- Hardcover: 128 pages
- Publisher: Batsford Ltd; first edition (21 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0713489219
- ISBN-13: 978-0713489217
- Product Dimensions: 28 x 22.2 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 966,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A leading embroiderer with a lifelong love and understanding of African culture and landscape translates the many striking images of Africa into textile art, using embroidery, dyeing and quilting. From the dusky colours of the savannah to the traditional beadwork and pottery of African tribes, the author has used a variety of sources and techniques to produce stunning textiles. The book covers the original source material, the design process and the various techniques necessary to produce stunning final pieces, including dyeing with flour paste resist, seminie patchwork, piecing, patching, stitching, applique, roulleaux, drawn thread surface embellishment and mixed media. Beautifully illustrated with over 90 colour images, the book covers: The design process; Colour, from natural earth colours to the bright colours of African jewellry and body paint; Pattern, from stripes and zigzags to circles and triangles; Texture and surface, including ridges, raised surface, edges and surface additions; Case studies of work by leading textile artists; An exercise project to get you started
About the Author
Mary Sleigh is a leading textile artist who regularly exhibits her work across the country. Several of her articles have appeared in best-selling magazines Stitch and Embroidery. She is an experienced tutor, teaching at day and weekend workshops as well as national and regional events, and is a City and Guilds examiner in Embroidery. She is a member of the Embroiderers' Guild, the Practical Study Group and the Textile Society. This is her first book.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I had searched for this book for a while as it would appear to be out of print, but the waiting was well worth it. The book gives an overview of current textile practise in Africa which is very rich and diverse, and then goes on to give many exmaples of how to use the landscape of Africa to develop stunning textile pieces. An absolute must for any textile artist interested in ethnic or African influences.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book easy to scan, and read and very inspirational, with new designs and patterns to use for stitch, this is a different book from others, with some exciting ideas, lovely !
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Overflowing with creative ideas
5 July 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is surprising that Mary Sleigh's "African Inspirations in Embroidery" has not been extensively reviewed on Amazon. Perhaps this is because of the book's misleading title; it is more focused on fibre and mixed media art than limited to conventional embroidery techniques. Mary Sleigh takes the reader through the entire design process, from concept through drawing, colour studies, collage and the use of sketch books, to developing the final product in unique ways. For this reason alone, abstract and mixed media artists could also benefit from this book.
The author encourages us to look at our own environment with a new eye, gleaning creative ideas from everyday objects, not just from exotic environments like an African landscape (although this is certainly resplendent with colour and texture.) Most indigenous cultures express themselves richly through art, so it is possible to apply Mary Sleigh's artistic exploration of African jewellery and textiles to our own cultural traditions. Sleigh also gives ideas on research, including how to use museums.
Clear instruction is provided in a number of techniques including dyeing with potassium permanganate, unusual use of printing blocks and paint scrapers and the extraordinary technique of chalk lifting. Fabric, paper, shells and plant materials are combined in new and interesting ways.
Unfortunately no search facility here, but it is possible to look inside this book elsewhere on the Net. The basic headings are: 1-LOOKING AND RECORDING; 2 - COLOUR (including sources and starting points, design techniques, using colour and paper, colouring and treating fabric) 3 - PATTERN (including developing your design ideas and textile techniques) 4 - TEXTURE AND SURFACE; 5 - XHOSA BAG PROJECT. There is a glossary, a list of suppliers and recommendations of further reading. The works of several accomplished fibre artists are also included.
Richly illustrated, this is a great reference that provides creative stimulation for new ideas in any medium. It is a book I will come back to time and time again. Well worth the price.
The author encourages us to look at our own environment with a new eye, gleaning creative ideas from everyday objects, not just from exotic environments like an African landscape (although this is certainly resplendent with colour and texture.) Most indigenous cultures express themselves richly through art, so it is possible to apply Mary Sleigh's artistic exploration of African jewellery and textiles to our own cultural traditions. Sleigh also gives ideas on research, including how to use museums.
Clear instruction is provided in a number of techniques including dyeing with potassium permanganate, unusual use of printing blocks and paint scrapers and the extraordinary technique of chalk lifting. Fabric, paper, shells and plant materials are combined in new and interesting ways.
Unfortunately no search facility here, but it is possible to look inside this book elsewhere on the Net. The basic headings are: 1-LOOKING AND RECORDING; 2 - COLOUR (including sources and starting points, design techniques, using colour and paper, colouring and treating fabric) 3 - PATTERN (including developing your design ideas and textile techniques) 4 - TEXTURE AND SURFACE; 5 - XHOSA BAG PROJECT. There is a glossary, a list of suppliers and recommendations of further reading. The works of several accomplished fibre artists are also included.
Richly illustrated, this is a great reference that provides creative stimulation for new ideas in any medium. It is a book I will come back to time and time again. Well worth the price.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Inspiring and beautiful art work
21 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I weave, sew, quilt and dabble in surface design. (Notice the absence of embroidery.) And I find inspiration on most every page of this beautifully illustrated book. In short, there are many fiber arts techniques touched on, from printing to felting, with enough instruction to get you started on any particular one.
The artwork pictured throughout, by both African and western fiber artists, is alone worth the cover price, in my opinion, for its inspirational value. The quilt pictured on the cover is stunning.
If fiber is your medium and you are inspired by African textile art or beadwork, you will probably be very pleased with this book. Those who are into creative journaling with appreciate the author's tips and guidance; she talks about keeping a sketchbook and illustrates with pages from her and others' art journals.
I'll be spending a lot of time with this book.
The artwork pictured throughout, by both African and western fiber artists, is alone worth the cover price, in my opinion, for its inspirational value. The quilt pictured on the cover is stunning.
If fiber is your medium and you are inspired by African textile art or beadwork, you will probably be very pleased with this book. Those who are into creative journaling with appreciate the author's tips and guidance; she talks about keeping a sketchbook and illustrates with pages from her and others' art journals.
I'll be spending a lot of time with this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Any needlework library will find this a popular and unique pick
16 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback
Striking images of African art become textile art using embroidery, dyeing and mixed media in a fine illustrated book covering color and the design process from African cultures and traditions. From techniques for dyeing and Seminole patchwork to stitching, embellishment and mixed media applications, this comes from a textile artist who provides a blend of patchwork and embroidery techniques. Any needlework library will find this a popular and unique pick.
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