Bojagi: Design and Techniques in Korean Textile Art by Sara Cook
Bojagi: Design and Techniques in Korean Textile Art by Sara Cook is a lovely book – from its soft covers, through lavish illustrations to very clear and well-structured information and instructions. Although I had been aware of bojagi (formerly known as pojagi) for some time, I first came across live samples at the 2019 Festival of Quilts where Sara had her own exhibition space. The following month I attended a talk by her at the Fashion and Textile museum which inspired me to buy the book.
Bojagi is a traditional Korean textile art technique where scraps of transparent fabric are put together with visible seams. The book opens with a chapter on the history and cultural influences of bojagi and moves on to the fabrics and sewing equipment associated with it. This introduces us to rami, a fabric used in ancient Egypt, which is the main cloth used by the Koreans; our nearest equivalent might be cotton organdie. Cook then explores seams and embellishments, the core essentials of bojagi and concludes with sections on Jogakbo or pieced patchwork and Nubi or quilting. There are several projects throughout the book.
I urge you to borrow this book and peruse its contents – and hopefully be inspired to try a project or two. A copy of Bojagi is now in the library.
Marion McCrindle
Bojagi is a traditional Korean textile art technique where scraps of transparent fabric are put together with visible seams. The book opens with a chapter on the history and cultural influences of bojagi and moves on to the fabrics and sewing equipment associated with it. This introduces us to rami, a fabric used in ancient Egypt, which is the main cloth used by the Koreans; our nearest equivalent might be cotton organdie. Cook then explores seams and embellishments, the core essentials of bojagi and concludes with sections on Jogakbo or pieced patchwork and Nubi or quilting. There are several projects throughout the book.
I urge you to borrow this book and peruse its contents – and hopefully be inspired to try a project or two. A copy of Bojagi is now in the library.
Marion McCrindle
Dorling Kindersley : Patchwork, Quilting and Applique
This new addition to the library is a comprehensive guide, encyclopaedic in scale, of quilting, patchwork and appliqué. But be warned – at over 300 pages it is not really a bedside book! It is a good publication for the beginner – the first part covers the basics such as materials and tools, types of fabrics and battings, design principles and general techniques. The layout is clear, with good diagrams and photographs, and the general effect is of freshness and light.
There are separate sections for quilting, patchwork and appliqué with detailed explanations and instructions. The patchwork section includes topics such as piecing, triangles, star blocks, curves, paper piecing and working on a foundation. Appliqué covers hand and machine stitches, needle turning, Hawaiian appliqué, reverse appliqué as well as other methods. Quilting touches on transferring designs, hand and machine quilting basics, including free motion, concentric, seeding and outline stitching, embellishing and cording.
Instructions are included for projects in each section, so that the reader can try out the techniques. For example, in the patchwork section the information about strip piecing includes instructions for a small cushion cover and a bed quilt. And in the appliqué chapter you will find instructions for a lovely soft toy block for small children, a zipped pouch and a tote bag. The quilting section shows how to make a hand quilted cushion and pot holders.
The final chapter, Things to Make, has twenty-four projects ranging in size and complexity from a needle case to a double bed quilt so both the beginner and the more experienced quilter have a good choice of patterns to try out.
So if you are new to patchwork and quilting, or need a reminder of techniques, or even a new project, you might find this addition to the library to be a help. But I ought to declare an interest – eight of my projects are featured in the book.
Sabi Westoby
There are separate sections for quilting, patchwork and appliqué with detailed explanations and instructions. The patchwork section includes topics such as piecing, triangles, star blocks, curves, paper piecing and working on a foundation. Appliqué covers hand and machine stitches, needle turning, Hawaiian appliqué, reverse appliqué as well as other methods. Quilting touches on transferring designs, hand and machine quilting basics, including free motion, concentric, seeding and outline stitching, embellishing and cording.
Instructions are included for projects in each section, so that the reader can try out the techniques. For example, in the patchwork section the information about strip piecing includes instructions for a small cushion cover and a bed quilt. And in the appliqué chapter you will find instructions for a lovely soft toy block for small children, a zipped pouch and a tote bag. The quilting section shows how to make a hand quilted cushion and pot holders.
The final chapter, Things to Make, has twenty-four projects ranging in size and complexity from a needle case to a double bed quilt so both the beginner and the more experienced quilter have a good choice of patterns to try out.
So if you are new to patchwork and quilting, or need a reminder of techniques, or even a new project, you might find this addition to the library to be a help. But I ought to declare an interest – eight of my projects are featured in the book.
Sabi Westoby
"Stitch and Structure" by Jean Draper
The truth is that this is probably not a quilting book, but quilting is mentioned once – kantha quilting. However, many of the techniques covered consist of a lot of layers, of anything, and lots more stitching. They mainly focus on different two and three dimensional items created from stitchery, fabric and mixed media.
The first part of the book concentrates on structure as a source for design and how you look and interpret them. There are some good sketches and illustrations of organic, natural and man-made built structures. These give inspirations for stitching.
After each major subject throughout the book, there are suggestions on further work that you, the reader, can do.
Jean Draper describes her approach to making experimental stitched textiles and the methods used. There were some excellent reasons given why drawing structures are so important and again the illustrations were perfect. And also on taking risks!
Next the book covers thread and that really means altering conventional threads and inventing new ones. Lots of innovative ideas are given. This is followed up in the next chapter by discussing and constructing with thread and linear structures in order to make two and three dimensional work. Plenty of good and unusual examples are given including clear instructions on coiling.
This is followed by stitches in thin air – using soluble fabric – for fragile, hand-stitched structured surfaces and a stabilizer, for constructed work. So no conventional background fabric! Lots of good, not obvious, techniques are described.
The author describes constructing with only stitch, to produce two and three dimensional stitched structures made without a background fabric. She also explains making and using moulds for shaping stitched structures. Buttonhole stitch plays an important part in these methods.
The book then deals with structures using stitched fabric - making new surfaces from fabric using both hand and machine stitching in order to transform the surface and character of existing fabrics. There were some stunning examples with clear instructions on how to achieve the effects. This is where kantha quilting is described.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the book and picked up some good ideas, some of which I will definitely use and others which… maybe! If you want to add textures and dimensions to your work, I certainly recommend the book to you. It is easy to read and always followed up with suggested further studies. To sum up – an inspirational book.
Judy Roose
The first part of the book concentrates on structure as a source for design and how you look and interpret them. There are some good sketches and illustrations of organic, natural and man-made built structures. These give inspirations for stitching.
After each major subject throughout the book, there are suggestions on further work that you, the reader, can do.
Jean Draper describes her approach to making experimental stitched textiles and the methods used. There were some excellent reasons given why drawing structures are so important and again the illustrations were perfect. And also on taking risks!
Next the book covers thread and that really means altering conventional threads and inventing new ones. Lots of innovative ideas are given. This is followed up in the next chapter by discussing and constructing with thread and linear structures in order to make two and three dimensional work. Plenty of good and unusual examples are given including clear instructions on coiling.
This is followed by stitches in thin air – using soluble fabric – for fragile, hand-stitched structured surfaces and a stabilizer, for constructed work. So no conventional background fabric! Lots of good, not obvious, techniques are described.
The author describes constructing with only stitch, to produce two and three dimensional stitched structures made without a background fabric. She also explains making and using moulds for shaping stitched structures. Buttonhole stitch plays an important part in these methods.
The book then deals with structures using stitched fabric - making new surfaces from fabric using both hand and machine stitching in order to transform the surface and character of existing fabrics. There were some stunning examples with clear instructions on how to achieve the effects. This is where kantha quilting is described.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the book and picked up some good ideas, some of which I will definitely use and others which… maybe! If you want to add textures and dimensions to your work, I certainly recommend the book to you. It is easy to read and always followed up with suggested further studies. To sum up – an inspirational book.
Judy Roose
"Baby and Kids Quilts" by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter
Fons and Porter are “legends in the world of quilting” but this book was my first introduction to their work. It is a beautifully photographed work full of charming projects for a range of abilities. The book is a new addition to the London Quilters Library and supplements the small section of quilts for babies and children.
I first made “Happy Flowers” - a sunny, cheerful baby quilt described as “easy”. I would agree. It went together with no trouble using the detailed instructions. A great project for a beginner or a quilter who would like to put a baby quilt together quickly using scraps.
I first made “Happy Flowers” - a sunny, cheerful baby quilt described as “easy”. I would agree. It went together with no trouble using the detailed instructions. A great project for a beginner or a quilter who would like to put a baby quilt together quickly using scraps.
I then went on to “Teagues Turtles” – a foundation pieced project described as “intermediate”. I have had some experience of paper piecing using freezer paper but I found this challenging. There is a clear design for making the turtles but I had problems with it. The placement given didn’t work (although it was easily modified) and I then had two pieces which when cut turned out to be upside down. There are instructions in the book for how to paper piece but there are better instructions elsewhere on the web.
The issues with “Teagues Turtles” aside, this is a lovely book, full of fun designs which will delight the recipients.
“Baby and Kids Quilts” by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter. Published by Leisure Arts 2011.
Lyn Fry
January 2018
The issues with “Teagues Turtles” aside, this is a lovely book, full of fun designs which will delight the recipients.
“Baby and Kids Quilts” by Marianne Fons and Liz Porter. Published by Leisure Arts 2011.
Lyn Fry
January 2018
"Create Your Own Free-form Quilts" by Rayna Gillman
A stress-free journey to original design.
This is a book that encourages the reader to try a different approach to quilt making. The author, Rayna Gillman, has her own unique way of creating “free-form” quilts . She teaches this method to classes all over the world.
The book offers a rich resource to help you jump-start this new direction. The reader is gently led through simple steps such as “sorting your fabrics – commercial or hand-dyed and printed”, or “colour and shade” and novel suggestions are made such as “mood or motif” or “mixing it up”. In fact almost anything goes with a little control and management. This book is not simply about design. It is about making original work and proving that this is within the reach of everyone. Most importantly Rayna’s book shows that individuality can be fun as well as easy.
It all starts with a “strip.” Choose your own length, your own width, your own style of fabric. Everything will work and most excitedly, you are in control. Then add another and maybe a third. Maybe add one in another direction. Then cut it in half.....and you’ve started the journey.
You are encouraged to abandon the rules. You can dump the ruler and also forget everything you learned about colour, technique, bindings, straight edges etc. Just let go. Hold Rayna’s hand and she will point you on the way to this different direction. You will not need to buy anything. Everything you need you will find in your workspace. Most importantly you will be able to use your unfinished blocks, scraps and all those fabrics that you thought were mistakes. Nothing need ever go to waste again. All those UFO’s can be re-created but this time into something you like.
Chapters with headings like “Slice, Dice and Design “, “Add, Subtract and Divide” offer easy solutions that result in energetic and unique possibilities. No two readers will create the same work.
It doesn’t take long before you are actually making your own creations based on Rayna’ s individual approach and quirky ideas.
This is a book that encourages the reader to try a different approach to quilt making. The author, Rayna Gillman, has her own unique way of creating “free-form” quilts . She teaches this method to classes all over the world.
The book offers a rich resource to help you jump-start this new direction. The reader is gently led through simple steps such as “sorting your fabrics – commercial or hand-dyed and printed”, or “colour and shade” and novel suggestions are made such as “mood or motif” or “mixing it up”. In fact almost anything goes with a little control and management. This book is not simply about design. It is about making original work and proving that this is within the reach of everyone. Most importantly Rayna’s book shows that individuality can be fun as well as easy.
It all starts with a “strip.” Choose your own length, your own width, your own style of fabric. Everything will work and most excitedly, you are in control. Then add another and maybe a third. Maybe add one in another direction. Then cut it in half.....and you’ve started the journey.
You are encouraged to abandon the rules. You can dump the ruler and also forget everything you learned about colour, technique, bindings, straight edges etc. Just let go. Hold Rayna’s hand and she will point you on the way to this different direction. You will not need to buy anything. Everything you need you will find in your workspace. Most importantly you will be able to use your unfinished blocks, scraps and all those fabrics that you thought were mistakes. Nothing need ever go to waste again. All those UFO’s can be re-created but this time into something you like.
Chapters with headings like “Slice, Dice and Design “, “Add, Subtract and Divide” offer easy solutions that result in energetic and unique possibilities. No two readers will create the same work.
It doesn’t take long before you are actually making your own creations based on Rayna’ s individual approach and quirky ideas.
The illustrations are excellent. Rayna and her students demonstrate just how versatile the results of working this way can be. There are masses of colour and individuality. The rhythm of many of the pieces makes you want to tap your feet – or better still, get sewing as our member Sabi Westoby did, using Rayna's techniques
I challenge anyone to turn the pages of this book and not be inspired. The only danger I see is that you might become addicted. More examples of Rayna's work can be seen on her website at www.studio78.net
And to give Rayna the last word - “there is no such thing as a mistake”.
Marlene Cohen
May 2016
I challenge anyone to turn the pages of this book and not be inspired. The only danger I see is that you might become addicted. More examples of Rayna's work can be seen on her website at www.studio78.net
And to give Rayna the last word - “there is no such thing as a mistake”.
Marlene Cohen
May 2016