Saturday 22 November 2014

Book Review- Harris Tweed Appliqué

I know that, like me, most of you will be forever getting e-mails trying to get you to 
advertise or give away things on your blog and probably, again like me, you delete the e-mails
with out giving them a second glance.
Having said that just occasionally I do give one of them a second glance and thats
what I did with the one from Vivebooks.

The book they were asking me to review sparked my interest and  so I agreed.

I haven't done a lot of appliqué and, as Harris Tweed is fashionable at the moment
I thought I would give it a go.









The book is an e-book and is available either as a download or CD Rom for £17.00 from Vivebooks.
I will leave you to make your own decision on the price but this company
tends to publish specialised non-fiction titles  
which probably wouldn't get into print with main stream publishers.

E-books are totally new to me as I'm a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to my craft books ( of which I have quite a few) and usually prefer my 
books made of paper so I can browse when I want but I have to say 
I have been pleasantly surprised
at how easy this format has been to use . 
I  sat at my work table with my laptop open to the side and 
could keep checking what I was doing.




On the up side for me
The book takes you from start to finish with information on the fabric 
 and tools needed for the projects.
It also has tutorial videos embedded as well as links to additional videos on You Tube.
The writer is an experienced tutor in textiles  who is passionate about tweed
and this shows in both the videos and 
the instructions in the books. It has plenty of photos with some beautiful ones of the isle of Harris and all the templates are at the back ready to be printed off.

On the down side I found some of the projects and motifs uninspiring.
I also thought there were too many cushions included while a really nice little bag
which is pictured at the rear of the book I would liked to have seen included.






I decided to try a couple of samples with the tweed fabrics I already had in my stash as Harris Tweed can be a little expensive just for trail purposes.

Some of them  worked and look OK while others frayed too much and had to go in the bin.
Harris Tweed apparently doesn't fray so much 
so to do a full sized project I have bought some pieces of Harris Tweed from Etsy
in some fabulous colours. 
Watch this space.

I haven't been paid to write this review, I have done it for a bit of fun
although I did receive a free copy of the book.

Gillxx




6 comments:

  1. Oh I love Harriss tweed so got excited when I saw your post in Bloglovin, but the cost of the book is a little expensive for me. I enjoyed your blog post tho

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  2. Looks like a very interesting book.

    Helenxx

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  3. I also like to actually have a book 'in hand' but interesting to know that you can link straight through to videos etc. on the ebook. Look forward to seeing your make x Jane

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  4. Don't know if the book stated it, but you need to wash the wool first in hot water with a cold rinse to felt it. And then machine dry , to felt it. Then will not fray...then proceed with the appliqué....

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  5. I love Harris tweed and have even been to see where it is made on the isle of Harris.

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  6. Hi Gill, back myself after a long blog- holiday! This floats my boat - you know I love wool applique and Harris Tweed is lovely to stitch with. I have to say the price for an e-book is astronomical! And though I have a kindle and love it, cookery books and textile/craft books need to be held in the hand, in my humble opinion! I have used tweed as is, AND felted as Lynda describes above, and really don't mind how it comes! Interesting post! Lxx

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