Joyful Mending shows you how to fix old items of clothing, linens and household objects by turning tears and flaws into beautiful features. Simply by applying a few easy sewing, darning, felting, or crocheting techniques, as well as some sashiko and other favorite embroidery stitches, you can repair your favorite pieces in a transformative way. These techniques can save you money, as well as make your life more joyful, fulfilling and sustainable in an age of disposable "fast fashion." Author Noriko Misumi teaches you her philosophy of mending and reusing items based on the age-old Japanese concepts of mindfulness and Wabi Sabi (an appreciation of old and imperfect things). In her book, she shows you how to: Repair any kind of fabric that is torn, ripped or stained--whether knitted or woven Work with damaged flat or curved surfaces to make them aesthetically pleasing again Create repairs that blend in, as well as bold or whimsical visible repairs Darn your handmade or expensive gloves, sweaters and socks to make them look great again The joy to be found in working with your hands and the personal artistry you discover within yourself lie at the heart of this book. While nothing lasts forever, there's pleasure, as well as purpose, in appreciating age and imperfection. Joyful Mending allows you to surround yourself with the things that truly give you joy, whether they were given to you by a loved one, picked up in your travels or simply have a special place in your heart.

Andrea Tsang Jackson guides readers through transforming the beauty, allure, and power of natural stones into glittering complex patchwork quilts. Using her expert tips and tricks and her step-by-step process to master a plan for the colour work required to achieve transparency and light through fabric selection, readers will paper-piece their way to a jewellery box of blocks. Beginning with nine traditional gemstone shapes, such as teardrop, marquis, and emerald cuts, each block progresses in complexity so readers can hone their skills as they work their way through the book. Next, quilters will be inspired to use their blocks in a series of projects - both large and small. Created with intermediate quilters in mind, the book includes: A beginner-friendly workshop on achieving effective transparency with fabric Andrea Tsang Jackson's speedy chain-piecing technique for paper piecing Nine basic 12'' gemstone blocks Graded patterns to create the perfect finished block size Traditional and modern settings Cutting and faceting with fabric workshop Gemstone groups with sampler ideas Field Guide approach with watercolour illustrations of gemstones

Faux taxidermy is the hottest trend in craft and now you can knit your own animal heads and tiger rugs without any animals being injured! This fun and contemporary debut book from knitting fanatic, Louise Walker, teaches you how to make your very own wild knits with an ironic twist. Faux Taxidermy Knits is packed full of 15 projects of wild and woolly animals to knit. Split into two sections - wearables and habitat - this book includes knitting patterns from mounted animal heads and rugs to stoles and mittens for the modern, young knitter looking for something different and new to make.

A comprehensive guide to more than 30 circular weaving techniques perfect for crafting unique and modern home decor. Artist and educator Emily Nicolaides demonstrates the wonderful possibilities of contemporary circular weaving in this one-of-a-kind guide for beginners and beyond! Before jumping into the projects and patterns, Emily gives a thorough overview of the basics, including detailed instructions on how to select materials and what tools you will need. She even includes instructions on fashioning and using DIY cardboard looms and shuttles. The projects are broken down into two parts: functional circular home goods and decorative circular wall hangings. In the introductions for each project, any necessary specifications like the number of warps or style of loom are noted. Budding weavers have the option to either follow projects exactly as they are laid out or to put their own unique twist on the concepts presented to craft something truly unique. Projects are marked beginner, intermediate, or advanced, making it easy for the everyone to progress through the book as they become more familiar with circular weaving.

Embroidered Birds and their Habitats explores the author's fascination with birds and the ways they interact with their surroundings. The book is divided into three parts: Part 1 covers the basic requirements of what the reader needs, including design requirements, embroidery materials and additional equipment. It also includes a section on research and choosing a suitable bird and its habitat, and information on drawing up a design related to the bird and its placement in the wider landscape. Part 2 explores processes and techniques used in designing and working more complicated elements through two projects. These guide the reader through the entire process, from inspiration through to working design. The reader learns techniques for layering the background and stitching; picking up all the skills and techniques needed to complete a hand-stitched, low-relief panel. This includes elements embroidered both on- and off-frame. Part 3 includes further examples of the author's embroideries, and drawn designs that could be used in future works. This section also includes information on finishing the work (mounting and framing), a stitch glossary, reference section and acknowledgements.

Create perfectly-pieced miniature quilt blocks in a variety of themes--from hearts and flowers to airplanes and birthday cakes. Secure them inside your Carol Doak's Keepsake Frame Cards for gift-giving and artistic display. These blocks are also perfect to mix and match for making table linens, wall quilts, and other small projects.

The perfect companion for anyone new to machine sewing, or looking for a little extra guidance, this book is packed with friendly advice, stylish projects and expert sewing tips. Sewing machine guru and popular author, Wendy Gardiner, brings you this invaluable guide to getting up and running with a sewing machine. She includes all the basics, including machine anatomy, how to thread up, and how to check stitching and tension. Once you have built up your skills, there are 12 great projects to make, including: a patchwork placemat, a drawstring bag, an appliqued pillow, a clutch bag, a tablet cover, tab top curtains, a quilted pot holder, and a notebook cover - there is something for everyone. Each project is designed to teach techniques such as sewing seams, adding buttonholes and zips, blind hems, quilting, free-motion embroidery, using an alphabet and making pleats, trims and pockets. There is also a glossary of all the important terms, and an excellent trouble-shooting guide. Revised, updated and expanded edition of The Very Easy Guide to Using Your Sewing Machine (9781844488285).

Traditionally used for doyleys and edging handkerchiefs or collars, there is much more that can be done with tatting with a bit of imagination. Tatting is basically a handmade lace, with each stitch composed of two half-hitch knots. The single thread is looped and knotted with the aid of a small shuttle, and people are often amazed that so simple a technique can produce such intricate results. The appeal of the craft is that it is simple and portable, you can take your tatting equipment anywhere, and now that Tatting Collage is republished as a concealed spiral bound book it will be easy to use 'on-the-go'. Tatting collage creates attractive designs by combining small motifs and gluing them down to card, paper or fabric. As well as offering great fun and flexibility, it also avoids the need to handle large and complicated pieces of tatting - a bonus if you are pressed for time or are new to the craft and looking for encouragement. Whatever your level of experience, Tatting Collage offers the chance to create something satisfying and unique in a short space of time. * It is NOT a book to teach how to tat. It assumes that readers will already be familiar with the basic techniques, and includes a Further Reading list of books for beginners to learn basic stitches. * It does include lots of useful tips throughout and a Tools and Techniques section and the How to Use this Book section explains how to follow the patterns and designs. * Includes some of the easiest tatting patterns possible through to more complex ones. * There is instruction to make 65 patterns or motifs and 60 designs for everything from gift tags to bookmarks and cards to paperweights and door finger plates. * It encourages the reader to give free rein to the imagination and develop skills to create distinctive gifts and decorative pieces.

The Textile Museum in Bloenduos, located in northern Iceland, houses a unique and fascinating collection of hand-knitted Icelandic mittens, dating back centuries. Drawn by the weight of history and the wealth of traditional motifs on display in their beautifully preserved one-of-a-kind catalog, Gudrun Hannele Hentinnen, an expert with a degree in textile studies-and the owner of a yarn shop located in Reykjavik-has reconstructed patterns and charts based on those historical examples, and breathed new life into a stunning selection of mittens and gloves for the modern knitter. In a variety of colors and styles, constituting a master class in multi-color stranded knitting and in a wide range of stitches and techniques, this collection doubles as design showcase and inspirational guide to these overlooked gems of Nordic knit tradition: warm, wearable mittens and gloves in a variety of colors and styles, with full-color photographs, charts, and step-by-step instructions to aid both novice and veteran mitten-knitters.

Get hooked on the art of crochet The crochet craze has taken the craft world by storm. If you've caught the bug and want to take your skills from beginner to beguiling, look no further than the friendly guidance in this bestselling guide. In Crocheting For Dummies, 3rd Edition, you'll find out how to choose the right hooks and yarns to complete your project, switch colors as you go, utilize various crochet stiches for different looks, and so much more. Online companion project videos will help readers master the concepts and techniques covered in the book. Julia Roberts and countless other celebrities are doing it and you can, too! Taking the intimidation out of the timeless art of crocheting, this updated edition gives crafters of every skill level the knowledge and know-how to choose the right tools, create basic stitches, and finish off their work to make beautiful pieces of art. From learning to create consistency with gauge swatches to decoding patterns, symbols, and diagrams, this easy-to-follow guide is all you need to create beautiful designs in no time! * Includes fresh new patterns, stitches, and techniques * Covers common crocheting mistakes and how to correct them * Provides guidance on crocheting with eco-awareness, like working with organic yarns, tie-dye yarns, and free trade and sustainably sourced fibers * Gets you up to speed on resources and events held within the crochet community * Provides free online access to videos to teach you how to tackle various stitches and crochet in the round Whether you're a first-time crocheter or looking to expand your skillset, Crocheting For Dummies gives you everything you need to get hooked like a pro.

Many American women made warm and attractive quilts to honor and benefit US soldiers during the period 1940-1945, either as outright gifts or as raffle items to raise money for the war effort. This book reflects extensive original research of newspaper and magazine articles of the era, and authenticates the patterns and designs available to quiltmakers, anchoring the quilts historically in time. Color photos and descriptive text identify many patriotic quilts made for donation to the Red Cross and organizations such as Bundles for Britain. When possible, original patterns and designs that inspired the quilts are included. The quilts can now be interpreted from factual and objective perspectives, enhancing their historic and emotional importance.

In this book, crafters can make adorable birds, including popular parakeets and parrots, or an easily made, wearable brooch.

Create a rainbow of cute and colourful crocheted flower babies using this simple beginner's guide. Choose from 12 different flowers including Sam Sunflower, Hugo Hydrangea, Adam Allium and Diane Daffodil, all with flamboyant petals and friendly faces. All the flower babies use the same simple body pattern to which the characterful, colourful petals and leaves are added. All the techniques and stitches used are clearly illustrated, and the book also contains a handy guide to pattern reading. Use your flower babies as keyrings, brooches, necklaces or just as fun toys for playtime!

Get inspired to elevate your wardrobe with dozens of tips and tricks on creating handmade, fashionable pieces from materials you already have! StyleHacking is designed for every sewist to succeed - there is no time spent on measuring, on decrypting the lines on huge paper patterns, or altering premade patterns. Take five basic pieces (tank top, t-shirt, sweater, trousers, and leggings) from your closet to make templates from which you can create an endless variety of garments including over 30 styles to get creative with.

Create beautiful landscape quilts using strips and scraps with these 15 lovely projects! In Lovely Landscape Quilts, Cathy Geier walks you through the process of creating amazing landscape quilts using simple techniques that anyone can try. Learn how to find inspiration and choose you fabrics, how to design and lay out your quilt, and how to use angles to create skies, water, hills and mountains. Learn tricks for embellishing your quilts with applique, marker and fabric to create shadows and highlights that will give your landscape quilts depth and perspective. Finally, learn the tips for finishing and quilting before trying any of the 15 beautiful projects designed by Cathy.

Crewelwork has a long history but this book brings the technique right up to date. It mixes contemporary styles with older traditions to give an exciting twist on this enduring and beautiful style of embroidery. Becky Quine, a tutor of the Royal School of Needlework, clearly explains each step to making a piece, from early planning to stitching and finally to presentation. She encourages new ideas and a fresh, creative look at this popular and timeless technique. Advice on design is given along with working with colour and how to plan and stitch a piece of embroidery. This new book includes a guide to framing up and transferring a desing onto fabric. There are step-by-step sequences to over forty different stitches ranging from filling to outlining stitches, and from accent stitches to new creative ideas.

Fascinating Bargello quilts consist entirely of straight seams and rectangular pieces, yet create the mesmerizing optical illusion of graceful movement, waves and curves. Bargello quilt making looks complex and difficult-but any beginner quilter who can sew a straight seam can master the necessary skills. It is also a technique that is easy to complete quickly and with confidence, thanks to pre-cut jelly rolls and author Karin Hellaby's clear how-to instructions. Karin works with both solid and printed fabrics, and varies her colour palette from monochromatic to riotously colourful. She explores the impact of offset seams for gentle curves and matched seams for dramatic arc and turns in the pattern. Readers will find the technique addictive, with lovely patterns that include pillows, a quilt bag, wall hangings, table toppers and lap quilts.

From selecting yarns and learning basic crochet stitches to assembling your doll or animal and adding whimsical details, The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals makes any amigurumi project possible! Hundreds of photos demonstrate the best crochet stitches to use, along with lessons on how to assemble amigurumi figures correctly and give them more personality. All the basic stitches and steps are explained in detail, including extra directions for left-handed crafters. This is the official guide created by The Japan Amigurumi Association--whose thousands of members are found all over Japan, the original home of amigurumi. It provides an authoritative overview of techniques and includes all the information that amigurumi enthusiasts need to know to create their own toy. This indispensable book shows you how to: Shape and proportion expressive heads, limbs and tails Assemble all the pieces together in a way that makes your toy come alive Add armatures so your toys can bend and stand on their own Create facial features that give your toy attitude and personality Make cute little accessories (zakka) like mittens, scarves and purses The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals includes 3 start to finish project lessons to practice the skills you learn. Then style your own amigurumi with over 1,500 color photos and detailed diagrams instructing more than 100 crochet stitch techniques. This is a book you'll refer to again and again. Open it up, and get ready to crochet!

Clothing repair through visible mending is a movement that now has hundreds and thousands of followers, and Erin Eggenburg is one of the leading proponents. Through her beautiful stitch designs, Erin shows you how to hand stitch or darn your clothes and other fabric items to mend them, rather than discard them. The patterns are organized by skill level, from beginner to expert, and each project includes a photo of the completed, stitched pattern, as well as step-by-step diagrams showing how to recreate the design. Comprising over 50 hand-stitched mending patterns, you can give worn clothes a new lease of life by using these beautiful designs to repair your clothes and other fabric items.

Fat Quarter: Accessories is the latest title in the successful 'Fat Quarter' series. This title is packed with 25 stash-busting sewing projects, all made from fat quarters or fabric scraps and aimed at beginner to intermediate crafters. Each project has easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions as well as beautiful photographs of the finished pieces. Fat Quarter: Accessories also contains a comprehensive techniques section. This book also shows how to create a wide variety of accessories including brooches and badges, earrings, bracelets, headwear, keyrings and charms.

This beautiful new book guides readers with intermediate to advanced level sewing skills toward the successful creation of costumes for theatrical or dance performances, and for re-enactments and interactive fiction. Nearly 250 beautiful color photographs and detailed line drawings of many types of costumes, along with solid design principles, provide a wealth of easy to understand information and how-to instructions. Practical tips concerning theatrical production teams, lines of authority, budgets, scheduling, and post-production storage of costumes are included. An annotated bibliography and a resource guide are both useful references.

Here is a selection of inspiring projects including: quilts, pillows, a spring wreath, little deer toy, handstitched pincushions, pretty fabric bags, coasters, charms, and decorations. Helen's work includes extra details and embellishments to inspire your own creativity.

In Putting on the Dog, Melissa Kwasny explores the age-old relationship between humans and the animals that have provided us with our clothing: leather, wool, silk, feathers, pearls, and fur. From silkworms grown on plantations in Japan and mink farms off Denmark's western coast to pearl beds in the Sea of Cortes, Kwasny offers firsthand accounts of traditions and manufacturing methods-aboriginal to modern-and descriptions of the marvel and miracle of the clothing itself. What emerges is a fresh look at the cultural history of fashion. Kwasny travels the globe to visit both large-scale industrial manufacturers and community-based, often subsistence production by people who have spent their lives working with animals-farmers, ranchers, tanners, weavers, shepherds, and artisans. She examines historical rates of consumption and efforts to move toward sustainability, all while considering animal welfare, worker safety, environmental health, product accountability, and respect for indigenous knowledge and practice. At its heart, Putting on the Dog demonstrates how what we choose to wear represents one of our most profound engagements with the natural world.