At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up.
Introduction
The scope of embroidery is pretty endless. You can blend colours, create innovative line qualities and make interesting marks. The Intentional Thread by Susan Brandeis provides a beautifully detailed set of examples of exactly how to do so. Just as the title suggests, with this book you can use your threads intentionally to create interesting and considered works of fine art.
Who Is The Book Aimed at?
The Intentional Thread is for those experienced in either hand embroidery or machine embroidery. It has great potential for students or teachers wanting to increase their embroidery tool kit and artists with designs they would like to develop in new and exciting ways.
About the artist
Susan Brandeis is a Distinguished Professor and 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.
Content
To begin, there are several introductory sections, explaining a little about the book itself, followed by stitch types. The explanations are thorough and go the extra mile in how to develop the stitches past the basic techniques. For ease of reading, there are also handy sections perfect for those looking for a specific piece of advice
What Is Good About This Book?
The level of detail really sets apart The Intentional Thread from other hand embroidery books on the market. The author offers us multiple options of stitches and designs to work with, meaning the reader can create something truly tailored to their own style.
Developing a sensitivity to colour is something that takes practice. Luckily we are introduced to useful colour combinations, adding another level of detail to our stitches that are considered and complimentary.
Photography
The photography in The Intentional Thread is of high quality. The up-close shots of the techniques are of a great standard, enabling us to see all of the tiny details we need to really build our designs with.
Conclusion
The Intentional Thread is a great book for embroidery enthusiasts and those wanting to expand on their skills. It is great for beginners wanting to test out some mark-making, and advanced embroiderers wanting to expand their skills and use their stitches in new and thoughtful ways.
You can purchase The Intentional Thread by Susan Brandeis here
