The Textile Artist: Expressive Stitches

This book is such an inspiration, as Jan shares fascinating information about how she prepares and creates her projects.  There is so much detail in her Expressive techniques, including Dyeing fabric & threads, Printing, Stamping & stencilling, Embellisher, Appliqué, Free-motion embroidery, Expressive hand stitches, Historical & world sewing techniques plus Experimental embellishments.

This is then illustrated through her beautiful Expressive Projects including Stitched Landscape, Stitched Landscape Gallery, Memory Cloth, Memory Cloth Gallery, Bird Sculpture, Bird Sculpture Gallery. A wonderful creative book! Highly Recommended!

* Hot Brands Cool Places *

An experienced tutor, Jan Dowson has covered a lot of ground with this book, which takes an in-depth look at ways of using stitch to express an idea or portray a mood. Beginning with sections on materials (including basic art supplies for mixed media), inspiration and an excellent section on recording, it also covers colour, markmaking and hand and machine stitch.

The section, ‘Developing expressive work’, covers initial design and the colouring of thread and fabrics. The basics of printing, stamping, and using stencils, are touched upon before we move on to the delights of the embellisher and sewing machine. This section also covers stitch techniques such as free machining, appliqué, and hand stitching. It is in the last of these that I feel we come to the heart of Jan’s work with some delightful finished pieces and small samplers illustrating the stitches shown.

There is a section on ‘Expressive Projects’ and, while not a fan of projects, I can see the logic in Jan’s assertion that they can be a great starting point for a more personal piece of work geared to the interests of the reader. I like the way Jan has pulled together the previous sections of the book here, with step-by-steps on landscapes and memory cloths. It’s easy to see how your own versions of these could interpret your own expressions of landscape and memory.

The small section on using ‘experimental embellishments’ such as feathers, twigs and so on, merited more than just a double-page spread. I enjoyed the book for its honest, down to earth approach, relying less on quick fixes and more on feeling and emotion. You are probably familiar with most of the techniques but Jan’s wise words about your relaxing into your stitching (especially hand stitching) and shutting out the world for a while have special resonance in these troubled times.

-- Maggie Grey * D4Daisy.com *

Jan has taught City & Guilds creative textiles for many years. In this book she takes the reader through the process of making sketchbooks through to developing these ideas into works of textile art. It is suggested that sketchbooks be torn, dyed and aged to add interest and inspiration.

Reusing old fabrics and threads is encouraged. Dyeing, printing, stencilling and stamping are all frequently used, as is embellisher to secure fabrics together and add texture. 

Stitched landscapes, memory cloths and bird sculptures are suggested projects with advice on techniques and step by step instructions. Independent artistic development is encouraged. 

This is an excellent book for those wished to explore the world of textile art. 

* British Patchwork & Quilting *

A no-rules guide to creating original textile pictures focused on developing creative ideas; packed with prompts and instructions for making the most of expressive textile techniques. 

* Embroidery The Textile Art Magazine *

When a book guarantees awe-inspiring results, it's hard not to be curious – and we sure are glad we took a look inside this one. The pages are filled with step-by-step instructions, guiding you through how to create magnificent stitched representations of some of your happiest memories. Author Jan Dowson is an award-winning textile art tutor and artist, so you can be certain you're learning from the best.

* Sew Magazine *

If you’re looking for a new project or want to try your hand at a different hobby, how about textile art? Recreate beautiful stitched representations of everything from a landscape to bird sculpture. Jan Dowson covers everything, from altering fabric prior to stitching, including dyeing, then combines traditional hand-stitching and machine stitching to stunning effect. Once you follow the step-by-step instructions for these projects, you may just be encouraged to create your own.

* The People's Friend *

Wow! This book arrived through the door and I picked it up for a quick flick through, intending to set it aside for a proper read later. An hour later I am still devouring all the fabulous detail and textures! Inspiration is flowing and I can’t wait to get back to my sewing table. The 3D birds are amazing!

-- Hannah Wisdom * Amazon Customer Review *

Whether it’s a landscape, a garden, an animal or a powerful memory of a place or object, Jan shows you how she develops them all into beautifully stitched representations that exude awe-inspiring detail, colour and expression.

Jan begins the creative process by collecting and storing natural items and exploring different patterns, texture, media and markings to cultivate her final design. She uses simple yet effective methods for altering fabric prior to stitching, including dyeing, embellishing and stamping, then transforms her fabric into a vibrant, textured artwork using a combination of traditional hand stitching, machine stitching, and other media.

Following a fascinating, illustrated step-by step chapter on Jan’s key techniques, join her as she takes you through the stages of three types of work for which she is most renowned: the stitched landscape, the memory cloth and the bird sculpture. Each project also includes a break down of the materials, tools and techniques used, so that you can understand as well as see the development of her astounding, mixed-media creations.

Throughout the book, a gallery of Jan’s work complements her techniques and projects, providing inspiration for your own textile artwork. These are stunning pieces that will open your eyes and turn your own creative concepts into original, personal work.

This book is such an inspiration, as Jan shares fascinating information about how she prepares and creates her projects. There is so much detail in her Expressive techniques, including Dyeing fabric & threads, Printing, Stamping & stencilling, Embellisher, Appliqué, Free-motion embroidery, Expressive hand stitches, Historical & world sewing techniques plus Experimental embellishments.

This is then illustrated through her beautiful Expressive Projects including Stitched Landscape, Stitched Landscape Gallery, Memory Cloth, Memory Cloth Gallery, Bird Sculpture, Bird Sculpture Gallery. A wonderful creative book! Highly Recommended!

* mycreativenotebook.co.uk *

Jan works intuitively and strongly believes there are no rules for creativity, focusing in the freedom of working naturally and organically, with a view to developing ideas that will produce unique and exciting results. 

Jan's book is full of colour and its has been a welcome contrast to several grey lockdown afternoons. It is a beautiful publication with high quality photography and easy to read text. 

This book encourages you to explore a variety of simple and effective methods to prepare a sketchbook, ways to alter fabric with dye, stamping, adding mixed media marks and texture. The expressive hand stitches section was excellent with many different ideas to use familiar stitches, such as chain, straight and fly to achieve very interesting shapes, patterns and textures. 

Three projects are included and as for the rest of the book the instructions and photographs for these are very clear and easy to understand.

'Stitched Landscape' and 'Memory Cloth' were my favourite projects. These both start with a design or thought in a sketchbook, methods for using fabric and stitch. A gallery of Jan's work complements these projects adding more inspiration for your own individual work.

I admired the 3D project, 'Birds, Birds, Birds' and although not to my taste the techniques used could lead you to develop many ideas for fantastic bird creations. However, I do have a fondness for 'Woody the Wood Pigeon'. 

The work in the book is stunning and encourages the stitcher, whether they are just beginning their stitch journey or have been around the block a few times, to look at the use of fabric and stitch in a different way. Basically, simple but extremely effective. 

This is a book that you should find space for on your bookshelf, it will certainly find a home on mine.

-- Carol Winter * Book Threads Magazine *

I have most of the Textile Artist Collection, so adding this to my collection was a 'MUST'. Beautifully illustrated with easy to follow instructions. It's such an inspirational book. Loved it so much, I have given it away to my sister and ordered another copy for myself.

-- Pauline May Carr * Customer Review *

This book gives the reader a great deal of information and guidance to help them create unique textile art pieces. It is really informative and explains how to achieve various effects using all sorts of materials. It has sections dedicated to where to source materials through to how to combine techniques to create a finished piece. The illustrations are particularly good and I believe anybody interested in textile art will find it truly inspirational. I like the fact that it shows you how to do things without stifling individual creativity.

-- Shirley Sullivan * Amazon Customer Review *

A lovely book. A mixture of techniques and inspiration. Love the 3D birds.

-- Sandra H Cutts * Customer Revi