A comprehensive how-to reference that teaches wet and dry textile surface design techniques for making custom cloth. Learn surface design for textiles, to createrich and personally expressive fabric surfaces. Projects by expert Susan Brandeis (author of the bestsellingTheIntentional Thread) helps novices and experienced professionals experiment with each method. In part 1, wet techniques: application and layering of textile dyes, pigments, and chemicalsto add color, pattern, and images. In part 2, dry techniques: how to combine these handmade fabrics (or store-bought fabrics) usingcutting, piecing, layering, building, and embellishing. What's the "Cumulative Cloth"? A single cloth that readers add to with each chapter's techniques, eventually creating a piece of art. Serves as a go-to reference to check technical procedures and safety guidelines (many methods and ingredients require caution). Praise for the author's previous book:"Brandeis takes us on a journey into the expressive nature of stitch . . . reveals how to manipulate stitches much like an artist might a pencil or paintbrush."-- Embroidery Magazine

Communicate your ideas using line, shape, color, and texture with this reference and how-to exploration in one. Whether your particular interest is pictorial, portraiture, abstract compositions, or actual text, you can "say" almost anything with thread. More than 350 color photographs translate the techniques of drawing, painting, and good composition into the world of stitch, and "Try This!" projects inspire your own individual approaches. Including the role of machine stitching, this design resource, learning tool, and inspirational reference helps practitioners at all levels, whether beginning student, dedicated amateur, or professional. Take a lyrical-but logical-journey of skill building, and begin to stitch intentionally and express your creative vision.