Following in the footsteps of the successful Beginner's Guide series, The Beginner's Guide to Upholstery takes readers gently by the hand and shows them the simple techniques they need to bring their love of fabric to upholstered items for the home. This is not a dry, highly technical professional upholstery manual, but a bright and accessible book that presents 10 simple projects using modern methods that are quick and easy to achieve. Readers are taken step-by-step through the process of how to upholster desirable pieces of furniture - using items found at antique markets, street sales and thrift stores that are designed-up and given a modern twist. Readers will learn about fabric choice and other materials, discover essential upholstery techniques and then embark on the projects. which include a simple stool, a vintage sewing box, a blanket box or ottoman, a fluted headboard, a Danish dining chair, a bedroom/nursing chair, a patchwork armchair and a mid-century design two-seater sofa, all guided by the author's expert instruction.

Over 25 fun and simple projects to make with ready-made wool felt. As well as flat felt and felt shapes, some of the projects include ribbons, buttons, beads and wool roving for needle-felting. There are projects for every age, theme and occasion, from jewellery and kid's toys to home accessories and decorations.

The art of felting, the process of working wool fibers together to form felt, is the ultimate in craft creativity because no two items turn out exactly alike. The first book to cover knitted or crocheted felting, needle felting, and wet felting, "Not Your Mama's Felting" will have you creating fashions, accessories, and gifts that will have your non-felting friends asking, "How did you do that?"

Fun and funky, this guide includes: The essentials: all about fiber, the tools of the trade, wet felting, needle felting, fulling, and dyeing

Patterns and step-by-step instructions for approximately thirty projects, including an assemble-your-own wallet kit, a bad-boy hoodie, a loopy boa, a chunky bead necklace, needle vases, and more

Tips to customize each design

Basic knitting and crocheting instructions so that even non-needleworkers can make all of the projects

Does the smell of wet sheep turn you on? Long to escape to your own private yurt? With "Not Your Mama's Felting," you'll be a felt-loving material girl in no time.

Wrap anything from a wine bottle to a yoga mat with this practical Japanese fabric-wrapping book. Long before today's eco-friendly philosophy of "reduce, reuse, recycle" entered America's collective consciousness, furoshiki--the Japanese method of wrapping things with fabric--flourished as a time-honored and practical art form. In Wrapping With Fabric, Etsuko Yamada--born into a long-line of furoshiki makers in Kyoto--explains the "one cloth, many uses" ideology behind the craft, the etiquette of color and the craft's fascinating history. From there, she shares the myriad ways in which a few basic techniques can transform a simple square of cloth into an elegant wrapper. Use your folded fabrics to: Gift-wrap anything from books to flowers Bundle up a picnic Tote items around Use as a handbag or backpack Make into a pillow covering Create decorative coverings for vases, tissue boxes, and more A quiet reminder that opportunities for artistry are everywhere around you, Wrapping With Fabric is the craft book that makes it easy to bring a touch of grace and ingenuity to everyday life--and help preserve the environment, too.

The book contains chapters on techniques, materials, tools and accessories. There is a chapter on fairies, angels, and people, and the rest of the book is organised by season; it brims with all kinds of treasures, such as pumpkins, gnomes, strawberries, baubles, birds, bees, snails, flowers, the Nativity, mice, and mermaids. All the projects in the book are doable for a beginner. Some aimed at little fingers (no needles involved) and beginners, and some are aimed at those with more experience. Steffi's advice is to have a go!

Sewing is back! Young, crafty women are discovering the fun and creativity of working with fabric, needle, and thread to create simple, colorful skirts, suitable for showing off as wearable art. "Sew What! Skirts" assumes no prior sewing experience (and no home ec. class or mother with sewing skills!), and doesn't get bogged down with overly complicated instructions or patterns.
Author Francesca DenHartog, a fabric fanatic and sewing instructor, has stripped skirts down to the basics: 15 styles, ranging from an A-line to a circle, wraparound, gored panel, tiered "hippie," layered, and more. All it takes to get started is basic body measurements (no need to go out and buy an expensive pattern), a machine, great fabric, fun embellishments, and a few sewing fundamentals.
With a creative can-do attitude, playful photographs, and super-simple step-by-step instructions, "Sew What! Skirts" will connect a whole new generation with the craft of making clothing that expresses your own unique look and personality. It's all about the fabric, as DenHartog demonstrates with the colorful array of patterns and motifs featured throughout.
Whimsical, colorful, and easy, the designs in this book are sure to unleash the creative spirit of every budding seamstress.

The promise of adventure! The rolling hills, a walk by the sea, or rambling through the woods...who knows what we might see, who we might meet along the way, or where we will end up? This enchanting book contains step-by-step instructions and diagrams for a delightful collection of animals and dolls made from 100% wool hand dyed felt, complete with felt, linen and knitted accessories. You will find a Hedgehog and his Sleigh; a Snail who lives in a Mailbox; a Girl and her Bear; A Boy, his Lighthouse and Penguin; a Fox who is all ready for his next adventure; and many more. These designs are suitable for most toy makers, each brought to life on the page by one of Simone Gooding's wonderfully whimsical illustrations.

Whether you're a beginner crafter or experienced maker, this book will help you build on your sewing skills as you learn how to make a range of bags from a simple drawstring tote to a stylish colour-block rucksack.

As you work your way through the 18 projects, you'll learn how to create interesting shapes (such as a cubed bag or round bucket bag), work with different fabrics (cotton, canvas, linen and more) and discover how to work in zips, poppers, pockets, straps and other add-ons.

Step-by-step guidance, plus a wealth of tips and tricks, mean you'll always feel confident in developing your technique, while modern designs and design-focussed details will inspire you to get creative with your makes.

Bags is the ideal book for those looking to expand on their sewing skills, create beautiful, lasting additions to their wardrobe or make impressive and covetable gifts for friends and family.

The projects include: a simple tote, shopper bag, iPad case, basic big duffel, curved purse, pompom bucket bag, retro backpack, overnight bag, boxy hand-luggage, contract clutch, fold-over backpack, drawstring toiletries bag and many more.

A collection of Half Yard (TM) sewing projects for summer style, designed by the award-winning and best-selling author Debbie Shore, now in one book. Discover 40 stylish summer designs specially chosen by Debbie from her much-loved Half Yard (TM) series, including 5 brand-new projects for you to sink your needles into. Whether you're preparing for a holiday, trying to keep the little ones occupied or planning a summer party, you'll find a gorgeous collection of items to make: from picnic and party sets, kid crafts and home decor to casual and evening bags and a handy passport wallet. Each item requires no more than half a yard of outer fabric, plus all the necessary hardware, trimmings and lining. As always, every project features Debbie's friendly, easy-to-follow instructions and a beautiful photograph of the finished make.

Learn to hook with easy step-by-step photos! Rug hooking at its simplest is pulling loops of colorful wool fabric through a piece of linen backing to create beautiful designs for the floor or wall. Though in years past this was accomplished with a bent nail, a feed bag, and worn-out clothing, today we have specialized hooks and other tools that make the process much easier. In Basic Rug Hooking, you will learn what tools and materials you need to get started, and how to pull your first loops. Once you've learned and practiced the basics, you will be ready to try any of the 5 hooked projects included. Each project includes the pattern and complete step-by-step illustrated instructions. The styles of rugs you can make once you've learned the basic hooking process are endless. Rug hookers today create traditional florals, bright geometrics, pictorials, portaits, and primitives perfect for the modern farmhouse. Basic Rug Hooking teaches you everything you need to know to start hooking today!

For fast and professional edging, hemming, seaming, and decorative stitching, you simply can't beat a serging machine. This all-skill-level book is the perfect guide to make sure you get the most out of your new machine (or out of that old serger that you've never got the hang of!) Photographs and step-by-step instructions guide you through the essential techniques, showing you how to set up your machine, how to adjust the settings to get the best results on a range of different fabrics, and how to edge your fabrics quickly with perfect results. The troubleshooting section provides tips and quick fixes for skipped stitches, snapped threads, and uneven stitching. Also includes a buyer's guide to different sergers, providing you with advice on finding the right machine for you.

Kanthas, embroidered fabrics traditionally created by the women of northern India and Bangladesh, capture culture, history, and stitching creativity in their layers of repurposed old cloth. This book reveals the beauty in kantha's simplicity--it is based on simple running stitch--and offers step-by-step instructions that enable today's textile artists to enjoy it. Kanthas were originally created from threadbare clothing to rejuvenate it. The used fabrics were layered, then embellished with motifs and themes from nature, everyday life, and spirituality. This guide leads you through the layering of fabrics, transfer of imagery, and the stitching itself. There are handy motif patterns, instructions on how to begin a personal kantha reference library, and more. Both simple and complex projects, appealing to beginners and expert stitchers, get you started, and a colorful gallery of kantha work is included to inspire you.

Make your own unique activewear sewing wardrobe that's perfect for your workout. Choose from 13 different styles including yoga pants, crops top and running leggings designed by activewear sewing expert, and marathon runner, Melissa Fehr. Whether you're a runner, a cyclist or a gym bunny, or you're simply looking for the perfect pair of slouchy leggings for elegant lounging, this collection of sewing patterns is for you. Learn all about how to choose the correct fabric for activewear sewing and discover expert tips on working with performance fabrics like lycra and spandex. Before you know it you'll have a truly unique workout wardrobe to wear while you work up a sweat!

Lisa Lam of U-Handbag brings you a stunning collection of sewing patterns to make your own bags. The book features 12 brand new bag designs with full photographic instructions for how to make a bag with truly professional results. The book features full size patterns on three separate pull-out sheets so that you can get started right away no photocopying or enlarging required. If you're new to sewing and bag making there are simpler 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 Geek-Chic iPad Case and Too-Cool-for-School Satchel. All techniques are fully explained with step by step photographs, so you'll be creating professional, practical and great-looking bags before you know it!

Beginning sergers will benefit from this introductory guide to the serger machine and basic serging techniques. Information on the function of a serger and instructions on machine maintenance are provided along with step-by-step guidelines on sewing straight lines and curves, turning corners, and creating professional-looking seams. Additional details on stitch types, flatlocking, fabric tension, decorative techniques, and making fast fashion adornments such as collars, gathers, and hems are also included, and exciting projects like the serged napkin, swimsuit, and sweater will help augment the skills of the novice serger.

Are you looking for the perfect guide to teach your child to sew? Look no further "Creative Kids Photo Guide to Sewing" starts with the absolute basics about stitching, beginning with simple hand sewing, then gradually introduces skills and techniques until kids are sewing safely and confidently at a sewing machine. Founders of The Sewing Tree, Janith Bergeron and Christine Ecker will guide you and your children through creative and fun sewing projects. With over 200 photos and clear, concise instructions in language easily understood by grade-school kids, you're going to be creating crafty sewing projects with your child in no time Each project lists the sewing skills that will be exercised in making it and projects are rated for difficulty, so kids can learn and grow as they develop dexterity and coordination. Your children will learn to sew by making simple projects and building skills by practicing the essentials, and this book provides a sound foundation for a lifetime of sewing enjoyment.

This is a new title on the intricate skill of tatting; one of the oldest forms of lace making still in use today. This practical and informative book showcases the use of this accessible and thriving craft, ideal for creating fantastic necklaces, bracelets, pendants and earrings. Lyn Morton's wide-ranging collection of charming and innovative patterns will inspire tatters of all levels, from the relative beginner to the experienced and dedicated tatter seeking to create their own unique accessories.

How do you keep your piles of scrap fabric from growing out of control? Sew with them, of course! In this inspirational book, best-selling author Debbie von Grabler-Crozier shows you how to stitch 20 stylish, fresh items from very small amounts of fabric. From tiny scraps that can be transformed into patchworked coasters, strips that can be made into scrap bunting and offcuts that can be used for pouches or pincushions, your treasured scraps can be given a new lease of life! An invaluable crash-course on key techniques is included at the beginning of the book, and every project includes clear step-by-step instructions and a stunning photograph of the finished design to inspire. Furthermore, there are templates for particular projects provided at the back of the book, so you can sew your items with ease.

If you want to make gorgeous, quality bags with the professional edge that really makes the difference between home-made and handmade-open The Better Bag Maker by Nicole Mallalieu. In this how-to book accomplished bag maker, Nicole Mallalieu, reveals her high-end techniques, shortcuts, and secrets for professional design and finishes. The 10 featured projects teach a range of expert skills from adjusting the proportion of the pattern to constructing pockets, straps, flaps, and bases.. By the end of this book, you'll have a closetful of polished bags-and most likely sew better than you ever imagined you could.

Sewing is an extremely rewarding hobby. With so many different fabrics, embellishments and trimmings now available on the high street and online, it is easier than ever to create unique clothes and home furnishings. Now available in paperback, this best-selling title is THE essential guide to sewing. Each chapter is devoted to one key area of sewing and provides clear and concise in-depth instructions along with step-by-step instructions for basic principles and more advanced sewing techniques. Learn about materials and equipment, and choosing the right machine to work for you in chapter one, then move onto fabrics and patterns in the following chapter. Once you're comfortable with the basic stitches, seams and techniques, learn how to make clothing, accessories and soft furnishings. With this book by your side, you will soon be able to make anything from a commercial pattern, and will also know how to alter patterns to suit your style. With a section on care and repair, you will find out how to look after and fix homemade and store-bought items. And if it can't be fixed, learn how fabric and trimmings can be reused or upcycled into something else. This comprehensive guide offers a glossary of sewing terms, clear instructions and hundreds of illustrations and diagrams showing each stage of the sewing process. It'll be the one resource that you will turn to time and time again.

A comprehensive introduction to the basic techniques of pattern design for clothing. More and more women are making their own clothes but there are few comprehensive references available. For the most part, dedicated sewers have had to adjust standardised patterns or muddle their way through foreign-language books. In Practical Pattern Making two pattern-making experts and designers introduce the basic techniques of creative pattern design for clothing. It is intended to help fashion students, designers and enthusiastic sewers develop and create a variety of styles, regardless of complexity. The book uses photographs, examples, diagrams and templates to explain all of the techniques, formulas and professional tricks to create a custom-tailored skirt, suit or dress. The tutorial style poses questions that encourage problem-solving.Features include: * How to measure the body, with 13 illustrative photographs * Blank professional worksheets to copy and use * 40 scaled pattern templates with all markings * How to draw and mark a sized pattern with darts, pleats and so on * Modelling and draping to design and fit a pattern * Working with fabric grain and bias * Photos of garments in process and finished * The 40 garment selections begin with a basic skirt and progress from a fitted jacket and suit to an asymmetrical balloon dress, flounce dress, tissue dresses and more. All require just a few pattern pieces.

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?

Pick up a new craft and learn to create beautiful macrame homeware, wall hangings and gifts with the next book in this best-selling seriesIn recent years, macrame has gone from a nostalgic '70s trend to a mainstay in contemporary crafting, and no modern home is complete without a stylish knotted creation. This new book takes you back to complete basics, with clear step-by-step illustrations showing every knot you'll need in order to get started plus all the techniques, styles, tools and materials to take you from novice to pro. Once you've aced the essentials, move on to 20 clear, stylish and straightforward projects to practise the skills you've learned. By the end of the book, you will be able to macrame beautiful items to gift or keep, from a stunning wall hanging to a chic plant holder or a handy market bag. Projects include: Wall hangings Plant hangers Market bag Bunting