Embroidery as an Art Form -- Hoopla by Leanne Prain

Are you looking for something completely different to try crafting this summer? Would you ever consider giving embroidery a try? Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery by Leanne Prain is a book you should definitely check out. Starting with an overview of basic embroidery techniques, the author takes you on a whirlwind tour of what some other artists around the globe have been doing with this kind of crafting. The artists (like Sherri Lynn Wood who embroiders classic tattoo designs onto baby dolls; Richard Saja who uses embroidery to embellish traditional French toile in modern ways; Esther Oh who creates quirky illustrations using embroidery floss; and Eliot M. Henning who combines his love of graffiti and cartooning into pieces of modern needlecraft) are each asked how they started crafting with embroidery, where they find their inspirations, what types of materials they like to use, and what kinds of projects they like working on in their spare time. There are also lots of projects provided in this book that range from simple cross-stitching like the “Along for the Ride” metro card pouch, to more elaborate embroideries like the “Paul and Stella” tote bag.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how this book showed artists moving embroidery away from its traditional roots and turning it into an intriguing artform that lots of people can relate to. I found the interviews and embroidery examples to be a great source of inspiration, and I would like to sometime be able to use the cross-stitching that I learnt many years ago to make something like the toys done by Christopher Prendergast and Matilda Tumim. The online resources provided in the book are also great if you’re looking for more information about the techniques each artist has used and what kinds of work they’re doing at present.

So what do you think of Hoopla?

Let me know. :)