With hundreds of step-by-step illustrated instructions and a user-friendly, stay-flat format, Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics provides emerging fashion designers with comprehensive information on how to draft patterns for popular cut-and-sew stretch knit fabrics such as jersey and knits with spandex. After covering the basics of knits and techniques for gauging stretch capacity, Julie Cole introduces a unique, simplified approach to drafting slopers using hip and top foundations. She then provides information on converting, drafting, grading, and reducing patterns for proper fit in four categories of stretch. The book proceeds to drafting slopers and patterns for tops, dresses, jackets, sweaters, cardigans, skirts, pants, lingerie, swimwear, and activewear. Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics is ideal for students with basic or intermediate design, patternmaking, and sewing skills for any course in which students design and draft patterns for knits; or courses that incorporate both knits and woven fabrics. Features - Accurate and simplified system for patternmaking with stretch knit fabrics with easier to follow approach than other books -Each chapter includes - Key terms - Highly-illustrated step-by-step instructions - Three types of boxes: "Important", "Pattern Tip", and "Stitching Tip" - End of chapter features "Knit It Together" checklist, "Stop! What Do I Do If..." troubleshooting tips, and "Self Critique" review - More than 900 technical drawings with color accents and 100 photographs of sewn samples on the dress form Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabric STUDIO - Study smarter with self-quizzes featuring scored results and personalized study tips - Review concepts with flashcards of terms and definitions - Access downloadable files for half-size top and hip foundations, and slopers found in the book Teaching Resources - Instructor's Guide and Test Bank includes sample syllabi, suggested projects, test questions, and evaluation guides

Awaken your senses to a new appreciation of colour as you enter the studio of one of the world's leading fabric and quilt designers.Updated in a visually---exciting edition, Welcome Home Kaffe Fassett shows you how to combine rich colours and textures to create your own decorative accents including designer cushions and quilts and whimsical rag rugs. Kaffe's passion for vivid and intricate design has inspired artistic knitting patterns, stunning needlepoint, unique fabrics, fantastic mosaics and fabulous patchwork quilts. In these pages, he reveals the colour theory and sources of inspiration behind his visually exciting work. Kaffe's historic one---man textile---art exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art has been photographed exclusively for this book. Delight in nine projects, including a completely new project for a full---size snowball quilt. Each design comes with clear step---by---step instructions, how---to---diagrams, and templates.

Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web's most popular sewing blogs: Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. The blog began as a way for readers to follow Hirsch's progress as she stitched all 14 fashions from the iconic 1950s sewing book "Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing" (a "Julie & Julia"-esque experiment for the modern sewist). It quickly became a place for Hirsch to share tutorials and lively posts about sewing as it relates to fashion history, pop culture, body image, and gender. An extension of the blog, "Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing" is a hardworking reference title packed with lessons on couture techniques and customization, as well as an inimitable pattern collection featuring 25 wardrobe essentials and variations inspired by vintage fashion and Gertie's spirited, modern style.
Praise for "Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing: "
"If you read Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing, you already know that Gretchen Hirsch is all about teaching basic sewing skills that some of us (guilty ) may have skipped right over when we learned to sew. Now you can find all of Gretchen's sewing knowledge in one place." --Martha Stewart.com
"Like her blog, Hirsch's book is like a chat with a friend who happens to be an expert seamstress. Even if the vintage-inspired garments aren't your style, there's plenty to learn from this book." --"Library Journal"
"The styles are all rocked out with the tattoo-clad Gertie as the model. If you love a retro pattern, then this book is the one for you." --CraftGossip.com
"White paper templates, not tissue These will make it easier to trace." --"Sew Spoiled"
"I personally love the finishing details on well-made garments and found this book to be a fantastic resource for adding techniques to my repertoire." --ThreadBias.com
"Maybe my faaavorite part of the book is the Vintage to Modern dictionary. If you ever use vintage patterns or shop for vintage or retro-y clothes, you'll love this spread " --"Adventures in Dressmaking"
"The featured wealth of skills in a range of garment-sewing techniques are perfect for the home sewer with a thirst to learn how to create pieces for her own wardrobe." -- EcoSalon.com
"Her new book is an excellent extension of the blog that includes a fantastic collection of nine patterns to create your own vintage-inspired wardrobe." --SewNews.com
"One of my favourite aspects of the book is that it pulls back the curtain on construction and reveals what the insides of the garments look like. It's really helpful to take a peek at how another stitcher finishes her seams and keeps the whole thing hanging together--a very clever touch." --"Tilly and the Buttons"
"We love it, and we're so excited to have it in hand. It's wonderful to be able to infuse some "Gertie style" into our sewing. All the projects are great, and the layout of the book is really easy to use and navigate. It has a great vintage, yet modern look." --"Sew Mama Sew"
""Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing" is a fun, new pattern book, featuring sewing patterns that embody author Gretchen Hirsch's fresh take on vintage style."--CRAFTzine.com

"If you read "Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing," you already know that Gretchen Hirsch is all about teaching basic sewing skills that some of us (guilty ) may have skipped right over when we learned to sew. Now you can find all of Gretchen's sewing knowledge in one place." --MarthaStewartLiving.com
"This is not down-and-dirty sewing, but studied and time consuming. Which is awesome." --"Angry Chicken"
"Since most women are a size bigger in the hips than in the waist, the pattern proportions in the book are already adjusted to take this difference into account. When I read this in the sizing guide, I actually got out of my chair and did a little happy dance. Three cheers for patterns that are actually shaped like the women who will be using them " --"The Zen of Making"
"This book overflows with pictures, drawings and diagrams to ensure your sewing success. She also includes a whopping 25 patterns, making this book a steal Sure to be a reference for your sewing room and guaranteed to be a resource you turn to for zippers and buttons . . . even if you don't make a single pencil skirt." --"Generation Q Magazine"

"If you are a fan of the mid-century vintage look, this book is a must-buy. Hirsch's instructions are excellent, and use new technologies and techniques that didn't exist 50 years ago." --Examiner.com

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

Love to sew but never have enough time? Pick up this value-packed book of 16 fast, fun projects from some of your favourite designers: Abbey Lane Quilts, Alexia Marcelle Abegg, Bari J. Ackerman, Sue Kim, Virginia Lindsay, Trish Preston, Sweetwater, Sara Trail, Kasja Wikman, and Annabel Wrigley. All the projects can be completed in 60 minutes or less-and there's a special section of 30-minute projects, too! Great for gift-giving or to beautify your own life and home-choose from a variety of patterns, including coasters, aprons, bibs, bags, accessories, and more.

In The Wild Dyer, Abigail Booth demystifies the 'magic' of natural dyeing and shows how to use the results to stunning effect in 15 exquisite patchwork and stitch projects, including a drawstring forager's bag, an apron, samplers, cushions and a reversible patchwork blanket. Focusing on how to grow or gather your own dyeing materials - from onion and avocado skins to chamomile and comfrey, nettles and acorns - as well as scouring, mordanting (using fixative) and setting up a dye vat, Abigail explains how to create effective dyes. And once you have them, how you can produce beautiful, contemporary textiles that can then be used to create projects that build on your skills.

Create the Cosplay Dress of Your Dreams Design and sew a ballgown fit for cosplay royalty! A crucial part of any cosplayer's wardrobe, the right ballgown can transform you into an elegant princess or a dramatic sorcerer. But it takes more than just magic to create jaw-dropping gowns and ball-worthy dresses. Follow along with world champion cosplayers Cowbutt Crunchies as they walk sewists of all skill levels through building a ballgown with all the flourishes. This book contains everything you need to know about silhouette, planning, patterning, construction, corsets, hoop skirts, and trims. Craft your own magical fairytale masterpiece from start to finish! - Curtsy with confidence! Sew elaborate cosplay ballgowns from scratch - Take your builds to the next level with tips from award-winning cosplayers Regan and Kelley - This complete guide helps new and experienced sewists build stunning showpiece gowns

The finishing touches applied to a garment can take it from the realms of the ordinary to the heights of luxury. Creating Couture Embellishment offers a step-by-step guide to manipulating fabric and making and applying a rich variety of embellishments. Chapters cover fabric-manipulation techniques of pleating, quilting, tucking, ruffling, shirring and smocking, as well as the fabrication and application of feathers, beading, embroidery, flowers, decorative ribbons and bows, bias bindings and piping, fringe, braids and passementerie. The heirloom quality created by the insertion or application of lace is also explored. Featuring a visual index of every embellishment in the book that is designed to offer inspiration as well as showcasing the myriad of choice, Creating Couture Embellishment provides a comprehensive sourcebook of ideas for the student, professional and home sewer alike.

Do you browse through vintage clothes at flea markets and wish you had the knack to breathe new life into dated smocks, flares and kaftans? Kelly Doust's Minxy Vintage is the book that will help you transform those items and, in fact, anything that has been sitting in the back of your wardrobe, waiting for a reinvention. In Minxy Vintage, Kelly combines her love for fashion with creativity and her enthusiasm for craft, and transforms stained, musty, dated clothes into modern and unique pieces. Feel inspired with over 50 projects ranging from customised frocks, wedding dresses and trench coats to cardigans and accessories. This is not just a book about loving vintage fashion - it's about seeing the possibilities for reinventing all old clothes, and how to look fabulous doing so, no matter what your age, location or budget.

The incredible range of colours and versatility of beads, ribbons and silken threads make them irresistible materials for crafts, artists, jewellery makers and interior designers of all levels. This attractive book presents an inspirational guide to the art of working with beads, ribbons and threads, illustrating key techniques such as how to use a bead loom and a pin board for beadwork, a warping frame and skirt board for tassels, and ribbon weaving and embroidery methods to embellish your work. Presented in an easy-to-follow format, with techniques to suit all levels, this volume allows you to create exquisite decorations with confidence; it combines a fascinating history and guide to the crafts with the practical techniques needed to create traditional and contemporary items that both gorgeous and useful.

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!

Don't let your costumes fall flat! Give them the support they need. Create a capsule wardrobe of foundation garments for cosplay with Casey Welsch. From corsets and bodysuits to hoops, Cosplay Foundations will teach you how to give your garments a professional look that lasts.

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

With country style a key trend for this Fall why not create the country feel in your own home with these 8 stylish country-inspired home projects. From a simple draught excluder to a large bean bag floor cushion to sink into in front of the fire, these projects will add to your home's comfort and beauty. Each project is demonstrated using two differing fabrics from Westminster Fibers Free Spirit amazing fabric designers--with the colorful and creative style of Anna Maria Horner and the classic and eclectic style of Joel Dewberry.Easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step illustrations and lots of detailed photographs will guide you through the creative process from preparing your fabric, cutting it out, sewing and adding finishing touches. The gorgeous other projects featured include a round tablecloth, food covers, a lap quilt, table mats, fabric bowl & lid and a padded chair cushion.So get sewing and create the country feel around your home

Many people have a sewing machine tucked away in a corner, but little understanding of how to use it. With accessible and clear instructions, this book takes you on a journey, teaching and building upon basic skills to build up a repertoire of techniques and ideas, until you are a confident and creative sewer, able to design and adapt your own ideas and develop an individual sewing style. This new guide to understanding your sewing machine includes winding the bobbin; threading the machine up correctly and adjusting the settings. It also covers skills for making simple projects such as measuring, cutting, pinning, tacking and understanding fabrics. Common techniques for everyday use are given such as inserting a zip, taking up a hem and creating simple decorative applique designs.

Featuring exquisite examples from museums and private collections, including many rare items, this treasure trove explains and illustrates the history and beauty of American sewing tools. Exhaustively researched, it is the first publication to focus on the topic and shares the story of the American industries, innovations, and uses related to hand sewing and embroidery tools. Insights spring from well-documented primary sources like eighteenth-century American newspaper advertisements or a 20th-century thimble patent. The book offers historical background, detailed descriptions, and photographs of needles and threads, bodkins and awls, chatelaines, hoops, lucets, and more. The strong link between women's history and needlework tools is captured as well. Many one-of-a-kind handmade examples represent American subcultures and regional tastes. With more than 750 color photographs, this is an invaluable resource for historians, scholars, collectors, and embroidery and sewing enthusiasts.

Turn your kitchen into a waste-free zone with these crafty solutions for everything from 'unpaper' towels to reusable kitchen wipes and clever storage solutions. The zero waste movement is huge and this collection will help you to craft your own zero waste solutions - with just a few craft skills you will be able to turn your unwanted waste into storage and cleaning items for your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of our homes and finding ways to make it feel healthy and wholesome are really important. From leftover food scraps to the endless packaging that our food comes in, there's so much that goes on in a kitchen and it's the place in our homes where we generate the mosts waste. Make your kitchen more sustainable with some clever craft ideas for reusing, upcycling and transforming waste. Whether you're a committed crafter or new to making, there is something for everyone no matter what your skill level is. Choose from projects and tutorials for the kitchen including sewing, crochet, patchwork, upcycling and reuse ideas. There are also some projects that require cutting, sticking and even drilling thrown in for good measure: learning how to do little bits of everything will give you a 'toolkit' to think creatively about how to reuse everyday things as you progress on your journey to zero waste living. Learn how to use up fabric scraps and old linen to create beeswax wraps for storing food; make your own paper caddy liners for food waste and create pots for growing kitchen herbs from empty bottles. Create a unique and practical apron from an old pair of thrifted curtains and sew some handy storage ideas for the family using pockets rescued from unwanted clothes. Upcycling and reuse gurus Emma Friedlander-Collins and Christine Leech show you how to turn your kitchen into a zero-waste zone with step-by-step instructions and some clever crafting. Packed full of original ideas, Zero Waste: Kitchen will help you to live the zero-waste way and improve your efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle while at the same time having fun.

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.

You can master the timeless craft of spinning with this clear, easy-to-follow manual. Everything you need to know from set-up to finished product in order to create distinctive yarns for use in knitting, weaving, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery and macrame. Author's preface. 33 illustrations, 10 black-and-white photographs. Bibliography. Sources of Supply.

This book offers you all the guidance you need to create beautiful clothes, whether you are following a pattern, adding embellishments or starting from scratch.The step by step instructions cover a wide range of dressmaking techniques from basic patterns through to couture designs, suitable for beginners as well as sewers with more experience.Easy-to-follow, highly illustrated instructions explain the essential dressmaking techniques--allowing you to work confidently from a pattern to create beautiful clothes that fit perfectly. It features an at-a-glance guide to basic garment shapes and styles, cross referenced with the relevant techniques throughout the book.Includes advice on body shape, choosing the right fabric for the right garment as well as decorative sewing techniques such as embroidery and applique. It features step techniques for making basic garment details including waistbands, hems, sleeves, cuffs, necklines, collars, fastenings, pockets and linings.Suitable for beginners, or those who are already designing or making their own clothes, this is the perfect book for honing dressmaking skills and inspiring fashionable new designs.

Small Loom Weaving is a friendly introduction to the joys of making your own handwoven goods. Illustrated lessons introduce you to the fundamentals of the loom, materials, tools, color changes, introducing texture, finishing, and more. This useful guide also shows you how to make chic, boho items ranging from coasters and placemats to scarves and small wall hangings. In this book, textile designer and expert weaver Ichi.co proves that creating beautiful textures and patterns on a loom is easier than you may think, and weaving your own pieces is an immensely rewarding experience. This book shows you how to make 23 projects, including: Easy coasters in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, including variegated stripes Planter covers that dress up any basic pot Attractive little purses for your phone, money, or business cards Lovely fringed scarves--both monochrome and patterned Small wall hangings and multi-purpose mats in motifs from whimsical to classic The simple projects in this book help you master the essentials while creating something useful and beautiful, and the diagrams show you how easy it can be to plan designs of your own.

This is truly an essential resource for all sewists! Set to be the new The Art of Manipulating Fabric, Ruth Singer offers a modern interpretation of fabric manipulation in this book, with hundreds of full colour diagrams. Discover and explore 150 creative sewing techniques including pleating, folding, gathering, smocking, quilting, trapunto and applique. Ruth explains her innovative variations of these traditional fabric manipulation techniques and offers inspirational project ideas demonstrating practical applications to create accessories and home decor. Photographs and illustrations are included to support the step-by-step instruction for each technique and all of the techniques can be done by hand or with a domestic sewing machine without the need for specialist equipment.

A collection of Half Yard (TM) sewing projects for wintertime style, designed by the award-winning and best-selling author Debbie Shore. Debbie has chosen 35 of her favourite winter designs from her much-loved Half Yard (TM) series, and added five brand-new projects for you to sink your needles into. Whether you're decorating the house for the holidays, looking for crafts to keep the little ones occupied or searching for gift inspiration, you'll find a gorgeous collection of items to make: from classics such as stockings, advent calendars and fabric baubles to snuggly slippers, gorgeous gift bags and cheeky Christmas gnomes! 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, along with helpful tips and advice.