The Intentional Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture, and Color in Stitch

I want to preface this review by saying that I love this book. It is fabulous, but I wasn’t as surprised or wowed as I thought I would be, not because of the quality of the book, but because it presented nothing new to me. Going through the pages was like going through the work in my studio or my archives. I started embroidering as a child. My mum showed me a few stitches I still use: running, backstitch, seeding, French knots and open and closed chain stitch. Though I loved drawing, I never used these stitches to make flowers, etc., I just worked them as I pleased in an abstract fashion, combining them, asking mum for different threads... When I moved from the South of France, (where embroidery equals Aida cloth and cross-stitch to this day), to London aged 18, I discovered an accomplished accomplice: Constance Howard. I found that a lot of the images in the Intentional Thread reminded me of those in Constance’s books. I took so many courses -though textile art remained a side-source of revenue until I was 37 when I took it up full time- the translating of mark-making into stitch has been always been my practice and figures in over 35 years of coursework or personal sketchbooks. My work has remained abstract and inspired by nature, texture, peeling paint, and the ‘try this’ sections have been covered by many a C&G course over the decades. I’m saying I might not have been surprised, but I was awed by this book. It is the first time since Constance Howard’s approach stitching in a different manner that I’ve been so excited by a textile book. For a few years now we have been showered with ‘slow stitch’ books, which frankly isn’t new but has become a fad. This book tackles slow stitching a lot without making it the author’s personal religion and discovery. Brandeis refers to it as a collating decades of her own sketchbooks. Her instructions are clear, her language isn’t patronising, doesn’t have that ‘look what I have invented!’ or ‘this is how I feel’ tone. It offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. I have never taken her classes but I imagine she is a fantastic teacher. Even though I often did double-takes when turning a page because her style is so close to the way I’ve always worked, the book remains delightful by its contents and beautiful photography. I would recommend it to absolutely anyone from beginners to professional textile artists. Whether it offers you a completely new approach or an affirmation of your methods, it is a ‘must’ addition to any textile art library.

Absolutely loved this book.

Being new to textile art I am guided by the reviews of those more experienced than myself. I am glad I got this beautiful book. The reviews led me correctly. There are ideas to try and for me this is an exciting adventure to embark on with threads and fabric. Tis book is good value for money.

I loved this book the stitch examples of texture were just what I wanted, to be used in research not a reading or instruction book. a good resource for the workroom library.

Without a doubt the best textile book you could buy. I'm a textile artist with a pretty comprehensive collection of books. This book is very obviously written by an expert with love for creative embroidery. I can't recommend it highly enough...buy it.

Not a lot of projects , mostly stitch information

A beautifully presented book full of inspiring ideas and helpful guidance.

Bought this for my partner, a very capable seamstress, and it has reignited her interest in the artistic side of sewing and embroidery.

Very well made, large, hardback. Full colour photos and diagrams. It has everything, and a little more.

Comprei o livro por uma indicação de uma amiga, mas sabia apenas de alguns conteúdos que me interessavam. Mas quando recebi o livro (em ótimo estado e com envio rápido) me surpreedi muito positivamente, É maravilhoso, valeu demais a compra.

If you're interested in stitching this book is a sparkling gem in the world of creative stitching! It's very beautiful, inspirational and educational. I can't imagine anyone not learning from and enjoying it! It's 5 Star Excellent!

A major strength of this book is well organized into sections related to design principles rather than materials or specific stitches. The focus is on translating marks and textures of images and drawings with stitch.Thankfully, the details of how to do stitches and achieve effects is at the back of the book. Photos of examples are excellent ( good detail and color) and proposed exercises at the end of each chapter are interesting and clearly described. It would be interesting to see a gallery of some students work from the author's classes, but this doesn't detract from the book's usefulness as a study guide and inspiration. Because I use this book frequently, I would prefer a spiral binding; the binding on my copy is already coming unglued at the spine.

El libro es un libro para experimentar y aprender a expresarte usando el bordado, de manera similar al dibujo sin que esto necesariamente sea como hacer bordado híper realista. Está dividido en elementos que conforman una imagen, tal como línea, textura, color. No tiene proyectos sino ejercicios para cada tema. Propone hacer muestrarios. Algo que es muy importante, es que la autora fue catedrática de arte textil, así que es como asistir a una de sus clases. La edición del libro es cuidadosa, bien hecha. Contiene muchas fotos todas a color. Pienso que es un buen libro si lo que quieres es aprender a usar el bordado como un medio de expresión y encontrar tu propia voz en el arte textil. El único punto que a mí no me gusta mucho, es que muchos de los ejercicios o aplicaciones están hechos con máquinas de coser. No es que no venga la explicación del bordado a mano, pero los ejemplos son menos.