Weekend Review: Stitched Mixed Media

Stitched Mixed Media / Jessica Grady 
Wiltshire: Crowood Press, c2023.
111 p.

This short book of stitching was a very interesting one -- definitely a mixed media style, making me think a little bit of junk journaling! The author has a very colourful, eclectic style, incorporating all kinds of things into her abstract stitched pieces. 

It's inspiring to read this and see all the ways that she uses a variety of materials. From 'sequins' punched out of waste plastics to beads made from hollow wire casings, beach glass or porcelain, to washers, wires, soft plastics, recycled foil packaging, and much more, there are so many unusual materials and ideas here. There are some instructional pages on how to create holes for beads in things like stones or porcelain, or how to paint and punch soft plastics to make interesting paillettes. And there are many images of everything - despite being a rather small book, there is so much visual inspiration. 

She talks about colour, composition, combining materials, how to finish and display things. She shares different substrates and how to stitch onto a variety of things beyond fabric in a hoop, and how to fasten items into a piece. Even if wild abstracts aren't your thing there are sure to be some ideas you could take from this book. I enjoyed looking through it and have ideas to try out for myself now. 

It's not really project based although there are a few samplers to try out some of the techniques and materials. It's more focused on her aesthetic and all the various materials and techniques she uses that you might be interested in learning more about. If you like abstract work and lots of colour, and lots of new ideas too, be sure to check this one out.