Gesture | Mr X Stitch

Introduction The Intentional Thread by Susan Brandeis (Schiffier Publishing) So, have you a desire to say something with your stitches? Will this be a book that encourages you to try to break free from what you are used to? We are invited to you to: Communicate your ideas using line, shape, colour, and texture with this reference and how-to exploration in one. Whether your particular interest is pictorial, portraiture, abstract compositions, or actual text, you can “say” almost anything with thread. More than 350 colour photographs translate the techniques of drawing, painting, and good composition into the world of stitch, and “Try This!” projects inspire your own individual approaches. The Intentional Thread Who is it aimed at? This book has both the potential to interest hand embroiderers and those machine based. It covers the subject area in a basic manner at times, with complex ideas dotted about too, thus its a good all rounder; appealing to students as well as the professional. This isn't a book designed to simply copy; it encourages readers to create their own outcomes based on what they learn. About the artist We learn: Susan Brandeis is Distinguished Professor Emerita at North Carolina State University’s College of Design and a studio artist. She founded the Southeast Fibres Educators Association and has been exhibiting, teaching, and writing about Textile art and design for over 35 years. Then she wrote this publication, The Intentional Thread! Thus this experience has been channelled into this publication. Content What does this book contain? There are several introductory sections, explaining a little about the book itself. Then we are led onto a separation of parts. Part One looks at The Elements of Line.....what can be done with all those stiches we learn: Stitch types are clearly taught through this publication, making it a good teaching handbook for those who serve as educators. Part Two deals with what to fill the outline stitched areas with: Filling Stitches We enjoyed how this section dealt with colour and stitch together. It covers basics, such as colour types and what colours work together. The rest of this book has some great highlights too. Near its end you will find help on stitching, how to go about samplers and working out how to collaborate our expressive natures with stitch to create personal outcomes. What makes it special? Many books deal with stitch types in a bland similar manner. Brandeis here incorporates suggestions within this book, such as how to use text in a thread way....merging handwriting with expression...in stitch! Example of how anger can show real meaning when stitched. Well drawn diagrams help us to visualise how stitches and colours will work together; before we use our time stitching them. Photography There are so many photographs used in this book. Having said that, because it is a hefty publication, its large handback nature standing with over 200 pages, it does need plenty to hold our interest. Well illustrated, Brandeis has even explained what she has in her personal sewing stash, so that we can visualise what we need too. It is easy to run out of ideas if we are simply exploring one stitch and not a few at a time. The author helps us to work with stitches in a playful way here, really portraying what can be done with yes, just one stitch type. Is there anything wrong with the book? As said previously near the start of our review, this publication does not point to only being applicable to one age range or ability. In our view, it would work well for students as well as teachers. Students could easily be set tasks inspired by this book...so hey it might be worth you educators out they grabbing a copy for those days when you run out of ideas! Conclusion This publication is available to purchase by simply clicking the link below! The Intentional Thread by Susan Brandeis (Schiffier Publishing)