Review of Zentangle 3, Zentangle 4 and Zentangle Fabric Arts by Suzanne McNeil

Review of Zentangle 3, Zentangle 4 and Zentangle Fabric Arts by Suzanne McNeil.


I missed reviewing Suzanne McNeil’s Zentangle 3 since it came out at a time when my mother was very sick, and I was more or less living at the hospital. My budget was tight, and I don’t do fabric arts, so I put off buying Zentangle Fabric Arts (not a good thing!) until just recently, and received it only one day before getting Zentangle 4.
I decided now was a good time to review all three books.  I’m reviewing in descending order. Zentangle 4 just came out, so I know it’s the book most people will want to learn about. 


You can find my review of Zentangle Basics and Zentangle 2 here
 

About the Books
As is keeping with Zentangle, all description throughout both books is minimal, but clear.  All of the books have a pictorial index at the back, showing each tangle shown in the book.  All three have an introduction to the theory of zentangle, list the supplies needed to start, and briefly discuss shading.  All projects have a list of supplies needed, along with brief instructions. 

Zentangle 4
Size: 8.5 x 11
Pages: 20 pages, including covers
Portability: Too large for most purses, but it would fit into a PeeChee folder or briefcase.
What's in the book: Zentangle collages. Zentangles created using stencils, and others colored on tiles. Zentangled scrapbook and art journal pages. 
40 tangles: Plum Leaf, Deco Border, Sugarcane, Peacock Tail, Pyramids, Honeycomb, Feather Duster, Deco Leaf, Space, Balconies, Yin-Yang Leaf, Flags. Asian Fans, Well Connected, Rick’s Paradox, Rick’s Paradox-Shell variation, Berries, Dust Devils, Floating Disks, Bluebonnets, Track Lighting, Semaphore, Staggerbush, Lettuce Farm, Holiday Ornaments, Twirl, Holiday Garland. Moon Rocks, Cocoa Leaf, Winterberry, Flying Saucers, Basic Leaf Stem, White Pine, Shiral, Serrate Frond, Jacquinia, Ash Leaf, Banana Leaf, Thornbush, Pear Leaf.

Zentangle 3
Size: 8.5 x 11
Pages: 20 pages, including covers
Portability: Too large for most purses, but it would fit into a PeeChee folder or briefcase.
What's in the book: Zentangles made using rubber stamp outlines, and others drawn with colored ink pen.  Zentangled paperdolls with a link to the paperdoll pattern.
40 tangles: Portholes, Intersection, Spinners, Nipa, River, Munchin, Lightbulbs, Keyhole, Sunshine & Shadow, Quarters, Growth 2, Wired, Targets, Polka Dots, In & Out,Slats, Basketweave 2, Hopscotch, Criss & Cross, Square in Square, Jelly Roll, Jump, Rain, Bubbles, Yincut, Loops, Scallops, Droplets, Barberpole Chevron, Chaingang, Tendrils, Sprouts, Bricks, Starlight, Picot, Whirls, Fern, Pinwheels, Bead by Bead, Leaf.
Zentangle Fabric Arts, Quilting, Embroidery
Size: 8.5 x 11
Pages: 52 pages, including covers
Portability: Still too large for most purses, but it would fit into a PeeChee folder or briefcase.
What's in the book: Tangle patterns are presented in two different ways in this book.  Some are shown in the traditional ‘drawing’ manner, and some are presented with steps suitable for Free-motion quilting.  I believe the free-motion quiliting steps are just as useful for drawing, and may be easier to follow for some. 
Note: I wish I hadn’t waited so long to buy this book.  The fabric art is beautiful to look at, and the Free-motion method of showing tangle steps has given me ideas for my own tangle creation.  
The Projects: Tangled Purse, Tangled Apron, Pieced Quilt, Tangle a Postcard, Mandala Graffiti Quilt, Zentangle Crazy Quilt, Scan-tastic Quilt with Transfer, Tangled Postcard and Daisy, Postcards with Color, Friendship Blocks, Wandering Tangles, Zentastic Small Quilt, The Zen of Fishing, “Zen Quilting” Blocks, Little Blocks, Handy Tangles, Bleach Discharge Quilt, Crazy Patchwork, Crazy Patch, ATC Card.

38 Traditional Drawing Tangles: Swirly-whirly, Frond, W2, Keeko, Bubbles, Cubine, Knightsbridge, Squiggly, Tartan, Back and Forth, Munchin, Joints, Crescent Moon, Printemps, Hollibaugh, Static, Web, Chillon Hotdogs, Flukes Jellyroll, Squiggles 2, Cadent, Swirls, Twist & Twirl, King’s Crown, Friendship Stars, Polka Dots, Criss & Cross, Queen’s Crown, Portholes, Loop de Loop, Cogwheel, Linked, Tiny Pearls, Feathers, Bricks, Bundles
30 Free-motion Quilting Tangles: Fireworks-Sunrise, Up and Down, Grapes, Pearls on a String, Palm Trees, Triangles, Meander, Frond, Back & Forth, Loop de Loop, Flower, Lightning, Criss Cross with Beads, Cross, Spirography, Scallops, Swirls, Back & Forth, Buds, Growth 3,”Up, Down & Across”, Swirly, Leaves, Primitive, Swirl in a Box, Serpentine, Peaks, Serpentine 2, Arrows Bleach, Crazy Patch, Embroidery.

Comments

  1. Thanks for doing these reviews. I love books and your reviews convinced me to buy all three.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay! I don't think you will regret it!

    ReplyDelete

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