Transfer Motifs For Children
By Huguette Kirby

      Inside this slim volume are 358 transfers, all ready for you to iron on to whatever projects you are planning. They can be used on fabric, paper, card and wood, and are specifically aimed at children. Drawn in a jolly cartoonish style that is primitive yet contemporary and reminiscent of children’s drawings, there is something for everybody here. Choose from animals, fairytale, flowers, nautical transport and dinosaurs, as well as an alphabet. They can be used more than once and are all in dark blue, so are aimed at lighter fabrics.

       The first part of the book tells you how to use iron-on transfers if you are new to the method and a few do’s and don’ts about this technique. There are embroidery stitches, notes about preparing fabric and wood before work can begin, and a few pages of colored photographs of typical projects with simple guidelines for working. This is not aimed at the total beginner in their chosen field, as there are no step-by-step projects, but for anybody who has an item to decorate or has made something that looks in need of a bit of adornment, this hits the spot. I personally like the way the motifs are aimed at “people,” rather than girls and boys, and there is no overt cuteness. Is this just a book for those wishing to decorate items for children? I don’t think so. I already have my eye on a lovely galleon for a bath towel, and things like the cakes, fruit and vegetables seen ideal for kitchen items. The flowers would appeal to anybody who likes pictures of flowers (gardening apron or flowerpots?), and I can never resist dinosaurs. So if you like a bright and breezy minimalist drawing style, rather than more traditional subjects like roses and crinoline ladies for your transfers, look no further. Where’s that bath towel gone to…?

      If you cannot find the materials locally try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.