When I saw this new book, I just had to review it. I thought you might find it interesting and maybe want to add it to your craft/art library.
Fabric Surface Design by Cheryl Rezendes is a brand new book from Storey Publishing.
There are a lot of fabric surface design books out there, but this one is different. Here is the content page:
I would have loved to have this book several years ago when I was bit by the fabric surface design bug!
What is different about this book is that it’s all about using fabric paint instead of dye. Although I love dyes, sometimes I’d rather not mess with all of the steps from prep to clean up. With fabric paint the process is so much simpler and Cheryl believes you can get similar results. I really didn’t believe that.
On her “Designing with Original Fabrics” pages, she includes pictures of clothing she has made using these techniques with paint. For each piece of her wearable art, she explains in detail the fabric used and her techniques. They are absolutely beautiful like the one below. She has sold me on using more fabric paints.
For each project she gives a supply list, step-by-step directions, detailed pictures, and additional ideas for exploring the technique. Here are a couple sample page spreads.
She includes a helpful list of textile paints and how each can be used (sunprinting, spray painting, etc). A great resource for beginners.
Interspersed between the chapters are artist profiles and samples of their work. Several of the artists are new to me, but many are my favorites. I love being introduced to fabric artists!
Also included in this book is a section on basic color theory.
I love how this book is laid out. The pages are easy on the eyes, the directions are clear, and the pictures are beautiful. This book has so many techniques. Did I mention she gives instructions on building your own silk screen, carving your own stamps, and working with foil? It’s a one-stop shop for info on fabric surface design.
It would take a long time to work through this book, but I plan to just pick those I’ve wanted to try or revisit some old techniques. Even though I have a lot of this information in other books I own, I like that they are all compiled together in one place. And she doesn’t just show you how to do a technique, she gives you lots of additional ideas to explore that project. What a great wealth of information!
So for any of you who have not wanted to tackle using dyes or maybe you want to introduce your kids or yourself to fabric surface design using fabric paint, this book will help you make some awesome art.
Fabric Surface Design contains 313Â pages, retails for $29.95, and available through your favorite bookseller or online from Amazon.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review and received no monetary compensation.
I’ve been holding onto an Amazon gift card I got at Christmas, and this book is the one that finally called to me. Thanks for alerting us to it. I’ve used fabric paint for years for my quilts (don’t like to mess with dyes), and this looks like it’ll inspire me to go even further with paints.
Sherrie, I think you will really like this book.
Looks like a great book! I just finished a one hour + webinar with Jen Cushman about found objects and using them to make ice resin molds – it was really fun! I already tend to “look down” when I am strolling around, looking for quirky, unusual objects that I then save for use in the future. Now I know how to reproduce them by making a mold and then using the ice resin to make a copy of the found object!!!
Annette, That looked like a great webinar. Sounds like she had some great ideas. You’ll have to share what you make!
I’ll be interested to hear how you like using fabric paints. I tried one project earlier this year using dye-na-flow, and was pleasantly surprised at the ‘hand’ of the fabric after I heat set and laundered the shirt. My only concern is how well the paint will hold up under multiple launderings. But for art pieces, I can see where the paints would be easier to use than dyes. Thanks for the review, Lynda!