Learning how to sew has never been simpler Enjoy this beginner's guide that takes you by the hand like a personal instructor and teaches you how to sew using hand stiches as well as sewing machines. Filled with detailed descriptions of materials and tools, the easy step-by-step instructions for all the basic sewing techniques will have you creating projects like aprons, pillows, and even pants and shorts in no time. Five simple projects will introduce sewing skills like hems, seams, balancing tension, and how to use a pattern; skills you will use often as you continue to learn. With "First Time Sewing," soon you will be stitching amazing gifts and projects with confidence.

This title is suitable for advanced beginner to intermediate-level knitters who want fun, witty, irresistibly tiny patterns to make as gifts for friends, cute accessories and decorative items. In "Teeny-Tiny Mochimochi", toy knits designer Anna Hrachovec presents more than 30 super-cute, humorous patterns for miniature toys, plus techniques for tiny knitting; ideas for using the tiny knits as wearables, decorations and gifts; and instructions on how to convert a pattern for a tiny project into a bigger toy.

Learn to make felt plants and flowers so rich with detail that they look freshly picked! Aimed at absolute beginners, the book starts with an overview of basic techniques and then progresses on to simple lessons for making flowers, plants, leaves and branches. Each lesson comes with a detailed reference photograph, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, and pattern. Felt flowers include magnolia, poppy ranunculus, rose and sunflower and learn to make projects such as a garland, decorative pillow, potted plant, Bohemian crown, terrarium, and more!

A new, larger format edition of the classic reference work on silk shading by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). The Essential Stitch Guides provide a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. Graduate Apprentice Sarah Homfray throws light onto the beautiful craft of silk shading, also known as painting with a needle, long and short stitch embroidery or thread painting. This book reveals the history of the craft then moves on to the materials and equipment required. Next, Sarah covers design and using colour, simplifying and demystifying this often neglected area of embroidery. The main part of the book then covers all of the essential stitches and techniques through clear, step-by-step diagrams, coupled with beautiful, close-up photographs showing how they can be used in a finished piece. Key traditional techniques are included: the fundamental stab, split and long and short stitches; along with couching, padding, adding beads and sequins, and knots. The book ends with beautiful and exquisitely-worked examples and covers working with different fabrics, threads and incorporating painted backgrounds. The RSN teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forward in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides has been produced in close collaboration with the RSN with the aim of providing a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques.

For Italian immigrants and their descendants, needlework represents a marker of identity, a cultural touchstone as powerful as pasta and Neapolitan music. Out of the artifacts of their memory and imagination, Italian immigrants and their descendants used embroidering, sewing, knitting, and crocheting to help define who they were and who they have become. This book is an interdisciplinary collection of creative work by authors of Italian origin and academic essays. The creative works from thirty-seven contributors include memoir, poetry, and visual arts while the collection as a whole explores a multitude of experiences about and approaches to needlework and immigration from a transnational perspective, spanning the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century.

At the center of the book, over thirty illustrations represent Italian immigrant women's needlework. The text reveals the many processes by which a simple object, or even the memory of that object, becomes something else through literary, visual, performance, ethnographic, or critical reimagining. While primarily concerned with interpretations of needlework rather than the needlework itself, the editors and contributors to "Embroidered Stories" remain mindful of its history and its associated cultural values, which Italian immigrants brought with them to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina and passed on to their descendants.

Explore the enchanting world of the Hedgerow Dolls! With 100% wool hand dyed felt Hedgerow Dolls and over 20 original knitted, felt and fabric outfits and accessories. 'Hedgerow' provides all the inspiration and know-how needed to bring these beautiful dolls to life. You will find Felt bushel for collecting the knitted apples, dungarees with felt applique rabbit pockets, fallow deer knitted hat, felt fox satchel and many more. These designs are suitable for most toy makers, and contain step-by-step instructions and diagrams for machine sewing and hand stitching the components of each project. The Hedgerow Dolls are brought to life on the page by Simone Goodings's adorable illustrations.

*** WINNER *** Won BEST CRAFT BOOK in The Craft Business Awards 2021! Learn from experienced crafters Roz Dace and Judy Balchin how to master the art of needle felting. Perfect for beginners, this fun, felty book teaches a different technique in each project. The authors take you on a journey, building up your skills from basic needle felting to confidently using armatures. They share their secrets with you and teach you how to capture expression and character in faces, as well as how to create realistic figures or more exaggerated caricatures. You can sculpt miniature teacup worlds, endangered and garden animals and even your friends and family - it's all covered. With twelve varied projects to get stuck into, you just need to choose where to start. Beginners will love this much-needed guide to a fascinating craft.

Learn how to create beautiful flowers using silk ribbon embroidery techniques, including foxgloves, roses, hydrangeas, delphiniums, primroses, geraniums, irises, poppies and much more. Only a few stitches are needed to create exquisite designs. All the techniques are explained using step by step photography and instructions, and there are clear diagrams with every project. There are also full instructions on how to paint and stencil fabric backgrounds. Suitable for beginners and experienced embroiderers. This timeless best-seller has been redesigned to appeal to the modern embroiderer.

Fiber and yarn enthusiasts nationwide will celebrate Ann Budd's latest addition to "The Knitter's Handy Book" series. Answering to a growing interest in knitting sweaters from the top down and knitting seamless sweaters that require little finishing, this handy book offers instructions for knitting five basic sweater types: circular yoke, raglan, modified-drop shoulder, set-in sleeve, and saddle shoulder. Patterns are offered in multiple sizes and yarn gauges and for a broad age group.

Following the basics for each of the five sweater types are three diverse patterns from top designers that illustrate some of the many ways that instructions can be used as springboards for creative expression, including color, texture, and shaping variations.

Also included for intermediate to advanced knitters are personal design touches, detailed charts, clear instruction, and quick tips to expand knitting possibilities and maintain creative originality. A key reference for knitters of all skill levels, this is the new essential knitting resource on your bookshelf.

Sweetly Stitched Handmades includes 18 original designs that incorporate Amy Sinibaldi's love for patchwork and embroidery, natural linen, and a carefully chosen color palette of patterns and prints. The projects range in difficulty so that a beginning sewer may easily complete a few projects from start to finish, while others are more difficult and a more advanced sewer may be challenged to learn some new techniques. Projects include a color-block baby quilt, a crayon-castle caddy, a jam-jar pincushion, an airmail tote bag, and a simple "Home Sweet Home" embroidery.

Get the pocket guide to embroidery that everyone's talking about - a 64 - page mini book perfect to take on the go! With over 30 essential embroidery stitches, this all-in-one-reference is ideal for hand stitchers, crazy quilters and freeform embroiderers. Learn the best stabilisers and thread for embroidery, then branch out with eye-catching embellishments. This petite paperback is the perfect size for your purse or embroidery kit - a great gift for all sewists!

Deck the halls with pompoms! Fun and easy to make, pompoms are a great way to conjure up stylish decorations with maximum festive impact and minimum fuss. Including decorations to dress your tree, trimmings to jazz up your parcels and other cheerful accessories to spread festive spirit, this book is full of gorgeous photographs and also includes a techniques section that clearly explains all the skills you'll need to make the projects. The 20 jolly projects include: tree baubles, small fir tree, parcel ribbon, holly leaves and berries, garland, stocking trim and earrings.

From the authors of Needle Felting for Beginners, awarded BEST CRAFT BOOK in The Craft Business Awards 2021. Needle-felting is an easy and fun technique, requiring little in the way of expensive materials or equipment. Its accessibility means it's becoming more and more popular, and award-winning authors Judy Balchin and Roz Dace show how to make 20 wonderful little teddy bears using this tactile technique. Each bear measures around 10-12cm (4-5in) tall and can be made in a matter of hours from a bundle of wool fibres, a felting needle and some carefully chosen embellishments. Each bear has its own special character, and they make ideal gifts and keepsakes for friends and loved ones. There's a pretty ballet bear, a cool Christmas bear, as well as a vintage bear, rainbow bear and cute baby bears. Each project is accompanied by clear, step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, and there are handy hints and tips throughout the book to help make the crafting process even easier. Detailed guidance is provided at the start of the book on the materials and equipment you need; how to sculpt a basic bear; make your bears' paws, feet and faces; and how to really bring your bear to life by carefully positioning the nose, eyes and ears. The techniques are easy to learn and soon you will be designing and making bears of your own to keep or give. Previously published as How to Make Little Needle-Felted Teddy Bears (ISBN: 9781782210696).

Featuring styles for boys and girls, this book includes 15 crochet shoe designs for babies. A variety of styles including loafers, mock crocs, cowboy boots, sandals, snow boots, ballet style and more, made using DK-, light-, worsted- and chunky-weight yarns. Instructions are written for the following sizes: small: 2 1/2-3"L x 1 1/2-2"W; medium: 3-3 1/2"L x 2"W; large: 31/2-4"L x 2"W.

Keiko Okamoto's Japanese Knitting Stitches presents 150 exquisite knitting and crochet stitches from one of Japan's most prolific and innovative designers. Her designs range from classic to ethnic to quirky in colours ranging from earthy to vivid. Keiko Okamoto is recognized around the world for her colourful and textural stitches, and this book features beautiful colour photos showing the full potential of these stitch patterns. An introduction by veteran Japanese knitting expert Gayle Roehm translator of Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible and 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches explains the ins and outs of using the Japanese-style knitting charts and executing the stitches in a way that is simple and easy for all knitters to understand. Full instructions and diagrams for crochet and knitting projects offer a chance to put these stitches to use. These projects include: A cardigan with charming crocheted strawberry garland A multi-coloured, fringed neck wrap A pair of funky, sculptural arm-warmers toasty and multi-textured A charming Fair Isle knitted basket bag A pair of fluffy, cuffed mittens An elegant A-line textured wool sweater suitable for any body type A chic Nordic-patterned short coat. This book will be a prized addition to every knitter's library, and a favourite reference for years to come!

Best-selling author Kim Schaefer introduces 12 new quilt projects in her beloved whimsical, contemporary, folk-art style. Just layer your felted wool pieces, from flamingos, owls, bees, potted flowers, and much more, and add to your cotton fabric background. Suitable for beginners! Every stitcher from novice to experienced can enjoy these projects.

In a sea of quilting project books, Flossie Teacakes' Guide to English Paper Piecing stands alone. Drawing together many disparate strands, this comprehensive guide offers up a deeper exploration of this precision patchwork craft, providing everything quilters need to know on a practical level to begin navigating fussy cutting and English paper-piecing (EPP). The most comprehensive guide to English paper piecing on the market today, including history of the craft, artist profiles, and more! Patterns for original rosettes on which to learn the practicalities of EPP are shown step-by-step, covering everything from templates, paper choice, magic mirrors, how to mock up layouts, glue/thread basting, and more. Finished examples exemplifying mastery of the skills learned in the book & unique secondary designs within the quilts that demonstrate the fussy cut and rosette piecing techniques. Flossie Teacakes' Guide to English Paper Piecing is not just a how-to text on English paper piecing. While any book on English paper piecing must cover the instructional aspects, Flossie Teacakes offers a softer, warmer approach, exploring the craft on a more tactile paper-and-fabric level and including stories and inspirations this wonderful craft. Author Florence Knapp explores of the craft over a series of interviews and a journey back in time. She captures the elements that make it so much more than a simple technique guide, giving meaning to the act of English paper piecing for those who are intrigued as well as to quilters who are already hooked. As if that isn't enough, there's icing on the teacakes in the form of original paper-pieced rosettes and show stopping quilt patterns included to practice and show off your EPP skills.

Escape to the ocean with this new collection of minis from Kerry Lord and her Edward's Menagerie animals. This is one of the new gift series from TOFT (Kerry's yarn company), which contains four books, each with 25 crochet patterns on a different theme: Ocean, Wild, Farm and Pets. These mini animals are quick and easy to make so they are perfect for the beginner as well as giving the more advanced crocheter an afternoon's fun. The books are practically organised so you start with the easiest pattern and, as you grow in confidence, you continue through the book, mastering the art of crocheting animals, from the simple starfish to the magical narwhal, producing high-quality collectibles to keep or give as thoughtful, homemade gifts. This range of mini animals are totally new patterns for fans, new and old, to get hooked to. Sitting at 8cm (3 inches) tall, you can make your own cute collection, which could be used to create a nursery mobile, a board game, key rings and much more! Whether you're in front of the TV, commuting to work or having a relaxing afternoon, these projects will bring mindfulness and creativity into your day. Patterns in the series will include: Ocean: Whale, Shark, Lobster, Starfish, Manta Ray Wild: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo Pets: Cockapoo, Iguana, Angora Bunny, Tabby Cat, Tarantula Farm: Pony, Alpaca, Sheep, Goat, Pig

Enjoy the bold design and glowing colors of Amish quilts, specifically the 82 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Amish quilts formerly known as the Esprit collection. These quilts have been exhibited worldwide in major museums and venues and now have come home to Lancaster. This volume gives new insight into their beauty, using over 350 detailed color photographs and discussions of Amish culture, quilting patterns, materials, and construction. Readers may be inspired to create their own versions and will understand more about how quilting evolved in the Lancaster Amish community and enjoy the full-page views of each beautiful quilt.

The Quilt presents a comprehensive and stimulating look at the best in contemporary quilting through 84 color plates of quilts selected for the Quilt National 1983, the only national juried show restricted to contemporary work. The state of this lively art form is also captured through comments made by the show's artists and jurors, and by Michael James and Nancy Crow, who acknowledged trailblazers in the field. For anyone interested in quilts old and new, The Quilt is an indispensable "state of the art" record of the attempts by contemporary artists in the United States and abroad to bring quilting into the mainstream of the fine arts as an exciting art form capable of great depth and diversification. The 84 color plates include dazzling and subtle color studies, humorous and thoughtful views of natural phenomena and the human psyche, and strong, expressive works revealing their heritage in favorite traditional patterns.

This is the one reference every quilter needs. Its 352 pages and 1,000 photographs cover every aspect of machine quilting. Sections include quilt basics, block-pieced quilts, applique quilts, special piecing methods, embellishing quilts, and a sampler quilt with related projects. Quilters from beginners to the skilled will turn to this book again and again. Revised with new photography and updated content to be more complete, this is the only reference machine quilters will need."

This charming craft title pairs the simple pleasure of cross-stitch with the enduring appeal of the Peanuts gang. With some of the most beloved characters of all time, Peanuts is a consistent source of joy and inspiration for readers of all ages. Peanuts Cross-Stitch brings this treasured brand to the world of crafts, with more than 15 stitchable designs -- including playful portraits of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and Woodstock, as well as classic quotes from Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strips. This timeless pastime -- both traditional and trending -- can be done by crafters of every skill level, and is uniquely suited to the strong, graphic images associated with the Peanuts characters. With full-color patterns and spot illustrations, Peanuts Cross-Stitch is as attractive as it is practical. And with an introduction to the characters, as well as an overview of the basics of cross-stitch embroidery, this title is both a treasure for the Peanuts fan and a source of calming, easy-to-complete activities.