Last week I turned in several book reviews for PieceWork, a magazine which covers historical knitting, crochet, needlework, and embroidery. I really love writing these reviews. It's always exciting to be one of the first people to see a new book and it's challenging to write about it in 75-100 words. The more I like a book, the harder it is to write such a short review. I usually write a first draft and then cut to the appropriate length.
Even though I work primarily with beads, I find that I often get unexpected inspiration from non-beading titles: delightful color combinations, new patterns, fascinating personal stories, or a fresh way of seeing the world.
Here are the books I reviewed this year: American Quilts: The Democratic Art, 1780-2007 Robert Shaw PieceWork September/October 2010 American Quilts in the Modern Age 1870-1940 Marin F. Hanson and Patricia Cox Crews PieceWork March/April 2010 Beadwork: A World Guide Caroline Crabtree and Pam Stallebrass PieceWork September/October 2010 Chinese Dress: From the Qing Dynasty to the Present Valery Garrett PieceWork March/April 2010 Embroiderers of Nihue: Stitching a Chilean Rural Life Carmen Benavente PieceWork September/October 2010 Quilting for Peace Katherine Bell PieceWork July/August 2010 The Sunbonnet: An American Icon in Texas by Rebecca Jumper Matheson PieceWork March/April 2010 |
Just the book cover alone inspires me to try mixing beads in these colors or using polymer clay to create a fan-shaped pendant. Reviewing all these fiber titles has also made me want to get a sewing machine. I'd love recommendations on what type to buy. |
I enjoyed all these titles. I hope you like them, too!