Shadowfolds: Surprisingly Easy-to-Make Geometric Designs in Fabric

You've heard and seen Origami, the Japanese paper-folding art. Chris Palmer, who studied under one of the Japanese masters, has extended it to folding fabric and creating geometric patterns that emerge when you backlight the cloth. (Confession: I know Chris personally and even own one of his art pieces.) They look like tessellations, and the different thicknesses of material where multiple folds overlap give the patterns their density and bas relief look. In this book by Jeffrey Rutzky, Chris for the first time provides designs for you to make as well... the first time he has shared his special secrets with the world.

I love this book. I'd like to emphasize that the instructions are very easy to understand and to follow. Any sewing novice can create these beautiful, intricate looking pieces. I haven't felt that any of the projects are too complicated or beyond my abilities. No frustration -- no confusion. And, I've been using some of the patterns to incorporate into clothing. After years of wanting to stick a fork in my eye after reading industry sewing patterns and diy books that read like Klingon, and/or are missing pertinent instructional steps, and/or have boring/crappy projects, this was a breath of fresh air. I sincerely hope that they publish more books :)

I met Chris Palmer once many many years ago at an origami convention in NYC. I was in awe at that time of his beautiful paper geometric origami designs...amazing to see in person...even more amazing to see them in fabric and so marvelously presented in this book. The book itself is a work of art. AND, the projects that the authors/artists include appear to be very achievable. The technique as described looks like a most enjoyable game of "connect the dots" with a most beautiful end result. This book will appeal to origami enthusiasts and quilters or fabric artists alike. Simply "wonderfold"!

There is a rare time when I buy a book for it's cocktail table presence! This book is inspirational in it's content..not just about a way to fold fabric in beautiful configurations, but gives the reader the chance to imagine something more...I am a quilter and artist rolled into one, so I can see many amazing possibilities about to take shape.Even if you aren't the creative type, you will certainly appreciate the beautiful art form...and there are projects in this book that even the skittish will enjoy..Well done, well illustrated, and simple,concise instruction make this a wonderful book for your stash..you may consider giving it as a gift to one of your artsy friends!!!I don't rate anything a 5, but this book is pretty darn close...;)

This book is about a sewing technique (it may have it's origins in origami but it's still a sewing tech) which may be inspiring to sewing enthusiasts who have pretty much tried & mastered (or not)other methods in the field of sewing. For me, personally, this is an exciting, newly discovered area of my much loved hobby. It seems to be based on what's called Canadian smocking. The projects in the book are gorgeous, and I cannot wait to try my hand at shadowfolding :). Great job, Palmer/Rutzky!Samina, American Sewing Guild

The instructions are clear and the patterns are very pretty. However, I could not make my first project turn out like the pictures; the fabric did not twist properly and I set it all aside to try again later. Perhaps the silk fabric was too springy to fold correctly, or I needed to have a tiny little craft iron to press the folds precisely. I am still interested in trying and succeeding, and will buy some thinner fabric to test another pattern.

So happy I bought this book! Easy to follow instructions and step bu step help. If you hide your stitching well and make the ties small, many of the designs can be reversed for a different and still beautiful design. (I love both sides of the fish-scale pattern that you see in the last project, the room divider.) A challenging, fun way to try new crafts or (as in my case) incorporate some of these origami inspired designs on clothing.GREAT BOOK!!

I bought this book as a gift for a talented friend. I know that she will be so pleased with this creative approach to sewing and art. I am so taken with the book, that I am going to buy a copy for my own use as well. The book is beautiful, creative and well written. I have been sewing for a long time, and I just love this fresh approach.

Ok

Gostei muito do livro. Comprei para me auxiliar em um trabalho acadêmico e fiquei bastante satisfeita com o resultado obtido. Recomendo a compra.

Je n'ai pour l'instant pas encore expérimenté les tutos du livre mais ça a l'air très bien, le contenu est fourni en photo et texte et bien expliqué.Le livre est en anglais avec tout de même du vocabulaire un peu technique donc je dirai qu'il n'est pas pour les débutants en anglais.

Great product

Love the books samples and looking forward to trying the technique.