Landscapes - Kathleen Matthews

Kathleen Matthews shares her unique method of creating beautiful landscapes using quilting, dyeing and stitching techniques. She shows what materials are needed, and takes us through her design process from taking reference photographs of landscapes through composition, identifiying the light source and choosing fabrics and thread to create the scene. There is an excellent section on using simple dyeing methods to create unique fabrics that are ideal for landscapes. We then learn how to transfer the design on to fabric, create a quilt and then layer fabrics to create the various parts of a picture. Free machine embroidery is then used to create the effect, with hand embroidery sometimes employed for details. There is plenty of information on creating landscape elements such as water, skies, trees, hills and mountains, fields, flowers and buildings and more, and on depicting the four seasons. There are five gorgeous step by step projects showing an Autumn Woodland, Flowers in a Landscape, a Mountain Scene, a Sunset on Water and a Lavender Field. The book is filled with beautiful landscapes to inform and inspire textile artists.
This book is part of the
new Stitched Textiles series for textile artists (in particular intermediate to experienced embroiderers, quilters, etc.), showing how to embellish and enhance fabric surfaces with paints, dye, appliqu, collaged elements, stitching, beads and more. Themes are forever popular in the textile world, and this book on stitched landscapes will demonstrate how to design, realise and create original work.

Kathleen Matthews lives in the Forest of Dean. She studied Art, Design and Fashion at Lydney School of Art and Cheltenham College of Art, and has continued studying textiles since. She has also qualified as a teacher of Japanese Embroidery. For many years she has lectured in all kinds of textiles including Design, Patchwork, Quilting and Embroidery at the Forest of Dean College in Gloucestershire. Her quilts and wall hangings have won awards at shows around the UK and one has been chosen to represent the UK in the World Quilt Show in Florida.

June 13

This is a new series from Search Press of exciting books exploring textiles. Kathleen Matthews shows you how to dye fabric and thread, layer materials for depth, and use machine and hand embroidery to enhance your work. It is a technique used by many textile artists, myself included. There is a good introduction to materials and the design process for the beginner, advanced textile artists might find this too simple. However, these simple ideas are used in this book to produce stunning work. The dyeing section is again for beginners and shows tray dyeing. In Basic Techniques you will find a complete how to project with good step by step instructions and plenty of photographs. This is very easy to follow. In Elements of
The Landscape, you will discover how to translate into fabric and stitch the different elements that will enable you to build a landscape. I particularly like the way Kathleen has painted colour charts from photographs. She explores the elements further in Seasons. The Projects in this book are wonderful. They are easy to follow with step by step instructions and photographs. There are five projects: Autumn Woodland, which is my favourite; Flower Garden; Mountain Lake; Sunset Loch and Lavender Farm. This is a beautiful book that brings all the individual elements dye, fabric, stitch together to make wonderful landscapes.

October 2014

Featuring original projects and with expert advice on design, techniques and the materials you need to get started, this instructional guide is brimming over with good ideas for a stunning selection of fabric and stitch scenes. Kathleen explores skies, water, trees and woodlands, hills and mountains, flowers in the landscape, fields and grasses and much more.

A fantastic source for ideas and wonderful must-have reference book for all textile artists, whatever their skill levels. Kathleen Matthews shares her unique method of creating beautiful landscapes using quilting, dyeing and stitching techniques.

She shows what materials are needed, and takes us through her design process from taking reference photographs of landscapes through composition, identifying the light source and choosing fabrics and thread to create the scene.

There is an excellent section on using simple dyeing methods to create unique fabrics that are ideal for landscapes. We then learn how to transfer the design on to fabric, create a quilt and then layer fabrics to create the various parts of a picture.

Free machine embroidery is then used to create the effect, with hand embroidery sometimes employed for details. There is plenty of information on creating landscape elements such as water, skies, trees, hills and mountains, fields, flowers and buildings and more, and on depicting the four seasons.

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict

This is a practical and inspiring guide to producing textile landscapes using Kathleen Matthews' unique dyeing, layering and stitching technique.

There are full step-by-step instructions for all the quilting, dyeing and stitching techniques used.

There are five beautiful step-by-step projects and plenty of inspirational pieces Autumn Woodland, Flowers in a Landscape, a Mountain Scene, a Sunset on Water and a Lavender Field.

Aug 13

If you love painting with a needle then this book is for you. Kathleen has created the most wonderful landscapes with simple dyed fabrics, layering techniques and sumptuous machine embroidery to give depth and a painterly quality to her pictures. Learn how to take a photograph and transform it into your own unique picture with beautifully illustrated steps and clear demonstrations. Definitely one for my bookshelf.

May-June 13

Using a combination of fabric piecing, with machine and hand embroidery Kathleen presents a variety of textile landscapes, based on some of her favourite places.
Detailed chapters covering design, materials and stitching techniques are beautifully illustrated with Kathleen's work, and five step-by-step projects encourage us to create our own landscape.
An inspiring book, perfect for anyone looking for a new approach to the subject.