Those who spin or aspire to will want to take a look at “The Intentional Spinner” by Judith McKenzie McCuin. The author offers technical information, history and tips about spinning that is akin to a master class in the art.
Learn the history and nature of cellulose fibers such as nettle, flax, hemp and ramie; cotton, the seed hair fiber; the protein fibers wool and silk; manufactured fibers such as viscose, bamboo, soy and corn; and synthetic fibers such as nylon.
The spinning techniques section of the book takes the reader from the intricacies of fiber preparation and plying to designing yarn.
The book also includes four projects to knit using hand-spun yarn.
“The Intentional Spinner” is generously illustrated with photographs demonstrating spinning techniques and what one needs to know to care for hand-spun woolens. It is the kind of “go-to” book spinners of all skills will want to add to their libraries.
Quilters and fiber artists with a yen to embellish will find plenty to inspire them in “The Quilting Arts Book” by Patricia Bolton. In the book, readers will learn the basics of keeping a sketchbook as a source of design ideas, find ideas for using recycled materials and get a handle on art and design principles.
Tips and Techniques to Try is an important section of the book — after reading about a specific technique one can apply the newly acquired knowledge.
The book is abundantly illustrated with color photographs, a rich source of inspiration and ideas, too.
In “Mixed Media Self-Portraits” by Cate Coulacos Prato it’s all about you as readers are invited to explore techniques to create a self-portrait. Chapter 1 looks at therapeutic self-portraits, Chapter 2 guides the reader through self-portrait warm-up exercises, digital self-portraits and keeping a self-portrait sketchbook. Chapter 3 provides instruction for creating self-portraits, including masks and using objects to tell a story.
This is a book to wander through. It is filled with edgy illustrations, food for thought and plenty of ideas for depicting the self on paper, in paint or with fabric.
“Sock Innovation” by Cookie A will give knitters a leg up on sock design and knitting techniques. The book is, for all intents and purposes, a portable master class in knitting socks. It contains sections on sock techniques, stitch techniques and sock design, plus 15 elegant sock patterns that will have knitters jumping with joy. The book teaches knitters “how to resize or modify patterns to meet your needs by understanding charts and stitch motifs, options for placing and combining stitches to create unique designs for pampered feet, and how to design comfortable, well-fitting socks that are as fun to wear as knit.”
“The Intentional Spinner,” “The Quilting Arts Book,” “Mixed Media Self-Portraits” and “Sock Innovation” are published by Interweave Press.
“Button It Up” by Susan Beal, published by Taunton Press, combines love of buttons with the techniques of jewelry making to create wearables with a distinctly vintage flair. But the projects in the book go beyond jewelry to housewares, button-embellished clothing and bags.
The jewelry projects in the book that caught my eye were the necklaces and bracelets of buttons knotted together with cord and requiring a low level of skill.
In the housewares section, which includes magnets, curtains and aprons, I was drawn to a button and fabric collage that would make a wonderful art project for group members such as Girl Scouts, or for someone seeking a unique way to display treasured antique buttons. I also liked the stationery decorated with buttons.
“Button It Up” is a book with a playful spirit and will appeal to those who craft and to those who sew and enjoy beading. It includes information on vintage buttons, button shops, how to make your own buttons, jewelry-making techniques and even a Gluing 101 page.
Last but by no means least, although it is a book of only 80 pages, is “Jurassic Towel Origami” by Alison Jenkins, published by Andrew McMeel Publishing. Yes, that’s right, towels — and masking tape and safety pins. The projects in the book require two or three bath towels cleverly folded into Tyrannosaurus rex, stegosaurus, velociraptor and Stonehenge, and 11 other prehistoric projects. Photographs delineate each step for making the folds used to create each creature. My favorite is the wooly mammoth. It even has tusks created by rolling white washcloths a certain way. Its eyes are buttons stuck to its head with double-sided adhesive tape.
“Jurassic Towel Origami” is sure to be a hit with children studying dinosaurs and with teachers seeking projects with an artistic slant to pique student interest. It’s also the kind of book parents should have on hand — along with plenty of bath towels — for rainy days when the young ones are looking for something fun and un-usual to do.
Look for these books at your library or order them from your bookstore.
Snippets
ä Organizers of the 2009 Fiber Arts Show set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28, to Sunday, July 5, at Hammond Hall in Winter Harbor, are calling for fiber artists to take part in the show. Knitters, crocheters, quilters, spinners, weavers, rug hookers, cloth-doll makers, mask makers, felters, makers of wearables, batik artists, shibori artists, basket makers, floor cloth makers and handmade-paper makers will be considered for inclusion in the show. Entry forms are available at Hammond Hall in Winter Harbor, Chapter Two in Corea, Cinnamon Stick in Milbridge, Wildfire Run Quilt Boutique in Sullivan and Shirley’s Yarns and Crafts in Hancock. For more information, call Gail Ruland at 963-7849.
ä The planning committee for the Downtown Bangor Artwalk planned for 5-9 p.m. Friday, June 19, is accepting entries for the event. Artisans with studios in downtown Bangor, including painters, fabric artists, printmakers, photographers, jewelers, framers, musicians, furniture makers, sculptors, art therapists and writers, are encouraged to submit applications. Also invited are downtown establishments that support the arts, and businesses that present local or Maine artisans in their spaces. Application fee is $20 and submission deadline is Friday, May 15. Pick up applications at the University of Maine Museum of Art, 40 Harlow St., in Bangor. Drop off completed applications at 9 Central St., Suite 312, or with Jodi Clayton at One Lupine Fiber Arts, 170 Park St., Bangor. For more information, call Sally Gilbert at 852-3504.