What is Furoshiki? Madly, this is no new textile fabric fashion, this is a key part of Japanese history which has spun the years, whilst coming into fruition in a variety of years depending on the time period. In its beginning, it was customary to only use these wrapping techniques for temple objects - precious. As we have moved into a throw away society, it now holds a new import

We may have succeeded in having less plastic and food waste, but what about the rest of the throw away society which seems to have become the norm? Financially, it may feel less of a strain to purchase cheaper clothing and interior items, but often they are not appreciated, thus yes we do just bin and forget.

Poetic Woods

Experimental Watercolours and Collage

Ann Blockley

A niche subject matter - yet universal. As an artist who is heavily mixed media and textiles based, I was surprised to open this title and find skills which I could easily add to my tool box of creative activities.

This book is simple, bold with so much packed into its little pages. With this artist as a guide, learn how to create thirty patterned pieces to then add all to one quilt. Personally though, I do not see why you need to do them all and add them all. They could all be beautiful one of patterns to illustrate and beautify any interior. I am already imagining making covers for cushions using up to just four of the patterns at once.

Within this title, Botelho showcases twelve projects which focus on the zoomed in view. We are not looking at landscapes here, this book is all about the finer detail of many a natural environment which we often tread through and never really appreciate. Take for example the sand beneath our feet, the bark of a tree, the inner cavities of a shell. Next time you go for a walk, try to remain present, with a focused view - what could you photograph and depict within your own stitchery?

Blackwork, Whitework….traditional in form…yet are they still relevant to our current art lives now? I questioned myself decades ago, as a virgin student, new to the tactile and loving all mess related methods. Could I ever pull off something this neat? I will wager that if I could, at age seventeen master this form of embroidery, then so can you.

I have always found flowers inspiring for my own creative practice. Not just within themselves, but also developmental thoughts - what could be done with them? Can I grow them? How to dry them? In fact….which ones DO dry?

Within this book, Jost provides a simplistic list highlighting all the ones we cab in fact dry successfully. (page 14-19) She is a well known florist, so she has the life experience to provide us with an accurate text.

What is improv? Many of us like to have a plan to work from when embracing textile methods - we are all aware of many books and tutorials which lead us through a step-by-step journey. This is often applied to the subject of Quilting. This book turns that walk the line on its head. Imagine having a bit of fun, improvising, creating a piece which isn’t perfect? This book showcases how to add a little of an edge to your quilting practice.

Weaving with Wire - Creating Woven Metal Fabric

Christine K. Miller

Schiffer publishing

I am always looking for ways to incorporate new materials into my already tactile artistic practice. Admittedly wire has not previously come to my attention.

Have you ever experienced the joys of using a simple loom with any threads or wool? As an artist, I could never be bothered unless I had a real inspirational force, a way of making the method my own as it were. This book excites me, as it reminds me of the vegetable garden inspired weaving I did at university.

A Beginner's Guide To Kintsugi

The Japanese Art of Repairing Pottery and Glass

By Michihiro Hori

Tuttle Press

I am well aware of the art of breaking - I am a natural accident prone person in every area of life. This may only be really brought to our attention when we chip, smash, harm an item which is dear to us - that sentimental cup, the plate which was our mother’s, our grandmother’s.

Finger Knitting For Kids

Super Cute & Easy Things To Make

By Eriko Teranishi

Tuttle Press

As a child, I was introduced to a tool which many refer to as a ‘Knitting Nancy’. It was achievable and engaging, perfect for a young child who did not have the attention span or the dexterity as yet to explore the endless world of “grown up” knitting.

Whitework Embroidery

Designs and Accessories with a Modern Twist

Seiko Nakano

Schiffer Publishing

I have smile inducing memories surrounding Whitework methods. As the inexperienced artist, embarking on an embroidery course with a RSN trained tutor in the form of UK based Tracy Franklin, I remember pre-judging this traditional method to be…dare I say it…boring. However, a good tutor makes for a positive experience and I now have altered views…this as well as most of the traditional embroidery methods can be what we want them to be - our own interpretations. As the author reveals in the introduction - this book is designed to tell a story.

Modern Embroidery

A Book of Stitches to Unleash Creativity

Written by Rachel Dobbins

Published by Yellow Pear Press

As a regular reviewer, I have page turned my way through so many books on Embroidery.

Creative Wanderlust

Unlock Your Artistic Potential Through Mixed-Media Art Journaling Techniques - With 8 sheets of printed papers for journaling and collage

Written by Kasia Avery

Published by Quarry Press

This artist and writer guides us through the pathway of how to Art Journal. To be honest, I think I have myself as an artist always used this method, yet I have never thought about what it was or what it could be titled as.

Treasure Bookmaking

Crafting Handmade Sustainable Journals

Written by Natasha Marinkovic

Published by Mango Press

This book is one of a few similar titled books, however this was my first insight into the printing house and their publishing style. The book itself is a soft back and feels very much made by the author themselves.

Counted Sashiko Embroidery: 31 Projects with 80 Kogin and 200 Hishizashi Patterns

Written by Keiko Sakamoto

Published by Schiffer Craft

On the first observation of this title, one may be put off by the mouthful of wording; yet words do not have to indicate complex content.

Lets review this title right from the introduction, as personally I feel that this beginning is rather worth a pause and reflection.

Textile Portraits

People and Place in Textile Art

Anne Kelly

Batsford

What can a portrait be? Often when we hear the word, we think of a styled self portrait, something achieved by a fine artist, or something special we may get done by a street artist on a holiday.

This title really provides what I discern as a joyous insight into the subject in such a three dimensional way, its a really flurry of frivolity to behold in my hands.

dentity and the needle arts

Johannah Amos, Lisa Binkley (Anothlogy Editors)

Bloomsbury Publishing

Self expression through the tactile genre of art is not a new realisation. As humans, we all crave a pathway in life, a foundation and the inner knowledge of who we are. whatever art type we favor, it is much more than a sketch or stitch, it is about the emotional aspects too, the reasons we create and the feelings which evolve from creating.

365 Days of Stitches: Keep a personal embroidery journal: motifs, techniques, templates

Steph Arnold

Search Press

Looking at this latest embroidery offering, I witnessed a lightness, it looks a happy, maybe pointing to a younger market as a target with all the little symbols on the front cover. Yet within its approachable visual look….its actually a bit of a guise. This book stems from an artists need for repair mentally within themselves.

Simply Stitched with Wool

Yumiko Higuchi

Zakka Workshop

If you step into the woods today…what will you find? From foraging finds to berries and birds of paradise, this instructive guide leads us through a selected 24 projects on embroider and use to develop into wearable or home bound items.