Introduction 6
Materials & equipment 10
Drawing & design 24
Techniques 46
Stitching 88
Project 1: Pincushion 104
Project 2: Flower Cushion 108
Project 3: Daisy Hanging 112
Project 4: Needlecase 118
Project 5: Honesty 122
Finishing 126
Index 128
Bobby Britnell's first full-time job was working for Lord St John Roper, a theatrical costumiers in the West End of London, where she made elaborate costumes for both television and theatre. She later worked for Sir Bernard Weatherall, a high class tailors, where she learnt the skills of tailoring. In 1972, Bobby decided to train to be a teacher and, after qualifying, she spent 12 years teaching in a large comprehensive school. Whilst teaching, Bobby studied Embroidery, and in 1986 she moved to rural South Shropshire, UK with her husband, two sons and an endless collection of different animals.
Bobby is now a professional textile artist and tutor both in the UK and abroad, and she has her own studio and runs classes in art, design and stitched textiles, which is attended by students from all over the world. She is a member of the Embroiderers' Guild and of the Textile Study Group, and her work is exhibited and held in private collections worldwide. Visit her website www.bobbybritnell.co.uk.
Birds are the theme of the latest title in this series, functioning
as a muse for textile artist Sumner in colorful artworks created
with fabric and thread. An impressive variety of painterly
pictorial effects can be achieved using cloth, thread, and
sometimes found materials. The bulk of this book is divided into
three sections on capturing the character, depicting a scene, and
telling a story. Each section contains two step-by-step projects
that detail technical processes such as dyeing, using dissolvable
fabric, piecing, machine sewing, and embroidery. VERDICT Borrowing
heavily from crafts and applied art techniques, this guide presents
a fresh method for making fine art that can be enjoyed by readers
of all skill levels
*Library Journal USA*
Summer 2018 - Issue 94 This is not a new book but there are Silk
Painters who love to combine painting and stitch. The ideas are
simple and the stitch uncomplicated. Bobby Britnell's Book is an
intelligent approach. This very inspirational book incorporates
principals of design, looking and recording through drawing, then
moving from paper to fabric and stitch. Her approach to colour and
mixing isn't just a colour wheel but exercises and the leanings of
colours to each other. This leads to format and texture often
pointing out what we know but often fail to remember or see.
A slightly different approach to many surface design techniques
encouraging the pushing of boundaries. I have used many of these
techniques myself very effectively on silk but love another idea to
pursue. At times our memory needs a nudge to move in another
direction, this book does this, it is a joy to browse through and
act on!
*Guild of Silk Painters*
June 13 Here is another fabulous book in the Stitched Textiles
series. I know textile artists, especially students will embrace
the work in this book. The theme of flowers is a popular one and
the techniques shown are widely used in textiles. There is a good
introduction with all the materials you need plus an excellent
design section. In dyeing, you will learn how to dye graded colour
fabrics using a tray and small plastic bags. The book also shows
discharge printing, monoprinting, block printing, resists, masks
and stencils, applique, bondaweb, foiling, photo transfer printing
as well as hand and machine stitching. All the techniques are basic
and explained relatively briefly. There are 5 projects which show
examples of the techniques in use. The projects are pincushion
using a stencil, cushion using printing, daisy hanging using
applique, a needlecase with painted bondaweb, honesty seed panel
using photocopies. This is a good book introducing some useful
textile techniques, mainly suitable for the beginner. The whole
book is well supported by good design and photographs and step by
step instructions.
*Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts*
Sept 13 This book shows you how much fun you can have with fabric.
Paint it, dye it, sew on it and more to make colorful pictures,
cushions and more to decorate your home. What else all the projects
have in common is that they all have a floral theme. Apart from
describing materials you might need the book starts with a good
section on designing your work, elements of design, looking for
inspiration and drawing. This is not a book on how to draw flowers
(Search Press already publishes several books on this topic) but
there is a good look at design in here to whet the appetite. The
section on materials looks rather daunting, and for those who only
want to make items that can be washed many things can be discarded
apart from the initial drawing stage. I wished that there was a
table stating what mark-making items can and cannot be washed but
this must be discovered through trial and error. There are
certainly lots of hands-on projects to try out, from making all
kinds of prints to dyeing methods, painting, stencils, hand and
machine embroidery, foiling, discharge paste and more. All these
projects are illustrated with large format staged photographs
making the processes far more accessible than the wee print on
manufacturers labels, and it is easy to have fun with your fabric
without too much prior experience. At the back are a few items to
make up such as a cushion, pincushion, needle book and wall hanging
but this is primarily a book on how to use all the wonderful mark
making products currently on the market. One for the keeper
shelf!
*Myshelf.com*
Oct 13 For the latest title in the 'Stitched Textile' series, Bobby
Britnell turns her attention to flowers, which provide a huge
source of inspiration for the textile artist. The strength of this
series is the step-by-step presentation of techniques for the
reader to follow. Learn fabric surface techniques including dyeing,
printing, foiling, photo-transfer printing and stitch ideas. Bobby
shows you how to apply your new skills to make five projects
including a pincushion and a needlecase. If you like experimental
techniques then this book will provide you with plenty of ideas to
practice.
*SEWING WORLD*
Oct/Nov 13 Rarely does an embroidery book offer something for every
embroiderer at every skill level, but Bobby Britnell has achieved
exactly that. Flicking through the pages, there's an image or
technique to inspire on every page. Beautiful line drawings inspire
readers to stitch and also to pick up a pencil and draw.
Essentially, this is a real workbook, written by a textile artist
for textile artists. The book does include some projects, which are
accompanied by clear step-by-step instructions and photography, but
tips and wrinkles abound, making even the project pages feel more
like you're attending a workshop with Bobby. Most embroiderers will
work with floral motifs at some point, but the myriad techniques
covered here encourage a wide variety of approaches and
interpretations. techniques range from the simplest hand-stitched
lazy-daisy to layered free-machine embroidery worked on hand-dyed,
foiled and painted bases, finished with reinterpretations of
classic hand stitching, such as loopy French knots. With additional
techniques such as bonded appliqué, block printing, stencilling,
foiling, fabric piecing, mono printing, discharge printing and
dyeing graded colour schemes, there is value here for any student
of art and design, whether they choose to interpret flowers or not.
Just a few experiments inspired by this book could have a novice
textile artist addicted to the medium of the rest of their
lives.
*Stitch*
May-June 13 In the latest book in this series well-known tutor
Bobby takes us on a creative journey, using a much-loved floral
theme. Using the principles and elements of drawing and design we
gain confidence to create work from the things around us that
inspire. Using many of the new materials available today we learn
techniques for adding colour, pattern and texture to fabric in a
contemporary way. A modern approach to stitching, both machine and
hand, follows and finally there are five projects to help reinforce
the skills learned. Lavishly illustrated, this book is highly
recommended for anyone wishing to develop their work and take it to
a higher level.
*East Kent Embroiderer's Guild*
June 13 A long awaited first book from this popular artist, this is
an excellent offering that will delight Bobby fans everywhere. Part
of a series entitled Stitched Textiles, where leading textile
artists present their work, the source here is flowers and
concentrates on simple design exercises, similar to the one
described in this issue’s workshop. These are translated into
stitch using tried and tested techniques such as dyeing, printing
and appliqué, which are given the 'Bobby' treatment to present them
in the best possible light. There is also a very good description
of photo transfers and how to use them. The rendering of these
techniques into finished pieces is also thought-provoking, aided by
the section on stitching, especially the methods of simple but
effective piecing and some lovely examples of hand and machine
stitching. There are also several projects included to reinforce
the message. You will find a great variety of styles here and they
give the book a wide-ranging appeal and most of the techniques are
shown as step by step photos so it is an excellent starter book for
those new to textiles and the design section, a subject close to
Bobby's heart is splendid.
*Workshop On The Web*
This book will appeal to any textile artist interested in exploring
flowers and their design possibilities. Fresh and innovative in its
approach, it covers the design process itself, from inspiration to
final design, and provides information on the materials needed and
step-by-step demonstrations of a whole range of techniques
including dyeing, monoprinting, block printing, applique, foiling,
photo-transfer printing, piecing and stitching. Five step-by-step
projects build on the skills learnt in the preceding sections and
include wall hangings, a pretty needle case, a pincushion, and a
cushion cover. Very much aimed at the contemporary textile artist,
this beautiful book is designed to inspire and encourage new ideas
and experimentation.
*Hot Brands Cool Places*
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