Threads of Treasure

“Brown Paper Bag blogger Barnes (Embroidered Life) serves up an unusually reflective guide to embroidery that’s distinguished by its open-ended projects and thorough profiles of fabric artists … Though the profiles and generous photos of the embroiderers’ impressive work are the main draws, Barnes also includes three ‘projects’ that eschew step-by-step directions in favor of conceptual guidance on devising original pieces. For instance, one project offers tips for creating thread art based around a found item, encouraging readers to contemplate designs by studying the visual qualities of their item and then sketching out potential compositions before setting needle to fabric. Crafters who feel restricted by the rigid instructions of other how-to manuals will relish this invitation to let their creativity run wild.” – Publishers Weekly“What a delight … part artist interview, part artistic practice … A plethora of insight into business ownership and artistic accomplishments … Threads of Treasure helps you to sit back and enjoy the process.” – Melissa Galbraith, MCreativeJ“Inspiring images of needlework, stories from talented makers and unique guidance for ways to personalize my own projects…filled me with creative inspiration and new ideas to take my thread out and revitalize my techniques.” – Laurel C., Textile Society of America member“Excels in encouraging creatives to reflect on the intersections of art, nature, and daily life. It offers a chance to reflect on the simple beauty of embroidery and its potential to enrich our everyday experiences.” – Megan Adgate, Textile Society of America member“Delicious. Filled with sumptuous photographs of working textile artists’ creations and interviews about not only their process but the journeys that brought them to their work, Barnes provides a profoundly engrossing, wildly inspirational textile creation manual. Putting the book down rather than gobbling the entire thing in one night was an exercise in personal self-control.” – Stephanie M., Textile Society of America member

Sara Barnes is an artist and writer who runs the popular blog Brown Paper Bag and was previously an editor at My Modern Met. She runs Bear&Bean, an embroidery studio stitching pet portraits and other beloved creatures. Her work has been recognized in Embroidery, American Illustration, and other publications. She is also the author of Embroidered Life. When she’s not stitching or writing, she enjoys planning things that bring people together. She is the cofounder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults. She lives in Seattle, Washington.