Textile Nature: Embroidery techniques inspired by the natural world

by Anne Kelly

An inspirational guide to using nature in textile art, with step-by-step projects


Plants, flowers, gardens, insects and birds are a rich source of inspiration for artists and designers of all kinds. This beautiful guide demonstrates how to get the most out of your surroundings to create original and unique pieces in textiles.


Beginning with a chapter on drawing from nature, the book demonstrates how to use sketchbooks and create mood boards to explore your local environment and landscape. The author demonstrates how to make small pieces such as folding books based on observational drawing and stitch. Moving on to a section on floral inspiration, the author shows how to use plants and flowers in your work, from using stencilled flower motifs as embellishment to printing with plants onto fabric and making simple relief prints. Finally, the taking flight chapter demonstrates how to move into three-dimensions and sculptural work with birds and insects made from cloth.


Featuring step-by-step projects as well as work from contemporary artists, makers and collaborative groups throughout, this practical and beautiful guide shows how practitioners of all kinds can draw from the natural world for making and inspiration.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2016

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book, it is not quite what I expected. The author examines work inspired by nature from a range of textile artists. It's an interesting book, useful for dipping into to see how other people interpret themes from the natural world.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully produced book. Heavy on inspiration, lighter on practical how-to advice and instruction. Delighted to see the talented Meredith Woolnough featured in the pages.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book by a lovely artist!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of gorgeous pictures of textiles that are natural subjects or incorporate natural materials, like going to an art show.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to be Anne Kelly when I grow up! Beautiful, free-form, inspirational work in a lovely format - the book feels good in my hands.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of book I like to have on my shelf for future reference.
So nicely pieced together, fantastic ...

I keep revisiting this one, time to get my own copy!