| TITLES AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE: New Ideas in Needlepoint Lace Hanky Panky Crazy Quilts Creative Sampler Embroidery Simply Sensational Bags |
| TITLE: NEW IDEAS IN NEEDLEPOINT LACE AUTHOR: VALERIE GRIMWOOD HEG: 1629 "Birds of a feather flock together," so goes the old adage; so it is with no surprise that I chose to review the second book on Needlepoint Lace, which is a companion to last months book. To quote the late, great, Andy Warhol we are all due our fifteen minutes of fame and I believe New Ideas in Needlepoint Lace has just come into the spotlight. This book is designed to help you extend your lacemaking skills and aid you in developing new ideas. The designs are varied, and each is accompanied by a diagram, detailed instructions, and a check list of materials and tips to help you work more efficiently. Suggestions for future projects and alternative techniques are also provided , enabling you to build on your experience garnered from the first book. Once again I must say, Valerie Grimwood's instructions are some of the best I've ever seen. While all diagrams are in Black and White they are clear and easy to follow. Ms. Grimwood has taught lace- making for a number of years, along with teaching secondary school science; which is why her instructions are excellent. Believe me, I know from personal experience, that if your instructions to students are not extremely simple, clear and straightforward, you will get an assignment back that has absolutely no bearing on what you were trying to accomplish in the first place! It happened to me during my student teaching phase, and I couldn't believe some of the results I got back! In addition to wonderful instructions, the author recognizes the need to acquire a through grasp of the basic skills before going on to new ideas. For this reason, this book is definitely designed to be a companion book to Starting Needlepoint Lace, which I reviewed last month. This book contains all you need to know to develop your expertise in this art form, and all the information and inspiration to help you create beautiful and unusual lace projects. Once again I would like to thank Lorraine Meyers for her donation of this book to our library. Norrene Trama Librarian |
| TITLE: HANKY PANKY CRAZY QUILTS AUTHOR: CINDY BRICK HEG# 632 It's that special time of year again, when we meet friends, walk our feet off and just oooh and aaaahhh and exclaim over the wonderful works of needleart. For those of you not in the "know" this time of year is better known as "Quilt Festival Time" in Houston. This is when the George R. Brown Convention Center is chock full of all the wonderful goodies for stitching and creating. It's also a great place to get inspired, spend lots of money and just have and "experience". So, now that you have experienced the "experience" and your creative juices are pumped up and flowing, you can now sit back and greatly appreciate this new library addition. This little gem of a book is written by Cindy Brick (a contributing editor to McCall's Vantage Quilts, and NQA Quilting Quarterly) and is brimming with artful ways to employ old handkerchiefs. Her experimenting led to the idea that the corners of old hankies made "prairie points" all by themselves. Prairie Points (for those of the non quilting ilk like myself) are folded squares or lined triangles that are placed around the borders of a quilt. By using hankies there were no raw edges to turn and they could be aligned with he edge of the top. It also solved the problem of what to do wither the "used" areas of some of the hankies. This style of quilt is easy to make, on average, the top takes only a few hours to lay out and stitch in place. One of the best things is that your quilt will always be an 'original' due to the varied textures and designs of the hankies. Another 'original' feature is the open spaces and crannies of the quilt lend themselves to innovative fancy stitches and motifs. One of the nicest things about this book is the idea that it allows you to make use of many of your family heirlooms that are much loved. In addition to grannies hankies you can also incorporate other linens like napkins and embroidered runners and dresser scarves. Many of these are stained and are no longer used for their original purpose and can now find new life as part of a quilt. The author goes on to discuss other ideas that are invaluable for general vintage textile preservation. Her section on "getting the dirt out" is not about hidden skeletons in peoples closets, (thank goodness).......It's about how to wash and restore fabrics, giving good hints on things to do as well as not to do. Other chapters in the book deal with subtle things like color schemes (for people like me who never ever think along those lines), as well as the design and the scale of the quilt itself. Fabric choices as well as embellishment ideas are also covered so that one can turn out a quilt that is not only color co-coordinated but pleasing to the eye in both size and shape. There is an entire section devoted to what Carol Brick calls the "hanky panky method". This is a step by step easy to understand set of instructions (even for a non quilter like myself) accompanied by clear, concise color pictures and diagrams. One nice thing about the directions is the "What If" section, a series of answered questions which can help get you out of a corner or a snafu. Peppered with beautiful colored pictures of the different 'styles' of quilts and projects the author has created, this book not only proved to be very informative, but fun as well. Even if you are a non quilter like myself you will enjoy the lovely way the author has been able to give old textiles new life and purpose. This book has been placed in our library as a memento to Carol Mifflin's husband Thomas. Norrene Trama Librarian |
| TITLE: CREATIVE SAMPLER EMBROIDERY AUTHOR: CAROLINE VINCENT HEG# 536 Our latest addition to the HEG library celebrates the rich tradition of pictorial sampler making. I feel this is a very fitting tribute to Margaret Jones, a long time member and avid sample maker, for whom this book was purchased. One of the highlights of this book (and there are many) is it's ability to bring a more imaginative approach to the art of sampler making. It allows embroiders to make original pieces of work each of which can be adapted to a more individualistic interpretation. While cross stitch has long been recognized as the foundation technique for samplers, it imposes certain limitations on the range of design possibilities. Most original samplers do in include a variety of techniques; and it is with this format that this book explains how to build a rich surface of texture to give added depth and interest to the sampler. The use of color is discussed in great detail and how it can have a variety of effects on the finished piece. I found on of the most interesting parts to be on the effects that can be achieved through color mixing and over stitching. This book is filled with a variety of excellent diagrams (another highlight) both color and black and white. Each motif that is diagrammed has step by step instructions on how to work the motif stitch wise; what colors to use and what each different fabric will give you in terms of results. A series of projects are also included which can act not only as a source of inspiration; but also as a valuable reference for the various projects and techniques. One of the nicest things covered in the book in my opinion, is how the designs themselves can be adapted and personalized by interchanging the motifs on a mix and match basis. The book also stresses using the mix and max idea to create your own composition. This book is not only an excellent guide for those, like myself, with limited sampler skill and knowledge, it can also be used as a spring board for the more advanced stitcher to extend their creative and artistic skills. This book was placed in our library in memory of Margaret Jones by Beth and Sue Gilmore. Norrene Trama Librarian |
| TITLE: SIMPLY SENSATIONAL BAGS AUTHOR: LINDA MC GEHEE HEG# 1948 Have you ever given any thought to the origin of the terminology regarding the handbag you carry every day? If you're like me probably not; and that is what makes this book so interesting. Here's an everyday object that has a varied and interesting history and we know nothing about it. Most of us tend to use the terms handbag, purse and pocketbook interchangeably, but one will find out in a short time that they all refer to different types of handbags and how they have evolved over the years. Most of us are not aware that we have the U.S. Government to thank for our indispensable shoulder bag. This style of handbag was designed to compliment the WAC's uniform worn in World War II. Today many "designer bags" sell for hundreds of dollars and while many may not be useful or practical they appeal to our "fun or arty" side. There are basically two types of bag construction. One uses a frame to hold the shape, the other depends upon the structure to keep the shape of the bag. There are also patterns available for different bag shapes, just as there are for clothing. (My what will they think of next?). This book is great fun in that it reveals all the "designer's" secrets and allows you to follow in their footsteps to create handbags that can rival any one of theirs. The author lists all the steps needed as well as the materials and equipment that you will need in order to fashion your own handbags. She shows one how to create the necessary under construction (the part that gives stability to the purse) to the fun side which covers in great detail and simple language how to achieve your desired result. She teaches you how to pick things like lining material and howl it will affect the outcome of the project depending upon the fabric you choose for the outside. This can be anything from ultra suede to real leather as well as various cloths. The chapter on "pockets" covers everything from outside patch pockets, how to insert zipper pockets, and even how to create secret pockets. The "hardware" chapter shows how to achieve a truly professional look for your creation, by using things such as encased frames and metal "feet." The last few chapters are really a sight to behold as they show in beautiful detail what you can do if you just let your imagination be your guide. From bags made from leftovers, that can match outfits you have made, to the last chapter showcasing what wonderful creations were accomplished by those who chose to meet the "Challenge" the author put forth. So, if you are so inclined, you to can duplicate the expensive ready made bags at a fraction of the cost and bask in the limelight of the compliments you will receive. It'll do great things for your ego and self esteem. This book was submitted to our library by Annette Money. Norrene Trama Librarian |
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THE HOUSTON EMBROIDERERS' GUILD Book Reports 2 |
