Stitched Textiles: Animals Review & GIVEAWAY

New 6th title in popular textile series just released - Stitched Textiles: Animals by Mrs Bertimus! From inspiration to final design the UK artist shows how she creates her wonderful animal-themed stitched textiles using freestyle machine embroidery and a little bit of hand stitching. She says the thread becomes the pencil and the fabric becomes the paint. Her book is divided into 5 main parts - Where to start, Composition, Going further, Telling a story and Projects. It's packed with insight into her creative process - from the materials she uses to step-by-step demonstrations of a whole range of techniques. There are 3 stitched textile projects - Sausage Dog, Midnight Fox and Acrobat Mouse. Templates are included. Delightful examples of the author's work are featured throughout. As well as machine embroidery you'll find collage, printing, drawing and some of the authors stories plus the methods she used in the work. An amended table of contents is shown below. I have individually listed every topic. You won't find this anywhere else. Publisher Search Press released the 128 page paperback on May 28, 2021. Get your copy below!

CONTENTS

Introduction

Materials

Fabrics, Embroidery, Art

Where to start 

Core techniques

Inspiration

Engaging with your subject

Choosing colors: my palette

Making your drawing

Tonal value maps

Fabric collage

Freestyle machine embroidery

Sheep skull

Composition

It's all about balance

Orientation - the horizontal and the vertical

Composing: Whitby Sheep

Identifying tones

Planning the stitches

Composition challenges

Refining the fabric collage

Letting the character emerge

Backgrounds

Composition of the fabric collage

Composing with sticky notes

Into abstraction

Going further

Advanced techniques

Paper collage

Paper and stitch

Gel-plate printing

Using gel-plate printing alongside other techniques

Making your own printing plates

Printing fabrics

Using the printed fabrics

Masks and stencils

Layering prints and combining techniques

Reserving areas

Creating texture

Telling a story

Starting points

Stories, sketches and photographs

Acrobat Mice

Story and colour

Story and style: old photographs

Sausage Dog

Step-by-step project

Midnight Fox

Step-by-step project

Acrobat Mouse

Step-by-step project

Afterword

Templates

Index

Sausage Dog - Project #1.

Midnight Fox  - Project #2.

Acrobat Mouse - Project #3.

This layout is from the chapter on composition. It's a look at backgrounds. If you read the text under the images then look closely at the image you'll be able to see exactly what Mrs. Bertimus means.

Sticky notes technique.

Freestyle machine embroidery technique.

Charming examples of Mrs Bertimus's work.

Owl

Queen of Sheba

Minuet and Mouse in a Spotty Teacup. 

How to set up your machine for freestyle machine embroidery, page 24.

Party Lurcher from page 43.

Stitched Textiles: Animals ISBN-13 : 978-1782218227 is available worldwide at Search Press. Search Press is an independent, multi award-winning, family owned art and craft book publisher. Check out their unique catalog at Search Press. Search Press has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until July 6, 2021. Canada & USA only. Good luck!

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Sewing Animal Dolls Review & GIVEAWAY

Sew some new friends with Sewing Animal Dolls: Heirloom patterns to make for Daisy and her friends by Tina O'Rourke. Meet and learn how to make Daisy Dog and her best friends Mimi Puppy, Rosie Rabbit and Ben and Betty Bear. These beloved animal characters like to play dress up, have fun sleepovers and take magical weekend walks. They have their own clothing - basic outfits, fairy dress up costumes (completely hand-sewn) and pajamas. An array of accessories like hats, scarves, bags, slippers and more, complement each dolls look. There are patterns for making the dolls as well as their clothing and accessories. All pattern pieces are full size and include a 1/2 cm seam allowance. Standard information on pattern level (advanced beginner to intermediate), finished size, materials, hand sewing stitches used and cutting out the pattern are included. These are followed by step-by-step sewing instructions - both photo and text. Tutorials demonstrate finishing touches like basic crochet, hand stitching (whip stitch applique, whip, ladder, running, tacking, daisy, satin, back and blanket stitches) how to sew on a button and snap fastener. This beautiful collection of handmade dolls is sure to be cherished for years to come! Casemate IPM released this 128 page paperback on June 24, 2020. It is also available in e-book format. Get your copy below! 

contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE - THE BASICS

Materials

Essential tools & equipment

Hints & Tips

CHAPTER TWO

Daisy Dog & Mimi Puppy

CHAPTER THREE

Rosie Rabbit

CHAPTER FOUR

Ben and Betty Bear

CHAPTER FIVE

Fairy Dress-up

CHAPTER SIX

Sleepover

CHAPTER SEVEN - TUTORIALS

Crochet Stitches

Sample Stitches

FULL SIZE PATTERNS

Daisy Dog, Mimi Puppy, Rosie Rabbit, Ben and Betty Bear Pattern Templates

About the author

Daisy Dog and Mimi Puppy

Rosie Rabbit

Twins Betty and Ben Bear

There's even a very simple pattern for a mini teddy that can be sewn for each doll. 

Sewing Animal Dolls is available in Canada and the USA at Casemate IPM and in the UK and Europe at Pen and Sword Books. It is published by White Owl an imprint of Pen & Sword Books, a publisher based in the UK. Casemate IPM has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until October 5, 2020. Canada & USA only. Good luck!

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My First Book of Sewing Review & GIVEAWAY

Learn how to sew with My First Book of Sewing by Catherine Guidicelli! This pretty book is ideal for learning and practicing hand and machine sewing basics. It's contents are presented with step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. The Introduction covers essential sewing skills and techniques. It is a handy reference to be returned to over and over. The 22 beginner friendly sewing Projects are suitable for girls. These practical applications allow for skill and technique development. Make some fun and functional items while building your sewing confidence! All sewing projects are listed below. Measurements are in both inches and metric. Patterns, a Glossary and Conversion Chart are found at the back. Knowing how to sew opens up a world of creative possibilities! Dover Publications released this 240 page paperback on October 17, 2018. Get your copy below!

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Materials

Fabrics

Sewing by hand

Sewing with the machine

PROJECTS

Customized jeans

Yo-yo badges

Flower blossoms

Butterfly knots

Scrunchies

Bandannas

Triangle scarf with braid

Striped scarf

Headbands

Bookmark

String of pennants

Drawstring bags

Tissue pouches

Planner cover

Pillow cover

Small bins with square base

Fox pillow

Funny charms

Lined tote bag

Tutu-style skirt

Lined pencil case

Apron

PATTERNS

GLOSSARY

CONVERSION CHART

Striped scarf, page 99.

Funny Charms page, 183.

My First Book of Sewing is available worldwide at Dover Publications. Dover, Great Books, Variety & Value Since 1941. Check out their catalog at Dover Publications. Dover has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until February 5, 2019. Canadian & US addresses only. Good luck!

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The Apron Book Review & GIVEAWAY

Every time I pick it up I end up reading more than I intended. It's an updated edition of The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort by award-winning author EllynAnne Geisel. Originally published in 2006 it is now in reprint. A 152 page softcover, with flaps, became available November 7, 2017 from Andrews McMeel Publishing. EllynAnne Geisel is creator of the popular traveling exhibit Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections. Her book is suitable for those who admire, sew or collect aprons. In this meaningful look back at the apron, from function to fashion, the author examines the apron in all its forms. She includes wonderful stories, patterns, recipes, and household hints. Inside is a full-size bib apron pattern and four basic apron patterns - a waist, bib, smock and child's apron - along with a myriad of variations. According to EllynAnne, "Aprons don't hold us back, they take us back" - the very reason for the apron's status as today's hottest collectible. Get your copy today!

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 Aprons: An Odyssey

Chapter 2 The Anatomy of an Apron

Chapter 3 Aprons in the Kitchen

Chapter 4 All Around the House

Chapter 5 Backyard Daddy

Chapter 6 Maid in America: Aprons on the Job

Chapter 7 Jingle Belle: Aprons for Holidays, Entertaining, Special Occasions

Chapter 8 Not Your Grandma's Apron

Chapter 9 Apron Memories

Photo credits

Acknowledgements

Index

Delightful mini coke bottle aprons from the Erin McDaniels Owens family on page 86. Her story stayed with me.

EllynAnne Geisel

The Apron Book is available at Andrews McMeel Publishing. Check out their unique catalog at Andrew McMeel Publishing. Andrews McMeel Publishing has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until April 10, 2018. Canada & the USA only. Good luck!

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