The Cumulative Cloth Dry Techniques
A Guide to Fabric Color, Pattern, Construction, and Embellishment
Susan Brandeis
Schiffer Publishing
Who is the author?
She is a well known presence within the arts. She has 35 years in the game, it is not just about the art, it is about the research, the work behind her practice - I love her description of making on her website - simply put: ‘making a textile is a kind of magic’. Can you resonate with that? The books not a small text piece, it is one as the purchaser you need to make a deal with - you are in the land of art for more than a novels length - are you? If so…this one will get your heart.
What is it about?
Maybe she planned writing more than one book in the first place - I have not had the chance to ask her, yet whatever, this is clever as this book covers basically all the methods required for dry techniques, applique, cutting and piecing…all the techniques I fondly remember learning via my early education in the textiles industry. All the things you jump through hoops and learn; some you will love and hold onto for your life, others you may drop and forget along the way. That is how you build your own strength as an artist, making and realising - use these words together always.
Learn how to build a ‘library’ of samples - this is so important, believe me I know. As an artist, we have the same memory loss as everyone else. Best intentions to remember what we like, how we did it, what went wrong, why it went wrong….guess you get the idea. So her tuition and reminders to keep what can be said it a creative diary of ‘events’ is a skill to resonate with and accept.
What you wont learn….because its in her other book….
Another of her books delves into the ‘wet’ techniques - think dyeing etc.
Special wording…
One of my main reasons for smiling throughout this book - the turn of phrase. I loved her idealistic yet realistic guidance - we learn that we need to become inventors in textiles. This is so true, we need to work out the new, in order to keep our creative practice within our current living times. ‘Prompts’ and a ‘vision’.
Is the book easy to follow?
Yes. She knows what it is like to teach, to work with students, thus she can put this across vocally within her written word.
Often boxes are cordoned off to cover what is needed for an exercise, a tool required etc.
Photographs are clear and diagrams are used throughout.
Who is it for?
Both the student and the teacher, you hardly need a teacher helping you if you have this guide and her other books.