Soft cover, 144 pages. $50.00 ($45.45)

About the Author: Ann lives and works in Hertfordshire, and has exhibited widely in the UK, America and Canada. She trained in Canada, and also at Goldsmiths College, London. She has a Fine Art degree, and with her love of colour and design, she has developed unusual and exciting techniques in her current textile art work. Ann now devotes her time to mentoring and making, developing her work for exhibitions and galleries. She will be featured artist in the Knitting and Stitching Show 2017. From East Kent Embroiderers Guild: Ann Small is an experienced textile artist and tutor and in this new title in The Textile Artist series, she explores the methods used to transform cloth, where coloured fabrics are stacked, sewn and cut to produce an exciting tactile surface. By working through the book, following Anns comprehensive instructions and suggestions, a personal portfolio of samples and designs can be created. There are seven beautiful step-by-step projects for the reader to work, covering all the techniques used, to add depth and vibrancy. Richly illustrated in colour throughout this is a must-have book for anyone wishing to explore new ways to develop their own work creatively thereby taking it to a higher level. Highly recommended. From Workshop on the Web: Ann Small is one of my favourite textile artists and, judging from the popularity of her articles in Workshop on the Web, she is one of yours as well. You wont be disappointed in this book. As the title suggests, layering fabric and cutting it back to reveal the treasures beneath are at the heart of this book. But there is so much more. There is a very informative section on the general topic of layering and Ann shows in clear stages the technique for what I call faux chenille, where you layer fabrics, stitch straight lines and then cut to the base fabric. Variations of this demonstrate surprisingly different effects and, together with stitching, form a substantial section of the book. Ideas, from inspiration, sketchbook and transfers to fabric, form the next section and there are some great ideas there. The book sings with colour from beginning to end and there is a chapter on working with colour which extends into its use with stitched pieces. The advanced techniques in the exciting Pushing the Boundaries section include chunky trapunto and carved columns; much of the remainder of the book continues the theme of carved from cloth.This is a great book; it makes you want to have a go, always an excellent sign. From Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk: Astounded by this book. Not sure where to start. From cover to finish it is simply marvellous. I find everything about it sheer joy. It defied my expectations completely. The level of work is amazing and not one page deviates from the high level Ann achieves. The work is rich, sumptuous and unusual. As a colourist, Ann is simply magnificent and like me, you will probably flick through this book just for the colours. The contents page does not conjure up what is in store: Inspiration and Design, Pushing The Boundaries, Three-Dimensional Applique, but the actual work will leave you gasping for breath. It is stunning. Layer, cut, fold back, stitch, insertions, edging, bindings, working with grids and so much more. You'll see the methods, sources of inspiration, how to finish work. There are step-by-step projects so that you can familiarise yourself with the process. The trapunto section is wonderful and the book stacks and puffs work is equally engaging. I cannot recommend this book enough, it gives so much. I wish it were a hardback and I am certain that the publisher will be re-printing this within 6 months because everyone must have it. The Textile Artist series is a good series of books, this is the strongest title yet, it deserves a fanfare, it really is in a class all of its own. For textile and colour lovers everywhere. Recommendation? Absolutely, Im telling you this is a MUST-HAVE.

Contents

Introduction 6 Tools and materials 8 All about layering 14 Hand stitch embellishment 36 Inspiration and Design 44 Finding ideas 46 Textile art 64 Creating with colour 76 Pushing the Boundaries 84 Trapunto 86 Trapunto carving 92 Step-by-step project Book stacks 98 Sculptural book stacks 102 Step-by-step project Twisted spirals 110 Twisted blooms and buds 116 Step-by-step project Puffs 122 Flower puffs 126 Step-by-step project Three-dimensional appliqué 84 Handbag 134 Step-by-step project Brooch 138 Step-by-step project Scarf 140 Step-by-step project Going further 142 Index 144