Sept 13
Every so often, a book comes along that you can't get enough of. Lindsay Taylor's beautiful book is one of those books. Published as a large format, coffee table book, it is a work of art in itself. A well-established designer-maker whose work is widely exhibited, this book takes the reader through all stages of Lindsay Taylor's career. The first part is her story, beginning with how she was bitten by the sewing bug, then moving through to the last 10 years or so of her life, where coming through personal tragedy, relocation to her native Isle of Wight and to the beginnings of a fruitful career, we see her work take shape. The tone of this chapter is full of humour, down-to-earth observations and anecdotes, and in thoroughly enthralling. Each stage of Lindsay's working life, from wedding gowns, to bags to shoes (as works of art) is described honestly, including the highs and lows of being an artist in a commercial world. The inspiration for working, materials, techniques and construction are all generously shared with the reader. The largest part of the book is devoted to a gallery, and again, there is more information about what was behind particular projects, the processes, and how the pieces evolved, coupled with incredibly detailed photographs where you can see every beautiful stitch. The detail of stitching and construction is hugely impressive, but it is touches of humour (cabbage shoe, anyone?) and feeling that Lindsay Taylor is sharing her world with you, that makes the book such a compulsive read. This is one of my favourite books of the year so far.
* Workshop On The Web *
Sept 13
Sweep everything off your coffee table (no, not the full cups!) and make way for the coffee table book of the year. This is a pictorial autobiography of the life, work and methods of one Lindsay Taylor, embroideress extraordinaire. When a book comes shrink-wrapped and has a padded cover you know to expect a visual feast inside and you won't be disappointed. Ms. Taylor tells the story of her idyllic bucolic childhood in the Isle of Wight, her training, assignments and projects in a mixture of words and photographs. Read about her methods and get motivated by them, find out what inspires her and how she interprets nature and turns it into stitched works of art. Feast your eyes on gallery chapters filled with her three dimensional flowers, her wedding dresses and other gowns, glorious hats, bags, jewelry and shoes meant for showing, not wearing. If a queen of the fairies really existed, these are the items she'd have in her wardrobe! For the rest of us it's interesting to see what can be done with humble thread and a lot of imagination. It inspired me to add a bit of something extra to my sundresses and accessories next year. This isn't a book of projects. there're no instructions or diagrams in here, but for anybody who embroiders and has reached the stage where they are more in need of stimulation than instruction, this is a good book to add to your sourcebook shelf. Or coffee table, of course.
* Myshelf.com *
June 13
Inspired by her love of nature, Lindsay Taylor moulds, sculpts, weaves and entwines hand-dyed natural fabrics into three-dimensional works of art. Employing a variety of techniques, she recreates items such as bags, shoes, gowns, hats, even cups and lampshades in organic form, reflecting the intricacy and exquisite beauty of the natural world and instilling them with a dreamlike quality evocative of fairyland.
With the emphasis placed firmly on showcasing Lindsay's unique style of embroidered art, this book also provides an insight into her life journey. The evolution of her unique style of work, her inspiration, and the methods and materials she uses.
* Merseyside Embroiderer's Guild (megonline.co.uk) *
