Art of Fabric Collage: An Easy Introduction to Creative Sewing
All books in the category Comprehensive
by: Rosemary Eichorn
Topics include: final laundering, motion sewing, motion stitching, novelty threads, your collage, serpentine stitch, plied cord, fiber collage, shisha mirrors, your lining, prairie points, reversible garment, your bobbin, your paper pattern, fabric collage, soluble stabilizer, normal sewing, butted seam, covered seam, illustration above right, collage fabrics, quilting cottons, vest pattern, muslin backing, cut out motifs
Book Description:
Editorial Reviews From Library Journal Eichorn argues that anyone with access to a sewing machine that will accommodate free-motion sewing can learn creative fabric collage techniques. Fabric collage combines sewing, quilting, machine appliqu , and embroidery to create a unique textile piece attached to a background fabric. When washed and dried in a home washing machine/dryer, this one-of-a-kind collage blooms into a fabric that can be used as a focal point in vests, coats, jackets, etc. In this beautifully illustrated manual, Eichorn walks the reader step by step through choosing fabrics, finding design inspiration, preparing the fabrics, creating the collage, and incorporating it into garments. She pays particular attention to quality finishing techniques, including lining fabric collage garments, choosing appropriate closures, and adding tassels, prairie-point edgings, and shisha mirrors. An excellent choice for public libraries and textile collections. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Book Description Fabric collage, which was developed by author Rosemary Eichorn, is an inspiring quilting method that allows crafters to experiment with color, design, and fabric while learning to sew. This inspiring, innovative method for the beginning sewer includes complete, easy-to-follow instructions and dozens of beautiful color photographs of finished pieces. Several surface design techniques are explored, including free-motion stitching, soft-edge applique, and continuous-strip prairie points.
An easy introduction to creative sewing -- Fabric collage, a simple and fun quilting method developed by Rosemary Eichorn, uses soft-edge appliqu and other embellishments to piece fabric together in unusual and surprising ways. Starting with simple-to-understand and useful design ideas, Rosemary leads you through every step to make the wonderful garments showcased throughout The Art of Fabric Collage. The methods are easy to follow, and Rosemary encourages you to express your creative energy. Experiment with color, design, and fabric while learning how to do a variety of surface-design techniques, including free-motion stitching, continuous-strip prairie points, and interesting closures. Rosemary also shows principles of composition illustrated with examples of collages she has created and used for vests, jackets, quilts, and wall hangings. Adapting garment patterns for a variety of figure-flattering styles is a snap with the step-by-step instructions.
An easy introduction to creative sewing
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1: DESIGNING THE COLLAGE
But I Don't Know How to Sew!
Finding Inspiration
Translating Inspiration into Designs
Creating a Sample Collage
Design Principles: Assessing Your Work
Chapter 2: DEVELOPING A FABRIC STASH
Assessing Your Stash
Finding Your Inner Landscape of Color
Choosing Fabrics for Variety and Emphasis
Preparing and Storing Fabrics
Chapter 3: FREE-MOTION SEWING
Machine-Quilting with an Attitude
This Old Machine Is Going to Do What?
Putting the Right Foot Forward
Getting Started on Free-Motion Stitching
Using Novelty Threads
Stitching Techniques to Embellish Your Collage
Chapter 4: BASIC FINISHING TECHNIQUES
It All Comes Out in the Wash
Shaping Up the Collage
Finishing the Edges: A Nontraditional Approach
Final Laundering
Creativity Begets Creativity
Chapter 5: COLLAGING A VEST
Designing a Vest Collage
Modifying a Vest Pattern for Collage
Identifying Your Size
Fitting the Vest Pattern
Making a Clean Copy of the Pattern
Making a Muslin Shell
Cutting Out the Muslin Underlining
Cutting Out the Lining
Collaging the Vest
Making the Lining
Free-Motion Stitching on a Garment
Using Your Pattern to Cut Out the Laundered Vest
Camouflaging the Shoulder Seams
Finishing the Edges
Chapter 6: COLLAGE FOR OUTERWEAR
Choosing a Pattern
How Much Collage Is Too Much Collage?
Planning Placement of the Collage
Selecting Fabrics for Collaged Outerwear
Constructing a Coat
Constructing an Unlined Sleeveless Tunic
Camouflaging Seams
Chapter 7: LININGS ALIVE: ENHANCING THE OTHER SIDE OF ARTWEAR
To Line or Not to Line
Selecting a Lining Fabric
Flat Lining a Collaged Garment
Embellishing Linings
Chapter 8: BRINGING CLOSURE TO THE TASK
Which Is the Right Button?
Jazzy Closures
Care of Special Buttons
Snappy Closures
Manila-Envelope Closures
Brass-Hasp Closures
Chapter 9: LITTLE EXTRAS MEAN A LOT
Adding Prairie Points
Making Plied Cords
Adding Tassels
Applying Shisha Mirrors and Flat Disks by Machine
RESOURCES
INDEX
Reviews:
If you are interested in fabric art, buy this book now! -- This book is one of the most inspiring I have seen in years, and I have bought a lot of books about various aspects of creating art with fabric. The focus is on making wearable art but the techniques work perfectly for wall art as well, and the examples of the author's work are so inspiring that you will want to get started on your own work right away. One of the best aspects of the book is the clear and do-able explanation of exactly how to make a collage. All too many instruction books gloss over the actual creation of an original piece. This book tells you exactly how to select fabrics, choose motifs, lay them out, fill in with background fabrics, assemble the piece, and finish the edges. Ever since this book arrived in the mail I have been sitting up late at night cutting up fabrics and playing with motifs. And I have been looking at my curtains and household linens with a speculative gleam in my eye--this method does not limit you to using just quilter's cottons. In fact, many of the techniques and ideas in the book can carry over to other art forms. I am using her ideas and processes in paper collage as well. All in all, this book is one of the best investments a fiber artist can make.
Eichorn's "renegade sewing" -- The Art of Fabric Collage: An Easy Introduction to Creative Sewing is one of those books that can change the way you look at sewing, at fabrics, and at wearable art. She gives clear instructions and never intimidates. It's easy to see that she has taught these techniques to other sewers, as she answers the questions you were about to ask. She talks about fabric collage as being "renegade sewing" instead of the "grown-up sewing" that we learned in home ec. She really sets you free to play and create. I'm hooked; just finishing my first collaged vest, and beginning to plan some more.
Absolutely WONDERFUL book -- I highly recommend this book. It is chock full of techniques -- not only on fabric collage but also on finishing seams, making tassels, and fitting a vest pattern. The author is very knowledgeble. Recommended for those who want to learn techniques in order to go off in their own direction -- rather than make the same project as every other reader. I LOVED this book! Absolute Inspiriation! -- It's a beautiful book just to sit and look at, but it also gets the creative juices flowing. Rosemary gives clear,concise directions for techniques that produce beautiful, interesting and unusual results. I've received many compliments on the vests I've made and have thoroughly enjoyed combining my penchant for collage with my love of fabric. When I found out she was teaching a workshop in a town where I used to live, I dropped everything, registered for the class, packed my bags, and drove 1600 miles (over the Rockies in January) to attend. It was great!