Fusing Fabric

Margaret Beal is brilliant. Simply brilliant. I can't say that enough.Ever since purchasing this book, I cannot stop looking at it. Neither can my 9 year old daughter. It's like every time you open it, something new pops out at you...grabs your attention, and won't let it go. I will fully admit to being a product/technique junkie, but this book has taken a special hold on my heart - and hasn't let go. After perusing this book, I NEEDED to get out my soldering iron and practice. After a long time of practicing with my pencil-tipped iron, I've decided I must have the one Mrs Beal uses...and yes, I contacted her to get one. It's unfortunate that more of the supplies she uses aren't available in the States - but I'm so in love with this book that I don't care about purchasing the supplies from the UK. (From what I can tell, the UK has a lot of great art supplies in general, that are lacking in the US. Hmmm This is prompting me to consider moving across the pond...)Ms Beal knows how to create some unique, splendiferous, magnificent, creative, wonderful pieces - and with a soldering iron, piece of metal, and some synthetic fabric. Who'd have thunk it? Not me. I never would have come up with her processes - but they seem so natural now that she's broken through the boundaries.I can't recommend this book highly enough. My 9 year old daughter agrees. She likes to look through my art books, and considers herself an "art diva in training"...but this book holds a special place in her heart, also. I don't know exactly what it is - but I sure love it. It is a definite in my library - on the rate occasion it makes it to the bookcase. Most of the time, it's laying by the bed - having just been put down by one person, and within easy reach for the next. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK!!

I bought this book for an independant studio - mixed media fibers course and was really excited about the possibilities. I bought the materials that were suggested in the book, experimented for days, and was not able to replicate any of the concepts with very much success. With more experimentation I was able to achieve a few (quite few) effects that were effective but that's it. I think that there had to be some key tips and tricks that were left out (however unintentional) that could have made this book more successful. (And, this technique has HAZ-MAT written all over it!)However, the book did provide some inspiring ideas and concepts and is not a total loss. After all, there are lots of crafty things like this that I've found to be more beneficial to some people more than others. I have friends who can't do anything with Shrinky Dink plastic and I'm a wiz at it - just because I didn't find much success with this book does NOT mean that you won't.If you're truly interested in the concept - experiment and see what you arrive at. Much luck!

This book is unique. If you like to create and work with fabrics in an unusual way, this is the book for you! The author is very clear and precise in all instructions, including safety rules and tips since you will be working with a hot soldering iron. The details , pictures and explanations are terrific, even for a beginner. This is Margaret Beal's first book, I hope she will write many more. She is a British crafter, who is an expert in fabrics. Her exquisite designs are mind blowing and her mastery is awesome. There is also a short video available on YouTube, just enter her name. Hope you will enjoy that book as much as I do. I bought 2 of them from Amazon, one will leave, with me, to California this week :) Liliane

Books was in great shape for being used.

I purchased this for my wife as a present - no real reason just decided she deserved something that she's interested in (fabric art) because she such a wonderful lady.She's absolutely loves it.

She's a genius. Her work is wonderful and her instructions are clear. I made a small sample using some of her techniques and was quite excited by the results.

This book had some techniques that I had not even heard of. Informative and fairly well demonstrated. Could have been a little better but over all I liked it.Judy Johnson

The book is o.k. and informative, but not exactly what I expected. I wish there had been more information about the contents in the description BEFORE I purhcased the book. Still o.k.

This is an excellent book - full of ideas and inspiration for anyone interested in fusing fabrics. Techniques are very clearly explained and my tentative efforts have, for the most part, been reasonably successful, to the extent that I am fairly confident about moving forward. The only thing that slightly disappointed me was the lack of inclusion of Lutradur and techniques for using it. When I ordered the book I was under the impression that this was included in it but I have been through several times from cover to cover and there is no mention of it - so I have now to search out information on various uses for this product which is a little annoying but, to be honest, the wonderful ideas and explanations do make up for it. Margaret Beal has made a point of listing suitable tools, fabrics and threads which are suitable to use and whilst my efforts so far are not quite as sharp and neat as those illustrated in the book, the results are reasonably good and I expect to improve as I become more familiar with the techniques. I would definately recommend this book for those interested in the subject of fusing fabric.

I found the projects in this book as an art student suprising up to date and contemporary, i have also tried out a few with a lot of success. the method is totally origional (using a soldering iron to bond fabrics) and is reletively inexpensive. You need to buy felt and organza plus a special craft soldering iron for fabric but its well worth it. The book itself is easy to follow without being annoyingly or patronizingly simplistic- plus a serious emphasis on great photos and unique ways of embroidery and making things such as fibre art pieces and even lampshades.I've learnt alot and always refer back to it. You can buy the right equippment direct from the author (UK based) if you email/ring her and they're very friendly. It also saves you alot of time on applique and you dont have to use fabric glue ever again.

I am delighted with this book. Ms Beal's knowledge, expertise and willingness to show and share are inspirational. The techniques and possibilities are explained in complete detail, showing how the soldering iron becomes a magic wand for cutting, bonding and embellishing (mostly) synthetic fabrics. The photographs are clear and a good size. The suggested projects are encouraging and viable even for complete novices - myself included in that. I bought an iron from the author and she was very helpful with a query. The technique - which I had not considered at all - can be a starting point for so many exciting directions. As with any skill, practise and practise again to achieve fluency, but thanks to the first-rate instructions, success is within reach.

Beautifully illustrated with projects to inspire you. A very good read which leaves you buzzing with ideas. Thank you.

This is the sort of book you open and immediatley want to start having a play. Which was great for me as I had already purchased the soldering iron needed. You are taken through step by step how to use the iron and with what fabrics and then you just have fun playing. The book really is a course - you build up your knowledge as you complete each task and they are beautifully photographed projects. For anyone wanting to let go and have fun this is a wonderful book to get your teeth into.