Customer Reviews

The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love birds, love them and could not wait to get my hands on this book as I have admired the art of Abigail Glassenberg for some time!!!!! I have created stuffed dolls and work in many mediums but always wanted to take my personal sketches and create them in sculpted forms. What I like about this book is the many different projects the author/artist has in the book and the breakdown of the process of creating these beautiful birds. A valuable part of the book for me was the "anatomy of a bird" with very detailed explanation of the bird body. I understand the "underbody" and "gusset" and how important that is to make birds with great form. There are many tips and suggestions on how to do basic construction of the bird along with encouragement to think outside the box. The best advise I think she gives is to take inspiration from this book and to come up with your own pattern and creation that is unique and your true original, that is awesome! While I plan to make many of the birds in this book, I also plan to make my own patterns and birds from my personal sketches and ideas and do just that. She also has some of my other favorite artists in her book like Ann Wood and Abigail Brown both whose artwork I have admired and also purchased. If there were more stars to rate this book, I would have added them all!!! Thank you Abigail for a AWESOME book and being such a great teacher encouraging your students like me!!!!!!

I've always been fascinated with Ann Wood's amazing birds. Every time I get a newsletter from her blog I immediately go to check out what she is doing and making from her vintage fabrics. When I saw "The Artful Bird" on Amazon available for pre-order, I immediately put it in my basket. The author Abigail Patner Glassenberg interviews four of her favorite fabric bird makers (Ann Wood, Abigail Brown, Tamar Mogendorff, and Jennifer Muskopf) and a gallery featuring their birds. I had never really followed any of these artists other than Ann but now I find all their work fascinating. Each has their own unique style of creating delightful and unique birds. In this book Abigail not only lays out the patterns but also gives us a lesson in the anatomy of a bird. Before you start any of the projects in this book she suggests that you read all the information in the general instruction area of the book. The patterns are printed in the book and she tells you how much you should enlarge the patterns to achieve the look she is presenting in the book. I found this book to be charmingly illustrated the pictures are outstanding and you will want to create all of her feathered friends. Abigail shows you exactly how to assemble the birds and you will want to pay close attention to her instructions. There are 144 pages of bird sewing goodness, including 19 projects to make everything from a flamingo to a woodpecker, a swan to a wren. Step-by-step photos to show you exactly how to make a wire armature, all different options for sewing feathers and tricks for turning and stuffing successfully. I want to suggest that anyone that has ever been interested in creating stunning and fun birds should definitely get this book. Today I'm excited to tell you that interweave Press sent me a copy to review and giveaway to one of my readers. Look through the book and see some of the projects. It is one of those books you want to come back to over and over again.

I really enjoyed this book. It is not for a novice sewer due to the small, intricate pieces. Read the overview instructions carefully before going to the individual bird projects. There are some great projects here if you love birds.

If you like feathered friends, you will be overjoyed by this book. It has good templates and many birds to make and sew. They are quite detailed. Excellent photography and good instructions throughout. Use the techniques to let your imagination fly and create your own flock of individual birds. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book website.

I've purchased Abby's wares, and she is amazingly talented. Even as a crafty person, I am in awe of her abilities, and i LOVE LOVE LOVE her creations. How exciting that she finally has a book where we can [attempt] to do this, too. The layout is awesome, and the creative possibilities that lie within the book are extremely enticing. If you have a tendency to make something like this, or even if you are just an admirer, get the book.

I already had a pattern to make a bird but it didn't let me change it or let me experiment with other types of birds as the Artful Bird does. I created a bird from one of the patterns the day after receiving this book from Amazon. The pattern was easy to follow and I love the way Abigail Glassenberg makes the legs for her birds, much like Ute Vasina makes her bird feet and legs. I have recommended this book to other doll makers and know several other doll makers that already have this book. It is a welcome addition to any fabric artists library.

I have been a blog follower of Abigail Glassenberg and long admired her creations. I could hardly wait to get my hands on her book and get a glimpse into her creation process. I have purchased many craft books and sometimes disappointed with the instructions and projects. Abigail takes you step by step in basic bird making techniques with clearly written instructions as well as pictures for each step. I felt like she was right there beside me.

I love all the bird projects and that would keep me busy for awhile. But now armed with various tips and techniques I can create my own birds and softies. I wish I could give more stars.

Believe me this is the best craft book ever!!

This is a great guide for making artful birds that require experience and knowledge about sewing. It is not a simple craft book. The techniques are unique and effective for creating texture and realism. The results are wonderful which is what counts. So, go forward, take your time, read carefully and delight in the outcome.

I love, love, love this book. I have wanted to make birds for some time now and have purchased several books to help me do so. This book is superior to the others because of the step by step help and photos. There are so many different birds to make I am having a hard time deciding where to start. I also love that Ann Wood, Abigail Brown and Tamar Mogendorff are included in this book. I admire their art so much and it is fun to see the different styles.

when I saw this book I got really excited - such beautiful work, and patterns to make it possible! I haven't made a bird yet, as I'm waiting till I'm finished some other projects...but it's at the back of my mind a lot. I'm definitely inspired! And I love that she says to take the book, use it, and develop your own birds. I'll start with a basic bird, but one day I must attempt that flamingo! Appreciated her introduction to other bird artists - I went to check out Anne Wood's blog and ended up making cardboard horses and paper mache boats!