Introduction 6
Before the stitches 8
Tools: everything or nothing 10
How a sewing machine works 12
The importance of sketchbooks 13
What is thread? 14
What is fabric? 16
Colour 20
Behind the stitches: The quilters of Gee’s Bend 22
Altered images 24
Toning it down 26
Humble stitches 28
Straight ahead: running stitches 30
Exploring straight stitches 32
Lovely jubbly 36
Pojagi patchwork 38
Intentionally random 40
Kantha fishes 42
Behind the stitches: Boro textiles 44
Visible mending 46
A leaf out of my book 48
Type matters 50
Varsity letters 52
African mask 54
Colourful cords 56
String theory 58
In the loop: chain and blanket stitches 60
Exploring blanket and chain stitches 62
Japanese binding 66
Behind the stitches: Saving your pennies 70
Penny wall hanging 72
Fluxus & mail art 74
Stitched memories 76
Silhouette-a-hula 78
Stitching on knits 80
Texture: introduction to raised stitches 82
Exploring raised stitches 84
Mini quilt 88
Drawing with Stitch 90
Dreamtime lizard 92
Seamless repetition 94
Talking knots 96
Natural dyes 98
Behind the stitches: The rise and fall of Buttony 100
Making buttons 102
More than stitches 104
Shibori 106
Pleats, folds and pinches 108
Texture and illusion 112
Worn and loved 114
Behind the stitches: Mola reverse appliqué 116
Mola: chicken or egg? 118
Chunky rouleaux 122
Drawn thread 124
Behind the stitches: Marriage quilts 126
Trapunto Graffiti 128
Gathered Circles of Joy 130
Behind the stitches: Not to be sniffed at 132
A Christening gift 134
Mirror, mirror 136
Mudlarking 138
Fibonacci flower 140
The poor sewer’s embellisher 142
Paisley Park 144
The stitches 146
Templates 152
Glossary 158
Further Reading 159
Index 160
Elizabeth Healey originally trained as a graphic designer at the
London College of Printing, after which she worked in various
design groups before defecting to the world of illustrated books.
For as long as she can remember she has made things – usually with
yarn or cloth, but sometimes with paper and clay. She is
particularly interested in utility stitching and tries to use
recycled textiles wherever possible, in a way that looks fresh,
modern and urban rather than old and fusty. Elizabeth has
contributed articles to the following magazines:
Knitting, Making, Crafty, Felt Matters and Pretty Patches.
You can see examples of her work on her blog:
www.elizabethsquarters.blogspot.co.uk
At first glance I thought this book is not for me. How wrong could
I be. Its exciting, informative and fun. It has a theme of humour
throughout the book. It looks at traditional basic stitches and
explores different ways of using them. It asks what is thread? The
short answer is anything can be used as thread as long as the
material you are sewing into has an open enough weave to
accommodate it. If you are looking to take stitching to the next
level but don’t know how to this is the book for you. It is full of
ideas and tips. Using everyday objects as a source it explores ways
of using them in stitch. This book is packed full of detail from
the history behind some of the stitches to Aboriginal Culture.
There is so much in this book it’s practical, informative full of
fun and the photography is superb. A book that has something for
everyone with page after page of ideas.
*Embroiderers Guild*
Received my copy on Friday, it contains a great range of techniques
that I've never seen before. I mainly do cross stitch and make soft
toys, but your book has opened my eyes to maybe trying new things
.Im especially keen to try patchwork and dying and pleating. Book
is very informative and I look forward to moving on to some new
ventures ,thanks for giving me the chance . :)
*Customer Review*
In this guide, crafter Healey explores embroidery supplies and
techniques, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources,
including vintage textiles, street art, textile arts from around
the world, nature, and modern art. A variety of stitches and
fabrics are used, and her exploration of non-Western embroidery,
such as Japanese boro textiles, Indian shisha, and
South Asian kantha, will introduce these traditional
techniques to a broader audience. The projects serve as an
excellent jumping-off point for creative stitchers; Healey’s
willingness to stitch with just about anything will inspire
embroiderers to see the potential in everyday
materials. VERDICT Embroiderers are a natural audience
for this guide; however, crafters interested in crazy quilting will
also find some interesting ideas.
*Library Journal USA*
For an abundance of drool worthy creative sewing inspiration, look
no further than Elizabeth Healey's STITCH, FABRIC & THREAD (Search
Press 2017). This 160-page book has over 40 inspirational
techniques to learn, from decorative stitches to raised textures
like knots, trapunto, cords, pleats, and pinches, drawn threadwork,
mola applique, and more. Comprehensive information on threads,
colors, and fabrics rounds out the contents, and makes for an easy
leap to your own embellished garment and accessory projects. But
whether or not you've got an itch to embellish, the photos alone
will make this book a treasured resource. - in the Must Haves
section of Vogue Patterns.
*Vogue Patterns (Aug/Sept 2017)*
July 2017 Pretty Patches contributor Elizabeth Healey brings her
passion for textiles to Stitch, Fabric & Thread an exploration of
stitched work including over 400 practical exercises. The projects
draw inspiration from around the world, from embroidered African
Masks to Aboriginal dreamtime lizards and Japanese Bookbinding.
*Pretty Patches*
This new book by Elizabeth Healey headlines as ‘an inspirational
guide for creative stitchers’ and is an experimental book for those
– perhaps fairly new to stitching – who wish to develop and play
with their creative ideas. The book is not strictly a project book
but it does include templates for some of the ideas for you to have
a go. The book’s aim is to allow you to develop your own ideas from
the wealth of techniques mentioned in the book, with the focus on
different stitch types, both hand and machine. It begins with a
back-to-basics look at tools, threads and material types that you
can choose for stitching. It really assumes limited knowledge and
is a very comprehensive introduction before you start creating.
Then it leads into different stitch-based sections, starting with
straight stitches. The first four pages of the section are a
beautifully photographed visual exploration of different straight
stitch techniques to whet your appetite before it focuses on more
detailed techniques and ideas such as pojagi patchwork, kantha and
creative darning. The book continues in a similar format with
well-illustrated sections on chain and blanket stitches, textural
raised stitches, fabric manipulation and embellishments. As
before there is a quick visual overview followed by more detailed
ideas.The author explores stitch ideas from around the World and
the book is an interesting read too! It finishes with a very useful
visual dictionary of stitches at the rear of the book and templates
(not all at full-size) for some of the ideas to kick-start your
creativity. You will enjoy this book if you want to stitch your own
designs, but get ‘stuck’ coming up with ways to achieve your
ideas. It is packed full of inspiring images that will help
set you off on your creative journey. - See more at:
http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/stitch-fabric-and-thread/#sthash.H5eAb2gw.dpuf
*The Sewing Directory*
Wow! What a truly inspirational book. As soon as I opened the front
cover I fund my self-itching to get started on another project
inspired by this book. Elizabeth Healey has done an amazing job of
drawing together ideas and inspiration from all over the world.
Each chapter is based on one type of Stitch and shows you how you
can expand on that type to create wonderful works of embroidery and
textile art.
All in all this book is definitely worth buying as I believe it is
one you will go back to time and time again, for both reference and
inspiration!
*Customer Review*
Yes, I know this is a papercraft blog – but the source of my
inspiration is frequently needlecraft and this new title by
Elizabeth Healey is an appreciation of many of the fabric
manipulation techniques that kindle my creative fire.This lively
new title covers many wonderful needlecraft specialities, including
shisha mirror embroidery, Suffolk puffs, penny rugs, mola (reverse
appliqué) and so much more. All interspersed with a dash of
cultural and/or historical background and super how-to tips. This
book provides exactly what is says on the tin, delivering on the
promise of the title's strap line. The projects are delightful and
the author successfully updates many techniques with time-saving
tweaks (such as the cheat’s molas worked with felt cut-outs – no
edges to turn under). The fact that many (probably all) creative
endeavours are underpinned by mathematical principles strikes fear
in the heart of many crafters – Elizabeth Healey proudly revels in
this knowledge, and shares her wondrous discoveries. She says , “I
was once told that sewing is basically applied mathematics. If
maths was your most hated subject at school, don’t panic”. Another
gem is citing that creating a seemingly random pattern is not as
easy as it sounds. Yay. A weekend browse of this book could
send your crafting off in splendid new directions. Would also make
a fab Mother’s Day gift.
http://thepapercraftpost.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/stitch-fabric-thread-by-elizabeth.html
*Papercraft Post*
I bet that gorgeous cover grabbed your attention. It gives you some
idea of the inspiration this book provides through practical
exercises. The many techniques explored in this book are quilting,
shisha embroidery, printing, mola, dyeing, couching, Japanese
bookbinding and needlelace. You'll discover stitch galleries and
features on sewing movements such as Boro textiles. Subtitled
'An Inspirational Guide For Creative Stitchers' this book includes
: Before The Stitches - all about research and
preparation; Running Stitches explores straight stitches; Chain and
Blanket Stitches is another exploration of stitches and includes
creating penny mats, one of my favourite projects in the book as
well as stitched memories; Raised Stitches has some nice
experimental ideas including Dorset buttons and More Than Stitches
including Shibori techniques and mola and gathered circles and
stitches at the very back of the book. The book is a
basic introduction to stitch with projects that you can
follow. Since it covers a lot of things, it should have broad
appeal. With over 40 exercises there is bound to be many things you
will love. I felt that even if you encountered nothing new, you
would still find value in the projects and expression in this
creative book. So much to love for stitchers here.
*yarnsandfabrics.co.uk*
Elizabeth Healey's book is an inspirational book indeed. As an
embroiderer who takes a very playful approach to her craft, looking
at spontaneity and improvisation rather than following patterns or
rules, what we have in Stitch, Fabric and Thread is a book full of
new and exciting approaches within a framework of what most people
would feel comfortable with.
Particular stitches are explored but go off on tangents. So with
the running stitch, you look at the basics, then at a gallery of
over 25 different ways of using straight stitch in your work. You
then move onto a series of wildly different exercises or projects,
all using running stitch. Chain and blanket stitches and later
textured stitches are approached in the same way and you are moved
far away from a pedestrian approach but taken on a roller coaster
ride of stitching, stories and 'Behind the Stitches' which look
more deeply into subjects ranging from Dorset Buttons to Boro
Textiles or Mola Reverse Appliqué.
It is an exciting book that feels like someone with a brain full of
stitches and ideas has exploded onto the page. It is taken beyond
the traditional book of stitches and goes one step further, moving
from the stitch to all the different ways you could use it and
making it a treasure trove of ideas. From making simple stitched
forms to mini art forms, you have a really good book about
making stitching fun and thinking outside the box.
*Workshop on the web*
Elizabeth takes a slightly unconventional approach with her first
book by presenting a range of creative and inspirational projects
based around stitch types. The projects are of a somewhat
random nature, but explanations are given for each, allowing
flexibility for the reader to expand the idea in her own way.
A charming ideas book perfect for anyone wishing to experiment with
fabric and thread.
*East Kent Embroiderers Guild*
I am an artist and do a bit of sewing in some of my artwork. I
found this book inspiring. Lots of beautiful photos throughout the
book. It is so creative and is definitely a book I will pick up
time and again
*Customer Review*
The title of this book says it all - Stitch Fabric & Thread 'An
Inspirational Guide for Creative Stitchers' - and it certainly is
just that 'inspirational'.
This lovely book is packed full of techniques, ideas and
instruction for the avid stitcher that are beautifully illustrated
and clearly explained - including embroidery, quilting, fabric
painting, dyeing and much much more. It introduced me to many
techniques that I had never seen before, and I will look to this
book for a wealth of ideas and for practical stitch reference for
many years to come
*Customer Review*
We love this book, packed with stitch galleries and bursting with
slow sewing ideas, the book also contains 'behind the scenes
stitches' features; illuminating insights into sewing movements
such as Boro textiles, Gee's bend quilting and Dorset Buttons. It
is an absolute inspiration!
*Hot Brands Cool Places*
You only have to look at the cover of this book to feel
inspired.
With 160 pages of well illustrated information that can be
difficult to find elsewhere this book is a must for every textile
student, sewing enthusiast and mixed media artist.
The book contained a wide range of textile techniques that have
been explained well along with projects to try.
Also included are answers to questions about how things work....for
example...how a sewing machine works.
This book contains more than the title suggests and is a joy to
own.
*Customer Review*
An excellent, inspiring book that gives lots of photos to easily
explain ideas , that covers lots of techniques. I felt like a child
in a sweet shop, that got me straight in my craft room trying ideas
out .
I can recommend the book to anyone that is trying and playing with
new inspiring techniques.
*Customer Review*
The illustrations in this book are really good and there are clear
instructions to help you create some wonderful stitching projects.
The layout of the book makes you want to try all the different
techniques and overall, it's given me some new inspiration.
*Customer Review*
This is a lovely inspiring sewing book to relax with and absorb
ideas from.
The author has a particular style emulating nature and using soft
subtle natural shades and ethnic inspiration, using traditional
stitching techniques which becomes apparent throughout the book. It
all makes for a very soothing and restful style which is
nevertheless exciting and innovative.
As well as lots of tips and techniques there are specific projects
to try with step by step guidelines and templates.
Techniques covered which I had not come across before include Boro
stitching and Mola applique and there are some great ideas for
making and using Dorset buttons which I've already begun and find
them fascinating.
A must read for imaginative stitchers and would be textile artists,
to add to your sewing library and gain insight and creativity
from.
*Customer Review*
I so wish there were a higher star rating that I could give as this
book is PHENOMENAL! Elizabeth Healey has absolutely jam-packed this
book with ideas, exercises, prompts and knowledge for stitching in
a range of contexts and inspirations. You can see from the contents
page at how detailed this book is, but it isn’t ever overwhelming!
The book’s layout and the structure have been expertly thought
through and crafted so that you, as the reader and maker, are taken
on a textile journey. Even the subtle page decorations are
inspirational as you go through the book… Before starting the
stitches, Elizabeth talks about the importance of preparation in
terms of tools, sketchbooks and recording, threads, fabrics,
colour, image inspiration and more. What I really love is how
Elizabeth really brings it back to basics in exploring these
factors. For example, Elizabeth talks about the different fabrics
in such detail (their weave, their formation, their weight) and,
even if you thought you know lots about fabric, it is so
informative and inspiring. I adore how Elizabeth also encourages
you to think ethically about your fabrics too with a specific
section on ethical textiles and textile recycling. Once the
preparation is covered, Elizabeth then begins to explore the
stitches with the first section being based on straight stitches.
Now, don’t be fooled! Straight stitches are so incredibly
versatile, and Elizabeth demonstrates this beautifully with a
phenomenal 26 visual prompts for using straight stitch including
(but not limited to) chicken scratch, seed stitch, kantha, boro,
sashiko and much, much more. I love how each of the 26 prompts is
presented visually at the start of that section so that you can see
exactly what the stitch idea is. Then the in-action prompts begin
and the layout for each activity/prompt is exquisite! The
technique/stitch is explained alongside the materials, the
instructions and stunning photography. What is also incredibly
clever is that a lot of the prompts also contain an ‘elsewhere’
section which is almost like an extension of that prompt and
encourages you to look further into that specific
technique/inspiration. Continuing this inspirational and flawless
layout, the second section explores ‘chain and blanket stitches’
(shisha, felt, mail art, stitching on knit and more), the third
section explores ‘raised stitches’ (embellishing prints, scattered
french knots, couching) alongside pattern repeats, natural dyes,
ink and bleach experimentation with the fourth and final section
exploring ‘more than stitches’ (shibori techniques, texture, rag
books, applique, drawn thread and more). If you’re new to
stitching, or just want a refresher on stitching techniques, then
there is also a detailed and easy-to-follow section on the range of
stitches used towards the end of the book. I genuinely don’t know
how to rave about this book any higher. If there is only one book
that you buy this year then I would really, really recommend that
you choose this one as it is phenomenal from start to finish!
Stunning photography, flawless and accessible structure/layout,
inspiration in abundance and so much more!
*naomialice.com*
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