Creating Sketchbooks for Embroiderers and Textile Artists

by Kay Greenlees

Sketchbooks are invaluable companions for artists and an essential part of today’s textile courses, and now, at last, there’s a book that shows embroiderers and textile students how to make the most of their sketchbook practice. Through fascinating glimpses into the sketchbooks of leading textile artists, this beautifully illustrated, first-of-its-kind guide shows—from first sketches to finished pieces—how to use a sketchbook to develop ideas, record personal observations, experiment with materials, and create sketchbooks that are works of art in themselves. Sketching in museums, coloring pages, mark-making, drawing and collage, 3-D work, e-sketchbooks, and more are covered. A must-have for students, embroiderers, and textile artists of all abilities.

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction, Design

128 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2006

Reviews

[Matthew Gatheringwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

If pages from your sketchbook have their own titles and can be displayed in a gallery, or that is the kind of sketchbook you'd like to have, then this is the book for you.

When I refer to a sketchbook, I mean a messy collection of swatches, sketches, yarn gauges, and photographs that is essentially a private record meant to inspire and remind me about actual projects. The sketchbooks in Creating Sketchbooks are really more like works of art in themselves. That's why, although I like this book, it is not for me.

I did find some parts of the book unexpectedly useful. Museums often don't allow flash photography of textiles, so the section of the book about working in museums and archives offered practical advice about how to get the most out of your visit. I'm going to take this section with me the next time I visit a textile exhibit.

I was pleased and impressed to see that the book included an index, bibliography, and resources for further reading and supplies. The whole book is thoughtful and well-organized.

[Zsofi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many inspirational images of sketchbooks from which you can create your own interpretations; for this reason it is not at all limited to embroiderers or textile artists at all. In fact, if you are looking for a book on how to approach any type of sketchbook this might be good.
I thought it would be more focused on textiles, and embroidery or give more ideas of how you can incorporate them in your sketchbook, so in a way that was a slight bit disappointing, but all in all I'm happy I own this sketchbook.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the sheer beauty of the sketchbooks shown but it is also a very useful guide to someone wanting to start an art sketchbook and not having a lot of knowledge about how to go about it. An artist's sketchbook will be entirely personal to them and may be a conglomeration of things, and even rather messy, so that needs to be taken into consideration when reading this book too. Not all artists use sketchbooks either. Overall the book is lovely.

[HM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving this book one star because it looked interesting enough to start and another star because I actually went through it. Other than that, I really don’t have much to say about it. Love sketchbooking, but this is kind of weird, bless it.

[~Anita~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For most artists a sketchbook is a work tool. I've been keeping one for two years. I have an affection for it and somewhere along the way I became fasicinated with sketchbooks as a form. As a result I thoroughly enjoyec this book.

[Jakeyfatdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book with all sorts of inspiring ideas for sketchbooks.