These really are the greatest books. I started my subscription back in the '70s when I had very small children. The books, 24 in total, including an index, came one every couple of months for several years. The subjects were alphabetical, so the first one that came along was Acrylics to Batik. Each subject was covered by an individual author who was an expert at that technique. And each chapter was wonderfully illustrated and photographed. Some now look like such a typical time capsule view of the seventies.
uh huh
And some are timeless.
I still think these fabric faces (volume 1, "applique")
by Margaret Cusack are fabulous!
When I got my very first book I was instantly hooked on learning the art of batik. Soon my basement was full of dye buckets and I had dripping, waxed fabrics hanging from a makeshift clothesline. I made many batiks and eventually taught classes at the Art Center in Pocatello, Idaho.
At that time in my life I was home with small children. I didn't really know other people who were doing these things, but every couple of months a new book would arrive and I would dig into it. I learned to crochet. I made homemade rootbeer. I constructed a playhouse for my children. I learned to do needlepoint and all kinds of embroidery and silk screening and so much more.
When I started writing this I googled the book series and found Purly Victorious had written a long, long post about these same books. I'm not the only one with fond memories and gratitude for this wonderful series.
I'll be away for a few days. I hope to return with great photos of the APNQ Show in Seattle!
I am surprised I missed this series of books! and I'm sorry that I did!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhhh: homemade rootbeer! My Mom made batch upon batch of that every summer when I was growing up. A few bottles would always explode in the closet while they were ripening or curing or whatever they did. What a great memory.
Have fun at the show!