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Book Review – More Than Just A Pretty Face

July 24, 2024 by Shellie Wilson

Last week we featured a Book review called ” Capture Your Own Life” and this week we are back with more collage style quilts. 

As the second installment in Phyllis Cullen’s and Cindy Richard’s fabric portrait series, “More Than Just a Pretty Face” takes us on a deeper exploration of the art of fabric portraiture. Building upon the foundation laid in Book 1, “It’s All About the Face,” this book delves into the intricacies of capturing the essence of the subject through face and figure.

Phyllis and Cindy leave no stone unturned as they guide readers through the portrait process. From anatomy and photography techniques to choosing the perfect fabrics and creating patterns, every step is meticulously detailed. The authors compare various digital programs for pattern creation and offer invaluable insights into fabric selection based on value.

One of the highlights of “More Than Just a Pretty Face” is the chapter dedicated to contour quilting. Through large, full-color images and detailed instructions, Phyllis and Cindy demonstrate how to add dimensionality to fabric portraits, bringing your subjects to life with depth and realism.

The book goes beyond traditional fabric portraiture, exploring genres such as abstract and AI-generated works. With multiple examples from the contemporary fabric art world, readers are inspired to push the boundaries of their creativity and experiment with new techniques.

“More Than Just a Pretty Face” is a must-have resource for anyone passionate about fabric portraiture. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to learn, Phyllis Cullen and Cindy Richard’s expertise and guidance will inspire and empower you on your journey. So, grab your fabrics, fire up your sewing machine, and let’s embark on an unforgettable artistic adventure together!

Jessica Bell’s fabric collage art

Valentine heart and a course in textile collage

Tutorial: Create photo collages | quick and free

Tutorial: Collage T-Shirt quilt

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Weekly Precut Fabrics For Quilting Inspiration

Every quilter hits a creative lull from time to time. Maybe you’ve finished a big project and aren’t sure what to start next, or maybe life has been so busy that your sewing machine hasn’t seen daylight in weeks. Fat Quarter Shop’s Precut of the Week has a way of jumpstarting inspiration right when you need it.

Each Monday offers a little surprise — a curated precut bundle that might open the door to a new idea. Sometimes the colors speak to you, sometimes the scale of the prints, and sometimes just the ease of grabbing a coordinated bundle is enough to reignite your creativity.

For even more inspiration, these internal articles pair beautifully with precut sewing:

  • Beginner quilt projects
  • Easy fat quarter quilts

I love how precuts simplify the process. No fussing with measurements or debating which prints match — just open the bundle, choose your pattern, and enjoy the rhythm of sewing. For a creative reset, charm packs and layer cakes are especially good because they spark quick wins.

If you’re feeling stuck, try browsing this roundup for scrap-friendly inspiration:

  • Scrap quilts to try

Let each Monday be a gentle reminder that creativity is always waiting for you, even in the smallest moments.

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