Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop [Paperback]

Ruth Rae (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 26, 2009

Tear, Burn & Stitch Your Way to Beautiful Fabric Art

Learn how to create fabric art with incredible depth and meaning in Layered, Tattered & Stitched. Mixed-media artist Ruth Rae expands your creativity as she shows you how to singe, tear, stain, later and stitch fabric and paper for amazing texture and visual interest. Explore both traditional and atypical sewing techniques combined with collage, beading and photo transfers to make gifts, wall hangings, accessories and more.

Layered, Tattered & Stitched will inspire you with:

• 18+ artistic projects ranging from unusual greeting cards and gift wrap to art dolls, banners and apparel
• Clearly explained steps with photos for all projects
• Thorough instructions for a wide range of techniques
• Suggestions for expanding your creative process by working with poetry and symbolic objects

Treat yourself to an amazing fabric art workshop with Layered, Tattered & Stitched.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ruth Rae is a classically trained jeweler. During Ruth's tenure as a metal smith she began to experiment with other forms of media and techniques. As time has progressed Ruth's true passion has become "mixed media fiber art." Ruth's pieces are recognized for their unexpected yet elegant combinations of altered fabrics combined with found objects and words that are bound together by hand and machine stitching. Ruth's work has been featured in galleries across the country, countless art publications as well as Quilting Arts TV and she has two workshop DVDs and travels around the county teaching jewelry and fabric workshops. Ruth authored two books, A Charming Exchange, and Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop. Visit her website at www.ruthrae.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; Original edition (November 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600611885
• ISBN-13: 978-1600611889
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Textile & Costume

More About the Author

Ruth Rae is a classically trained jeweler. During Ruth’'s tenure as a metal smith she began to experiment with other forms of media and techniques. As time has progressed Ruth’s true passion has become “mixed media fiber art.” Ruth'’s pieces are recognized for their unexpected yet elegant combinations of altered fabrics combined with found objects and words that are bound together by hand and machine stitching. Ruth's work has been featured in galleries across the country, countless art publications as well as Quilting Arts TV and she has two workshop DVD’s and travels around the county teaching jewelry and fabric workshops. Visit her website at www.ruthrae.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite, January 11, 2010

By 

DuhBe (Kenosha, WI, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop (Paperback)

This has become one of my favorite books in my craft library. For the first time ever, I actually read an instructional sewing book cover to cover rather than just browsing the pretty photos. And then I started trying the projects.

Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop has 20 different projects by mixed media artist Ruth Rae. In each project she steps you through making collages using materials such as fabric, transparencies, paper, rubber stamps, paint, wire, beads, lace and metal. Her style has the elements I adore in fabric collage - frayed edges, burns, lots of stitching in messy rows, along with fabulous texture and color combinations.

She starts out with a brief 2 pages on materials, but it's enough for you to figure out what she's using and where to buy your own. She also explains how she dyes fabric or cuts certain materials. It's not in-depth, but experienced crafters and sewists will not need that level of detail.

The 20 projects include things such as cards, gift wrap, a journal, wall hangings, doll & clothes, banner, apron, wrist cuff, and a photo frame. I loved her construction techniques for the apron with buttonholes rather than ties, and her book binding techniques are next up on my list of things to try. The instructions are easy to follow, although she focuses more on the techniques, not the actual materials. She expects you to create similar projects in your own style, rather than making things exactly like hers. I love that idea. But...she does provide patterns and even a couple of pages of clip art if you want to closely emulate items as pictured in the book.

I was so inspired by this book, I have already made several of these projects in my own style and plan to make more stuff using techniques from the book.

What I liked:

* gorgeous photos of art quilt and fabric collage items
* simple instructions
* excellent techniques using various materials
* encourages your own creativity - use the projects as a jumping off point
* unique yet practical projects

What was missing?:

* doesn't discuss layout design or color theory of collage

Other things to know:

* sewing techniques are not covered, it is assumed you know how to use your machine already
* If you like the style of Ruth Rae, you will love the book. But if you're not a fan of the tattered style, this may not be a good book for you.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy 2- Keep 1 for Yourself and Give 1 to a Friend!, November 28, 2009

By 

Kimberly Sherrod "Calamity Kim" (Sarasota, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop (Paperback)

I found this book lovely to look at with it's linen image trims and attention to details. The projects by Ruth are easy to follow with stepped out illustrations that were clear and detailed. I have already made one thing from the book and plan to make several more. I own lots of craft books and sometimes I never do more than look through them. This book inspired me to actually go cut up fabric, paper and stitch them together to make something I really love.
I recommend this book highly and will probably buy several more for gifts this Christmas.
Thank you Ruth and your Publishers for a wonderful and soulful book.
I took it to one of my recent Surface Design Guild Meetings and the ladies loved it! So, no matter your level of craftsmanship- this is a great book to add to your art/technique library!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a good one!, November 13, 2009

By 

Julie Prichard (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Layered, Tattered and Stitched: A Fabric Art Workshop (Paperback)

This book is beautiful... Ruth outlined all of her projects with simple, easy to follow step-by-step instructions...great photos all along the way as well. The projects in this book are nothing short of amazing...ALL OF THEM. It's a TON of excellent information...and no mindless jibber jabber. I just had this delivered today and I can tell it is going to be referenced to time and time again. Love it!