This book examines the clothing worn by African Americans in the southern United States during the thirty years before the American Civil War. Drawing on a wide range of sources, most notably oral narratives recorded in the 1930s, this rich account shows that African Americans demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the role clothing played in demarcating age, sex, status, work, recreation, as well as special secular and sacred events. Testimonies offer proof of African Americans' vast technical skills in producing cloth and clothing, which served both as a fundamental reflection of the peoples' Afrocentric craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities, and as a reaction to their particular place in American society. Previous work on clothing in this period has tended to focus on white viewpoints, and as a consequence the dress worn by the enslaved has generally been seen as a static standard imposed by white overlords. This excellent study departs from conventional interpretations to show that the clothing of the enslaved changed over time, served multiple functions and represented customs and attitudes which evolved distinctly from within African American communities. In short, it represents a vital contribution to African American studies, as well as to dress and textile history, and cultural and folklore studies.

Showing how to take classic mending techniques one step further to add personality and style to your clothes, Mend and Make Fabulous is a uniquely comprehensive resource that combines visual inspiration with practical advice for the fashion conscious sewer. The ability to repair and restore clothes is priceless, and Mend and Make Fabulous provides a comprehensive guide to all the classic mending techniques and then some! Not only will you learn to darn holes to perfection, this book also shows you how adding some creativity to your mending will make clothes even more fabulous than they were the first time around. While there are several blog posts and articles in fashion and mainstream media that offer a smattering of tips on the subject, none of the advice currently available-online or in existing publications-offers a detailed or consolidated resource on all the mending techniques needed to work with all types of clothing mishaps. The techniques in Mend and Make Fabulous range from easy fixes to more involved creative techniques. Each chapter comprises a series of problems and their `straight' solutions, whether darning, using interfacing, or overdyeing fabric. The chapters are rounded off with a range of tutorials offering ideas for ways in which the garment or item can be made a little more fabulous, whether by adding lace or ruffles, beading, or simply using a contrasting thread for darning.

This is the first UK edition of the cult darning book by Hikaru Noguchi who has become a guru of visible darning in Japan. With 12 different darning techniques and 63 inspirational examples, this detailed step by step guide makes the methods easy to follow. The stylish photography shows off the artistic and minimalist style of the designer's work.

Join Matt Chapple, the UK's top amateur stitcher and winner of the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee 2015 as he shares everything you need to know about repairing and maintaining your attire in this non-nonsense guide. Focusing on making sewing easy and fun, it covers tools of the trade, essential repairs and alterations as well as complete step-by-step instructions instructions for making projects from scratch, such as a box-pleated skirt and adding bias binding to pocket edges for a splash of colour. Matt's no-nonsense language strips away the complexity of sewing, as he gives practical advice on how to repair fabrics from denim and corduroy to tweed and wool, and offers tips to make wardrobe malfunctions a thing of the past. Written for the uninitiated stitcher, concentrating on common clothing issues we all face, be it a loss of a button, a hole in the pocket or something more serious like a fallen hem.

A completely one-of-a-kind project guide to creating charming handmade gifts and keepsakes made from fabric! Sewing Cozy Craft Projects features 13 adorable animal designs to create 8 different projects, including greeting cards, magnets, pins, purses, gift tags, and more. Using various techniques - from embroidery, felting, and sewing to applique, patchwork, and more - this must-have guide is the perfect way to learn and build new crafting skills while making fabric postcards and gifts like you've never seen before! Fun to make and simple to send, try new quilting and sewing techniques, then mail your loved ones what you make!

Crochet Southwest Spirit offers laid-back bohemian style inspired by natural landscapes that's a breath of fresh air for your crochet repertoire. You'll feel the freedom of the wide-open spaces and deep turquoise skies of the American southwest as you work this unique collection of patterns.

Peaceful color palettes drawn from the mountains, mesas, valleys, deserts, rivers, and rock formations of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona bring a relaxed vibe to these beginner and intermediate patterns. Author Susan Kennedy of Pretty Peaceful Crochet is blessed by beautiful geography, living in the gorgeous San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado near Durango. She loves to make boho home décor inspired by the nature around her that is as practical and durable as it is beautiful. You'll find blankets, pillows, rugs, baskets, towels, wall hangings, wraps, and tote bags in this collection. Here, simple serape-style stripes are right at home next to intricate southwestern tapestry crochet patterns.

Susan's love of math and geometry inspires her to make complex patterns as simple as possible to stitch. Patterns don't have to be complicated to be beautiful. Crochet Southwest Spirit makes the most of the meditative repetition and soothing rhythm of crochet for maximum crochet enjoyment and satisfaction. Many of the projects are perfect to crochet while unwinding over a weekend.

The author holds the fiber arts traditions carried on by generations of Southern Ute, Ute Mountain, Diné Navajo, and Hopi families in the Four Corners area of the USA in great respect. The original projects in this book use natural cotton and wool fibers produced by indigenous artists and shepherds whenever possible to honor this history and promote a sustainable future for this land.