With Jane, Kim and Susan all speculating about using velvet with wire lace on a bracelet, I thought to look at some new books lacemakers never see reviewed here. The fact is, there are fiber artists all over the world who are deconstructing, reconstructing, using weird materials, marrying thread to everything under the sun. Not wanting a static library, occasionally a book is ordered of this type, just to keep in step with the latest innovations. So - we now read of the challenge of making a velvet tube to cover a bracelet, embellished with wire lace and beads. Why not? Would wired ribbon be appropriate? If you are the least bit inclined to "push the envelope" when it comes to unusual combinations of wire threads and foundation materials to which they can be applied, here are two books you can probably find in a major book store's needlework books section. These stores (in America) have chairs, and you can sit down and read the books before deciding to make a purchase. For now, you can do a g**gle search and see pictures and reviews. 1. Alysn Midgelow-Marsden of New Zealand's Stitch, Fibre, Metal & Mixed Media - 2014, Search Press, 144 pages, ISBN 978-1-84448-762-2, one of a series of textile arts books. A quick review turns up all sorts of metal applications used in many ways, using various techniques. Some of the supplies lists include velvet and various silks. Quite elegant creations, though extremely modern in execution. A quote: "velvets are great for frayed edges...have a soft sheen and behave in interesting ways if you allow them to pucker when stitched....velvet complements metal very well, and combined with woven metals gives some interesting results." One thing leads to another, and then you can add lace. 2. Jean Draper of the UK's Stitch and Structure - Design and Technique in two- and three-dimensional textiles - 2013, Batsford, 128 pages, ISBN 978-1-84994-121-1. In the hand, the cover feels like Ultrasuede. Tess loved this book, which is full of experimental stitched textiles. Very unusual constructions of lace are featured in several chapters. The versatility of needle-made laces is striking. Sometimes they start with soluble fabric as a stabilizer for constructed work. Each of these books will lead you to others. For example, the first has a page of Search books pictured. One that caught my eye was Sarah Lawrence's Stitch, Cloth, Shimmer and Shine. Sounds delicious! Or you can go to Textile Crafts at _www.searchpress.com_ (http://www.searchpress.com) . The address provided in the Batsford book took me to a strange place. You may be able to back into it with a g**gle search. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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