TextileArts news and re:views

Issue 5 of Fibre & Stitch, the online mixed media magazine, is now out - into its second year and as full of great articles as ever.

Everyone will have their own favourites - I enjoyed Terri Stegmiller's 'Quilt First, Paint Second' - which always seems very brave to me! - and as I own lots of felting needles but no embellisher, I was pleased to see an article by Sonja Lee-Austin and Ann M Lee about needlefelting without an embellisher, with information about fibres, tools and techniques.

I have a little collection of cards featuring Ton Schulten's colour-filled work, so Margaret Roberts' bag project inspired by his work was a delight (even though no-one checked how to spell his name!). Liz Berg explores the technique of hand carving rubber stamps and her examples are great - lots of ideas to to take away. I was also very interested in Elis Cooke's custom casting moulds made from polymer clay.

Cas Holmes is an artist whose work I have admired for many years, and it was fascinating to read more about her methods and her motivations in 'Beneath the Surface', with lots of lovely images.

I've picked out the articles that most appealed to me, but there is as much again that I haven't mentioned: so many projects and techniques to explore.

Fibre & Stitch is available online at fibreandstitch.com. There is also a generous selection of free projects on the site, which give a taste of the magazine itself.

The book - Mark Making - covers 20 years of Tilleke's work in full colour photography, with an introductory essay by Dr Jessica Hemmings, focusing on the content of the work. The book has been quite successful and the first edition has sold out.

A second and updated edition has recently been published by Ter Burg (editor of the Dutch Textile magazine Textiel Plus). It's a 72 page softback, written in English, with most parts also translated into Dutch. The book is rather popular and a second and updated edition is priced at 17.5 euros (postage and packing is extra), the book can be ordered from Tilleke Schwarz - contact her on or visit www.tillekeschwarz.com.

A new exhibition by Sleaford Embroiderers in the Roof Gallery at the

Hub
National Centre for Crafts and Design
Navigation Wharf
Sleaford
NG34 7TW

www.thehubcentre.info

4 - 7 September 2008
10am - 5pm

Sleaford Embroiderers, established in 1986, are a group of 25 creative embroiderers who enjoy working with both modern and traditional techniques, from precise and exacting pieces such as goldwork and silk shading to innovative designs of modern progressive textiles including paper and bookmaking, feltmaking, metalwork, etc.

In addition to the waterfront inspired pieces, the exhibition will also include other pieces of new work.