Another collection of satirical comics originally published in Punch magazine, created by the very talented cartoonist Fougasse.
This collection is frAnother collection of satirical comics originally published in Punch magazine, created by the very talented cartoonist Fougasse.
This collection is from 1936, and addresses cultural and societal issues of the time. Being his pre-war material, the commentary of the comics is less familiar to a modern reader and some of the jokes are lost on me entirely. Though still a lot of material on bad drivers, which is very funny to see was a problem even back then!
I still find these books a delight, even if some of the humour goes over my 21st century head!
Set in a dystopian London where Britain kept its empire and slavery remains legal, young boy Adam chances upon finding a mysterious, magical Tyger. HeSet in a dystopian London where Britain kept its empire and slavery remains legal, young boy Adam chances upon finding a mysterious, magical Tyger. He is thus drawn into a secret struggle to save the Tyger and protect her from her enemies.
It's a really compelling world. It takes today's issues of xenophobia and discrimination and cranks it up to 11, but in a way that seems eerily realistic, only with a hint of fantastical magic on the side.
I really enjoyed this. The story is tight and well-told, and the illustrations are gorgeous.
I've read the two other books by Tilly Walnes, creator of simple yet stylish pattern brand 'Tilly and the Buttons', but was yet to read this, her firsI've read the two other books by Tilly Walnes, creator of simple yet stylish pattern brand 'Tilly and the Buttons', but was yet to read this, her first book, and a real beginners guide to dressmaking and sewing.
For full context, my mother taught me to sew when I was 14, so I've been dressmaking for a good... uh... good grief, over half my life?! In any case, I am not the target audience for this. This book is for absolute beginners.
From how to thread your machine and select fabric, to your first projects on to slightly more advanced techniques. This does take a very gentle learning curve from the very start to probably an advanced beginner level. Its hard to judge from my more experienced viewpoint but none of it seems impossible for even a newbie, and it gently increases the difficulty and complexity as it goes through the patterns.
The book includes patterns for the Brigette Scarf, Margot Pyjamas, Delphine Skirt, Megan Dress, Clèmence Skirt, Mimi Blouse and Lilou Dress.
So ultimately not much for an experienced sewist in this, but I'd say its damn near perfect for a beginner....more
Found this by chance in a bookshop, and was immediately drawn to the cover. I'm a huge fan of Princess Mononoke so Yakul was instantly recognisable. IFound this by chance in a bookshop, and was immediately drawn to the cover. I'm a huge fan of Princess Mononoke so Yakul was instantly recognisable. I knew I had to get it.
'Shuna's Journey' follows the story of Prince Shuna, who leaves his impoverished village to try and find some fabled golden seeds which can be used to produce abundant crops, thus saving his village from starvation.
The whole thing is illustrated in beautiful watercolours, and without the narrative could easily pass as concept art for Princess Mononoke or Nausica. Its absolutely gorgeous.
The story is fantastical but subtle. I really enjoyed this. I can't speak highly enough of the art, but the story is strong too....more
This book by award-winning dressmaking pattern designer Tilly, of Tilly and the Buttons, is a book of advice and simple patterns for making garments qThis book by award-winning dressmaking pattern designer Tilly, of Tilly and the Buttons, is a book of advice and simple patterns for making garments quickly. Its intended to be for beginner sewers, with uncomplicated patterns and instructions to build a foundation of experience, OR for experienced sewers, who need motivation to find time for their hobby.
It comes with 6 patterns: the Safiya trousers, the Tabitha t-shirt, the Suki dress, the Bertha cardigan, the Juno pyjamas, and the Olive pinafore. Each are designed to have minimal pieces and details so that they can be completed in a few hours each. The patterns have details instructions, with photos and tips, but also instructions in brief for the more experienced sewer.
Its also full of tips on how to save time sewing, and when to take shortcuts and when its worth taking some time.
Good book, good advice. Co versstional writing style is engaging and the material interesting....more
"Stretch!" is a book by dressmaking pattern designer Tilly Walnes, known for her pattern brand 'Tilly & the Buttons'. I've used a Tilly & The Buttons "Stretch!" is a book by dressmaking pattern designer Tilly Walnes, known for her pattern brand 'Tilly & the Buttons'. I've used a Tilly & The Buttons pattern once before (specifically the Lotta dress) and was impressed at the casual, understandable style of the instructions. Dressmaking patterns have a tendency to be a little archaeic and technical, and Tilly's style was a breath of fresh air.
So I decided to try this book. I've been sewing for... *counts*... around 15 years? My mother taught me the basics of the sewing machine and the rest has been trial and error, mostly costume making. In that time I've found sewing with stretchy fabrics... difficult; they slip, they move, they stretch. But if anyone could give me some useful advice, surely it would be Tilly.
And I was right! It goes through everything you'd need to know about working with stretch fabrics, from how to select, cut, handle and stitch them. The book comes with 6 patterns (the Bibi skirt, the Frankie t-shirt, the Freya sweater, the Stella hoodie, Stella joggers, and Joni dress), and contains the instructions for them in Tilly's conversational style, with specific sections on the techniques used in each pattern. It also goes through modification ideas for each pattern to add to each's versatility.
This book is not for first-time sewers, but if you've got the basics of your machine and working with woven fabrics, this is a really useful tool to expand your skills. The patterns included are also really cute and versatile. Totally recommend....more
Like the previous three, this is a book of Sarah's comics, full of quirky millenial-style humour. If you know her cThe fourth "Sarah Scribbles" book!
Like the previous three, this is a book of Sarah's comics, full of quirky millenial-style humour. If you know her comics, you know what to expect. A lot of these have been previously posted on social media, though there are some new ones too.
Always a joy to support this hilarious artist!...more
A short book of illustrations and posters from the 'Careless Talk Costs Lives' propaganda campaign popular in Britain during WWII.
The idea of the posA short book of illustrations and posters from the 'Careless Talk Costs Lives' propaganda campaign popular in Britain during WWII.
The idea of the posters was to warn people not to openly discuss sensitive war issues which could be unknowingly overheard by Axis spies. Theres a few pages at the beginning discussing the campaign and why a humerous comic style was chosen, and the rest of the book is the posters. Many of the aftermentioned 'Careless Talk Costs Lives' posters are familiar to me from school history lessons, and I think are generally recognisable to the British from cultural osmosis. What I loved were the additional illustrations of a cartoon Hitler face hidden in everyday objects. It's so absurdist and wonderful, and a very clever way to get the campaign's point across.
The image of Hitler as a teapot will live rent-free in my mind forevermore....more
This book is a series of comic illustrations from throughout 1940 and 1941, which I believe were originally published in Punch magazine.
The comics arThis book is a series of comic illustrations from throughout 1940 and 1941, which I believe were originally published in Punch magazine.
The comics are humorous, topical commentary on British life at the time, and ita fascinating to see satire from society as it was almost 100 years ago. There are themes of a blasé attitude to the Blitz and an oddly mundane continuation of normal life during war.
Absolutely fascinating. Recommended if you can find a copy!...more
A graphic novel telling the story of Alpha, a man in the Ivory Coast who wants to travel to the Gare Du Nord in Paris, where his wife and son have gonA graphic novel telling the story of Alpha, a man in the Ivory Coast who wants to travel to the Gare Du Nord in Paris, where his wife and son have gone for a better life.
It’s an unflinching view into the life of African migrants trying to get to Europe. It’s not a comfortable read, but very powerful.
Essential reading, especially for western Europeans. ...more
A book of topical satire comics by Fougasse, some or all of which were originally published in Punch magazine.
The book is from 1937 and is satirical A book of topical satire comics by Fougasse, some or all of which were originally published in Punch magazine.
The book is from 1937 and is satirical about life at the time. I think some of the humour is lost to a modern audience due to unfamiliarity with social quirks of the time, but there are surprisingly relatable themes such as bad driving and traffic problems. There also seems to be a running joke about calling wrong numbers.
Fascinating, though this pre-war material is less engaging than the later wartime comics of Fougasse. I think there's some things lost to the passage of time, which is a shame and only piques my curiosity more....more
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