The Crafter’s Guide to Patterns
Create your own
hand-printed designs
By Jessica Swift
Search Press 2015
Paperback £12.99
ISBN 978 1 78221 219-5
Star rating: *****
This crafter-focussed book is a superb intro to the magical
world of surface pattern design. Creating decorative prints is a burgeoning area for the hobbyist and pro
alike, due to technological advances – the internet for sourcing design
inspiration, computers for a technical assist, and the possibility of
affordable small-quantity print-runs from print bureaus. Jessica Swift’s book is an easy-access
lightning guide for the uninitiated or technically timid. It teaches the
fundamentals of pattern design, then spotlights crafty applications – such as
stamping, screen printing, stencilling, and cyanotyping (a photographic
printing process). There is a handy look-in
on digitizing designs, but this is not the main emphasis of the book.
Jessica Swift aims to train the reader to see the world
through the eyes of a pattern designer. In the book’s intro, she says - of the important concept of the pattern tile -,
“Once you learn and understand how patterns are constructed, I’m willing to bet
you ‘ll try to deconstruct every pattern you see in the world from now on.” I
can vouch for this! Being a pattern
repeat detective can provide puzzles to solve while queuing or in waiting
rooms.
The book is in lavish full-colour photography. A delightful
feature is interviews with “name” designers from around the world, such as
Heather Moore (Skinny LaMinx). Discover what makes them tick!
The book is divided into three sections – Planning Patterns
(pattern design bootcamp), Using Patterns (various applications – with tips),
and Resources (20 copyright-free motifs with QR codes, printing and image
resources, useful websites, plus an index). There is surface- and technique - specific advice aplenty.
Think of Jessica Swift’s book as a portal to the wonderful
world of pattern design. It is ideal for gifting.
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