Hoopla The art of unexpected embroidery

In this combination overview of embroidery and exploration of its current trends, Prain takes a traditional approach, beginning with a cursory look at the craft's history and highlighting practicalities, such as tools and equipment, finishing techniques, and stitching resources. But it is between these lines that the author's true innovation and fun starts: specifically, with interviews with 28 working embroiderers and the same number of unusual projects to complete. There's the former prison inmate who taught himself the stitchery art to the tune of 1,200 stitches per square inch; a Robert Crumb-type artist who coined the word manbroidery ; and a Californian specializing in tattooed baby dolls. Projects don't disappoint, with directions as clear as the designs are funky: handkerchiefs emblazoned with microbes, a modern cuckoo clock stitched on Aida cloth, and knuckle-tattoo church gloves.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2010 Booklist

Duckies in puddles and Southern belles with crocheted skirts-don't look for them here. You expect these designs on tea towels and pillowslips, but Hoopla is about "unexpected" embroidery: U.S. Army-issue drop cloths, aprons with knife and fork as crossbones beneath a skull, and Canadiana with maple leaves for fig leaves. Prain (co-author of Yarn Bombing) offers out-of-the-ordinary designs, starched with humor. As Betsy Greer writes in the foreword, "Embroidery allows us to be silent but not subservient." Informative and inspirational interviews with embroiderers, such as Liz Kueneke, Ray Materson, and Tumim & Prendergast, prove they don't sew like their grannies. But Grandmother would approve of the practical sections -- on history, tools from needles to the humble thimble, types of embroidery, and finishing techniques. Prain includes resources; relevant blogs become stitching bees. The projects range from Allison Tunis' "Bosom Buddies," using 35 different colors of skeins, to Joanne Arnett's modern cuckoo clock. Directions for all projects are clear and helpful, with lists of tools, materials and required skills set off and highlighted. Full-color throughout. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.