Sunday 19 July 2009

The Crafters' Way 101- Book Review



The Moreton Bay Regional Council Libraries have a wonderful variety of craft books to borrow. Many of these books are recent releases. Borrowing craft books from the Library is an inexpensive and convenient way to learn a new craft. The opening hours vary so please check with your local branch. These books all came from the Redcliffe Library.





Molas by Kate Mathews (745.445MAT)








Molas are brightly coloured appliqué panels made by the Kuna Indians. This book features a detailed chapter on the history of the Kuna Indians and the development of the mola. Traditional Molas feature three appliqué techniques, reverse appliqué, overlay appliqué and inlay appliqué. The Gallery of traditional Molas is inspiring especially when you remember that they have all been completed by hand. The rest of the book is dedicated to instructions on how to make a mola. By the time you reach this part of the book you really do want to make one. The instructions are indepth and easy to understand. The projects that accompany the instruction can all be adapted to other items. Great read.






American Denim by Peter Beagle (746.44 BEA)










This is book is quite old but is full of ideas and inspiration. With refashioning clothes so popular at the moment this book is sure to give your clothes that individual flair. With over 60 artists contributing to the book there is something for every taste. This book is not a ‘how- to’ but rather a collection of photographs chosen for their design features.





Textiles at Work by Elizabeth Keep (677KEE)









The subtitle is an ‘Introduction to Fibre, Fabric, Function and Form” however this book is much more than a mere introduction. It covers a huge amount of information across its four parts; Fibre and yarns, From Yarn to Fabric, Decoration of Fabric, Construction, Fabric Treatment and Care. The book does have a text book feel to it but anyone interested in fabrics, fibre and yarn will find this a useful read.



1 comment:

littlechrissy said...

American Denim looks tops - I so should have been a teen in the 60's. I missed my calling.