Learn how to make lovely leather projects with a professional finish. This exciting new book features fabulous handcrafted items for your wardrobe and your home. Most of the projects are suitable for those new to leatherwork, and those who have some experience of the craft will be inspired by the exclusive designs. Projects include: Log and kindling basket, storage baskets, key fobs, pencil cases, writing set, booklets, necklace, scarf belts, tote bag, purse and wallet, and more.

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.

This comprehensive guide explores the fundamental sewing methods fashion designers need and teaches professional garment construction. Chapter One introduces sewing tools and machinery (including industrial machines). It discusses how to work with patterns and explains cutting-out methods. Chapter Two is devoted to different fabrics and how they work, focusing on the construction of a garment, including fastenings and trimmings, and the use of materials to support structured pieces, such as corsets. Hand-sewing techniques and basic seams are explored in Chapter Three. Techniques are demonstrated with step-by-step photographic guides combined with technical drawings. A guide to making garment details and decorations, such as pockets, waistlines, and necklines, is found in Chapter Four. Chapter Five addresses fabric-specific techniques, for everything from lace to neoprene. The best technical approaches to use for patternmaking and construction are discussed for each fabric. Catwalk images demonstrate how these kinds of techniques are employed by designers.

This is a crash-course on printing with techniques, materials and surfaces that can all be done in the home. Every project features Yellow Owl Workshop's sought-after motifs and the author's art-school style illustrations. This title is full of original ideas for things to make and use, such as jar labels, pillows and a stationary set. "Print Workshop" grabs readers hand and leads them through a crash-course on printing with techniques, materials and surfaces they never dreamed they could take on at home. It can be as simple as carving a potato or as complex as a chemical bath, but no matter the skill level, these printing techniques never require expensive equipment or lots of space. Everything in this book is easily do-able at home; and every project features Yellow Owl Workshop's sought-after motifs and Christine's art-school style illustrations. The book is full of original ideas for things to make and use. There's jar labels for your canning and pickling needs. There's pillows inspired by YOW's famous city and bicycle stamps. There's everything from a stationary set (complete with wax seal) to a dartboard, from a deck of cards to a fine art print.

A practical and inspirational guide to textile folk art from cultures all around the world, accompanied by step-by-step projects. From samplers and quilts in Europe, to tribal and nomadic cloth further afield in Mongolia and China, folk and traditional designs have played a crucial part in the development of textile art and craft. In this book, Anne Kelly explores the traditional motifs used in textile folk art and shows you how contemporary textile artists use these in their work today. The beautifully illustrated guide is also packed with helpful step-by-step projects that demonstrate how to apply folk motifs to your own work. Drawing inspiration from the Far East to Scandinavia, artists and designers have often used folk art to influence their work. Beginning with the chapter 'Samplers in Stitch', Anne looks into handmade momentoes and souvenirs created in the UK and USA. Samplers as statement pieces are also explored and are contextualised within the role of women and children recording their personal histories and lives. 'Nordic Notes' then looks at Scandinavian traditional textile art, and how modern screen printing and embroidery have been used by contemporary makers. 'Silk Road' looks at the influence of nomadic cultures and textiles, including yurts in Mongolia and Miao folklore in China. Projects on how to make felt, pouched and jewellery are also covered. Lastly, 'Trees of Life' looks the motif of the tree in a variety of cultures. Anne also looks at traditional techniques from South Asia and how to create your own 'Family Tree' using photo transfers and applique. Featuring step-by-step projects as well as work from contemporary artists and makers throughout, this practical and beautiful guide shows how practitioners of all kinds can draw from folk art for making and inspiration.

Fantastic fashion that won't cost you the earth. What is a 'fashion footprint'? What's the problem with fast fashion? And is there any alternative to it? This inspirational guide is your sustainable sourcebook full of activities and practical tips on how you can cut ties with unethical fashion practices and form new fashion habits that work for you - all without compromising your signature style! Author Laura Strutt will help readers identify the approach that will work best for them - are you a seasonal clothes swapper or would you rather get crafty? Covering topics such as motivational mindset changes, trusted brands to try, buying and selling secondhand clothes, inspiration for upcycles, mending techniques and questions to ask companies before you shop, this is the ultimate book for the closet-curious who want to create a wardrobe that doesn't cost the Earth.

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.

Projects include sandwich wraps, baggies, bicycle bags, and totes. They are quick and easy to make with basic sewing techniques; everyone in your family will want one. Customise the outside with your favourite fabrics and insulate the inside. You can waterproof it with laminated cotton, oilcloth, nylon, or vinyl. The bags can be washed in your dishwasher or washing machine

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.

The Wild Things clothing brand is back with more sewing projects to make for your children. Following on from prolific sewer Kirsty Hartley's WILD THINGS FUNKY LITTLE CLOTHES TO SEW, this second book will offer over 40 more projects for your child. 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 and accessories to bring to life. WILD THINGS TO MAKE 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 robin pinafore, mermaid sundress, shark dungarees and fun accessories like your child's very own puppet theatre or teepee, this book adds a spark of adventure to everyday clothes and playtime fun.

Stitched Textiles: Nature is the fourth title in this successful theme-based series. It contains an extensive section on techniques, featuring step-by-step guides to machine- and hand-stitching, attaching embellishments and found objects to your work; painting and printing on fabrics including cotton, silk and Khadi paper; and using objects found in nature, such as leaves, to make unique and iconic prints. The book includes three beautiful, inspirational projects based on different facets of the natural world: Ocean, Rainforest, Botany, Birds and Animals. Stitched Textiles: Nature also features examples of the author, Stephanie Redfern's own intricate and detailed works based on nature, exploring the means by which the pieces have been created, and the wonderful stories behind Stephanie's journey as an artist. The wealth of information and visual stimuli in Stitched Textiles: Nature is intended to inspire the reader to create their own works inspired by nature. Stephanie begins by exploring the use of sketchbooks and study pages; progressing to picking out iconic elements from sketches and photographs; and eventually assembling a stunning, personal piece of stitched textile work on fabric or on cotton-blend Khadi paper; applying handstitch in metallic threads; machine stitch in whimsical and beautiful patterns; embellishing with natural beads or found objects.

This is a delightfully presented book of original designs and projects for creating homemade and lovingly crafted mementos to keep forever. It shows you how to use traditional skills such as embroidery, applique and quilting to makes items for weddings, christenings and birthdays that will always be treasured. It contains items that are not only perfect as gifts, but also luxurious accessories that will enhance your own bedroom, boudoir or bathroom. You can create a Christening bonnet or tiny booties, a beautiful beaded evening bag or an exquisite applique Valentine. It is superbly designed, and lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, including step-by-step images that guide through each of the 40 projects. A gift that has been made with loving care is always the most appreciated, especially when it is something that has its own vintage style. This book reveals the secrets of creating fabulous pieces for significant occasions, which will be kept forever. The best of traditional skills have been gathered in 40 projects to create a beautiful collection of covetable items. Techniques range from the traditional, such as embroidery and quilting, to contemporary methods to create an antique effect. Throughout, guidance is given on selecting materials, textures and shades for a genuine heritage feel, with many of the projects inspired by charming customs surviving to this day. Superbly illustrated throughout, this book provides a practical guide to creating your own cherished mementoes and tomorrow's heirlooms.