The Art of Manipulating Fabric
£15.40
The possibilities for three-dimensional manipulation of fabric – gathering, pleating, tucking, shirring, and quilting woven materials – are seemingly endless. To describe them all would be to describe the entire history of sewing.
In The Art of manipulating Fabric, Colette Wolff has set herself just this task, and she succeeds brilliantly. Working from the simplest possible form – a flat piece of cloth and a threaded needle – she categorizes all major dimensional techniques, show how they are related, and give examples of variations both traditional and modern. The result is an encyclopedia of techniques that resurface, reshape, restructure and reconstruct fabric.
- More than 350 diagrams support the extensive how-tos, organized into broad general categories, then specific sub-techniques
- Handsome photos galleries showcase the breathtaking possibilities in each technique and aid visual understanding by emphasizing the sculptured fabric surface with light and shadow
- Textile artists and quilters, as well as garment and home decor sewers, will expand their design horizons with the almost limitless effects that can be achieved
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Additional information
| Publisher | Krause Publications, 2nd edition (1 Feb. 2003) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9780801984969 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0801984969 |
| Dimensions | 19.7 x 12.9 x 1.11 cm |
by Bluevegas
This book is amazing! So many ideas and how to construct them.
by FJM
My copy is already getting a bit dog eared from use – always a good sign in a reference book! This work takes what you already knew – or thought you knew – about using fabric, and takes it further. From the simplest (eg how long does a ruffle need to be to give the effect you want?), to using godets and other inserts, to three dimensional objects … if you want to design your own costumes or clothes, or to use fabric as decoration, or to understand how to manipulate fabric to make quilts, hangings, cushions, etc, etc, this is an essential reference book. If you want a set of recipes for projects, look elsewhere!
by M.M
Excellent product
by Artemistica
I bought this book because I was intrigued by the many options of textural effects by studying the immense variety of ways of manipulating fabric for my fibre art projects. In particular I wanted to know more about Canadian or American smocking after having seen tutorials on YouTube, but I found very little on this aspect in the book. I liked the idea of using her methods for structural patterns which I could adapt for expressing architectural surfaces. However I find the book mostly dealt with sartorial or costume use of folding, pleating, tucking etc. all of which are very valid in themselves but which I found to be of little use to me. However, it is really a reference book, so no doubt it will prove useful in unexpected ways in the future.
by S Parr
If you love fabric flowers, ruching, shirring, VV Rouleux ribbons, pleating etc and you like Molly Goddard’s dresses and Boho outfits, then you need to buy this book. I learnt more from 10 minutes reading this in a café than I have on some sewing courses. You can translate every technique in here onto any project, try it on quilts, bags, curtains, you name it. This book is a bible of knowledge and demystifies what looks complex in couture, to very simple samples, that will give your projects the WOW factor. No need to buy textured, expensive dress fabrics, you CAN do it yourself.
by Lazy Octopus
This book contains a variety of fabric manipulation techniques, anything from simple ruffles to more complex dimensional forms. I find it useful because it does go into great detail to explain how different techniques will affect the final product.
by Louise
This book is great. It’s an encyclopedia of fabric manipulation and smocking. I am docking a star though as I though the book would have been more beneficial if the photos were done in colour. It would have sharpened the fabric effects alot more giving the reader a better idea of how the effects would look.
There is a step by step guide as well for you to be able to try these fabric manipulations out.
by Samantha J Peacock
Sure this book is in black and white but it is a rare find and has its own beauty in its monochrome as the pictures work on shade & light to feature the effect, which works. I’m bewitched, it’s a pouring of complete passion and library reference of techniques and the benefit of a lifetimes work catalogued in one place. I don’t know any other book as a ‘go-to’ guide for anyone wanting to learn various techniques from basic to advanced, and allow experimentation on the way in a book quite like this one. Step by step guides with pictures to bring fabric to life from start to end. It is definitely going to be well used in my workroom – well done Colette Wolff – a great book.