Customer Reviews

Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Amy Karol has written another accessible, practical, and well-designed book, this time focusing on fabric dying, embroidering, and silk screening rather than beginning level sewing. Just like her other book, Bend the Rules Sewing, the instructions are clear and complete and the projects are charming and hip. The advice about stabilizing fabric was wonderful, and completely changed the results I've had with fabric paint for the better. I've enjoyed trying out bleach-pen decorating and making a tote out of watercolor-style fabric, and can't wait to try more of the projects. I also can't speak more highly of the photograhy--actual photos of finished projects are essential in books I purchase (no, a drawing will not do!), and this book not only those but also photos of important intermediate steps. Another winner!

First, a disclaimer: Amy Karol is a friend of mine. That said, I wouldn't be here praising the book if I didn't think it deserved it! When she first told me the top secret news that her next book was going to be about textiles and fabric manipulation and all that, I wasn't quite sure what to think. I'm really not the type to paint or stamp on fabric. It seemed a little "arts & crafts hour with the elementary school children," you know? But then I saw the projects, and I saw how very, very wrong I was. These were very cool, very fun projects, appropriate for all ages and adaptable to individual styles.

The instructions are thorough and helpful, and there's a great techniques section that explains the fundamentals of silk screening, dyeing, stenciling, you name it. So, if you want to just learn the techniques and apply them to your own projects, go for it! Otherwise, the book is full of great, sassy projects, ideal for gifts but possibly hard to give away because you want to keep them for yourself.

I would say I'm proud of Amy, but that makes it sound like I had something to do with her genius. So, instead I will just say that I am so happy she is sharing her genius with the masses!

I pre-ordered this book months ago, after owning and loving Bend the Rules, Amy Karol's first book. Even after waiting all this time, and all my highest expectations, it doesn't disappoint. In fact, it is even better than I could have hoped. Very complete in its technical details and rich in its inspiration. Amy Karol has written another winner, that will take its place on a shelf very near my right hand, so I can reach for it again and again and again. I expect it will become as tattered and shopworn as my copy of Bend the Rules, and every bit as useful. Definitely will not be a book that gathers dust on the shelf and remains otherwise pristine. This one will no doubt also be stained with paint and dye. That's the fate of a well-loved crafting/art book!

I absolutely love this craft book! All of the idesa are very fresh, innovative and full of style. I'm going to buy a few copies and give them out as gifts - the price is right and I don't know anyone who wouldn't love to dig into the projects described in this book.
Amy Karol has a way of bringing the book to life with her personable writing style. You will see when you read it that you'll almost feel like she is talking to you, which makes it really fun to read through the various craft projects and and instructions. Karol writes it in a way that makes you feel like she is cheering you on to complete the coolest creation possible.
I see this book as a fun resource for making crafty gifts for friends, family and myself!

I just received my copy of Bend the Rules with Fabric a few days ago, and I've been voraciously thumbing through ever since. The projects are fresh, sweet, and approachable, the technique how-to's are generous and comprehensive, and her writing style...oh, her writing style! Amy Karol is one cheeky, funny craftista, and it comes through in even the most mundane areas of the book (ie: she manages to make the pros + cons of foam-stamping an entertaining read). She's mastered the art of the conversational craft book...the kind you can seriously curl up with and read before bed. And more importantly, she knows her stuff!

Armed with all of these printing/embellishing techniques, and Amy's ability to cut straight through any unnecessary, possibly intimidating mumbo-jumbo and get down to brass tacks (as she did with Sewing in her first book), I think you'll feel empowered, emboldened, and excited about fancy-ing up any plain old tired shirt or pillow that looks at you funny!

I must confess that I am no beginner when it comes to fabric screen printing and painting ,and so in buying this book I was looking for lots of lush styling , a visual sweetshop of ideas. I am not perhaps whom this book was intended for.I found the projects in the most part dull. The projects that were interesting are impossible to achieve as much of the needed equipment is not readily available in The UK. The clothing projects were the worst.Its hard to write a book , and to Amy Karol I would say sorry, but your book lacked a good editor and frankly any originality. On a plus side the actual instructions for the technical side of the projects were clear and instructive.Better to buy [[ASIN:1584796723 Printing by Hand: A Modern Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens]

Amy Karol has conquered the confusion of learning from a book. I promise if you aren't making all sorts of amazing, fun, happy & useful items that will amaze your friends and family as if you are pulling rabbits from a hat then you should start at page one and read again. This is a friendly and excellent book for anyone who wants to branch out in their creative skills or for those who have never touched a pen, swatch of fabric or yarn...you will love this book GET IT!
ps even if you are a master crafter/master crafter teacher it's a great book for ideas, step by steps and smiles

BEND THE RULES WITH FABRIC: FUN SEWING PROJECTS WITH STENCILS, STAMPS, DYE, PHOTO TRANSFERS, SILK SCREENING AND MORE comes from the blogger who produced Angry Chicken, a top crafting blog, and accompanies her first BEND-THE-RULES SEWING guide to blend humor with tips on trendy, fun new approaches to sewing. Integrating styles, methods, and crafting techniques, Amy Karol shows how to produce an exceptional, unique product from a range of integrated techniques. A 'must' for quilters and crafters seeking something different.

I so love Amy Karol's books! She is an inspirational author and crafter! If your feelling a little "stuck" in your crafting spirit then pick up this book or any of her others! I origanlly bought her first book because of our names being so close (not the best idea) and I loved it!!! Have since become a fan of her blog and maybe even a bit of a stalker (in a crafting kind of way, not the weird bald guy kind of way!) This book has really fun idea's that you'll use over and over again!

I love Amy's blog and her funny wit. She's real and writes in simple, understandable form. I do like the projects better in her first book, Bend the Rules Sewing, but this is a good companion book.