In Fabric Memory Books: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration,
Riley explains how to make an unbound book, alter an existing one, and make
books that have special features like accordion folds and button joints. Among
the 24 imaginative projects: a painted fabric scroll; an old-world style canvas
travelogue with richly textured brocades, ribbons, and images from classical
art; and a machine-stitched collage “Starbook.”
Fabric Memory Books: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration
by Lesley Riley
Lesley Riley pushes the boundaries of bookmaking with her remarkable fabric
memory volumes. "Artists have been combining paper and fabric into books
for many years - telling stores with paragraphs of pattern, words and thread,
and punctuation of trim and ephemera. Now it's your turn," writes Riley.
You don't need formal bookbinding experience to create any of the 24 projects.
Quilters, sewers, mixed-media artists, collagers, and crafters can all learn
the techniques while maintaining their unique perspectives. simply turn to
Part One where Riley introduces the materials, tools, and page construction
methods she's used. She also provides and overview of printing photos on fabric,
making photo transfers, and telling storeis through images. When you're ready
to try a project, or if you're already familiar with the basics, flip through
Part Two and review the binding methods described at the beginning of each
section.
The first several projects don't require any binding. Home, for example, uses
a fabric-covered box to hold a portfolio of loose canvas or cotton duck pages.
Starbook is one of the accordion folded designs. It features a textile and
photo collage on each page. Round & Round was created for a member of Riley's
circle of friends. The cover of this circle shaped volume is embellished with
graduated circles of polka dotted fabric. You'll use button jointed binding,
a fun technique, to make it.
These memory projects will draw you in time and again with their inviting
colors, textures, and patterns.
Hard Cover Book, 128 pages, Lesley
Riley
Creative Catalyst Productions Inc.
