We live in an era of ever-changing textile art. Innovative, creative artists are constantly reinventing it.

Susan Brandeis, author of The Intentional Thread: A Guide to Drawing, Gesture and Colour in Stitch, published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. in 2019, offers a timely and deeply reflective resource that treats thread not just as a material, but as a means of self-expression.  It’s also about understanding a visual language – your visual language.

This book guides a journey into a thoughtful, mindful, and expressive textile art practice in which gesture, meaning, and mark-making converge.

‘To stitch is to trace the unseen gesture of thought,’ writes Brandeis, a sentiment perfectly capturing the book’s philosophy.

A series of thoughtfully designed chapters mirrors an artist’s progression, from a self-guided sequence of workshops that build skills incrementally, or to dip into to explore a particular effect more fully.  Beginning with an overview on mark-making with stitch and its parallels in drawing, guiding the reader through line qualities, shape-fills, stitched gestures and compositional techniques.

Small information boxes can be found in most chapters, and in the early chapters, tables showing the thread used and worked in illustrated exercises allow readers self-guided references.

The book’s richly illustrated examples prompt and encourage readers to explore stitching as a physical and emotional act, offering inspiration and clear visual reference points.

The intention of this book is clear, inviting the reader to ‘discover’ through creative play – and that’s the best way to learn.  Textile and Fibre artists, art educators and students will find this book goes beyond decorative stitching, leading to the exploration of the expressive power of a needle and thread, leading to finding one’s visual voice.

The strength of The Intentional Thread is its ability to fuse clarity with depth.  Brandeis’s writing is well-supported by her academic, teaching, writing and exhibiting career, spanning 35 years.  Never able to find that all-in-one-place book that fully explores the range of expressive stitching, she decided to write it – and here it is.

‘I can stitch in silence, or during conversation, or while my favourite music is playing.  I can stitch alone or in the companionship of others.’  Susan Brandeis

Each chapter concludes with ‘try this’ suggestions – adaptable, open-ended exercises set to ensure a deeper understanding of both concepts and techniques.

What makes this book unusual is its conceptual grounding, where the reader is challenged to look at embroidery as an act of communication.  Like writing or drawing, the emphasis is on intention, elevating every stitch to affirm its place within contemporary art discourse.

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge and experience, expressed in the language of embroidery as art.  It’s easy to read and understand.

Perhaps geared more towards intermediate or advanced practitioners, beginners, working methodically through each chapter, will gain skills, confidence and familiarity with textiles and techniques as they progress.

Susan Brandeis presents The Intentional Thread as if from a wise mentor, in a quietly conversational manner that prompts consideration on how to approach working with a needle and thread.  This book is where process and narrative are emphasised over product.

What I found insightful throughout this book is the depth to which each chapter, concept and technique is explored, making it a powerful resource for unique individual design and application.  A simple line, shape or texture can become an expressive, emotional tool in the right hands.

The Intentional Thread has been written for those who want to express what they see, how they feel, and how to connect with emotive stitching.  It’s a beautifully crafted and intellectually stimulating guide that can empower highly expressive artistry.

Textile and Fibre artists looking to not only deepen, but also better understand a visual art practice or art educators seeking to inspire students will find this book a foundational text on their library shelves, reminding us all that intention transforms craft into art.

Brandeis notes that her book leads the reader through a lyrical but logical journey of skill-building and creative imagining, demonstrating ways stitch can be used intentionally to fully capture self-expression.

I know I dip into this book regularly, learning each time I do.

A needle and thread, in the right hands, can speak volumes to many.