The Complete Guide to Designing and Printing Fabric by Laurie Wisbrun, softback published by AC Black. ISBN 978-1-4081-4700-9, price 14.99 available from www.acblack.com

Usually ‘complete’ books disappoint me because they are not complete, however this book is different. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is without doubt the best book I have on fabric printing and I have quite a few. If like me, you have a desire to print your own fabric, you’ll find this book a real bonus. It’s good to look at – the photographs are clear and the fabrics beautiful. It’s good to use – it explains so much from types of fabric, types of pattern, colour,  how to design. It’s good in practice – providing sources of information, pattern design tips, tools of the trade, using software, dyeing and hand and digital printing. In addition, there are profiles of successful fabric designers and tips on going professional. One thing is for sure, Laurie has done a professional job on this book – it’s top of the class.

Block Printing Techniques for Linoleum and Wood, softback published by Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0601-8, price 16.99 available from www.stackpolebooks.com

A basic guide to learning block printing techniques for lino and wood cuts. The excellent step by step instructions demonstrate various techniques including transferring a design, cutting and printing by hand. This book just simply is not big enough, I want more. What’s there is very good.

Create With Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley, softback published by CT Publishing. ISBN 978-1607-05267-8, price 19.95 US dollars available from www.ctpub.com

If you have been disappointed with transfer methods, TAP is the way forward. It is useful for transferring images onto so many materials, but for quilters and other fabric artists, it’s a dream. This book is the result of Lesley Riley’s experiments with TAP on different materials such as fabric, paper, canvas, copper mesh, wood and more. On fabric it produces sharper images than direct printing, is washable, eliminates the need for pre-treated fabrics, you can draw your own designs, photos and more. With TAP you can overprint, erase, stitch and more. Lesley’s excitement and enthusiasm for the product is evident.

This book takes you through techniques to enhance your photos before printing. The projects will suggest ideas to you and help consolidate the techniques.

Angie Lewin Plants and Places by Leslie Geddes-Brown, hardback published by Merrell. ISBN 978-1-8589-4536-1, price 25.00 GBP available from www.merrellpublishers.com

I first came across Angie Lewin’s work when I returned to College to do an art course. As part of the printmaking sessions we were asked to source a printmaker and discuss their work. I chose Angie because I love her prints of flowers and plants. Her ability to simplify plants to their bare essentials and still be instantly recognisable is endearing. This is a beautifully produced book that catalogues and does justice to Angie’s work. The 80 plus designs are an inspiration to printmakers and textile artists alike. It is also a record of Angie’s travels – the places she took inspiration from. Her distinctive prints that capture the essence and structure of plants have been inspired by windswept shores, clifftops, salt marshes, roadsides and in her own Norfolk garden. She talks about her influences. The book is well illustrated not only with Angie’s prints but also with photographs of plants and sketches from her sketchbooks. Her wood engravings or linocuts adorn journals and textiles. She also works in lithography and screenprinting. The text gives an insight to how Angie works. Some of my favourite prints are the Clifftop, Alliums and Fennel, Dandelion, Teasels and Winter Spey prints. The book is divided into sections that reflect Angie’s work: Coast, Woodland and Hedgerow, River and Loch, Meadow and Garden and finally Studio. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary prints.

Inspired Block Printing DVD with Jamie Malden, published by Coloricious. Price 17.96 available from www.beckmanndirect.com

This one hour long DVD slowly takes you through a structured approach to block printing with pre-made blocks. The printing is mainly done on top of commercial fabrics although there is some mention of creating serendipity fabrics – wiping your hands and blocks on a piece of white cloth. Some finished projects are shown at the end, but there are no instructions for these on this DVD.

I felt that the processes shown were simple – how to print in a row, half drop and so on. References were made to colour theory without actually giving real examples of colour theory. The tint process did not work well because jamie used all her white up on her first colour, so there was none left to mix with the subsequent colours and the tints were affected.

This is useful if you do not know how to use a wooden block or print in a row. It also includes shadow, mirror and freestyle printing. A very basic introduction to block printing but as with all the Inspired series, very enjoyable.

Print by Joy Jolliffe, hardback published by C&B. ISBN 978-1-84340-565-8, price 16.99 available from www.anovabooks.com

This is the perfect book for beginners but there is little here for the experienced printer. The instructions are very easy to follow. Find out how to print your own wrapping paper, wall art and print on material. Simple projects build your confidence. This book includes simple block, stencil, transfer and screen printing and some combined techniques.

Digital Imagery on Fabric by Ruth Brown, softback, spiral bound, published by S C Publications. ISBN 978-0-9554647-1-3, price 24.50 available from www.stonecreeksilk.co.uk

What first struck me about this book is Ruth Brown’s attention to detail in all things. This book is on good quality paper with a spiral binding, so it lays flat – essential for any craft book. Ruth also pays the same detailed attention to the content of the book. You can tell that it is important to her that she understands her subject thoroughly and that she passes this knowledge on. Once you have the basics you will then be able to go on and experiment and come up with your own unique prints. If you are interested in printing onto fabric and have found that some books leave you bewildered – this one will clarify all you need to know about printers, transferring an image, how to get the best image and how to use Photoshop Elements. Clear text, written so that everyone can understand and illustrated with colour photographs throughout.

Printing & Patchwork with Jamie Malden & Mary Gamester DVD, produced by Colouricious, price 17.99 and available from www.beckmanndirect.co.uk

A simple introduction to block printing and how to use it in patchwork. This DVD also includes an excellent guide to colour theory and encourages you to make your own colour reference book. Mary Gamester demonstrates how to use your printed fabric in a number of patchwork methods from a simple journal cover to a crazy patchwork tea cosy. Excellent and easy to follow.

Prints Charming by Cath Derksema & Kirsten Junor, hardback, spiral bound, published by Murdoch. ISBN 978-1741-966-183, price 14.99 in the UK, available from www.murdochbooks.com.au

If you have never printed fabric before, this book is an ideal place to start. The 40 contemporary projects will make any home a cosier place. A well-laid out book accompanied by good text and excellent photos. Discover the basics of screen printing to print on plain fabrics. Some projects are stitched, templates are provided for the motifs, which can also be adapted for your own projects. Includes ideas for printing clothes, bed linen, cushions, lampshades and decorations. I really enjoyed this book.

Print & Stamp by Traci Bunkers, softback published by Quarry Books. ISBN 978-1-59253-598-9, price 22.99 US dollars, 14.99 GBP available from www.quarrybooks.com

Learn how to use everyday objects and turn them into useful stamps for artwork. Discover 52 stamp tools and print blocks – one for each week of the year – more than enough to keep your creativity over-brimming. This is an excellent way to use junk and things that lie around the house. The examples of finished work are inspiring. Very clear instructions with a great, easy-to-follow, illustrated layout. Includes simple techniques to use with children and for any artist who loves multiple layers and texture, this is ideal. A practical book that has enough ideas for any printmaker, no matter what their experience. From earplugs to rubber bands, this book will allow you to see stamping in a different light.