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Creative Tucks and Textures for Quilts and Embroidery
by Jennie Rayment Known internationally for her quick, inventive techniques with manipulated fabric, Jennie Rayment presents her fifth book on tucks and textures. None of the basic ideas are very difficult and the book is appropriate for the novice, as well as the expert quilter or garment maker. All kinds of textured and manipulated wall hangings, garments, and quilts can be created with or without additional embellishment, in any size or color and arranged in varied formations. The author starts with useful information such as choice of materials, measurement conversions, discussions of various stitches, pressing, borders, and favorite sewing gadgets. From there, she progresses to designing with tucks and detailed instructions and diagrams for making them. Throughout the book, she includes ideas for incorporating tucks into a design and sewing tips. I like the idea of a scrap of fabric saving yards of thread as a “thread saver,” an old tailoring tip. Progressing to embellishing the tucks, twisting them and “experimental play,” the designs gradually become more complex. Crossed over tucks can be used in many ways; including in quilt borders. I found the chapter on tucked circles to be very interesting. It takes some math ability and planning. The author walks you through the process and the results are really amazing. The off-center circled tucks are eye-catching and appear to have many variations. The detail from her quilt “Cosmic Happening” demonstrates how much excitement off-center circled tuck can add to a contemporary design, as well as the more traditional look. Also included are folded squares, interlocked squares, triangles, hexagons and trumpets. Inserted and manipulated shapes are thoroughly covered for use in the body of a quilt or in the border. Jennie’s discussion of the creative use of bias strips evokes a lot of ideas for designs. The book is wrapped up with instructions for piecing and machine quilting and includes drawings of design ideas for free-motion quilting. Up to now, instructions have been for individual blocks, and the author concludes with complete instructions for four projects. Lastly, a gallery of projects demonstrates the myriad ways that tucks and textures can be used to enhance a project. The colorful photos are very inspiring. I found this to be a very nicely presented book that provides useful and clear instructions. The photography is attractive, the diagrams helpful and the instruction style easily understood. Review by Diana Norris |
