Review: A Field Guide to Fabric Design

Whether you are just someone who likes (and perhaps hoards?) fabric, or if you're a budding artist who dreams of one day being the next Heather Ross, Denyse Schmidt or Amy Butler, A Field Guide to Fabric Design has something for you. The book is an easy read, with lots of interesting topics and plenty of eye-candy for lovers of fabric.



You may already have come across the author, Kim Kight in blogland. Kim is responsible for True Up, a blog that basically is all about the fabric. True up alerts us to fresh, new fabrics, up and coming designers and great sales.

I grabbed myself a copy of this book at the AQC a couple of weeks ago. I have had it on my wishlist since before it was published and can't believe I have waited so long. Once I saw the book in person I just had to have it. As an avid reader, in my pre-child days I would have consumed this book in one sitting. I read the book, from cover to cover in about a week, which is really good going for me these days.



The book explains a little about colour theory, and discusses pattern density and where different styles may be used. There is an awesome section, towards the back that covers different types of fabric and their properties and compatibility to colouring and printing. I can see myself referring to that chapter a lot. Kim also discusses fabic weights and the different ways they can be measured, which is also of interest, praticularly if you buy fabric on-line.

If you are particularly interested in design, there are a number of tutorials that take you through the process of designing a repeating pattern by hand, or by using photoshop or illustrator, as well as how to block print and how to screen print. There is even a tutorial for building a screen printing table.



I would recommend this book to all lovers of fabric, it certainly has me inspired to get out my inks and start designing.