Review: Fabric Art Journals

Fabric Art Journals: Making, Sewing, and Embellishing Journals from Cloth and Fibers (2005)
by Pam Sussman 1592531962, 128 pages

Summary: This book focuses on creating fabric journals.

Review: Aimed at altered art artists, this book teaches techniques for creating and embellishing fabric journals. There is instruction on stitching techniques, dyeing fabric, applique, photo transfer and embellishment. There are also projects for different types of journals based on the difficulty of binding.

Recommendation: I was so excited when this book was published. It is beautiful and I can see the potential of using these techniques in making fabric books. A must have if you want to go beyond the plain and ordinary fabric book.

Review: How to Make Cloth Books for Children

How to Make Cloth Books for Children: A Guide to Making Personalized Books (1993)

by Anne Pellowski 0801983983, 104 pages

Summary: This book gives detailed instructions for making fabric books.

Review: This book goes into great detail on putting books together. There is a section on customizing, a section on materials, a section on planning layout and format, a section on applique and applying color, a section on finishing, and a bibliography and resources.

Recommendation: I was impressed with the amount of information shared in this book. If there is one must have book, this is it. 

Review: A-B-C 1-2-3 Craft Book

A-B-C 1-2-3 Craft Book (1994)

by Phyllis Fiarotta and Noel Fiarotta 0806906715, 128 pages

Summary: This book explains how to make a fabric book with pages based on the alphabet. It also gives directions for making stuffed letters instead of a book.

Review: This books offers a lot of details on options for materials and techniques. While I doubt that I would ever use these options to make the individual letters, I will definitely use the techniques described to make pages in books.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to someone looking to learn how to make a fabric book because there are ample explanations of how to do it as well as great pattern ideas.

Review: Busy Christians

Busy Christians: Patterns for cloth books (1978)

by Janet Sage 0570079284, 119 pages

Summary: This book is primarily composed of patterns for pages in a quiet book based on biblical themes. Sage has written three other books in this series.

Review: This book is a bare bones minimum on directions. Guidance is offered on materials to use and steps to bind the book. However, the pages that give patterns for the different pages of the quiet book have no written directions. One would need to have some other book with more detail or have some experience in making such books.

Recommendation: I checked out all of Sage's book through the library prior to buying this one. Although the directions are minimal, I wanted at least one book from the series because I like the patterns with moving parts. I was hoping that, after making such a page, I could improvise to use the techniques on other patterns. I would recommend it to someone who has experience at making such books and who is looking for other pattern ideas.

Review: 26 Lively letters

26 Lively Letters: Making and ABC Quiet Book (1977)

by Barbara Williams and Carol Grundmann , 96 pages

Summary: This book gives detailed explanation for creating a fabric book using felt applique with buttons, snaps, and other attachments. It has various activities. If directions are followed, the crafter will create a 28-page ABC quiet book.

Review: This was the first book I purchased for making quiet books.  I appreciate the variety of activities and that the author gives suggestions for variation. For example, instructions are given for applique, but the author suggests using fabric paint if the creator is in a hurry. 

Recommendation: This book is out of print and apparently hard to find online. (I got mine on ebay years ago.) If you can find it through the library, I would recommend it. I get excited every time I look through it. I'm not likely to make an alphabet book, but I will definitely be making several of the pages in different books. 

I'm in: 48 Hour Book challenge

I’ve decided to participate in the 48 hour book challenge. So I think that I will reread and write reviews on some of those craft books I purchased.

I also hope to get my daughters to each read at least one book and write a review. I know that school just let out, but they’ll thank me for it later.

I'm starting Saturday morning. Why don’t you join in?

Sewing Machine Meme

I'm participating in the Sew Mama Sew meme on machines I have two machines to tell about.

What brand and model do you have? Singer 5838C

How long have you had it? 12+ years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? It was a gift, so I don't know.

What types of things do you sew? quilts, kids' clothes

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? I only get to touch it every other week or so. But when I first got it, I used it almost daily.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? It has sentimental value since it was my first.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It has several stitches, but I rarely utilize them

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? just not finding time to use it.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? It's very reliable although heavy. I don't take her to class or anything.

What brand and model do you have? Janome 3125

How long have you had it? almost 2 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? About $80 (I think).

What types of things do you sew? quilts, kids' clothes

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? I only get to touch it every other week or so. This one travels with me. My girl scout troop uses it once a month to make quilts. I take it to class or to quilting bee. I've taken it on a flight with me so that I could sew at night after meetings.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I like the convenience of being able to take it along.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It has a few features, but I typically only use a straight stitch.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? I don't like that I can't shift my needle position.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? It's convenient and light weight.