The Surface Designer's Handbook

June 2007

This is a most comprehensive book of the techniques of dyeing, printing, painting and using resists on fabric and is introduced as laying the groundwork for inspirational surface design.

It starts by discussing studio practices and safety, dyes, fibres, fabrics and colour, and this is a wealth of information on each. Then the book continues by introducing the major dye groups: fibre-reactive, acid, vat dyes and disperse dyes. Each group described gives information on the dyes within the group together with information on the factors in dyeing, formulae, the different methods of dyeing, including using thickeners.

This is followed by chapters showing how to alter and change surfaces using discharging, screen printing, monoprinting, stamping, stencilling, resists, devoree, and textile paints. In addition to all the step by stp methods for each technique, there are lots of ideas for making screen prints, including the use of freezer paper and contact paper, ideas for improvised stamps, and how to make your own stencils. Resist techniques included are water-soluble resists, cold wax resist, bound resist, clamping, pole wrapping, stitching and resist-scouring silk. Each method is described in detail with lots of photo graphic illustrations. The section on devore includes recipes for thickeners and devore paste, and how to use these.

The last chapter on embellishments considers foiling, embroidery, beadwork and collage. This chapter is short, but inspirational.

In all, the book is really interesting, abounds with information and is beautifully illustrated.

Jul/Aug 07

There's little doubt that colouring, dyeing or printing fabrics brings a new dimension to the textile process, and in this book Holly Brackmann covers all the possible applications. The author brings together a wealth of dyeing and surface design techniques into one handy spiral bound volume, which is well placed to become the dyer's 'bible'. Unusually, this book is suitable both as a reference source for advanced practitioners and as a step-by-step guide for beginners. It is timely that such a comprehensive guide has been published and this technical (and inspirational) manual is a good buy that will be of use for years.

Oct 07

This is an informative introduction to dyeing, printing and creating resists on fabric. It is a thorough and orderly guide to all these processes. It begins with safety. The properties of fabrics are covered, together with methods for testing fabrics where the content is unknown. After a chapter on colour, all aspects of dyeing are discussed from procion dyes to discharging. Screen printing, stencilling and resist dyeing, such as batik and devore are explained clearly. Many coloured photographs illustrate the results. There are helpful charts and the ring binding means it can be left open at the appropriate page. An invaluable textbook.

Stitch, Oct/Nov 07

Dyeing, printing and painting on fabrics can create some irresistible results, but because there are so many different products and techniques out there, it can be difficult to know which is right for you and for the effect you want to achieve. The Surface Designer's Handbook explores all of the dyes favoured by textile artists and studios and includes recipes, tips and tricks and step-by-step instructions on how to use the dyes to alter and change surfaces by discharging, screen printing, mono printing, devore, etc. A very comprehensive guide; the spiral binding ensures that this is also a very user-friendly workbook.