Embroidered Books: Design, Construction and Embellishment Hardcover – September 1, 2009

Wonderful book for experienced fiber folks. Anyone who has created books will enjoy a new take on using different fibers and mediums to create books.

I own a copy of Isobel Hall's earlier book so I was happy to take a gamble on this one. But if I'd had the chance to look at it first, I would not have bought it. My bookshelf is overcrowded and books have to earn a place there - I've since passed this one on to a new owner.This is not really a book about embroidered books. The author doesn't have a lot to say about what goes inside the book and, as another reviewer noted, it doesn't provide much detail on the construction of the books either. If you want to know about exposed spine sewings you would be better off with one of Keith Smith's books.I was going to say that it was a book about embroidered book covers, but it's not even that. It is really a book full of recipes for using the latest mixed media tricks and gimmicks. The book covers are just a convenient surface on which to display these experiments, some of which are more successful than others. If you are interested in experiments with mixed media, you would be better off spending your money on some raw materials and spending some time in your own studio.I can't help feeling that this is one of those instances where the author of a successful book (I liked her first one) has been pressured to come up with something else too quickly. I'm afraid that the end result feels superficial to me.

If I lived in the UK I might give this book 4 stars. The book contains lots of ideas but no explanation of the materials used to create the various papers and fabrics. No US sources provided. Many of the materials she uses are only available in UK. No US equivalents are provided. So if you bought the book and live in the US your options are high shipping fees. She has several projects using tea bag paper. Clearly from the size of the sheet she is using, it is not recycled tea bags. So is she just calling something tea bag fabric or does she she have some secret source for purchasing material used to make tea bags? I could not find even a UK source for this. Her instructions are very minimal so this is not a book for the begining book maker or textile artist.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to be creative in their book or journal designs. It contains a myriad of ideas for book covers, as well as alternatives to binding the books.

This book is choc-a-block with eye candy & wonderful inspiration. It covers basic assembly of hand made books, but gives great ideas for the treatment of covers, spines and papers for use both inside and on the outside of the final book. The author has many original ideas and succeeds in delivering delightful temptation to entice one to try one's own hand at creating something that could be treasured for a long time.

Very inspiring with lots of things to try

Had a copy of this book from the library and didn’t want to take it back!! Lots of very interesting , useful info!! have copies of almost all of her books.

Easy to follow with almost proffessional results. Very pleased. Am looking forward to making more in the New Year; First timer with great result.