ISBN 1-57120-032-0, Softcover, 144 pages, C & T Publishing, 1651 Challenge Drive, Concord, CA 94520-5206, Phone 510-677-0377, sales fax 510-677-0373, orders 1-800-284-1114.
Website http://www.ctpub.com and email ctinfo@ctpub.com

Ms Hill is definitely my kind of person. I knew I was going to enjoy this book when I read in the introduction that the first requirement for doing this technique was for you "to be conscious"!

I eagerly forged ahead!

The beginning of this book is an in-depth study of how your sewing machine works, various threads and their specific results in stitching and the choice of fabrics for use in this technique. ( I used this information as an excuse to buy more thread. A classic Wendy Hill surface stitching uses 10 to 20 different colors of thread in any given project! )

The four or five different adaptations to the basic technique are all explained carefully and fully. I found myself wanting to jump ahead into one of the several projects also explained in the book. A word of caution from the voice of experience - Don’t! You will need to practice the techniques on your machine before you tackle a major project. It's not hard but practice helps you "see" what the book "tells". I couldn't find any way around the practice if you want usable results. I used some of my practice fabric for some smaller projects later on.

Depending on the process you decide to use, this is a time and thread consuming technique but the reward of the finished fabric is worth all the effort.

There are many wonderful color pictures throughout the book. I enjoyed the photos of the base fabrics with the build up of different layers of thread progressing across the photo. Diagrams in the instruction for projects were made clear by shading and easy to understand. There are also photos of finished garments and quilts to inspire and delight any sewer.

The are instructions for projects including quilts, clothing and home accessories for every level of sewing enthusiast. Small projects such as greeting cards and tissue covers are included for the slightly intimidated, such as Button Babies and Eraser Heads on page 134, each doll figures that can bead and fiber attached legs and arms and button heads.

Another treat for the reader of this book is a section at the end called "Meet the Contributors". I enjoyed the short biographies of all the fiber artists who contributed samples that were photographed and included in the book. It allowed a personal insight into all the names below the pictures.

You will certainly "be conscious" as you work your way through this easy but controlled surface and fabric embellishment technique.

Review by Teresa Barrett (Warped)