The Intentional Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture, and Color in Stitch (Schiffer Publishing, 2019)

https://schifferbooks.com/products/the-intentional-thread

Independent Book Publishers Association, Benjamin Franklin Award, Gold Award winner (Crafts and Hobbies)

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Description from the book cover:

“Whether your particular interest is pictorial, portraiture, abstract compositions, or actual text, you

can “say” almost anything with thread. More than 350 color photographs translate the techniques

of drawing, painting, and good composition into the world of stitch, and “Try This!” projects inspire

your own individual approaches. Including the role of machine stitching, this design resource,

learning tool, and inspirational reference helps practitioners at all levels, whether beginning student,

dedicated amateur, or professional. Take a lyrical—but logical—journey of skill building, and

begin to stitch intentionally and express your creative vision.”

Endorsements and commentary:

“Brandeis takes us on a journey into the expressive nature of stitch . . . reveals how to manipulate stitches much like an artist might a pencil or paintbrush.” —Embroidery Magazine

“In this sturdy hardcover volume of more than 200 pages, Brandeis comprehensively distills knowledge and insights accumulated over decades as a professor of textiles at North Carolina State University and as a prominent studio artist. The book is equivalent to a master course in design with needle and thread as means of rendering the elements of line, shape, color and texture in expressive ways. Under Brandeis’ guidance, basic needlework tools become as versatile as a pencil or paintbrush…. Brandeis has contributed not just another how-to manual on stitching, but an authoritative guide to thinking with thread in the language of contemporary design.”  Patricia Malarcher, former editor of Surface Design Journal.

“As an artist working primarily in textiles, I *thought* I understood the vast potential of stitches…until I opened this book. I didn’t fully realize before how limited my scope had truly been. The Intentional Thread is absolutely encyclopedic in its analysis of thread, stitching, color, and design. It is so far beyond a how-to book (though it does include a very understandable appendix of basic stitches at the end). It goes in depth into the expressive potential of stitches and shows seemingly endless variations on particular themes . It also demonstrates the relationship between hand-stitching and hand-drawing. The book could easily be used as a self-directed workshop, with “Try this!” pages at the end of each chapter, with suggestions for applying the content to personal work samples. The best thing about the book, though, is the images. Absolutely every page has full-color photographs illustrating the ideas described in the chapter. Just flipping through the pages is inspiring. This book really is a gift to artists, with the idea of expressive mark-making being applicable not just to textile artists but to all artists.” Jeana Klein, Professor of Art, Appalachian State University

“..I was awed by this book.  It is the first time since Constance Howard’s [influential artist and embroiderer, Goldsmiths College, University of London] approach to stitching in a different manner that I’ve been so excited by a textile book.”  UK reader

“I so agree with many of the excellent reviews already written, this is a fabulous book. I used to teach Textiles on a degree course…This is not a project book, there are far too many of them out there, in my opinion…For anyone who really wants to know what it’s about, to have a real understanding of stitch and how to apply it to their work, go for this book instead. The author is an expert, knows what she is talking about, and further more, knows how to teach, helping you to bring out your own talent, which is what teaching is really all about…intelligent writing and lovely, clear illustrations.” UK reader

“Contemporary and comprehensive. This text illuminates the knowledge, experience, and passion of a master teacher of textile arts. There are lots of how-to crafts manuals and YouTube videos out there, often promising short cut results; this text is more an encyclopedia of serious stitchery. Enter at your own risk. If not already, you may become committed to the practice.” US reader.

“As told in the preface, the author is an academically trained textile artist who after 35 years of teaching wrote the comprehensive book she wished her students could have had, intertwining “art (expressive), craft (handling materials with care, deftness, skill, and mastery), and design (structure and intent, thought and planning)”. Everything about this book is high quality and sophisticated: the binding, the paper, the fonts, the beautiful photos and layout. The text too is comprehensible and every word counts. I am a painter, not a fiber artist, and fell immediately in love with this book. It’s hard to imagine anyone, from whatever interest brings them to this book, could be disappointed.” US reader

“Unlike many “craft” style books, this incredibly well-written and illustrated book on the topic of stitchery, treats sewing and embroidery as an art form. It covers line, shape, value, composition as well as suggesting “problems” the reader might wish to solve. It is not a project book. It teaches you how to use thread to express what you choose to express. This is not a craft-oriented project book. It’s truly a text to learn how to manipulate thread as you would paint, pen and ink, or other expressions of artistic ability and interest. It’s wonderful, and I would recommend it heartily to anyone who is interested in really learning about the creative and expressive use of thread.” US reader

“An essential book in my maker’s library. Extremely thorough techniques and materials needed. Gives a sort of ‘curriculum’ to get started. After all, stitch art/work starts in the brain. And so many people think ‘where do I start??’ This book starts with small sample making to get used to the needle and thread in hand, then progresses to more involved works. It all starts directing your brain. Over time, as you practice technique, you start to discover your voice in your art. This is probably the most important book in my library when it comes to stitch art. This is NOT an ’embroidery book’, fyi, so, if you are looking to enhance your skills in traditional embroidery, look elsewhere. This is for the stitch artist inside of you who wants to play with stitch in the creation of art, rather than follow embroidery patterns of birds and flowers and butterflies. All that is fine, just not the book for you if that’s what you want.”

“This is an incredible book and clearly a labor of love by a very skilled teacher. It is well written and the photos of the work are large, instructive and easy to follow . This is not a “how-to” for embroidery, but rather, an instructional guide to using stitch for mark-making in textile art. It is designed to help you develop your own creative vocabulary and does an excellent job. The author, Susan Brandeis, has been a fiber arts teacher for many years and it shows; the text is clear and the photos beautifully illustrate both the skills and concepts she writes about. Exploring everything that Brandeis covers continues to be a real joy. I own many textile art books and this is among the best. Very, very highly recommended.”

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Please support your local independent bookstore or buy directly from the publisher at:

Schiffer Publishing: https://www.schifferbooks.com/the-intentional-thread-a-guide-to-drawing-gesture-and-color-in-stitch-6651

Many thanks for your interest.

Feel free to contact me with comments and questions at: brandeis@ncsu.edu