Stitched Textile Collage

Stitched Textile Collage
By Lucille Toumi
Published by A & C Black
128pp - full colour – paperback
ISBN: 978-0-7136-8410-0
Price: £16.99 plus p+p
Reviewed by Nikki Tinkler

Lucille Toumi’s book provides a sumptuous collection of what is described as ‘graphic art’, achieved with the use of stitched and embellished collage. The author’s background in art and design is obvious, and her teaching skills have helped to compile a book that will appeal to readers spanning quite a few ability levels.

The book contains a comprehensive collection of projects, which are easily translatable, enabling them to be personalised by the reader if they wish. Techniques covered include, appliqué and patchwork, hand knitting, machine and hand embroidery, fabric painting and beading, and the use of water-soluble fabrics. Projects are set out in easy-to-follow, step-by-step stages, each one accompanied by a ‘tick box’ listing the main techniques and stitches used. The design processes and systems of working are well-documented, and the collages are beautifully photographed, providing colourful and tactile images which leap off the page.

The author describes her book as an “inspirational tool”, intended to “help you begin creating your own stitched textile collages”. This is one book that is guaranteed to provide a continuous collection of inspirational projects and happily does not ‘fizzle out’ at all towards the end!