I am happy to recommend "Fabric and Fiber Inventions" to a wide range of readers. It's hard to beat a how-to book that combines fabric and fiber history with "upcycling" of unwanted clothes into new wearables or decorative or play items, plus the basics of weaving, knitting, crocheting, quilting, dyeing--and some simple electronics! As a guy who is more at home with big, metallic tools, I won't try to take up some of the nimble-fingered projects in this book. But I've always wondered how multi-colored T-shirts were created, and I have some boring T-shirts that now cry out to be dyed using the ombre effect. The book shows how, and it is just the kind of messy process that can appeal to kids and young-at-heart adults. Plus, I grew up amid relatives who knew how to knit, crochet, quilt and neatly sew, and I remember being amazed at how their fingers worked almost automatically as they talked and laughed. (I still have some of the gifts they created, too). So this book reveals to me some of the mysteries of how they made things. "Fabric and Fiber Inventions" also contains several interviews with current fiber and fabric artists. And the pages covering electrical circuits offer such projects as a soft circuit tester, a soft pressure sensor, a soft tilt sensor, and even a woven audio speaker using conductive thread, which I didn't even know existed, plus some other, more common materials. Plenty of interesting reading, even if you only try a few the numerous projects.
My thanks to O'Reilly Media for providing an advance reading copy for review.
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From the brand
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Make:
Elevating makers, nurturing a global cultural movement, and celebrating creativity, innovation & curiosity.
From the Publisher
Three Questions for Author Kathy Ceceri
Is this a craft or science book?
It's both! The projects in this book use familiar craft supplies like yarn, felt, and cardboard, but they also help you think about materials as would a scientist or engineer. How can you get paints and dyes to bond to your T-shirt? It takes engineering to make a hat that fits your head. You can even begin to understand computer programming by learning to knit.
Who do you hope reads this book?
I wrote it with kids in mind, specifically ages 10 and up, but it’s great for adults, too. When I want to master new concepts, I often pick up books written for tweens and teens because they're less overwhelming. Many of the projects are simple enough for kids to do on their own. The rest will need minimal adult help and preparation. I also included profiles of real artists and engineers who are coming up with new ways to use traditional textile-making skills.
What supplies do you need to do the projects?
I tried to stick to materials that are low-cost and easy to find. I want readers to be able to try a new technique without having to make a big commitment of money or equipment. For instance, I show you how to make your own loom out of scrap cardboard before you invest in a "real" wooden model. Keeping it basic also makes it easier for classroom teachers, librarians, museum and afterschool educators, and youth group leaders to do these projects with bigger groups.
Sewing Circuits
- When you add circuits to wearables, you bring together two worlds — the newer realm of electronics and the tradition of making cloth. Combined, they can do all kinds of amazing things. Studies by Kylie Peppler at Indiana University have shown that sewing e-textiles gives kids a better understanding of how circuits work than typical electronics kits. I really wanted to include e-textile projects that introduce readers to basic concepts and clever ways to create low-tech soft sensors. Once you understand the basics, it’s much easier to move on to programmable components.
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| Musical Inventions | Make: Paper Inventions | Making Simple Robots | Edible Inventions | |
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| Price | $13.67 | $7.99 | $9.31 | $13.95 |
| More books by Kathy Ceceri | DIY Instruments to Toot, Tap, Crank, Strum, Pluck, and Switch On | Machines that Move, Drawings that Light Up, and Wearables and Structures You Can Cut, Fold, and Roll | Exploring Cutting-Edge Robotics with Everyday Stuff | Cooking Hacks and Yummy Recipes You Can Build, Mix, Bake, and Grow |
About the author
Top reviews from other countries
Aurora
Very fast delivery and good quality
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2020
