Review
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Astounded by this book. Not sure where to start. From
cover to finish it is simply marvellous. I find everything about
it sheer joy. It defied my expectations completely. The level of
work is amazing and not one page deviates from the high level Ann
achieves. The work is rich, sumptuous and unusual. As a
colourist, Ann is simply magnificent and like me, you will
probably flick through this book just for the colours. The
contents page does not conjure up what is in store: Inspiration
and Design, Pushing The Boundaries, Three-Dimensional Applique,
but the actual work will leave you ping for breath. It is
stunning. Layer, cut, fold back, stitch, insertions, edging,
bindings, working with grids and so much more. You'll see the
methods, sources of inspiration, how to finish work. There are
step-by-step projects so that you can familiarise yourself with
the process. The trapunto section is wonderful and the book
stacks and puffs work is equally engaging. I cannot recommend
this book enough, it gives so much. I wish it were a hardback and
I am certain that the publisher will be re-printing this within 6
months because everyone must have it. The Textile Artist series
is a good series of books, this is the strongest title yet, it
deserves a fanfare, it really is in a class all of its own. For
textile and colour lovers everywhere. Recommendation? Absolutely,
I'm telling you this is a MUST-HAVE. * Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *
Ann Small is one of my favourite textile artists and, judging
from the popularity of her articles in Workshop on the Web, she
is one of yours as well. You won't be disappointed in this book.
As the title suggests, layering fabric and cutting it back to
reveal the treasures beneath are at the heart of this book. But
there is so much more. There is a very informative section on the
general topic of layering and Ann shows in clear stages the
technique for what I call `faux chenille', where you layer
fabrics, stitch straight lines and then cut to the base fabric.
Variations of this demonstrate surprisingly different effects
and, together with st, form a substantial section of the
book. Ideas, from inspiration, sketchbook and transfers to
fabric, form the next section and there are some great ideas
there. The book sings with colour from beginning to end and there
is a chapter on working with colour which extends into its use
with stitched pieces. The advanced techniques in the exciting
`Pushing the Boundaries' section include chunky trapunto and
carved columns; much of the remainder of the book continues the
theme of `carved from cloth'. This is a great book; it makes you
want to `have a go', always an excellent sign. * Workshop on the
web * Ann Small is an experienced textile artist and tutor and in
this new title in `The Textile Artist' series, she explores the
methods used to transform cloth, where coloured fabrics are
stacked, sewn and cut to produce an exciting tactile surface. By
working through the book, following Ann's comprehensive
instructions and suggestions, a personal portfolio of samples and
designs can be created. There are seven beautiful step-by-step
projects for the reader to work, covering all the techniques
used, to add depth and vibrancy. Richly illustrated in colour
throughout this is a must-have book for anyone wishing to explore
new ways to develop their own work creatively thereby taking it
to a higher level. Highly recommended. * East Kent Embroiderers
Guild * Love this book! Beautiful pictures to show how the work
is achieved with various techniques. Can not wait to give some of
the projects ago! * Pauline Valentine * The photography in
Layered Cloth: The Art of Fabric Manipulation shows the woven
threads of the worked fabric so clearly that it provides extra
guidance for the reader. Having never even considered attempting
this kind of sewing, I gladly stared at the images and made plans
in my mind of what I might try with the stash of fabric I have
acquired over the years. And I feel almost confident in my
limited abilities because of the tone of Ann's words, which is
such a comfort to a sewing novice like me. The focus is firmly on
techniques, rather than complete projects, which I think is a
huge plus point. Learning by experimenting is one of the keys to
finding your own style, and this book is superb in providing
ideas and new avenues of possibilities of fabric and its purpose,
structure, and texture. This wouldn't have been the kind of book
that I'd have thought about buying. That I was fortunate enough
to receive a copy to review is beyond a delight because, now, I
truly believe that I can create unique fabric pieces, with her
reassuring words beside me. * Lucy Palmer * As I was turning
pages of the Book Stacks chapter, a technique developed by Ann
Small, I was tingling with excitement. This is what I was looking
for ages. At last, I have found a technique, I definitely shall
use in some of my future work. Layering with colour chapter
opened my eyes to the possibilities of what could be achieved
with just one simple technique of slashing to reveal the layers
of lush colours. Ann Small definitely has a magical relationship
with colour. The layering techniques and optical mixing are like
pointillist painter's palette. Ann Small shows her journey
through the inspiration to the finish piece, including her tips
and `breaking the rules' notes are like having a chat with an old
friend. If you want a book with a pattern and a `step by step
instructions' of how to recreate someone else's ideas - this book
is not for you. This book is more like a standing back and
encouraging you to explore `tutor'. Ann Small included questions
and a list of approaches to encourage critical thinking about
one's work and ways to move forwards. It is bursting with ideas,
lush colours and creativity. It is an absolute `must have' to any
budding textile artist, student or like me, person who just want
to play and have fun with textiles. Get it - You won't regret it.
And most of all - get creative and in Ann own words - `..play
with fabrics and paint'. * Mariola makes * This book contains
lots of hints and tips for those new to textile work, but it is
also an inspirational book that will delight all textile artists,
including experienced artists. The beautiful photographs aid the
clear instructions throughout and will help to develop knowledge
and skills. I particularly like the section that shows you how to
adapt a working design by using grids and how to scale up your
own design ideas. * heather langstaff * This inspirational
publication takes you from your first steps to larger projects in
clear easy stages. It covers materials needed and suggestions as
to where to find inspiration, whilst leaving for your own
creations. As always with Search Press it ie excellent value for
money. * Diana Balfour * What a great book! Lovely to see a book
which covers in detail a single subject and shows you several
techniques within that sphere that you can try and master. So
many books glaze over a variety of techniques trying to cover too
much thinly, thereby not doing real justice to each skill set.
Here you can move through layering and cutting to achieve quite
different effects. A super book and well worth buying to see how
to achieve some of the effects Id only seen at the wonderful
shows ( NEC/Harrogate etc) I once saw an amazing ammonite
configuration and now understand how it can be done! Project
pieces explained clearly and the photographs clarify the
construction and methods completely. A great buy. * Lyn Lewis *
Ann Small has taken the basic layering-andslashing technique to a
new level. With a fabulous eye for colour, clever placement of
fabric layers, and imaginative cutting an manipulation, Ann has
created fantastic visual and textural effects. The reader is
guided through choosing materials and the basic methods, finding
and ideas, and interpreting designs into cloth and
thread. Through a wide range of beautifully illustrated examples,
Ann explains her creative process - an excellent resource for
informing your own work. For those who want to take things even
further, there's also a chapter on advanced techniques. If this
is a method you'd like to explore, this book would be an
invaluable reference. * The Quilter * Layer stacks of fabric, and
then slash and decorate them for a richly textured look. I
thought that I had done (or at least seen) most forms of fabric
manipulation but this is new to me and looks most impressive. It
is a good way of making the most of all sort of leftovers and
doing a lot with a little, turning the ordinary into something
new and exciting. Most of the tools needed are the same as those
required for ordinary sewing, and if you sew you will already own
stacks of fabrics. This is a book ed squarely at the
experienced needlecrafter who is up for something fresh and
challenging and who already has the basics under their belt.
There are seven step-by-step projects in here, and plenty of
preliminary information to get you started. This large format
book also has lots of lush good-sized photographs to get the
creative juices flowing. All the staged photographs are a decent
size too which is essential for such an unfamiliar craft, where
the samples have so much detail. After the section on tools and
materials there are several chapters showing how to layer the
fabric and grids for the slashing part. Each chapter has ample
written instructions and enough photographs and diagrams,
including some for simple embroidery stitches. After this comes a
section on inspiration and design, focussing on ideas, keeping a
sketchbook and stylizing the real world into workable drawings.
This is very helpful, showing the progression from inspiration
(eg a field of lavender) through to a painting, a simplified
drawing, a design and finally the finished piece. The next
section, entitled Pushing The Boundaries looks at "advanced
techniques" and contains four staged projects. The final section
on 3D applique has three projects, and each project is designed
to get you working on a particular type of layering technique.
Fabric puffs, trapunto, booklike stacks, twisted spirals of cloth
and more look amazingly complicated until they are explained and
you work through the stages. It is all great fun for
needlecrafters and something a bit different. As a maker of
wearable art I was pleased to see how many projects are for
wearable items as sed to the usual pictures and cushions. One
for the keeper shelf. * Rachel A Hyde * This inspiring book forms
part of the popular and beautifully photographed series of books
under the label of `The Textile Artist', published by Search
Press. The series is ed at the more creative stitcher and
budding textile artists. The book is predominantly a technique
guide but it does include a number of interesting projects that
you can attempt to try out what you have learnt and consolidate
the techniques...The book is an excellent resource for a creative
stitcher who is looking for something a bit different to take
into their st and is a great reference on using these
innovative techniques. -- Julie Briggs * Sewing Directory *
About the Author
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Ann lives and works in Hertfordshire, and has
exhibited widely in the UK, America and Canada. She trained in
Canada, and also at Goldsmith's College, London. She has a Fine
Art degree, and with her love of colour and design, she has
developed unusual and exciting techniques in her current textile
art work. Ann now devotes her time to mentoring and making,
developing her work for exhibitions and galleries. She will be
featured artist in the Knitting and St Show 2017.