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- Verified Buyer
The illustrations were beautiful and very inspirational to a newbie in fabric art. Thank you for the pics, explanation and encouragement.This book is about is an exploration of one of the fundamentals of art and design: line. You'll learn how to observe and document the lines that you see around you in nature, architecture etc and then learn how to interpret those into embroidery and textile art.Broken into 4 major sections the book begins with an extensive overview of tools, materials and backgrounds. The types of drawing tools for making marks on whatever grounds you work with are followed by a discussion of how to alter your backgrounds by layering, collage, piecing, weaving and several coloring options. These backgrounds are the base for the second section of the book entitled Line Drawing and Textile Processes.This second chapter guides you in adding marks to your backgrounds using techniques such as mono-printing, printing blocks made from erasers, lifting and removing color using chalks, crayons discharge, and frisket and then moves into a discussion of several transfer techniques. Creating lines is not limited to just printing techniques though, the author also includes a section on creating needle felted lines and marks as well as making fibrous surfaces with silk tops and cocoon strippings.The first two chapters of this book are really the groundwork for the books main focus which is found in chapter three: Interpreting Line Quality - Drawing and Stitching. It's in this chapter where you'll find examples of actual design interpretations by the author as well as other artists. Each piece of the authors artwork is accompanied by a image of the original design reference and the approach she took with interpreting or drawing the line and then what stitch techniques were used. This section is an absolute feast for the eyes! Full page images of the artwork as well as clear crisp closeups allow you to see the intricate details of the pieces. Detailed explanation of how each piece was created give the reader a good understanding of the artists approach as well as a road map for the reader to consider when creating their own work.The book closes with a chapter on Using Line. Here is where you'll learn how to use stitch to interpret the textural quality of lines and marks on a surface. As in the third chapter an image is accompanied by the resulting artwork that it inspired along with a description of how the piece was created. The difference here is that the focus is on the types of stitching used; hand stitching or machine and the type of stitch used.This book is a must have for textile artists who are looking for a fresh innovative approach to interpreting line in their work.While `Drawn to Stitch' is written primarily for fibre artists, it is an excellent resource for artists working in other mediums as well. In fact this latest book from Gwen Hedley can be treated as a comprehensive workshop and worked through over a number of weeks. In doing this, you can be guaranteed to be far more skilled at observing, interpreting and transferring your creative ideas into your particular artwork than you were before. I am an abstract artist, working in mixed media, and have found `Drawn to Stitch' excellent for this purpose. I am now looking at resource material in a fresh way.As Gwen Hedley herself says, the first two chapters, based on materials and technique, are simply the lead in to Chapter 3 which she says is "the kernel of the book." Hedley demonstrates with specific examples how she goes from collecting ideas for pattern and texture to her finished fibre art. To give you an idea of how creative she is, here are some examples of her resources;A corroded metal window frameA banded pebble,Worm casts on a rock,Eroded stone in a garden wall,Scratched lines in a wooden shed,A carved column, coastal port,Cracked window glassA crumbling sea wallOffice structuresA wall repairSkeleton hydrangea petalsSprayed graffiti on a wallScattered pine needlesA sea urchin shellIn a sense, you learn how to use the 'macroscopic lens' of your own eye to see your world in a new way. Additional artists include, Sheila Mortlock, Clyde Olliver, Bobby Britnell, James Hunting, Mathew Harris, Roanna Wells, Shelley Rhodes, Andrea Butler, Alex Mcerlain, and Alice Kettle. Most of these artists have their own websites, so you can go see the treats in store for you.I am a high school art teacher. In trying to keep a neutral stance when teaching art history or in using examples of artist's work, sometimes I struggle with a genuine appreciation in some work. Especially that of non-representational artists. Gwen Hedley's book Drawn to Stitch was a real eye opener for me in finding deeper meaning in some of the current day art. Her examples take one through the whole process from inspiration to completion of a piece. I have a new appreciation for the forms of art that only appear as color or just lines on a piece of canvas. This, in turn, has given me new approaches in my teaching techniques.On a practical side, her approach to line design has given me fresh ideas for teaching my line design and drawing units. She has opened up a whole new approach to the way I have taught these foundations of any basic or advanced art course.As an artist, I will certainly use her techniques in my own work. I am so glad that I stumbled onto this book through the Amazon.com website. The suggestion that was sent to me through the website was very beneficial to Amazon.com, my students, and me!! thanks!Liked information on how to get started.I have had this book on my wish list for a couple of years. It is beautifully illustrated in full color photography. It explains a multitude of techniques used in textiles, such as monoprints and making unique textures with stitching. Many of the designs are shown as a drawing and one or two versions of stitching. I know I will use this book for its techniques, but was disappointed in the variety of artwork. However, there was a small portion of the book dedicated to other artists who stimulated my creativity such as Bernie Leahy, Rosie James and Sarah Burgess.Really pleased with this book! It is excitingly illustrated and has helpful incites as to how to achieve these processes so not a coffee table book nor overly technical. Very enticing to anyone who loves drawing /textiles/surface design both for the novice and art student but especially for those who can't get started on a project. Wish I had bought this sooner.Beautiful book. As an Art teacher, I use this a lot and show students as it illustrates how you can translate your photography into drawing/collage and then into textiles/stitch.This book had been on my 'want list' for ages but I had never seen in 'in the flesh' so to speak,and hadn't got around to taking the plunge. Then I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a talk by Gwen Hedley, which she illustrated with slides taken from her book - the work of other artists as well as her own. The talk was fascinating and the work inspirational. The book shifted immediately to the top of my 'must have' list and I bought it right away. I'm so glad I did! I read it from cover to cover and then keep dipping back into it. Don't worry if you think you can't draw. Don't worry if you don't embroider or stitch. This book will help you with any creative process, no matter where you are starting out from. I love it, and I hope you will buy it and enjoy it just as much as I do!I liked the way the book was layed out, pleanty of information in each chapter can’t to get started in the coming months.A very interesting looking book which I look forward to reading.
