quilting with Liberty Fabrics: 15 quilts celebrating 145 years in fabric

Bound with quality and respect towards it’s linage and name within the fashion and arts world, Quilting with Liberty Fabrics is a joyous marriage of history and art. Jenni Smith as the writer takes us behind the scenes, using her ability of access the actual Liberty Design Studio and historical archives, to showcase and progress with fifteen projects. All feature aspects of history within Liberty fabrics, so we learn as well as create our own pieces. British design at its best.

Textiles Of India

A hardcover bible, dressed as linen with its own jacket. It is filled full of colour illustrations, both full view and close up in style. In size, it is a giant, at 34cm x 25.5cm. Textiles of India will soon become your when-cannot-travel companion, a publication to get lost in and discover a wealth of culture and history. From silks, embroideries to exciting finds in temples.

Stitchcraft: An Embroidery Book of Simple Stitches and Peculiar Patterns

Stitchcraft by Gayla Partridge

A softback publication, Stitchcraft is both macabre and enticing; floral with an eerie edge. It is image led, relying on a sublime portrayal of images to catch our eye. The author Gayla Partridge uses her knowledge of the human form to create a unique book which seems to marry our curiosity with a timeless Halloween theme. From snakes to bones – just don’t try stitching this one in the dark!

Urban Quilting by Wendy Chou

Are you a keen quilter? Or maybe this is a new technique for you to master. Either way, Urban Quilting by Wendy Chow professes to be the guide you require to learn all about this craft method. Featuring many patterns, step-by-step instructions and photographs, what will you make first?