Natural Fabrics: Simple and Stylish Soft Furnishings - Softcover

Mankin, Ian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091868912 ISBN 13: 9780091868918

Publisher: Ebury Press, 1999

Synopsis

Natural Fabrics shows you how to achieve a timeless, elegantly simple look in your home using "utility" fabrics. Arranged by seven key fabrics -- Muslin, Linen, Ticking, Utility, Checks and Stripes, Jacquard, and Masook -- each chapter includes details on the origins of the fabrics, practical information on durability and shrinkage, as well as lots of ideas on how to use them. Following are more than 25 smart and accessible room-by-room projects; the Linen Dining Room, for example, has instructions for a Roman blind, simple seat covers, a tablecloth, place mats, and napkins. Each project includes step-by-step instructions as well as gorgeous color photos and illustrations. Whatever the size or decor of you home, Natural Fabrics will show you how to achieve a look that will never be out of style.

About this title

Review:

In Natural Fabrics Ian Mankin expresses his personal vision for stylish soft furnishing. His keywords are "simple", "timeless" and "practical"; his approach encompasses both contemporary and traditional styles; his main aim is to give pleasure by guiding his readers towards a greater understanding of, and so confidence with, the materials he loves. Chapter by chapter, Ian moves methodically from masook to utility fabrics, linen, ticking and other "natural fabrics", bringing each in turn into focus with a combination of his own experiences, intriguing facts about its origins and original uses and tips for its handling and care. Suggestions for the readers, which include such innovations as using canvas tied with rope as curtains, calico as wall covering and a surprisingly practical "baked muslin" recipe, are accompanied by inspirational, pleasing illustrations. The projects, for cushions and curtains, bedspreads and blinds, are laid out logically step by step, mostly confined to a double page spread. Tips on measuring and sewing techniques bring them within the reach of all skill levels, while lists of suppliers, for the furniture and accessories as well as the fabrics provide a useful next step, and the handy index shapes the whole. --Fiona Murphy

Synopsis:

Ian Mankin has been responsible for a quiet revolution in home textiles since he opened his first shop over ten years ago. This is a practical and realistic guide to transforming the home using materials that are inexpensive, durable and which should instantly add a touch of simple style.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ebury Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0091868912
• ISBN 13: 9780091868918
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128