A material world is a pretty good description of the planet I inhabit right here!  But it’s also the title of a new book I have been sent to review described as ‘The Modern Craft Bible’,which is due to be published on 1st November.

I try not to do ‘gloom’ on the blog, but to be honest after the past few days of foul weather coupled with a work overload, I’ve been creating quite few dark clouds of my own. The antidote seemed to be a sit down by the fire with a cuppa and to award myself some time off with Perri Lewis‘s ‘Material World’.

The first thing which stands out is the clean, crisp design and layout, which immediately lifts the book into a different genre to the plethora of fluffy, folksy craft books which are about at the moment.  If you are a fashionista you probably won’t want a hand knitted tea cosy,  but you may very well need these shoes…

(I’d love them!)  and there are clear instructions which will have you digging around in the back of the wardrobe on in your local charity shop to find a pair of shoes to upcycle.

Perri talks to the big names in the craft world, exciting and interesting people such as Amy Butler, Tatty Devine, Grayson Perry who pass on their wisdom and advice.  She talks to Philip Treacy on how to make a hat, Topshop on customising your clothes, and Lara Bohinc on how to make statement jewellery.

Projects in the book include…

In all there are 15 different techniques from stitching to screen printing, jewellery making to leather work, which enable you to create your own projects rather than having to follow a set pattern.  While it will inspire beginners and give them the tricks of the trade, seasoned crafters will find new ways of applying old techniques.

And finally, there are some really inspiring interviews and articles from people who have ‘been there’ and ‘done that’.  Find out who first coined the phrase ‘Craftivism’,  who inspires Kaffe Fassett,   (its’s Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell) So then who inspires Amy Butler… Kaffe Fassett!   There are also tips on how to start a craft group,  building  your own business and where to find inspiration when your brains switches into hibernation mode.

At £18.99 it’s expensive compared with many other craft books available, but the content is invaluable.  If I’d had a copy of Material World 10 years ago I wouldn’t have needed to buy a whole shelf full of other books!  It’s published on 1st November, you can find it here.

And now as it’s raining, hailing, blowing, everything outside, I heading back to the fireside to read some more…

See you soon…x