On the Surface: Thread Embellishment & Fabric Manipulation (Paperback)

by Wendy Hill (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Frequently, the appeal of a particular sewing project is greatly influenced by the fabric itself, and the appeal of the fabric is often linked to its visual and physical texture. On the Surface explores a unique approach to embellishing fabric surfaces with multiple layers of various threads. Even a beginning sewer can master the simple technique, which basically requires only a straight-stitch sewing machine, fabric, and thread. Stitching many times over the fabric surface and then washing the fabric yields fascinating and often complex-looking material, which can be used in a variety of ways. The first half of this well-presented book explains how to create the fabrics; the second half offers instructions for projects that utilize these creations in such projects as quilts, pillows, vests, jackets, jumpers, place mats, and accessories. The results, surprisingly easy to achieve, are wonderfully colorful and sophisticated. --Amy Handy

From Library Journal
Surface stitching, says Hill, requires only three things. You must be conscious, your sewing machine must have the capability of sewing a straight stitch, and you must have some time actually to do the stitching. She might have added that this type of stitchery requires a hefty thread budget. The object of this type of surface stitching is to embellish fabric with multiple layers of straight stitching, combining varying weights and colors of thread with different stitch styles to achieve a textured fabric that lends itself particularly to wearable art clothing. Hill combines clear instructions for mastering this technique with an attractive selection of projects in surface design. The author claims to have "kidnapped" two women from the parking lot of her son's school and forced them to test instructions in her book. Highly recommended for project-oriented textile collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571200320
• ISBN-13: 978-1571200327
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #661,977 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars On the Surface - OK, November 1, 2000

By A Customer

I found this book rather 1-dimensional and not particularly inspiring. There is only 1 basic technique covered in this book, and the examples are all of the "cute, folksy, boxy" variety, for the most part worked in cotton. Examples include cute, folksy, boxy women's clothing; cute, folksy, boxy home-dec items; cute, folksy, boxy girl's clothing...I was hoping to find some more elegant examples, some different techniques, some different textures, some different fabrics used.

The information presented is exhaustive (130+ pages on 1 technique!) and well-written, with nice photos of the author's and other's work, but as an experienced sewer and machine-embroidery enthousiast I find I get the same amount of inspiration and information out of a Threads magazine article - and there have been several on the technique presented in this book.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful technique for creating new textures, December 25, 1998

By A Customer

This fun book - thanks to Wendy's terrific sense of humor - shows how to create interesting fabric creations from what you have. Enables you to totally change a fabric into something else. Great ideas for using all the exciting threads available now. Only thing lacking is more projects. Hope there's a sequel.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Creative Approach to Quilting and Sewing, December 11, 1999

By A Customer

Loved it! This book takes quilting to a higher level, and yet the technique of thread embellishment is quite uncomplicated. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in a unique approach to quilting or adding an extra dimension to their sewing - a very special book!