Here be Snapdragons: Books

Current Favourite

Finding Your Own Visual Language - a practical guide to design & composition - Jane Dunnewold, Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan
WOW! This is great. Full of really interesting exercises. The book is divided into 'Getting Started', 'Moving Forward', 'How's it Going?' and 'Going Deeper'. Each stage is aimed at deepening your practice and mastery.
I think I got the last copy at a decent price. I'm not sure why they are selling for £100+ right now but hopefully the price will come down.

Have read cover to cover

The Embroidery Stitch Bible - Betty Barden
This is a great 'textbook'. Contains just about every stitch you could want. Clear illustrations and explanations.
Spiral-bound which is very useful.

Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework
Another great resource that covers embroidery, canvas, rugmaking, knitting, lace, quilting and much more.
Check the edition year.

Art in Felt and Stitch: Creating Beautiful Works of Art Using Fleece, Fibres and Threads - Moy Mackay
"Creating beautiful works of art using fleece, fibres and threads."

Dipping in and out

Machine Stitch Perspectives - Alice Kettle and Jane McKeating
A set of wonderful essays.

Hand Stitch Perspectives - Alice Kettle and Jane McKeating
The companion to Machine Stitch Perspectives.

Mark-making in Textile Art - Helen Parrott
"...it should be more of a well-thumbed guidebook." Lots of great exercises and how-tos.

Drawn to Stitch - Gwen Hedley
"This book is aimed at those who are perhaps reticent when it comes to drawing as a preparation for stitch..." Also lots of great exercises and how-tos.

Surfaces for Stitch: Plastics, Films and Fabrics: A Guide to Creating Surfaces - Techniques and Projects - Gwen Hedley
"This is a book about 'surface quality' rather than finished pieces"

Project Gutenberg - Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont
"The absolute want of any comprehensive book on needlework—such an one as contains both verbal and pictorial descriptions of everything included under the name of needlework—has led me to put into the serviceable form of an Encyclopedia, all the knowledge and experience, which years of unceasing study and practice have enabled me to accumulate on the subject, with the hope that diligent female workers of all ages, may be able, by its means to instruct themselves in every branch of plain and fancy needlework."
Published in 1886 and still so relevant.

My wishlist

Screen Printing: Layering Textiles with Colour, Texture and Imagery - Claire Benn, Leslie Morgan
Lots of really interesting techniques and exercises.

Breakdown Printing: New Dimensions for Texture and Colour - Claire Benn, Leslie Morgan

Embellished: New Vintage - Karen Nicol

Lucienne Day: In the Spirit of the Age (Textile Design) - Andrew Casey

Mark making - Tilleke Schwarz

Reclaimed Textiles Techniques for paper, stitch, plastic and mixed media - Kim Thittichai
I love the idea of reclaiming all sorts of materials. I'm currently hoarding just about everything I find including pieces of slate and driftwood.

Printmaking + Mixed Media - Elisha Dorit
Not sure how this ended up on my wishlist, the cover looks great! Perhaps that's all it takes?

Broderie sur filet noué : Les bases - Christine Gatellier
My quest to learn to make filet lace continues.

Print, Pattern and Colour - Ruth Issett
"Aimed at textile artists and textile designers, 'Print, Pattern and Colour' is a glorious celebration of the potential of printing and repeat patterns on fabric. Packed with accessible but imaginative techniques"

Strange Material: Storytelling Through Textiles - Leanne Prain
"Strange Material investigates how, through the act of weaving and sewing, artists have redefined textiles as more than merely functional objects. Quilts, blankets and articles of clothing have all been appropriated by artists to tell stories."