The 1940s were an iconic period of women's dress history, with the familiar square shoulders, crepe tea dresses and seamed stockings paired with red lips, victory curls and head scarves. This book explains the period's sewing techniques and makes a range of 1940s outfits to recreate the look of those vintage years. With detailed step-by-step instruction and over 300 photographs, it captures the style of the time and explains the impact of wartime austerity on the cut and construction of women's dress.

This book features 25 inspiring and original felt projects to create at home. It is a comprehensive guide, including an introduction to the history of this craft and information about all the materials and equipment you will need. It features examples of the finest feltwork from contemporary craft artists. It explains and demonstrates all the basic techniques such as preparing the wool, rolling and hand carding. The satisfying art of feltwork celebrated in attractive designs and inspirational projects, all shown in more than 250 photographs. Whether used to make hats, slippers, blankets or jackets, felt is a wonderfully flexible, resistant, pliable and versatile medium. It can appear in the subtle hues of natural fleece, or be dyed in rich, vibrant tints. In this book, felt can be used to create objects as diverse as accessories, clothing, hangings, sculptures and toys. A comprehensive techniques section includes all the basics, such as carding your own fleece, flat felting and rolling. The book contains 25 specially designed felt projects illustrated with step-by-step photographs to instruct the reader in every stage of preparation. Each project is an inspiring and original work in its own right, and collectively the pieces represent a complete course in working with felt, from beginner level to advanced.

Now in a convenient paperback edition, this is a bag-making series with a difference: 15 stylish tote bag designs, two handy plastic templates and endless variations! Focusing on tote bags, this beautifully presented, 96-page book contains easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of totes in a range of fabrics and styles. Included are two easy-to-use templates: durable, reusable, wipe-clean and perfect for fussy cutting, they make building a bag even easier. The 15 tote bags are each made using different techniques, pockets, straps and fastenings to create 15 very different results. The templates can also be used for your own further design variations, and Debbie gives advice on how to adapt and create your own unique designs. Each project in the book is explained using Debbie's trademark style and step-by-step photography, and there is also a comprehensive techniques section and a guide to using the templates.

A new collection of sewing patterns from the author of Making Luna Lapin and Sewing Luna's Friends. Luna Lapin: Making New Friends is a collection of five brand new animals and their wonderful wardrobes. Choose from Daisy the sheep, Ramsey the ram, Hugh the hound, Rowan the squirrel and more. Fans of Luna will love these patterns for five of her best friends and their outfits and accessories. Author, Sarah Peel takes classic garments and recreates them on a miniature scale with exquisite fabrics including Liberty cottons, wool tweed and French lace. Full-sized patterns and step-by-step instructions are included - as well as a collection of charming stories about the characters and their adventures.

A celebration of handmade toys, featuring fabulous stuffed animals, handmade baby gifts and more - all made using fat quarter cuts of fabric - the most popular way that sewers buy fabric. Continuing the series from 50 Fat Quarter Makes, this fun collection features beautiful styled photography, step-by-step diagrams and templates for over 50 handmade toys, with patterns provided by 10 top international talents. These include Amie Plumley co-author of the bestselling Sewing School books, Ayda Algin of Cafe Nohut, Mollie Johanson of Wild Olive, bestselling author Emma Hardy and Aurifil thread designer and founder of #GreatBritishQuilter Sarah Ashford. All the toys are made using simple sewing techniques alongside patchwork, applique and embroidery.

Learn how simple hand printing techniques can transform fabric into personalized designs with this easy fabric printing guide from textile designer Zeena Shah. In this beautiful yet practical project book, Zeena shows you how to create contemporary textiles though 20 easy-to-master techniques, each accompanied by a simple sewing project to put your prints on display straight away. Using easily accessible materials from humble vegetables to rubber bands, to hand-carved wood blocks and simple screens, Zeena shows readers how to create striking printed designs and then how to make covetable items such as bags, table linen, cushions and pillows and more, to personalize your home interior with DIY style. Share your makes and see what other readers have created using #printwithzeena

Designed for beginner sewists and those who already have the basics, this book is an essential guide to learning how to sew by hand or machine.

Here is the ultimate reference for fitting test garments and transferring accurate adjustments to patterns No matter what size or shape you are, wearing garments that fit perfectly makes you look and feel better. Rather than making commonly accepted changes to a commercial pattern, the method presented in this guide focuses on the way a test garment fits the body. The fabric is manipulated to improve the fit, and then those specific changes are made to the pattern. The result: patterns that fit perfectly

With The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting, you'll learn:

- The importance of a fitting axis and how to use it during a fitting

- How to recognize fitting issues, such as drag lines and folds

- How to manipulate fabric to solve common and unusual fitting problems

- How to transfer the fitting changes to your pattern easily

- Basic pattern-making skills to ensure accurate alterations

See the fitting process from start to finish on basic garments, fitted on real people. Then follow fitting solutions on different body types. The lessons you learn will help you fit any body.

Make, mend, and customise your own wardrobe with this highly photographic beginner's guide to machine sewing. A sewing book for beginners that's actually helpful. It's love at first stitch! This highly photographic, easy-to-use guide to machine sewing features more than 200 step-by-step techniques to help you master every stitch in the book! Inside the pages of this sewing reference book, you will find: - More than 200 sewing techniques, all clearly and closely photographed and explained in sharp detail - Discover how to read a pattern, use a sewing machine, and sew basic stitches, seams, and hems - Explore how to put your new-found skills to use to create, personalise, up-cycle, and re-purpose your clothes and soft furnishings. - Photographs and explanations of essential sewing equipment and materials - for both hand and machine sewing - A guide to sewing jargon and terminology that describes when, where, and how to use each tool and technique - Techniques to create something new or to customise things you already have Whether you're a seasoned sewer or just starting to learn how to sew, a fashion design student or sewing for yourself at home, Sew Step by Step will guide you through every hand stitch, machine stitch, and sewing technique you will ever need. With fully updated text and a refreshed design, this is an essential sewing handbook that you will want to keep next to your sewing machine to come back to time and time again. Close-up photographs accompanied by crystal clear instructions take you through everything from cutting out patterns to inserting collars, sleeves and pockets into garments. Explore how to put those skills to use to make, mend and customise your clothes and home furnishings. You will also learn how to find a suitable fabric for every project with an easy-to-use guide to different materials. It also makes a wonderful gift for beginner sewers and expert stitchers alike.

Put aside those preconceptions of dusty, medieval tapestries hanging on castle walls! Tapestry weaving has a whole new look, and fiber enthusiasts of all levels are eager to try their hand at creating images with yarn. Rebecca Mezoff, a renowned teacher of contemporary tapestry weaving, shares her techniques in this in-depth guide to every aspect of the process, from developing a color palette to selecting yarn, warping the loom, and weaving the image. Crafters can choose from inexpensive tabletop and hand-held looms to larger floor looms. Detailed step-by-step photos and inspiring examples from a range of weaver-artists make this a one-stop resource for tapestry weaving how-to.

This new book by Liza Adams brings fresh new creatures to life, including a striped cat, a yellow duckie, a dragon, an elephant, a doll, plus instructions to create monster balls, sleeping animals, miniature bears and bugs, and a tiny topiary. She reviews the basics, but also gives step by step instructions for different shaped ears, wings, and beaks. To make your pieces even more versatile, she teaches techniques such as adding weight for stability and using pipe cleaners to build structure. Bring these fuzzy friends to life with Liza's easy to follow, photo illustrated instructions.

An irresistible felting book for cat lovers! From playful tabbies to fierce black cats, this book shows you how to create felted felines in every shape and posture: crouching, preening, stretching, napping and ready to pounce! Master Japanese felting artist and teacher (and a great cat lover himself) Housetsu Sato shows you how to become an expert in capturing a cat's essential form and character--especially at the kitten stage, when they are full of surprises. In this book Sato teaches you how to: Form the basic shapes and cat body parts Create a variety of familiar cat poses and postures Add realistic textures and markings to the fur Give unique expressions to your cat faces Along the way, he shows you how to infuse your felted friends with a playful sense of "cattitude," including how to incorporate fur from your real kitties into your felted models. Detailed instructions and photos for each cat piece, fur texture and marking make these projects friendly even if you are new to felting. Full-size templates help you form the correct shapes and proportions, and brief lessons in cat anatomy help you make your felted cats truly lifelike. Photos showing variations on the poses and markings make it easy to envision your own cat's likeness emerging from your hands.

Sewing By Heart is a heartfelt sewing book from the creator of Tilda, Tone Finnanger. In this glorious celebration of her love of fabric, you'll find over 20 sewing, patchwork, applique and quilting projects that will bring colour and beauty to your home. Projects include stunning quilts, pretty pillows, sophisticated soft toys, and beautiful accessories such as pincushions, pumpkins, flowers, stockings and more - all designed with characteristic Tilda charm. Featuring gorgeous photography, in-depth instructions and full-size templates, you'll soon be sewing by heart.

This richly illustrated how-to book is a comprehensive reference for various felting techniques, including needle felting, wet felting, and nuno felting. With these easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions and hundreds of full-color photos, you'll be able to explore these easy projects that provide fun opportunities for you to try the techniques. Galleries of unique felted designs and creations by renowned fabric artists act as beautiful examples and inspiration to pursue the hobby yourself.

So you've mastered the basics in shirtmaking and you are looking to create your own couture blouses, dress shirts, or jackets... Well, you are in luck then. David Page Coffin, author of "Shirtmaking," is back to help you through amazing custom patterns for men and women Inside you'll find a helpful guide explaining specific concepts, structures, and styles, such as: Dress (or Shaped) Shirt Block, Sport (or Unshaped) Shirt Block, Knit (or Stretch-to-Fit) Shirt Block, Folk (or Rectangular) Shirt Block, and Shirt-Jacket (or Over-Sized) Block. "The Shirtmaking Workbook" also includes lists for further reading, suppliers, and references to help make your custom shirtmaking easier. With these shirtmaking basics, you'll be creating hundreds of fashionable designs in no time

Elevate your costume-making skills to the next level! Julianna Franchini, aka Marquise Cubey, veteran cosplayer and professional costume designer shares little-known painting, dyeing, and weathering techniques you can apply to fabric to get exactly the look you want, every time!

Costume designer Sanit Klamchanuan teaches you to build original and character-based cosplay that's truly your own! Follow Sanit's complete design process through five original cosplays - from planning to problem-solving to execution.

African wax print fabric is trending!As understanding diversity and inclusivity is rising, interest in this traditional African art form is increasing likewise. African fabric is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for sewists and designers; the gorgeous, colorful fabric inspires new ideas and patterns for creating one-of-a-kind pieces. In-depth instructions and solutions guide your way to making beautiful and bold skirts, tops, elegant dresses, and much more. Add a touch of beautiful African prints to your abode with cushions, a basket, and a flowerpot. Readers will also learn how to care for the wax fabric to enjoy pieces for years to come. 20 projects for women's garments and accessoriesSewists and designers around the world are using African wax fabricBeautiful and bold prints add a huge pop of color to any wardrobe

Learn to make Luna Lapin's friends and their exquisite wardrobes. This collection of sewing patterns features four of Luna's best friends and their clothes including Reynard the Fox, Clementine the Cat, Freddie the Badger and Wilhelmina the Wood Mouse! Author, Sarah Peel, takes classic garments and recreates them on a miniature scale and with exquisite fabrics including Liberty cottons, wool tweed and French lace. Full sized patterns and step-by-step instructions are included - as well as a collection of charming stories about the characters and their adventures.

If you're a sewer or a quilter, then the chances are good that you've got a collection of scrap fabric sitting in your home somewhere that you just can't bear to throw away. With Fat Quarter: Bags & Purses, you won't have to! The 25 quick and easy projects range from: tool bag toy bag craft caddy lipstick pouch overnight bag And more, and are all designed to be sewn from fat quarters or less--meaning you can finally put those scraps to use! What could be better than that?

Why spend a small fortune to rent expensive period costumes when you can create them yourself for less than a day's rental price? Make them the easy way from cast-offs without sewing! Included in this book are over 65 ingenious costumes designs with photos and diagrams for many period characters from Egyptian, Greek and Roman all the way to Punk. These conversion costuming ideas will save you time, money and deadline disasters and give you precisely the costume you want. Sample section headings: Gothic, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Restoration, Old West, Bustle, Turn-of-the Century, WWI, '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s and '80s.

Join Stuart Hillard as he expands his expertise from quilt-making to bag-making. Not just a sewing book, Bags for Life teaches you the diversity of bags that you can create once you have learnt the basics. With projects for all levels of crafter, you can work your way up from the simpler tote bag to various, more complicated, projects - such as a toiletry bag or overnight bag With 21 stylish projects for every occasion Stuart provides achievable patterns, fast makes for all abilities and professional looking results. Delving into the anatomy of the bag, take a visual tour of the various parts of different bags, before moving onto the specific details of pockets, zips, piping, binding, straps and handles and even metalwork. Divided into 5 chapters, there is much to choose from - whether you want to make re-usable shopping bags or a crafters bag that holds your yarn, there is something for every crafter out there. Chapters include: A Trip to the Market: trolley bags to shop and go; simple drawstring produce bags; expanding market tote; and a wallet. A Day at the Beach: Convertible tote 'n' towel; splash proof sling and book bag; and multi-purpose hobo perfect for carrying food, blankets and even baby essentials. A Picnic by the Lake: Picnic bag with insulated interior; bottle carrier; and drawstring games and play mat. A Meeting in the City: The ultimate workbag with room for a laptop or tables; the overnight attache; and a don't shoot the messenger bag, an everyday essential. A Weekend in the Country: The ultimate weekend bag with plenty of pockets; an absolute essentials roll-up pouch; and a multi-pocketed zippered toiletry bag. A Great Afternoon In (for every crafter!): Knitting bag to store your current project in style; a sewing machine bag; a project pouch; and a drawstring project bag. With 2 pattern sheets, step-by-step illustrations and lifestyle photography, there really is nothing stopping you from creating a whole host of homemade bags in a fun and sustainable way.

From the author of the bestselling The Bag Making Bible comes an outstanding collection of 12 inspiring bags for you to make at home. Lisa Lam brings you a stunning collection of sewing patterns to make your own bags. The book features 12 bag designs with full photographic instructions for how to make a bag with truly professional results. The book features a link to print-at-home patterns so that you can get started right away - no photocopying or enlarging required. The book opens with Lisa's in-depth advice on all the aspects needed to get started, from the tools and equipment you need, to understanding and interpreting patterns, to choosing, preparing and cutting fabrics. A comprehensive Techniques section explains some core bag-making techniques such as how to insert a zip pocket, how to use magnetic snap closures, how to sew bag straps and handles including adjustable straps, and how to bind edges and use piping for a truly professional finish. There is also guidance on how to insert a lining to your bag. All the techniques are fully explained with easy to follow photographs, so you'll be creating professional, practical and great-looking bags before you know it! The 12 projects that follow range in complexity. If you're new to sewing and bag making there are beginner bag projects such as the Compact Groceries Tote, All-Sorted Laundry Bag and Access-All-Areas Pouch to get you started before progressing to the more fully featured bags such as the Too-Cool-for-School Satchel and the 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack. You can make your own iPad case, sew a child's backpack, create a pretty purse using a metal purse frame, make your own tri-fold wallet, make a baby changing bag with matching changing mat, sew your own bicycle panniers, and a vanity case for your beauty essentials. The bags all have style and substance and are designed with real-life practical uses in mind. Within each project Lisa gives her hints and tips for success, along with advice on how you can customize the patterns to create your own version of the design.

This contemporary craft book is packed with easy, affordable projects to help you make unique baby gifts with a French-chic twist. From simple cotton bibs, shorts and soft toys, to a basic cushion and straightforward knitted blanket, the projects are clearly explained and easy-to-follow. Other crafty step-by-steps include a hanging mobile, finger puppets, soft rattles and sensory toys. Whether you're expecting a baby and want to add a personal touch to their bedroom, or you'd like to make something special for your grandchild or friends' babies, Make, Stitch & Knit for Baby is the go-to book for creating handmade, stylish baby items. Each project is set out with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and range from curious beginner, to providing inspiration for the more experienced crafter.

This delightful planner is designed especially for sewists so that you can track multiple projects throughout the year - because let's face it, who doesn't have lots of projects going at once? Set your project goals, track your progress, and manage your time and works-in-progress.