African Inspirations In Embroidery Details From the front flap: Modern embroidery materials and techniques are married with some of the traditional techniques and materials used in Africa to create textiles that capture the true beauty of the continent. Traditional African artifacts, textiles and beadwork are illustrated in the book to give a full context for modern work. The book covers the original source material, from African landscape and natural forms to jewellery and textiles; the design process including colour studies, the use of scketchbooks, collage and drawing; the various techniques necessary to produce stunning final pieces, including dyeing with flour-paste resist, seminole patchwork piecing, patching, stitching apliqué, drawn thread, surface embellishment and mixed media. Case studies by leading textile artists provide further examples of the concept and design process through to the finished textile pieces. To fully understand the process of working on a theme, the author has provided an Xhosa bag project. From the back cover: A leading embroiderer with a lifelong love and understanding of African culture and landscape translates the many striking images of Africa into textile art, using embroidery, dyeing and mixed media. From the dusky colours of the savannah lo the traditional beadwork and everyday utensils of African tribes, the author has used a variety of sources and techniques to produce stunning textiles. Beautifully illustrated, the book covers: • The design process, from concept through drawing, colour studies, collage and the use of sketchbooks. • Colour, from natural earth tones to the bright colours of African jewellery and textiles. • Pattern: the stripes, zigzags, circles and triangles of Africa translated into textile designs. • Texture and surface on fabric: ridges, raised surface, edges, stitches and surface additions. • Full technique instructions for dyeing, flour-paste resist, seminole patchwork, piecir patching, stitching, embellishment and mixed media. • Working on a theme: an Xhosa bag project. Hard cover, 128 pages. Price: $49.95 ($45.41) Contents: Introduction 1 Looking and Recording Sources Choosing a Sketchbook Museums and Other Research Options 2 Colour Sources and Starting Points Design Techniques Using Colour and Paper Colouring and Treating Fabric Fabrics in a Limited Colour Palette 3 Pattern Sources and Starting Points Holes Preparing Patterned Papers Developing Your Design Ideas and Textile Techniques 4 Texture and Surface Sources and Starting Points Developing Your Design Ideas and Textile Techniques 5 Xhosa Bag Project Glossary Suppliers and Further Reading Index