Jazz It Up!: 101 Stitching & Embellishing Techniques [Hardcover]

Judy Murrah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

Keep Judy Murrah’s latest book close to your sewing machine! Chock-full of fresh ideas to spice up your projects, Jazz It Up is a reference you will refer to time and time again. Whether you’re stitching up quilts, clothing, or home-decorating accessories, Judy’s best textile tricks will ensure a one-of-a-kind look in whatever you create. Start jazzing up your designs now with:

• Judy’s special methods for fabric manipulation and embellishment, all shown in step-by-step diagrams and full-color photographs

• A fabric-enhancement section that covers appliqué, couching, ribbon work, pleating, tucking, and more

• Basic patchwork techniques, such as Flying Geese, Rail Fence, and Drunkard's Path, that are the foundation for Judy’s designs

• Fascinating dimensional designs, such as tassled triangles, prairie points, shirring, and wrinkling

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hometown: Victoria, Texas

Judy Murrah is the author of six topselling books. Her work as an author and professional instructor parallels her responsibilities as director of education for Quilts, Inc., the Houston-based company that produces International Quilt Market and Festival.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Martingale and Company (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564772454
• ISBN-13: 978-1564772459
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wearable Art for the Practical Person, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jazz It Up!: 101 Stitching & Embellishing Techniques (Hardcover)

This is the book we have been waiting for from Judy. She mentioned it was in the works two years ago and I have been eagerly looking forward to it. As with all of Judy's books, the directions are clear and there are marvelous graphics for all of the techniques she presents. You are given lots of ideas with photos of finished goods. This book will give you the confidence to make that one of a kind vest or jacket. The hardest part is deciding what techniques to start with on your creation!

If you are thinking of just trimming the edge of a jacket or making a whole wardrobe this is the how-to idea book for you.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am all jazzed up!, November 10, 2002

By 

Heart To Hand (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz It Up!: 101 Stitching & Embellishing Techniques (Hardcover)

Judy has written many "Jazz" books that you can now find on the Internet auctions going for big bucks because they are out of print. I happen to have all her books, thanks to a good friend, and feel this one sums up all her shared knowledge of wearable art stitching and embellishing. The first wearable project I made was adapted from one of Judy's' first books. I consider her work as laying the foundation for all wearable artists out in the world today. These 101 techniques can be used on a simple cuff or on your whole project.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern Art versus Impressionism..., May 29, 2003

By 

Mrs. C (Berkshire, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz It Up!: 101 Stitching & Embellishing Techniques (Hardcover)

Judy Murrah is a very talented lady. Her book received great reviews which is why I purchased it. However, her personal style is not what I look for in design and embellishing. Her work is very contemporary, and I tend to be much more of a traditionist in design and embellishment. I prefer needlework designs that date as far back as Medieval times. I like order, and I love needle-art to be so beautifully done that one may even frame it as a piece of art.

J. Marsha Michler wrote "The Magic of Crazy Quilting: A Complete Resource for Embellished Quilting." Her approach to design and embellishment is much closer to what I prefer in my own work, and her designs can be nicely applied to clothing and other projects as well--not crazy quilting alone. She very clearly illustrates stitching and embellishing techniques, including high quality photo close-ups, making it very easy even for the novice.

Another wonderful book that I have found both exciting and artistic is "The Art of Manipulating Fabric" by Colette Wolff. Using your own artistic imagination, both these books can offer any design or look you desire, and both have a much more "serious" presentation of design.

If you like a contemporary look to design, then Judy Murrah's "Jazz it Up..." is for you. She gives clear illustrations and close-up high quality photos for examples to follow. Her ideas and designs can be done by even the novice.

Happy sewing!