Stitch Stories: Personal Places, Spaces and Traces in Textile Art

In part of the Introduction I misread a phrase: instead of "[this book] takes a closer look at how the everyday and familiar can be a starting point for developing ideas," I read "startling point." The entire book reveals I actually read it correctly! This book is WAY esoteric and I can hardly relate to anything. Except...er...I've been wanting to design embroidery and this may be the kick in the rear I've been needing. For a long time, I've wanted to design hardanger pieces and traditional samplers; these employ relatively common stitches like cross stitch. But from these books, I've also become intrigued with designing pictures of nature or even my own home using unfamiliar stitches: The Art of Embroidered Flowers Rebecca Ringquist's Embroidery Workshops: A Bend-the-Rules Primer Needle Painting Embroidery: Fresh Ideas for Beginners (Milner Craft Series) A Complete Guide to Creative Embroidery: Designs * Textures * Stitches Creative Embroidery Techniques Using Color Through Gold Judith Baker Montano's Elegant Stitches: Essential Stitch Guide & Source Book of Inspiration This book's mixed media--painting and drawing on packaging--and techniques--"low-water immersion dyeing" (!!)--are so out of my league. It cracks me up that one of the chapters is entitled "Off the Beaten Path" because that describes the entire book to me! I understand how having a notebook and sketching things when inspiration hits really helps you keep your eyes open...but a grain of rice can be a starting point...? However much I cannot relate to a lot of this book, I feel inspired now. Just the discussion of Opus Anglicanum and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London reminds me of walking through that fantastic building and seeing wildly artistic needlework made hundreds of years ago before there were pattern books, when needles were literally worth their weight in gold. Just reading this book is interesting even if you never employ a single idea. It's both pleasant and unsettling to look at beautiful art and have to study the caption to make out the technique! Anything's possible. That's the best take-away from this book.

I've been eagerly waiting for this book to appear in my letterbox. It was delivered this morning and from the minute I touched it, I knew it was special. It's more than a book, it's really an art journal. The cover is a beautiful soft fabric, very velvet like and printed with the most beautiful scenes, which are detailed further in the book. The information is detailed, the pictures are stunning, the stories are interesting, the artists who have contributed to this book are generous with their descriptions of their work. I have only just begun with this book and I will devour it in due course. If I ever get the chance to do a Cas Holmes workshop, I'll do whatever it takes to participate. Her work in standout and so meaningful.

I was so pleased with this book. I had hesitated for a long time before buying it - I just moved and realize I must own 300 books about my various interests and at least 20 of them are some form of embroidery related topic. However, I must say I thought this was worthwhile. Very inspiring and educational. Definitely would recommend it.

Very interesting book, full of ideas. However I have noticed a tendency in recent books I have purchased for the use of faint type. It might look pretty, the contrast between light,, medium and dark text, but it’s not user friendly. I can distinguish between the narrative text and the diagram or picture captions without the latter being so faint I have to struggle to read it.

Cas Holmes is one of the most fiber artists in England. She has written many books showing her work and the work of other artists. This book featured the best of both.

I am a fan of Cas Holmes. I do fiber art myself but she has a new twist to the genre. I am enjoying reading about her perspectives, inspirations and techniques.

I love this book and look forward to following the instructions for some amazing, creative work.

I purchased this right before I signed up for a class called "Stitching Stories". I was inspired by the various artist and techniques .

wonderful book to browse and get inspired. Not for the beginner so that there is no real HOW TO..I love it.

Bien sûr, il faut lire l'anglais mais les illustrations sont riches et guident. Le livre comporte les parties suivantes: 1: places espaces et traces: apprendre à regarder autour de soi, à collecter 2: trouver l'inspiration 3:la nature, les paysages comme source d'inspiration 4: les détails de notre environnement qui peuvent nous guider sur le choix des textures des couleurs... 5: notre parcours personnel 6: raconter des histoires en aiguille Des références à des artistes illustrent les propos

ミシンライフが更に楽しくなる1冊です。 お気に入りの本の仲間入りです。

Superbe livre, une mine d'informations, de techniques, d'idées. Je suis enchantée de cet achat

Gostei da precisão nas orientações e da edição primorosa.