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.

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.

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.

You love to sew. How many of you wish you could make a living from sewing? Help to live the dream with this practical guide from professional sewist and pattern designer Virginia Lindsay. Everything you need to know is here, from finding your personal sewing style to creating a product line, identifying customers, equipping a sewing studio, pricing and selling your work, marketing, designing patterns, and handling the business and legal side of sewing. And that's not all! The book also includes 16 projects to start sewing and selling right now. Bonus-16 Starter Projects. * How to sell locally and online * Hands-on guide for starting and running a successful home sewing business is a win for you too-you sell the fabric and supplies * Informative interviews with four women who already run profitable sewing businesses * Includes 16 projects to sew and sell-perfect to pitch as classes to make aprons, tote and messenger bags, tablet covers, baby quilts, and more * Plus pattern pullout

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!

Packed with colour and style, this gorgeous and inspiring new book from Scottish artist Moy Mackay delves deep into the world of felt painting. The book includes an introduction to Moy's use of colour and texture, as well as a useful section detailing what inspires her and how she forms these initial ideas into a composition. There are 4 easy-to-follow but inspiring step-by-step projects, along with extensive galleries of Moy's vibrant work. Unlike the broad range of her previous book, the focus here is flowers - in still life, in the landscape and as botanical portraits - and the book includes an in-depth techniques section on creating a range of different flower and leaf shapes, so that the reader can go on to produce their own unique masterpieces. "Moy's passionate use of colour and the deep texture created by felting are what draw me to her work. I also like the way that she concentrates on her surroundings for her subject matter - her work is very free."-Kaffe Fassett

Home sewing enthusiasts as well as fashion design students and professional pattern makers will want this book for their reference library. It's the ultimate information source for pattern makers, filled with how-to instruction on--

• Basic tools and equipment
• Pattern symbols and fabric considerations
• Designing patterns from scratch, which includes measuring, drafting bodices, sleeves, and skirts, digital pattern creation, basic block techniques, and more
• Fitting and making pattern adjustments
• Adding volume with pleats, tucks, and other devices
• Combining and dividing pattern shapes
• Adding finishing details, such as collars, fastenings, linings, and more
• Going professional and setting up Online accounts
  Here in a single volume is the basic information that both amateur designers and fashion professionals need to know about making garment patterns. Approximately 300 diagrams and illustrations.

Feltmaking is the magical transformation of a loose pile of wool fi bers into a durable, alluring nonwoven fabric. An ancient process that continues to work its wonder on modern artisans and crafters, feltmaking produces a flannel-like fabric with a tactile appeal like nothing else.
How is this fabric alchemy accomplished? The feltmaker adds a little soap and water to the wool, presses the fibers until they tangle together and hold the shape of cloth, and then vigorously works, or fulls, the cloth until it shrinks and strengthens to the desired shape.
In "Uniquely Felt," Christine White, a professional teacher and feltmaker, gathers her considerable knowledge of the craft to write the comprehensive guide to all things felt. She describes the equipment, explores concepts and theories of felting, and thoroughly covers all felting techniques, including traditional, needle, three-dimensional seamless, nuno, cobweb, carved, and Beede ball.
And then there are the projects -- handsome, indestructible bags; nuno shawls that marry soft wool fibers and wispy silks; bright picnic blankets and plush bath mats; lacy curtains made with impossibly sheer cobweb felt. Every project is striking in its fabulous depth of color and purity of form. There are no stitches, no seams, and no signs of woven cloth -- just a wonderful, flowing piece of textile art.
The basic steps of feltmaking are simple enough to learn in an afternoon, but the infinite possibilities in every new pile of fiber keep enthusiasts fascinated for a lifetime. The process always begins the same way, but the fibers make the felting journey unique every time. This book is the ultimate guide to that magical adventure.

This title features 20 stylish printmaking projects suitable for all levels of ability, including invitations, a tea towel and wrapping paper. It includes a full techniques section to explain the basic skills and equipment needed. It presents clear and beautiful step-by-step photographs to guide the reader along and show the projects in action. What could be better than getting together with friends and getting creative? If you fancy stamping some personality on anything from napkins to canvas shoes then this book of print making from the new Super+Super series is for you. With 20 projects to get your creative teeth into, this quirky step-by-step guide to print making is full of fun. Projects include invitations, napkins, tea towel and wrapping paper.

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!

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.

Finally, an easy explanation of Crackle Weave! Susan Kesler-Simpson, author of the popular Overshot Simply and Shadow Weave Simply, now explains Crackle Weave "simply." Her teaching style is to break down the weave structure into its basic parts so that it is easy to understand, and then teach you how the parts work together to create the weave structure so that you can use any pattern or create your own. The areas of separating threads give Crackle Weave its appearance of cracking pottery, and once you see how the structure works, there is so much you can do with it! Crackle weave is a block weave structure made up of four or more threading blocks that are based on the twill structure. Each block has four threads made up of two primary threads and two secondary threads. Incidental threads are added when needed to keep the proper twill sequencing. These blocks can be enlarged, reduced, or change location, allowing you to have a traditional or more modern approach to your project. And then there is color! Crackle Weave has many options for playing with colors; colors can be added through the warp, primary threads, and/or secondary threads. Learning is not complete without practice, so there are 25 patterns to try for a variety of pieces in both modern and traditional effects. The projects are simple enough for any beginning weaver, and include shawls, scarves, rugs, blankets, towels, and table runners. Some are woven in the traditional crackle method while others introduce weaving crackle as overshot, summer/winter, and more. Start your exploration of Crackle Weave today!

Sewing secrets for getting the most from your serger. If you own a serger, or are contemplating getting one, then you'll want to learn all the techniques, tips, and tricks for mastering this specialized sewing machine. Sewing Essentials: Serger Techniques, an instructional guidebook and DVD workshop combo, is about to take your skill to the max. Thoroughly covered in a book and DVD package. Read the informative guidebook for detailed yet easy-to-follow written steps, accompanied by over 200 vivid photographs. Watch the DVD as popular instructor and sewing expert Pamela Leggett demystifies the serger, making it more fun to use. And then see what you'll create! In no time, this double-whammy approach will have you navigating your serger like a pro. Go way beyond basic raw-edge clean ups Learn spool-threading secrets - the elixir for successful serger use! Adjust tension and control the fabric feed Sew basic stitches and seams, lickety-split Use flatlock stitching to secure heavy fabric Embellish with decorative stitching Create heirloom-quality pintucks and ruffles And more! Build or hone this impressive sewing skill and put it to use right away. Basically, a serger trims the seam and encloses the seam allowance or edge of the fabric, inside a thread casing, all in one step. Once you get the hang of it, you'll marvel that you ever sewed without the multi-tasking capabilities of this machine! Whether you're a beginner or have sewing experience, Sewing Essentials: Serger Techniques will give you the confidence to do more with the serger than you ever thought possible. Even experienced sewers will love the professional techniques, shortcut tips, and insider tricks packed into this must-have reference.

From the heavily beaded tubular dress of the 1920s through to the body-skimming shift dress of the 1960s, this book looks at and celebrates the historic shapes, detailing and romance of vintage wedding gowns. Equipped with instructions, patterns and photos, it explores the history of wedding wear and explains how to make a vintage wedding gown inspired by historical fashions and trends. A beautiful and practical book, it will inspire everyone who wants to express themself through timeless and elegant styles.

Long taken for granted as ordinary household objects, needlework tools are enjoying a new and richly deserved interest among collectors of all ages and both genders. Covering the simple to the sumptuous, this delightful book chronicles the history and diversity of needlework tools dating from ancient Egypt through the twentieth century. Nearly 500 color and black/white photographs beautifully illustrate tools such as needles, bodkins, pin cushions, thimbles, bobbins, clamps, hooks, shuttles, measuring tapes, waxers, winders, and more. In addition to the tools themselves, you will find the boxes and containers used to hold them--from slender needle cases and knitting sheaths to large, ornate sewing boxes. Both new and experienced collectors will enjoy learning about such interesting objects as sewing "toys" and compendiums, Nanny brooches, drizzling cases with their "unpicking" tools, and the nineteenth century sewing cases known as Ladies Companions. A highlight of the book is a special section featuring representative needlework tools from several outstanding international collections. Three appendices, values for the tools illustrated, a bibliography, and an index round out this captivating book.

Potholder looms can make so much more than potholders! You can weave on these popular looms using the traditional loops or with nearly any yarn to make a variety of patterns, including Plain Weave, Twill, and Checkerboard. You can also weave shapes other than squares, such as rectangles and triangles. This variety of options means you can weave just the modules you need to make projects from wall hangings to place mats, runners, baskets, and more. Noreen teaches and explains each step of the techniques and projects in full detail, with photos, so even if you have never woven before, you'll easily be able to accomplish any project in this book. Tapestry weaving is also fun on the potholder loom, and Noreen shows you how with detailed instructions for setting up your loom and working tapestry techniques. Start with the Tapestry Sampler and then try your hand at personalized wall dolls, colourful wall hangings, and decorative art pieces. All you need to know for successful weaving on your potholder loom is in this comprehensive book!

Trish has always been fascinated by miniature art and for years has had a yen to try and embroider smaller pieces, there is something so endearing about little paintings with all the detail and form of a larger piece, not to mention the fact that they are much quicker to stitch! When Trish sat down to consider ideas for this book, she wanted not only something that provided a good choice, with lots of projects, but also to ensure that each project was worthy of stitching. The designs needed to be fresh and appealing, to depict the pretty, romantic illustrations typical of the Victorian and post-Victorian eras. Teaching embroidery has helped Trish to understand the need for clarity in both the technique and project instructions, so instructions on everything about long and short stitch and how to adapt it to fit different situations and projects have been provided. Each project is accompanied by a detailed thread diagram which shows exactly which colour should be used and where. The small size of the designs allows for great flexibility in their final use-such as group framing, making up into cushions, book covers, quilt squares, needle cases, box lids, tote bags, pockets on clothing and so on. Following the portraits, birds and flowers, a section with much smaller Victorian pansies and buds, again with thread diagrams has been added. These projects are mini designs that could be useful for quick gift ideas, as trade cards to swap, stitched onto name cards or grouped in a frame. They would also look lovely on little needlework items such as a needle case, pincushion or the cover of an embroidery notebook. The pansy flowers could be used on the front of the needle case and the bud on the back. A 'shopping list' of all the threads needed for each project appears as a thread chart with each project. Charts for equating Anchor and DMC colours appear near the end of the book, and Anchor and DMC thread suppliers are listed under Suppliers at the end.

This comprehensive volume, with 1200 illustrations and photographs, is the complete guide to sewing, patchwork and embroidery skills, and provides all the information necessary to master each technique with confidence. Whether you are cutting out a pattern, turning hems or deciding which type of seam to use, concise instructions guide you through each stage. All the information you need to design and make your own patchwork quilt is presented, along with cutting and diagrammatic piecing plans for many traditional, popular blocks. From classic hand stitching to contemporary machine embroidery, and every technique in between, the book contains all the skills needed to be a proficient embroiderer.

Feast your eyes on these fascinating fabrics! Cherished by America's farmers for years, cloth feed sacks are part of America's rural history and are now entering the marketplace as hot collectibles. Over 500 color photographs illustrate fabulous patterns on beautiful feed, sugar, flour, potato, corn meal, salt, rice, and even bank and lead-shot bags. Also presented are examples of the aprons, tea towels, and bonnets commonly created from these pretty printed textiles. This colorful, entertaining, and useful book shares heartfelt reflections of life in the country and will appeal to quilters, crafters, and those with fond memories of farm life. Includes price guide and helpful hints on starting one's own feed sack collection.

Get info on all of the basics you need to dye fabric, including necessary tools, the best dyes, which fabrics to use, precautions, and more-all in one handy reference tool!

This book shows you how to make twenty Christmas decorations including hanging tree decorations, a Christmas wreath, an advent calendar garland, free-standing felt ornaments, a Christmas cottage storage box and a bottle gift bag. The designs have a fresh, contemporary look that will appeal to a young audience and traditional crafters, and all the projects are suitable for beginners as well as more experienced sewers. The easy-to-make pieces use pre-bought felt, which are relatively cheap to buy and widely available in a huge range of colours. Includes step-by-step instructions, lists of the materials and tools needed, and a beautiful photograph of the finished piece. Templates are provided where required, and the basic techniques and stitches used are included at the start of the book.

With this guide to mending and patching, you don't have to say goodbye to your worn favourite clothes. Throwing away damaged, yet beloved, clothes can be one of the saddest things, but what if you were able to fix those holes and extend their life? With Mend & Patch, you can learn to take care of your clothes, mending, patching and repairing so you can cherish all your garments. In the furthest corner of her clothes store in Stockholm, Sweden, Kerstin has a mending studio where she gives a new lease of life to people's favourite jeans. In this book, she arms you with the skills and ideas you need to mend your own clothes, whatever their wear and tear. There are emergency tips for mending in a hurry, including sewing in a button and repairing split seams. You will learn how to enhance your clothes with decorative stitches and how to mend with different materials, including leather, cotton, wool and denim. Packed full of simple fixes, as well as more advanced techniques, this book is perfect for sewers, crafters, and fashion lovers of all abilities and for those who want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

"Lace Weaves" are best described as loom controlled warp and weft floats on a Plain Weave ground fabric. The term "Colour and Weave Effects" refers to a careful arrangement of light and dark coloured threads in the warp and weft that weave into beautiful patterns. Log Cabin is probably the best known colour and weave pattern. Combining Huck with Colour and Weave orders opened the door to astonishing pattern possibilities. He then came up with four colour arrangements: Light and Dark, Complimentary Colours, Monochromatic, and Triadic colours. With 144 patterns and four colour themes for each pattern, that's 576 patterns. Each pattern includes the full draft and a woven sample for reference. Tom also includes full details for five projects that are perfect for weaving Huck: dish towels, mug rugs, baby blanket, and two scarves. Huck Lace Weaving Patterns with Colour and Weave Effects is an essential resource that you will turn to for inspiration and guidance again and again.

TWO FREE METAL CLASPS INCLUDED. Are you curious about using metal purse frames to create cute, boutique-style coin purses and handbags, but find yourself intimidated about working with metal hardware? Then The Purse Clasp Book is just for you! With a step-by-step photo guide, you'll learn just how easy it is to install a metal purse frame and create a beautiful, professional-looking bag. Use your newly acquired skills to stitch up any of the 14 unique designs. These sweet and simple coin purses, pouches, purses, and tote bags make excellent gifts for friends, family, co-workers, and teachers. In fact, most projects can be completed in just a few hours. The best part is that this kit includes two free high-quality metal clasps so you can get started straight away. If you require additional clasps these are available to purchase from www.zakkaworkshop.com for individual orders For wholesale orders please contact [email protected].