Bracelets, buckles, buttons, and beads. Clasps, combs, and chains. Items of personal adornment fill museum collections and are regularly uncovered in historical period archaeological excavations. But until the publication of this comprehensive volume, there has been no basic guide to help curators, registrars, historians, archaeologists, or collectors identify this class of objects from colonial and early republican America. Carolyn L. White helps the reader understand and interpret these artifacts, discussing their source, manufacture, materials, function, and value in early American life. She uses them as a window on personal identity, showing how gender, age, ethnicity, and class were often displayed through the objects worn. White draws not only on the items themselves, but uses their portrayal in art, contemporary writings, advertisements, and business records to assess their meaning to their owners. A reference volume for the shelf of anyone interested in early American material culture. Over 100 illustrations and tables.

Sew your own capsule wardrobe to see you through the week to the weekend! Revitalise your wardrobe with this capsule collection from sewing expert Rachel from the House of Pinheiro. The collection includes the perfect separates to take you through the working week to the weekend including a jumpsuit, day dress, trench two piece, kimono dress and versatile shirt dress. Rachel includes a main pattern for every day of week and then offers variations for how to dress it up for a meeting or down for the weekend. There is advice on how to change the look of the pieces through fabric choices and styling tips, as well as a techniques section featuring Rachel's tips on how to get the best fit for your body type and how to measure yourself correctly to ensure you get the perfect fit every time. Garments include on trend staples and reinvented basics to create an exciting collection of 7 patterns, which can be used to create numerous different outfits.

A selection of over 25 carpets and rugs to make for the dolls' house in a variety of classic styles. This book is all you need to create beautiful carpets and rugs of all shapes, sizes and designs, whatever the size or period of the house. The historical and style details of each piece are given, with suggestions for where each one could go in the dolls' house. There are 25 stitched projects, with several variations based on the originals. Each project has a short introduction explaining the techniques used, and ways of adapting the design. There is a wide selection of canvas sizes and fabrics, with stitches including tent stitch, cross stitch and a variety of other stitches to cater for all abilities. Charts for alternative colour ways or designs are regularly included. All the designs have symbol-on-colour stitching charts, and materials, tools and techniques are fully explained, accompanied by step-by-step diagrams and photographs.

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.

"Haute homespun out of the Deep South." That's how Vogue magazine has described the fashion of Natalie Chanin. Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state's now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch's beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

Talbot Hughes (1869-1942) was a British painter, a collector of historical costumes and miniature portraits, and writer on fine art and costume design. His collection of historical costumes and accessories was huge - totalling 750 pieces dating from 1450 to the through the 1870s. He used the costumes as props in his studio which enabled him to produce his historical paintings. In 1913, he published this book on Dress Design: an account of costume for artists and dress makers, illustrated by the author from old examples. The contents Include: Prehistoric Dress, Male and Female, The Development of Costume to the Tenth Century - Male and Female, Tenth to the Fifteenth Century - Male and Female. Fifteenth Century - Male and Female, Sixteenth Century - Character of Trimmings and various Male and Female designs, The Character of Trimmings through the Seventeenth Century and various Male and Female designs, The Character of Decoration and Trimmings of the Eighteenth Century and various Male and Female designs, Character of Trimmings of the Nineteenth Century and various Male and Female designs, Patterns of Various Reigns from Antique Costume, Patterns to Scale and an Index. This book is new and has been carefully reproduced from the original, complete with all the photographs and illustrations.

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.

Add Shadow Weave to your repertoire with Susan Kesler-Simpson's easy-to-follow instructions. Susan's approach is to first break down the structure of Shadow Weave so that any level weaver can understand how alternating light and dark threads in both warp and weft can present a dominant motif outlined with an identical shadow. She walks you through how the structure builds and weaves, and once you comprehend how the weave structure works, you will be able to weave any of the 25 project patterns in the book. You will also have the knowledge to transform other drafts to Shadow Weave, or to design your own Shadow Weave pattern.

Celebrated quilt artist Sandra Meech's last book, Connecting Art to Stitch, explored the ways in which fine-art concepts can be taken into stitch to make outstanding pieces of quilt art. In this exciting new title, the author turns her attention to the rules of design, and how they can be harnessed - and broken - to inform your quilt-art work. You will learn how to recognise good design, and the immutable rules all designers need to know. The author's signature practical workshops and exercises help you translate these rules into your own textile work, stimulating your creativity and encouraging you to explore new textures, materials, techniques and compositions. Detailed analyses of textile artists' work provide a breakdown of how design rules can be applied.Illustrated with a wealth of inspirational images from the world's best quilt and textile artists, this beautiful book is a must-buy for everyone who wants to create better textile art.

If you've ever watched "Project Runway" and wished you were a contestant, or you're simply ready to take your sewing to a new level, "Design-It-Yourself Clothes" teaches you the fundamentals of modern patternmaking so that you, too, can create your own inspired clothing.

Until now, the aspiring DIY fashionista has been hard-pressed to find self-teaching tools other than dry textbooks or books with outdated looks. Finally, in "Design-It-Yourself Clothes," former Urban Outfitters designer Cal Patch brings her youthful aesthetic to a how-to book. If you want to wear something you can't find on store racks and make clothes that express your individual style, or if you've reached a sewing plateau and want to add pattern drafting to your repertoire, "Design-It-Yourself Clothes" is the book you have been waiting for.
In five key projects (each with four variations)-a perfect-fitting dress, T-shirt, button-down shirt, A-line skirt, and pants-Patch shares the art of patternmaking. At its core, it's much simpler than you think. Patch covers everything an intermediate sewer needs to know in order to become a fabulous fashion designer, from designing the patterns, taking your own measurements, and choosing fabrics to actually sewing the clothing. You will also learn how to stylize patterns by using darts, waistbands, patch pockets, and ruffles. Patch offers tips, explanations, options, and exercises throughout that will make the design process that much easier. "
"But besides showing you how to create clothing from scratch, she also teaches you how to rub off patterns from existing clothing-so if you have a pair of pants that you love but are worn out, or you have your eye on a piece in the store with a prohibitive price tag, you can figure out how to get the looks you want by using your own two hands.

A unique craft book in two parts learn to make a felted farm and enjoy an illustrated story! The crafting section contains step-by-step instructions, complete with beautiful colour photographs, showing how to make an entire farm with a range of needle-felted animals, people and buildings. The illustrated story takes those characters, animals and settings to tell a tale of a fun-filled day on the farm. Crafters may choose to make a couple of animals to supplement an existing farm set, but the entire farm is a wonderful project for an intergenerational group. Children can make simple items and animals, while adults can tackle more intricate projects. Throughout, experienced felter Rotraud Reinhard provides tips and tricks for working with felt and bringing colour and life to your farm.

This is a fantastic new free-hand cutting technique giving quilters the opportunity to let their creativity run wild. Save those scraps! Discover the joy of creating collage-style quilts without rules and measurements with this fantastic new free-hand cutting technique from award-winning quilter Susan Carlson. "Serendipity Quilts" features four beautiful, colour-rich projects that go from beginner to advanced, giving quilters everywhere the confidence to let their imaginations run wild and create the quilts they've always dreamed of.

A guide to creating Salley Mavor's charming, bendable "Wee Folk" fairies and dolls. There are 18 wee folk projects featuring dolls, pins, purses, chequebook and cell phone covers, and more. No sewing machine is required. Techniques include applique embroidery, thread wrapping, and painting - and it should be easy to add buttons, beads, natural materials, and "found objects" for extra embellishment. There are concise directions and how-to illustrations. The guide should be suitable for doll makers and crafters of every skill level.

Melissa walks you through the process step-by step, from a comprehensive lesson on drawing the face, to translating your sketch into fabric, to stabilising the piece with stitching, to incorporating your stylised face into a finished project, whether it's a pillow, tote, shirt, or stretched canvas. Learn how to make a variety of eyes, noses, lips, hair, and face shapes, as well as how to create facial features in just the right proportions. You'll be amazed by how much the final portrait resembles your subject.

Sharing her passion for applique, experienced teacher and author Annie Smith teaches you everything you need to know to sew the quilt of your dreams! This colourful guide to hand and machine applique includes step-by-step techniques, plus advice on fabric selection, choosing supplies, and working with templates. Gain the confidence to design your own applique blocks and quilts, or flip to find several pretty patterns to get you stitching.