Celebrating the Stitch: Contemporary Embroidery of North America [Hardcover]

Barbara Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1991

This text presents an embroiderer's workshop full of inspiration, tips and techniques, and includes a series of designs to encourage creativity.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This exceptional volume bears witness to the movement of embroidery out of the parlor and into the artist's studio. Chicago embroiderer Smith, whose own constructions feature spray paint, a variety of threads and machine embroidery, interviews forward-looking needleworkers and introduces their startling productions, explaining not only how the artists compose their pieces but why they choose particular media. Some use traditional forms and subvert them, as in Caroline Dahl's Terror Sampler II , emblazoned "You've made my life a living burning hell." Others incorporate space-age materials, as in Patricia Malarcher's Mylar quilts and prayer rugs. And many benefit from technologies--e.g., color-photocopying and heat-transferring. Most, though not all, are boldly three-dimensional, calling on a heady mix of techniques. A plethora of examples (240 photos, 209 of them in color) is inspiration enough, but Smith also explores creative issues (e.g., generating ideas) and suggestions for new approaches (e.g., for overcoming blocks). A glossary defines basic terms and diagrams various stitches. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

An accomplished writer and artist of machine embroidery, Smith has written the outstanding catalog of current artists in contemporary embroidery. She profiles more than 60 U.S. and Canadian artists who use stitchery to express themselves, sharing their individual comments on design and technique. This review was based on galleys, but if the illustrations (over 209 in color and 66 in black and white) are comparable to those of the publisher's Threads , a fine journal of fiber art, this will be a very attractive book. It could also serve as the catalog to accompany exhibits featuring artists from the book. The appendixes on resources, embroidery associations, bibliography, and glossary are very useful. While many books cover historical embroidery or instruction, this fills a gap in the literature of a fiber art medium that has largely been ignored. Highly recommended.
- Ingrid Schierling, Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press; First Edition edition (August 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094239139X
• ISBN-13: 978-0942391398
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,189,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source for design and method, December 1, 1998

By 

Jenifer Cartland ([e-mail]) (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celebrating the Stitch: Contemporary Embroidery of North America (Hardcover)

Barbara Lee Smith does a wonderful job weaving art and technique. The book highlights the work of about a dozen needlework artists. In each highlight is a discussion of the art itself, a review of special techniques used, and collection of tips from the artists on a number of topics (e.g., where they get design ideas, how they proceed from paper to canvas). The book is a wonderful introduction to needlework "art" for needleworkers who know the basics and are just beginning to design their own "serious" work. The best methods book I own.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!, July 8, 2003

By 

You know who (Whosville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celebrating the Stitch: Contemporary Embroidery of North America (Hardcover)

It is extremely refreshing to see a volume that showcases serious fiber artists' work - NOT someone who is doing "crafts" (i.e., Sunbonnet Sue or Quilt-in-a-Day). Perhaps that is why the previous reviewer was so disillusioned. I really am stumped by her view that it was "horrible". She claims to be open-minded and liking modern art, but but I'm not sure I would call someone with that attitude "open-minded".

This book shows a broad range of work from nearly 100 artists from the US and Canada. There are profiles of each one, explaining their technique and motives behind the work. The amazing array of images brings traditional needlework to new levels of interest. I find it to be extremely inspiring.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous, August 7, 2004

By 

Tonya Ricucci "unruly quilter" (South Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celebrating the Stitch: Contemporary Embroidery of North America (Hardcover)

This is one of my favorite books, I reread it constantly to be inspired. The title is a bit misleading in that it's not solely about embroidery, but encompasses a wide range of fiber art. All the works are original, with several showing an off-beat sense of humor, such as the cat pushing the toaster into the tub while the owner is showering. The artists generously discuss their materials, techniques, and idea sources. Loads of photos and (almost) anyone is sure to find something they love in the book.