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Freestyle Machine Embroidery
Techniques and Inspirations For Fiber Art

by Carol Shinn

     

Got a sewing machine? Many people have and find that it lies dormant for long periods between one project and another. Get more out of it by taking up machine embroidery (which is a lot more free and easy than the hand variety) and discover ways of adorning all sorts of things, including your other stitched projects.

There is something very liberating about this type of self-expression that awakens the child in people, and this book does manage to capture some of that essence. This is surely what the term "freestyle" ought to be all about, and a glance at this book will show the artist’s personal visions captured in thread on fabric. The first chapter deals with understanding how to get to grips with the basics, and how to use your sewing machine in such a way; what you need, how to use it and getting the tension right. That being sorted out, it is time for the adventure to begin. Subsequent chapters deal with color, using different materials such as ink jet transfers, dissolvable fabrics and collage, experimenting with different stitching techniques and more. Finally, there is a gallery of artists’ work to inspire you, and even if you are not one for the abstracts and very "arty" work in this book, reading all about the creative process ought to get you going. It worked with me, although just once I would love to see a sewing machine other than a Bernina featured in a book on this topic...

The Book

Interweave Press (distributed in the UK by Search Press)
June 2009
Paperback
1596680423 / 9781596680425
How-To Books / Embroidery
More at Amazon.com US || UK
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2009
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© 2009 MyShelf.com