Ladies and gentlemen, Laurence King Publishing is back at it again. They’ve got another great sewing book coming out at the end of this month called Textile Visionaries: Innovation and Sustainability in Textile Design by Bradley Quinn. You’d think publishing books was their job… Oh, wait, I guess it is!
Textile Visionaries isn’t like most of the others I’ve written about. It doesn’t have patterns, and it likely won’t help you improve your sewing skills or sewing vocabulary. But, it will inspire. It’s probably my favorite of all of the sewing books they’ve sent me, which is saying a lot because I really like working my way around the patterns in the Drape Drape series (here, here, here, and here), and I also like learning new words (really, I’m the kind of person who stops to look up a word in a dictionary when I don’t quite know the meaning).
This book is focused on individuals, the aptly named “textile visionaries”, and how they are using technology to drive fabric design forward through their own innovation with a focus on sustainability. I could write and write and write about this book, but I really feel that you’ll get the best feeling of what it’s like (and why it’s worth having in your sewing room or even displayed on your coffee table!) by being able to see a few of its pages. The photography in the book and the subjects being photographed are just jaw dropping. I have to warn you that this is a very photo heavy post because I just couldn’t stop taking my own photos of their photos! Nearly every page in the book had something I wanted to show off, from dresses with lightning flashes that really glow to unbelievable fabrics to locally sourced materials to shock-worthy garments (literally!) to true chemistry in fabric. This book has 300 some pages, so what I’m showing here is just a tiny fraction of what you’ll find inside.
Okay, so here goes. The big photo dump. Prepare to feast your eyes.
Okay, now wasn’t that impressive? To think I dream about the fabric I can buy, and these people dream about fabric they can invent. Then I take the fabric that I’ve bought and turn it into a pattern someone else has made, while they mold it into the stuff of imagination. It’s like science fiction come to life in the form of fabric. And, even though I could be down on myself, instead there’s something about the awe that I feel that inspires my own creativity and imagination, even if I’m not designing my own fabric (yet! – ha! – I am a chemist after all!). Truly, I’ve been sewing and sketching and dreaming up a storm since getting this book. It’s just awesome.
Now for the best part – the giveaway. Laurence King Publishing has agreed to give away an additional copy of Textile Visionaries to one of my readers. It’s not even out yet in stores! If you’d like to be entered into the drawing, just leave a comment below letting me know. I’ll pick a winner at random next Friday, August 23rd at 7 am PDT. Good luck!
Sci-fi textiles – Yes please! This book looks amazing. I’d love to be entered in the giveaway.
This looks fascinating! Would love to get my paws on a copy!
Choosing the right fabric is my stumbling block when learning to sew new patterns. This book would be ever so helpful!
Looks amazing! I want to know what’s going on in photo 6. Count me in for the giveaway!
This looks very inspiring! I’d love to look through it!
This book looks incredible! Each photo you’ve posted spawns at least a dozen other ideas… Please count me in for the giveaway. Thank you!
Look the book! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
Oh wow, the book really looks impressive! Thanks for the giveaway!
some interesting stuff to read about there…would love to have this book on the shelf! have a great weekend.
Wow! This book looks amazing. Please count me in. I’m especially impressed by the fabric that zaps people who touch it. 🙂 Every young woman should have a jacket made out of that to wear when walking late at night. Beware, all you boys with bad intentions! My only question is…how do you keep from zapping yourself? I touch my own clothes all the time!
That book looks like so much fun!
I love fabric, I really do. And science. Lovely book.
What a beautiful book! This book would be a gem to have in my collection.
Looks awesome. Pick me! Pick me!
Heck yes! I would love a chance to get a copy!!
ooh this looks really good, enter me please 🙂
Wow, totally want to read this! Thanks for the giveaway and putting it on my radar.
Wow, looks like an amazing book to read. Loved the pictures you showed – thanks for the giveaway.
WOW. Yes please!
What an amazing concept! I would love to learn more! My husband also has a background in chemistry and I bet I’d have a hard time getting this book away from him. 🙂 Thanks for a great giveaway from both of us!
I have all of Bradley Quinn’s books and am fascinated by the use of unique materials and innovations in design using technology. I would love to own this book! Thanks
Oh how awesome! I’d love a free copy, please sign me up!
The book looks great and I love all the photos. I would place it on my coffee table.
Enter me please.
This book looks so interesting and inspirational I would love to win it, Thank You!
I would like to be entered in the giveaway. The book seems really interesting.
The book looks amazing… I’d love to win it! Thanks for your review.
Your review has me intrigued. Please count me in the draw.
This sounds like one very cool book. I’d love to win a copy.
Thanks for the giveaway, would love to win the book!
WOW. Count me in! 🙂
Wow, looks really innovative stuff. Would love to own this & show my students at the craft workshops I’m running in September. Count me in for the draw…. I’ll start saving up for this #musthave. Beautiful & useful. Double whammy!
The book founds fabulous – please count me in,
I would love to win one that book! I absolutely love learning new techniques and workin with different fabrics
Love the book and all of the photos! I would LOVE to have a copy. I’m in! I hope to win. 🙂
OMG – love this book, inspirational!! Will definitely be on the list to buy. Am in the US in September, so will check out the book stores.
Awe inspiring! I’m always looking for inspiration this book looks like a must, hope I win 😉
Oooooh, that book looks SO interesting. I’m a scientist and love math and find both genres compliment sewing and fabric VERY well. I actually found myself reaching out to my computer screen to touch some of those pics of the remarkable fabrics. (yes, I know they are pics on my screen, not real fabric, don’t worry 🙂 ). I would like to throw my name into the hat and win this beautiful and science-sewing inspired book!
WOW! this book does look so amazing and beautiful!! I can’t wait to see how it inspires you next…I love inspirational images too so thank you for the opportunity to win a copy. Please count me in 🙂
Oh…. that IS intriguing! Enter me in the giveaway please! My nerd side is quite interested in this book.
I’m aways interested in new & innovative textiles. I’d love to add this book to my library!
Amazing book! My degree in textiles and clothing is ancient compared to this book.
Thanks for introducing this book to us! It looks like it has enough inspiration for a lifetime of work.
Wow, that book looks awesome! Daughter No1 is studying Textile Design at university, so this would be a fabulous source of inspiration for her! I guess if I don’t win your giveaway I’ll have to pre-order that on Amazon! Thanks for the fabulous “photo dump”, what a great book.
Just came to your blog by accident and am stunned. That book/your work looks awesome! I’d love to win it (and will start following you immediately).
This book looks amazing and would look fab on my bookcase, no I would leave it out on show. A definite must to get.
Steff
I would love to be included in your draw for this book please!
Would love a copy of this book. Also love the Drape, Drape Series and the Shape, Shape series. Love, love, love!
This looks fabulous, please count me in!
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Hi Amy. I would love to win this book. Hope you are feeling well.
I would love to win this book 🙂
Oh, yes please! This book looks incredible!
Would love to learn more about future fabrics and inspirational textiles work. Looks like a fantastic read 🙂
This looks great, count me in please!
I would love to win this! I try and inspire my students to push the boundaries and use technology to create new fabrics, as well as thinking about the environment; I’ve looked at and coveted this book already, so I would be overjoyed to win. Thanks for giving us all the chance!
Being a fashion student, this is definitley a must have for sure! I’ll be more than happy for that giveaway:)
quite a resource.. i’d like to be entered for this one!
Laurence King has the best art books in my opinion. I would love to win this. Thanks for your terrific blog, too!
Julie
Textiles+Futurism+Book= day made. This looks awesome. I’ll be crossing my fingers as I would love to get my hands on a copy. Great feature!
Fashion Student here!!! I’ll love to be entered to this draw, it would help me so much with my studies.
Feeling a little faint with desire
Such beautiful layout and content! (And the photo teaser is to die for) I can not wait to fully enjoy the content. Hopefully sooner than later!