Customer Reviews

Fabric Art Collage: 40+ Mixed Media Techniques

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This wonderful book is a comprehensive coverage of fabric and mixed media collage techniques, and its clear instructions and superb visuals should inspire and excite you whether you are a beginner or an accomplished collage artist. It is "stuffed" with information, but even if I never used all that information I would enjoy owning it for the pleasure of browsing in the splendid examples of Ms Meier's creativity and skill. I consider it to be the most promising book in its field which I have purchased in several years.

The heart of this book is its eight sections covering 40+ techniques. These include: formation of interesting and unique collage bases, creation of impressive embellishments, use of innovative painting and dying techniques,and incorporation of other techniques such as embossing, distressing, needle felting and heat tool utilization. Each of the sections includes clear instructions, careful process photos, some intriguing tips and a wealth of beautiful samples in a variety of color ranges.

The "Project" section illustrates splendidly the book's greatest strength. It lists five projects, but without advancing a set of directions for "cookie cutter" replication. Rather each project presents a summary of the artist's approach to creating the piece, as well as specific construction techniques which are cross referenced to other sections of the book. The result is a set of projects which instruct and inspire without attempting to influence the reader's individual creativity.

I was immediately impressed by this book's approach to a complex creative subject. One of my first reactions was to formulate a plan for working through the techniques one at a time, and as I thought of that plan I realized that this is a book which will take me a long time to exhaust. I think that you, too, might find it to be the only book you will need for quite a while!

I must say, I don't think I've ever found a book I was really disappointed with until now. I've never even written a review until now! I'm just stunned...
I've been an artist my whole life and love to buy books on different styles with different medias for inspiration and the hope of learning something new - 40+ yrs - and I'm still in shock that I was let down so much. The author does have some nice ideas and her own style, yes, but all artists do, and I was looking at this book not as an artist, but as any person who would like to learn something new, and I was totally let down.
First, the list of supplies she gives at the beginning is HUGE, and she does not give any alternatives or substitutions you could use if you don't have any of these things. The only thing I saw that could be laying around the house is bleach & paper bags. It would cost more than a small fortune to accquire these items to do these techniques. Also, she doesn't explain exactly why they are used, only what the general product discription is. ex.- used for distressing fabric. What if you don't know what distressing fabric is, and are there any other ways it can be done? Also, when listing materials for a project and starting with, "embossed wool felt", the author does not explain earlier in the book - and I don't believe I've seen it later, either - how a person would go about embossing wool felt. It's stated as if it's something you can pick up at your local craft shop...it's not.
If you're a beginner or advanced, I would recommend Mixed Media Explorations: Blending Paper, Fabric and Embellishment to Create Inspired Designs, Beryl Taylor's book, also Susan Stein's, Fabric Art Workshop: Exploring Techniques & Materials for Fabric Artists and Quilters, and the book Fabric Embellishing: the Basics & Beyond: More Than 50 Techniques With Step-by-step Photos, by Chandler, Kettle, Thomas, & Vlcek, (which is in a spiral form. That's nice.) These books are all full of fantastic techniques and ideas for the advanced artist or the beginner, and they also don't overwhelm the reader with the idea that if you don't have this exact list of supplies, it can't be done. (not to mention the mental dollar signs you see reading each item.) I know from my own supplies that purchasing certain dyes, paints, and powders alone can cost at the very least a few hundred dollars. I tend to be obsessive when purchasing supplies as it is. I like to have something of everything for a particular art style I'm working with "just in case" I may want to use it one day, and I don't even have half of these items.
So beware fellow artisian, if you're quite advanced at fabric art, I'm sure you already know these techniques, so it would be a waste of money. If you're intermediate to advanced, the other books I mentioned show the same ideas, but using techniques & supplies anyone can afford & things you most likely already have. If you're a beginner & would like to learn more about fabric art, please, don't spend your money here & get overwhelmed. Try any of the books I've previously mentioned, & you'll be more than happy with your purchase. There is nothing new or never b-4 done in this book that's not in the others.
Rebeckah Meier does some beautiful work, but let's face it, there are a lot of artists that do beautiful work out there, and they do it with a MUCH SMALLER BANKROLL, more descriptive explinations, and much more detail....Sorry Ms. Meier, the two stars I gave were just because I like the photos of your work.

Without a doubt Rebekah's work is beautiful and if you're new to the world of mixed media then you'll find this book an invaluable reference. The author covers a wide range of techniques for adding color, texture, stitching and embellishments to fabric along with ways to create distressed fabrics and work with heat tools. There's no in depth look at any of the techniques but she gives enough information to get the reader started along with variations to consider and helpful tips. There are 5 small quilt projects provided and a five page gallery of the authors work provides a lot of eye candy and inspiration. Artist new to the mixed media art form will find this book easy to read and follow and a great guide for jumping in and experimenting with a wide range of techniques. Experienced mixed media artists will find it a nice reference to have on hand especially when looking for inspiration, a finishing touch technique for their own pieces or a memory jogger for a technique they haven't used in a while.

If there was a category where you could give 10 stars to a single book, I would give it to this one hands down. If there were no words in the book, the pictures alone would make it worthwhile. Some of Rebekah's work is so beautiful you just want to sit and stare at it but then you can't wait to look at the next page. But there are words and her descriptions, tidbits, ideas, concepts etc., are written well and very easy to understand. The book is not simply a how to, it really inspires you to want to to make something beautiful. Luckily I have a room full of fabric, lace, inks, and just about everything necessary to try my hand at Fabric Art Collage, and I can't wait to start. Thank you Rebekah for sharing your art with us. If I had paid $100.00 for this one, I would have considered it money well spent.

When I read about this book I couldn't wait to get it. I ordered it from Amazon and eagerly anticipated its arrival. But after receiving it and really perusing it I realized this book is defiinitely not for the beginner.
I loved looking through this book and seeing all the projects the author had made. I've looked through it many times but when it came to trying to make something similar I realized you have to have a sewing machine for every one. Also every tool/supply she mentions she gives a brand name for (which can be good or bad) but if you bought what she suggests you could easily spend a thousand dollars or more. Most of her works of art are complex and many of the terms she used I did not understand.
If I could do it over again I would just check this book out of the library instead of investing in something with pretty pictures that will remain just that - not projects that I can make.

I am delighted to give my hearty and heartfelt recommendation to Fabric Art Collage by the creative genius Rebekah Meier. This is, without doubt, one of the most sumptuous and idea packed creative tomes to cross my desk in ages. Ms. Meier has filled this book to the gills with bright ideas and brilliant inspiration.

A mixed media book with a fabric focus, this will certainly appeal to quilters and fabric artists...but it's got a ton of appeal for mixed media artists working in jewelry making, collage and paper arts as well. I can not stop looking at this book and every time I do, I find something new and fascinating. There are products and techniques in these pages I have never, ever seen before and the sample gallery projects are all stunning.

What impresses me the most about this title is the vast amount of knowledge that Ms. Meier possesses and the ease with which she shares it with the reader. She writes clearly and honestly and her passion for her art comes through on every page. ANY creative person looking for some fresh ideas should buy this book. You will not be disappointed.

There are over 40 techniques and a huge array of finished projects to show you ways to integrate the techniques into your art. I am intrigued by lutradur and solvron, two items I had not heard of before reading this book. Even when she uses familiar materials, she uses them in entirely unexpected ways. In fact, Ms. Meier uses such a wide variety of interesting materials it is mind blowing. I simply can't stop gazing at the Black, White and Red Quilt and the Canvas Quilt. I love that Ms. Meier doesn't spoon feed you monkey see, monkey do projects, but shows you ways to tap your own creativity and let it flow.

Kudos to Ms. Meier and C&T Publishing for making a book that will have a place of honor at my bedside for many months to come as I thumb the pages in search of new inspiration before drifting off to sleep.

Margot Potter
The Impatient Crafter(tm)
Author The Impatient Beader Series
Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
Beyond the Bead

Fabric Art Collage by Rebekah Meier is a wonderful resource book with a wealth of over 40 mixed media techniques.

Divided into nine sections, this book is well-organized and reader-friendly. The full color photographs showcase not only finished projects and techniques, but also key steps along the way.

Beginning with the section entitled TOOLS AND SUPPLIES, Rebekah offers an extensive and thorough overview of a wide range of products including fabrics, paints, dyes, inks, adhesives, tools, accessories and more. There is truly something for everyone; Rebekah's vast experience with a wide array of products and materials is evident.

PAINTING AND STAMPING illustrates 13 techniques for adding design to fabric. Concise instructions are given for each technique.

Eight techniques for CREATING BASE MATERIAL show how to combine materials such as fusible web, paper, Lutrador (a non-woven translucent web) and more.

CREATING TEXTURE offers five methods, including needle-felting and machine stitchery, utilizing a wide variety of materials.

Sections entitled EMBELLISHMENTS and FIBERS AND HAND EMBROIDERY offer up ideas and approaches for adding extra "punch" to your fabric collages.

HOT TOOLS explains how using the Creative Textile Tool, an iron or a heat embossing tool can fuse, emboss or etch a variety of materials to be used in your collages.

Rebekah demonstrates DISTRESSING materials with tea, coffee, dye, ink and paint and she offers guidance in ASSEMBLING THE LAYERS. A focus on creating composition, balance and construction of the finished piece rounds out the techniques presented in this resource book.

Five different quilt projects are found at the close of Fabric Art Collage along with a gallery of 17 beautiful examples of mixed media/fabric projects. Finally, the materials referenced throughout the book are listed in the "resources section" with detailed source information.

The author suggests creating a "techniques swatch book" as you move through the book. I think this is a wonderful idea and would make for a handy reference.

Fabric Art Collage will be a "go to" resource when you are looking to master a new technique for use in your mixed media projects. The techniques range from the simple to the more complex, thereby satisfying the novice or the experienced artist.

I could not put this book down for a week. I'm still going back to it just for the pure pleasure of looking through it! Rebekah Meier's work is beautiful and if this book doesn't inspire you to try mix media, I'm not sure what will.
This is not a project book but a technique book. The material list and how to use them sections are wonderfully done.
I found myself making shopping list for products I've never tried.
Highly recommend this book.

This book is a "must-have" for any creative library. It's filled with techniques that
are fun to try. Also shows so many applications of these techniques. You don't need
to be a expert quilter or expert seamstress to enjoy the ideas in this great book.
Simply said, "Buy it"!

I bought this book as a gift for my sister and wound up buying one for myself. I have several fabric art books, but this is by far the best. Sometimes fabric art is just too funky for me, but this one is really tasteful. Here's a warning: It doesn't give precise directions for projects - it just gives you ideas for ways to create your own designs. That's okay with me, but if you are looking for "patterns", you won't find them here. What you will find is lots of photos of gorgeous stuff and lots of ideas for ways to create your own personalized art. I think it is a great book for anyone who wants to try out fabric art.