The Art of Whimsical Stitching: Creative Stitch Techniques and Inspiring Projects

by Joanne Sharpe

Paint, Stitch, Play!

In The Art of Whimsical Stitching, bestselling author and teacher Joanne Sharpe shares her favorite, go-to methods for creating exuberant stitch art. If you're a sewer or quilter, you'll take your stitching in a new direction with paints, markers, and dyes. If you're a mixed-media artist, you'll learn to embellish your work with stitching.

Follow step-by-step instructions and photos demonstrating a dozen inspiring techniques, including collage, stenciling, free-motion stitching, fused applique lettering, needle felting, doodle machine and hand embroidery, and more! Then, transform your custom fabric into playful pillows and bags, art quilts, journals, and other fun and funk-tional projects. Joanne's whimsical artwork and a "sketchbook" of designs you can adapt for your own work round out this colorful, inspirational guide.

Genres: Crafts, Art, Nonfiction, Sewing

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2016

Reviews

[Lynda Shoup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant for the mixed media artist who wants to apply their skills to fabric pieces. Having dabbled in needlework, turned to mixed media and now circling back to fabric again, I found this book had plenty of information for me to apply. Of particular interest to me were the sections which detailed how to apply different materials in a fabric item. Which coloring agent should I use for my product? There is plenty of information here to guide those decisions. The second half of the book has beautiful projects incorporating the aforementioned products. Whether you are looking to incorporate sewing into your mixed media or the other way around there is something here for you.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book was very repetitive and instructions were unnecessarily drawn out (no pun intended). I would have enjoyed work from other artists but this is a showcase for Ms. Sharpe's own stuff which is very much one note. The palette is bright rainbow and most everything seems floral with uplifting words and phrases. There's an audience for this, certainly, but I wanted to see something with more depth.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Whimsical Stitching by Joanne Sharp introduces readers to fabric, various threads and numerous embroidery stitches to create a picture. Instead of a canvas background, muslin squares are used. Readers learn which paints and pens are appropriate for fabric enhancement. The various of embroidery thread is also discussed along with decorative embroidery stitches. I came away with an idea of creating a fabric art journal.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been taking a basic sewing class but have been uninspired by the projects we have been doing as they don't really tap into my creative art experience. This book does this for me! I am so excited to start creating mixed media fabrics and projects. Thank you for this wonderful introduction to this craft

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some nice projects to make in this book.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many fun little projects in this book! I can't wait to try some of them.

[Hannah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great source of inspiration whether you're looking for a textile project or not. I'm definitely going to try her approach to making a journal cover and play with her doily idea. Other ideas of hers sent me in different artistic directions. For example, her art sampler with the splotches of different types of paint would make a great background for journaling. I usually toss samplers, but I may make a more conscious effort to keep mine more tidy and also save them for background pieces for later projects.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may be of further interest to me for information on threads, painting faric, handstitching, stencils, wool....