Book Cover Image of African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home by Lisa Sheppard Stewart

African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home
by Lisa Sheppard Stewart

    Publication Date: Oct 01, 1999
    List Price: $27.69
    Format: Paperback, 129 pages
    Classification: Nonfiction
    ISBN13: 9780873417891
    Imprint: Krause Publications
    Publisher: Krause Publications
    Parent Company: Krause Publications

    Paperback Description:

    The way we decorate our homes has become one of the most meaningful ways to express our individualism, and African fabrics bring a unique quality to our living spaces. Visually exciting and sought-after because of their beautiful colors, rich textures, and exotic patterns, these fabrics can concurrently bring feelings of comfort and drama to any home. Step-by-step instructions and illustrations are also included so readers can create 40 projects like pillows, photo frames, napkins, and place mats that are sewn or use fusible products. As an added bonus, traditional African crafts are explored and taught, including Kente strip weaving, Adinkra, where stamped images are applied to fabrics, and Korhogo, in which symbolic animal and human figures are hand-painted onto coarsely woven cotton.

    From the Author, Lisa Shepard:sample1
    “I appreciate your interest in my first book, "African Accents". This book is for anyone who appreciates the uniqueness of authentic African textiles like mudcloth, Adinkra, cotton prints, Korhogo and Kuba raffia fabrics, and wants to create useful, decorative items with them. In addition to detailed explanations of how these fabrics are created, "African Accents" offers over 40 easy projects you can create, and enjoy throughout your home! Chapters cover the living room, dining room, master bedroom, kids’ room, & home office, plus ideas for entertaining and gift-giving.

    Looking for sources of African fabrics, trims and more? The detailed appendix has all the information you need for shopping and learning more about them, plus sources for the standard craft & sewing supplies used throughout the book.

    Because the fabrics have a timeless appeal, it’s easy to blend a few African Accents with your existing decor, whether it’s contemporary, country, traditional or otherwise. Most of my house is a blend of textiles and other art from western and central Africa, Indonesia and India, so there are plenty of dark reds, earth tones, wood pieces, antiqued metals and natural fibers …

    Sample2Best of all, when you decorate with African fabrics, you’re surrounded by them every day. (Apparel sewing is my first love, but how often can you wear a garment done in a really distinctive piece of fabric? It’s too memorable. Use that same fabric for a pillow or wall hanging, and it’s there for you to enjoy all the time.)

    My own fascination with African fabrics grew from a combined interest in sewing and African art in general. In 1986 I visited Senegal in West Africa, and returned with an “instant collection” of African fabrics. I’ve always enjoyed the warmth they bring to my surroundings (not to mention the cultural connections) and I use them in every room of my house. These creations became a topic of conversation with family, friends and visitors —“Ohh, you made that? How??” Fortunately, I was able to put this passion together with my background in the sewing and craft industry, which includes writing, design and marketing, among other things — and gradually, the thought of presenting these ideas in a book became a reality. Now, when I travel and shop for a select piece of mudcloth, a rare kuba cloth or a new Korhogo panel, it’s for business as well as pleasure!

    I hope that by learning about and working with the fabrics, you’ll appreciate, collect and enjoy them as much as I do. The projects are offered as a starting point for your own creativity. I look forward to your comments about the book.”




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