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.

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!

Count down to Christmas with Debbie Shore. Sew unique, personalised advent calendars for your loved ones, and fill them with their favourite festive treats and handpicked goodies that they'll really treasure. There are 20 designs included, from traditional flat-pocket calendars to hanging cones and festive pouches, for both adults and children alike, along with a treat-filled calendar for the family dog! The book contains all the techniques needed to make the calendars, and every project is shown clearly step-by-step, with helpful tips and advice throughout. Using Debbie's friendly and easy-to-follow instructions, it's time to get crafty and create a new festive family tradition!

Making pom poms is fantastic fun for all the family and these wonderfully easy pom-pom projects are sure to brighten up your day. Ideal to make as gifts for young and old alike, you can choose from 17 projects, including a little lamb, a cute puppy, a jolly snowman or a big, googly eyed spider. There's also a hanging mobile of planets. The book includes clear step-by-step instructions and a fully illustrated techniques section.

"Alabama Studio Sewing + Design "is an invaluable reference for any woman who has dreamed of creating her own gorgeous handmade wardrobe. In this follow-up to "Alabama Stitch Book "and "Alabama Studio Style," author Natalie Chanin presents all of the stenciling, hand-stitching, and bead¬ing techniques her company uses to create the award-winning Alabama Chanin line of organic cotton clothing, plus more than 50 variations that lead to infinite design possibilities. Included in this encyclopedic compilation of Alabama Chanin skill and style are patterns and instructions for dresses, skirts, tops, a wrap, a poncho, a bolero, fingerless gloves, and a hat. Each piece is featured in both its basic form and with varying embellishment combinations. By mixing, matching, and layering, a stunning, unique, and versatile wardrobe can be built.
Praise for Alabama Studio Sewing + Design:
"Transform organic or recycled materials into clothing or home decor items with haute homespun flair."
--"Better Homes and Gardens Quilts and More" magazine
"Natalie is beautifully simple, yet elegant, just like her clothing. Her signature look is intricate stitching, beading and applique on basic organic cotton jersey which together make a show stopping casual look." --"SF Unzipped"
"I'm a longtime fan of Natalie's clothing designs . . . Her sewing patterns do not disappoint. These are the same dresses, tops, skirts, and accessories that carry four-figure price tags and are coveted by ec-groovy lady rock stars. The same ones. But in her books, Natalie teaches you how to make them yourself . . . Natalie's pieces are so simple to sew together . . . They go together in a single evening, and when you pull them on they don't just make you look better than you did in whatever you were wearing before, they make you feel better." --Heather Ross, HeatherRoss.Squarespace.com
"The photographs in this volume are exceptional . . . I think if quilters get this book for both technique and inspiration, it will be more than worth the money." --Meg Cox, quilter and author of "The Book of New Family Traditions"
"I just love that Natalie has the guts to share the tricks of her trade. The reason I say guts is that you would think that sharing how your garments are made might hurt your business--but in Natalie's case it's proved to be actually quite the opposite . . . The interest in her couture line grew once she started to write books." --Cathy Callahan, Cathy of California blogger and author of "Vintage Craft Workshop"

The Wild Things Funky Little Dresses clothing range brings exciting and mythical clothing to your child's wardrobe; now you can make your own everyday play clothes to bring to life. WILD THINGS: FUNKY LITTLE CLOTHES TO SEW will inspire makers of all abilities to create something exciting for their children that they will really want to wear. Drawing on simple shape and whimsical imagery, the step-by-step projects include dresses, hats, jackets and dungarees, as well as some simple accessories and keepsake gifts with a little heart and soul. With themes from enchanted woodland to summer essentials for beginners, and outfits including a baby mouse dress, Red Riding Hood Cape and Mr Wolf jacket, this book adds a spark of adventure to everyday clothes.

Is it time to upgrade from the basic tomato? Treat yourself to a new pincushion that's sure to put a smile on your face! Sew 10 playful patterns from top designers, from 3D shapes to cute little critters. Try out a variety of techniques-like applique, embroidery, and piecing-in this value-packed booklet. Perfect for swaps, gifts, and stocking stuffers, these charming pincushions are so quick to sew, you'll want to make them again and again.

Always choose the right thread! This amazing reference guide features a handy thread use key (organised by thread manufacturer) that shows the most common uses for each and every thread, helping you determine which one is right for your project. Plus, get the inside scoop on thread types and fibres, thread weight, choosing the correct sewing machine needle, and how thread is made.

Just a bit of winding, tying, trimming and fluffing! Pom poms are suddenly showing up everywhere--as fashion accessories, home decor items, and toys. Adorable Pom Pom Animals shows you how to use materials including yarn, mohair, and alpaca wool to sculpt cuddly pom pom animals in different shapes and sizes. In this charming little book, you will learn how to: Select the right yarns to create the correct texture for each animal Use stitching and trimming to sculpt and define the designs Hone your needle felting skills to give each creation its own personality This adorable book features lessons, diagrams, sewing tips, and step-by-step instructions on how to make 30 different cute creations, including: Miniature Schnauzer Dachshund Lion Brown Tiger Cat Bear Ice Cream Holiday decorations Puffer Fish Parakeet Flowers Hearts Plus, once you've mastered the basics, you can create your own original animal friends!

With a friendly new approach to an age-old craft, this book offers over a dozen colourful, contemporary designs inspired by traditional rug hooking techniques for purses, pillows, pictures and gifts, as well as a traditional rug. Inspired by folk art and primitive art, Carole Rennison shows how easy yarn hooking is, providing hooking tips and advice on how to choose the right fabric, wool yarn and equipment. She also demonstrates how to plan and develop ideas, how to choose the right colours and how to complete the designs with a professional finish. The book includes a thorough techniques section that shows how to prepare for hooking, the basic hooking technique and how to finish off your work. The projects range from simple to more complex, appealing to beginners and to more experienced crafters. Each project comes with diagrams, a full-colour chart for simple yarn colour reference and beautiful photographs of the finished design that will be sure to inspire. In addition, a to-scale template sheet with all the essential motifs for the designs is included at the back of the book, so you can trace and start your creations right away.

Knotting, "the joining of two cords," is an old and revered art form in China and an integral part of Chinese life. Since ancient times, Chinese knots have been used for a variety of practical and decorative purposes: to record events, aid in fishing and hunting, wrap and tie items, embellish personal attire, jewelry and fashion, ornament other works of art, and communicate. The intricate knot work and magnificent color combinations not only lent elegance to everyday objects, or a touch of gaiety and enchantment but were an aesthetic expression of Chinese folk symbolism, expressing wishes for good fortune and wealth or the joys of love and marriage. In craft book Chinese Knotting, author Lydia Chen first traces the origins, history, and symbolism of this fascinating craft, before taking the reader through the fundamental elements necessary for tying Chinese decorative knots--the materials, implements, and main processes. Step-by-step instructions are then given for the 11 basic knots, which provide the building blocks for the 14 compound knots-combinations and variations of the simple knots-that follow in the next section. The final section presents 41 knotting projects of varying difficulty. Detailed instructions, clear diagrams, and color photographs, combined with an exciting assortment of creative applications, will help readers discover the relaxation, artistic satisfaction, and beautifully personalized ornamentation that Chinese Knotting can offer.

Learn the stunning art of Sashiko stitching with this comprehensive guide that's packed with inspirational ideas. Meaning little stabs, it's a traditional Japanese sewing method that uses evenly spaced running stitches to create eye-catching geometric patterns. 20 patterns and motifs that readers can choose from and use as templates for their own unique Sashiko designs. Thorough guidance on the tools, materials and basic techniques, Included are large-scale items such as bedding, a door curtain and wall-hanging, and smaller items, such as brooches, greetings cards and notebook covers. Sashiko explores the history of this strikingly effective technique and demonstrates how to apply it to a range of useful and ornamental items for the home, accessories and gifts.

This book gathers together 10 easy yet elegant projects celebrating the life and talents of Beatrix Potter. With 10 applique and 6 embroidery designs, even beginning stitchers can work with hexagons to create a beautiful embroidered quilt, stitch up a cushion based on The Tailor of Gloucester, applique a wool storage box and construct a beautiful wedding quilt based on one from Beatrix Potter's home. Plus, all of the designs can easily be adapted - just add a dash of imagination to create bags, appliqued pinafores, or embroidered gifts. 'It is a handsome volume that will appeal to any sewing enthusiast who loves Beatrix Potter's delightful work.' www.myshelf.com 'Hill is an expert in her field...she has conveyed the expertise she possesses perfectly well in the writing, instruction and presentation of this book.' TSSREVIEWSDOTCOM

Steampunk Softies offers a charmingly raffish cast of characters for you to make, ranging from the sinister Doctor to the adventurous Aviatrix, and the alluring Lady to the grubbily authentic Prospector. All share key steampunk characteristics - they're firmly rooted in a past that never quite existed (the past of Jules Verne, Philip Pullman, and countless romantic fantasy games), and they have the accessories and accoutrements that make the steampunk genre such a delight for enthusiasts. Despite all their meticulous detailings, all the Softies are simple enough for even a sewing novice to make, with clear blueprints and step-by-step illustrated instructions supplied for every character. And many have dual roles to add a little practicality to their punk existence - the Lady makes an excellent paperweight, for example, while the Illusionist's cloak doubles as a screen cleaner. You'll soon find that you're creating your own fantasy scenarios around these little creatures' intriguing personalities as well as crafting your own special characters. Go on - get sewing and unleash your inner steampunk!

This innovative and breathtakingly detailed book from the V&A presents dress patterns, construction details, embroidery, and making instructions (including a knitting pattern and lacemaking) for 15 garments and accessories from a 17th-century British woman's wardrobe. Step-by-step drawings of the construction sequence and scale patterns for each garment enable readers to accurately reconstruct them. There are scale diagrams for making linen and metal thread laces, silk braids, and embroidery designs. Multiple photographs, close-up construction details, and X-ray photography reveal the hidden elements of the clothes, the number of layers, and the stitches used inside. This first book in a new series takes the physical examination and study of historical clothing to a new depth and degree of detail, using the expertise of designers, tailors, and makers from London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

This title is the third in the successful theme-based Stitched Textiles series. It contains a comprehensive techniques section, six beautiful step-by-step projects and galleries of inspirational pieces that are vibrant, contemporary, and beautifully executed. Very much aimed at the contemporary textile artist, this beautiful book is designed to inspire and encourage and contains all the information a beginner needs. Birds are an enduring theme in art and textile work and this book will appeal to any textile artist interested in exploring their design possibilities. It features a range of birds including much-loved garden blackbirds, characterful chickens, cute and curious puffins and cheeky seagulls. Fresh and innovative in its approach, it covers the design process itself, from inspiration to final design, and provides information on the materials used and step-by-step demonstrations of a whole range of techniques including dyeing, using dissolvable fabric, using found objects, piecing and stitching.

Get ready for zen with this handsome mat bag, bottle carrier, and flower embellishment. Combine durable kraft-tex with hefty denim to create a yoga bag meant to last! The shoulder strap and exterior zippered pocket are pretty and practical, while the water bottle holder with adjustable strap adds even more functionality. Then give some flair to the whole ensemble with a magnolia flower made of kraft-tex. Meanwhile, learn new skills inspired by shoe-making, including a goiser stitch around the zippered pocket and brogueing details on the water bottle holder. Finished bag: 74cm x 18cm diameter.

This mini book is packed with mega information on all the sashiko basics! Best-selling author Sylvia Pippen shares everything from applications for sashiko and the necessary supplies to how to mark the designs and stitching techniques. Learn how to create your own sashiko design, or use one of the twenty-seven included motifs. Plus, it makes a great gift for anyone you know who loves to sew as much as you do!

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.

This inspirational book includes practical instruction for classic thread and wool crafts as well as related fabric crafts and needlecrafts. Full guidance is given on all the equipment and materials. Each basic technique is shown step-by-step, to ensure complete confidence and success. The prefect book for anyone new to needlecraft and a handy reference for experienced needle-workers.

"Kawaii" is the Japanese word for "adorable," "cute," or "lovable" and has grown from a national trend to a worldwide phenomenon. Kawaii Craft Life takes advantage of this growing and popular movement, with a focus on embroidery, cross-stitch, and feltcraft. Featuring approximately 35 kawaii-style projects from a fudge pop plushie and coffee cup cozie to a succulent smartphone case cover and a narwhal brooch, and more than 35 beautiful full-color photos and step-by-step illustrations that showcase the adorable projects. Also included are templates for projects and instructions for creating gifts with a kawaii touch: apple pie apronsushi magnetsmilk and cookie earringssweet dreams slumber maskanimal wine charmsavocado gift tagwoodland critters garlandand more!

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

Learn how to get the most out of your sewing machine with this comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide. There are 15 gorgeous projects to make including cushions, shoulder bags, soft toys and quilts. Full-size, fold-out patterns accompany the designs and 50 illustrated step-by-step lessons will guide you through all you need to get started. This book is a fantastic resource for those new to machine sewing and a great source of inspiration and ideas for more experienced sewers.

No matter your size or shape, Kenneth D. King will teach you how to make perfect-fitting garments every time. In this comprehensive resource, Kenneth shows the home sewer how to understand her shape and fitting options, as well as how to identify bad fit by reading the wrinkles in the garment. From there, he explains his Smart Fitting methods--net gain (add fabric), net loss (remove fabric), or no net gain or loss (move fabric around)--to make the necessary corrections to the pattern. Along the way, Kenneth draws on his 30+ years of patternmaking and couturier experience to: help the sewer understand proportion, wearing ease, and design ease learn how to measure correctly learn about fitting and alteration methods learn how to make a muslin--the gold standard of test garments; and learn how to alter patterns for 35 upper body part issues the home sewer will also be privy to garment construction tips picked up during Kenneth's years of couture sewing--things that make complex details a breeze In Kenneth D. King's Fitting Essentials, Kenneth takes an otherwise confusing process and makes it logical and straightforward.