Keep it simple and do it well. The Merchant & Mills Sewing Book contains fifteen step-by-step projects aimed at guiding you gently but firmly through the basics of sewing. Each project you make from this book will be stylish, but above all, useful. Part I of the book presents a fundamental overview on the art of sewing, the tools and materials you will need and homegrown tips on essential good practice. In Part II, seasoned dressmaker Carolyn Denham leads you step by step through fifteen achievable projects, each building on the skills gained as you progress through the book. First, equip your sewing room with practical items you never knew you needed, such as a Tailor's Ham, Sleeve Roll and an Ironing Board Cover (essential items for good pressing practice), a Hussif (the ever ready portable sewing kit) and a Maker's Apron (utilitarian chic for good workers). Then go on to use your new sewing skills to make cushions, throws and bags before progressing on to garments with the Tailored Shawl and Fisherman's Top, using the paper patterns provided in the back of the book. Make them all and you will be a very capable dressmaker with a raft of functional, beautiful, handmade goods.

Buying so much fabric is only a problem if we don't use it, and so often we don't. Lynne Edwards has the answer. In this new collection, she has devised endless ways of making quilts using fabrics from your existing stash of scraps. Beautiful colour photography and instructive diagrams are contained throughout.

Feather your nest with this avian collection of easy sewing patterns for beautiful bird designs, all made using simple hand-sewing techniques. Featuring the most popular and distinctive species - including garden birds, exotic birds, birds of prey, water birds, flightless birds and more - each pattern wings its way to you with step-by-step instructions and full-size templates, making them perfect for all abilities. The finished little birdies would make cute brooches, bag charms and home accessories, or can even be scaled up to make bigger plushes, all of which will make your friends into avid twitchers! Author Alison J Reid has spent months brooding away in her studio, researching all different kinds of birds, both common and rare. She has checked out their shapes, plumage and markings, and spent so much time trying to perfect their colourful, beautiful wings. It became an obsession! It was only by researching the various details that make each breed so distinctive, that Alison has been able to capture each of their unique qualities and differences. Pattern, colour and shape are key, so capturing these details in felt was important. Luckily, there are so many different colours of felt available! Felt's non-fraying, double sided, robust qualities make it easy to create all the little details that make each bird design so unique and instantly recognisable. Each bird pattern can be traced straight from the page (or enlarged if you want to sew a larger plush), and simple instructions mean that even beginners can get started. And because all the birds are sewn by hand, you don't need a sewing machine and can sit out in the garden with the birds while you sew. Whether you choose to sew just your own favourites, or make gifts for the other bird-lovers in your life, this book will provide hours of fun and inspiration.

The 15 adorable animals in this new collection, made by designers from all over the world, will bring you lots of fresh inspiration and will make a big splash in your yarn stash. Surprise your friends and family with a sweet sheep, a pudgy panda, a tender toucan, a playful penguin, and much more! Projects cover a variety of skill levels, from beginner-friendly to suitable for advanced crocheters, and are accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. The clear illustrations and handy video tutorials will help you master all stitches and techniques used.

A revised and expanded edition of a long-standing classic, this expansive book is the clearest and most comprehensive handbook for applique, patchwork and quilting available. This seminal reference guide remains the go-to masterwork for crafters, who will find hundreds of patchwork, applique and quilting techniques explained clearly and simply. The techniques range from fundamentals such as cutting fabrics and hand sewing; to advanced special effects and complex techniques like eight-seam joins. All are explained through more than 1,000 step-by-step illustrations, patterns and templates. The techniques range from the traditional - including Amish quilting patterns and Seven-and-Nine-patch patchwork - to more unusual, like yo-yos. The book also contains glossaries of terms, making this perfect for both beginner and expert. Over 200,000 copies of the previous edition have been sold worldwide. Praise for The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Applique: "Linda Seward's book has been the essential volume on every quilter's bookshelf since its publication in 1987 and has never been bettered. This new edition updates the original techniques and embraces the current developments of the craft. Its place on that bookshelf is assured for many years to come." - Lynne Edwards MBE, quiltmaker and teacher "A definitive choice for the beginner and one worth investigating for a more experienced quilter" - British Patchwork & Quilting "This is an amazing book for those embarking on a quilting journey and even for seasoned quilters. The illustrations and directions are easy to understand and great for the visual learner. As a quilting teacher I would highly recommend this book. The number of techniques alone will keep the reader up at night! Rock on Linda Seward!" - Kim Rudd, quiltmaker and teacher "Linda Seward's guide has always been my go-to bible for every question I have about quilting. I didn't think a new edition could be any better, but this refresh is even more inspiring. Not only has she updated technical aspects (adding sections on fusible web applique and free-motion quilting, for example), she has chosen spectacular recent quilts to illustrate the text. While marvelling over them, I was reminded that quilting is an ever-evolving art that brings joy and satisfaction. Linda's book captures that perfectly, and leads us through how to do it ourselves." - Tracy Chevalier, novelist and quiltmaker

So why do Waldorf dolls have few facial features? What is it about dolls that captures the imagination of children and adults around the world? This book answers these questions and highlights the power of dolls used for therapeutic purposes, recognising that soft dolls aren't just for children. From the simplest rag doll to curly-haired characters, this book gives straight-forward instructions, a guide to buying your materials and upcycling materials you already own. A lovingly hand-made doll makes the perfect present and these dolls are easy to make and will be much loved for generations. Large and small, knitted and sewn, beautiful dolls for making at home Full step-by-step instructions with clear drawings and templates Detailed directions to make 9 character dolls and their accessories Basic body part intructions enable you to create your own characters Create charming dolls' house doll family plus their clothes and accessories Create clothes, bags, baby carrier and even pets for your dolls Simple and easy to achieve sewing for beginners

Create stunning hexagon quilts and so much more--without Y-seams or hand sewing. Sound impossible? Expert quilter Jen Eskridge makes it easy with a quick facing technique, a great alternative to English paper piecing. Learn to use hexagons two ways: appliqued onto a background or stitched together without a background for a two-sided quilt. Select from 15 clever projects in a huge variety of sizes, from large quilts to pillows, wall hangings, table runners, pot holders, and more Stitch hexagons easily and accurately by machine; learn a handy way to make hexagons of any size Find patterns for 18 different 15" x 15" blocks that showcase hexagons, plus numerous motifs for quilting the designsVideo

'Part how-to guide, part manifesto - a gentle exhortation that encourages us to reconnect with our damaged belongings and ourselves.' TOAST magazine For Molly Martin, it all started with a pair of socks. Her favourite pair. When the heels became threadbare, her mother got out her darning mushroom and showed her how to reinforce the thinning stitches and bring them back to life. She has been stitching and darning ever since. In The Art of Repair, Molly explores the humble origins of repair and how the act of mending a cherished item carefully by hand offers not just a practical solution but nourishment for the soul. Using her own beautiful illustrations, she guides us through the basics of the craft - from piecing and patching to the ancient Japanese art of Sashiko. This book will stay with you long after you put down your needle and thread. It offers an antidote to our increasingly disposable lifestyle, encouraging us to reconnect not just with the everyday objects in our environment but also with ourselves.

Imagine a softly striped crib blanket knit in the comforting colors of the nursery. Or a sophisticated cashmere wrap featuring rich jewel tones that set off a favorite black dress. Knitting teacher and author Margaret Radcliffe presents a world of color techniques in a single comprehensive reference that you'll consult every time two or more yarn colors are in play. Stitchers of every ability level will love the color-combining methods and professional secrets revealed in The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques. Multicolor knitting techniques are explained with step-by-step illustrations and photographs accompanied by instructive text. Complete chapters on stripes, stitch effects, advice for succeeding with multicolor yarns, stranded knitting, and intarsia cover the theory and how-to behind each method as well as offer creative solutions for handling tangled yarn and estimating yarn quantities of each color, holding on to all those ends, and employing stunning finishing techniques. A final chapter describes more unusual techniques, such as helix, shadow, mosaic, and modular knitting.

You'll love these simple, sophisticated patterns featuring bold, graphic fabrics and straightforward applique techniques. Rely on clear illustrations and beginner-friendly instructions from Amy Struckmeyer. Express yourself with 17 stylish projects--quilts, bags, pillows, and wearable items--featuring easy applique and other embellishments Learn a variety of hand- and machine-stitched applique techniques: wool, raw edge, reverse, fusible, freezer paper, and bias tape Enjoy options: use the templates provided or create your own unique applique designs; add applique accents to embellish these projects or items you purchase

When Daisy Braid started sewing, patterns were out of her budget so she just started DIYing! Sew It Yourself with DIY Daisy is a colorful, size-inclusive and inspiring book for sewers of all stages and abilities, beginners included. It includes guides on everything you need to get started (including equipment, materials and basic techniques) and step-by-step projects with clear instructions, photographs and illustrations that will take the scary out of sewing.

Daisy's designs use simple shapes to create playful, classic and comfortable pieces that can be styled for all occasions, whether that's a picnic date or a WFH day. The book features 10 small accessory projects and 10 more advanced clothing projects, each with a fun variation (but with potential for endless customization). There's no standard sizing – just your own body measurements – and no zips or buttons required! They also encourage intentional sewing practices, with projects that produce minimal waste and can even be made with leftover fabric scraps.

So get out that sewing machine (or borrow one from you granny) – Sew It Yourself with DIY Daisy is all you need to get started on discovering (or rediscovering) sewing and creating something one-of-a-kind. Just remember: sewing is self-care, and you make the rules!

Inspired by the exquisite hand embroidery and tapestry designs of May Morris of the Arts and Crafts Movement, The Fruit Garden Blanket project is a must make for any serious crocheter. Designed by Jane Crowfoot and first released in a crochet along style, this project took the world by storm with crocheters across the globe coming together to create their own heirloom pieces, whilst learning new techniques and stitch combinations along the way. Choose from four fabulous colourways of the project, with all the patterns and charts needed to complete the blanket. Includes step-by-step images throughout.

This jelly roll quilt pattern collection includes 15 contemporary quilts, which are easy enough to piece in a weekend. Do you long to make beautiful quilts but have such a busy life you can never find the time? Imagine creating a quilt top, maybe even your first, in just a weekend! Jelly rolls are a fantastic shortcut to patchwork and quilting: you can avoid the hours of cutting and preparation required for making a quilt and go straight to the fun bit, the sewing! Pam and Nicky are jelly roll experts, having written numerous books and hundreds of patterns, and they have developed a brand new collection of 15 quilt patterns for jelly roll lovers and quilters looking for a stunning quilt pattern that comes together in super-fast time.

Do you wish your knitting was better and that you had an expert knitter by your side to help you when it goes wrong? Then this is the book for you - it even has a special lay-flat binding so you can keep your hands on your needles. Patty Lyons is an expert in all things knitting related - she will help you sort out your gauge, unpick problems like twisted stitches and generally spruce up your knitting know-how in this pocket-sized reference book packed full of her purls' of wisdom. Patty is a well-known knitting 'agony aunt' and she will hold your hand as you tackle the problems that often beset knitters and get in the way of beautiful finished projects. This handy guide will always be by your side to help you unravel your yarn problems and get you back on track. Packed full of practical advice for knitters as well as step-by-step instructions for a whole raft of knitting issues, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who's ever picked up yarn and a set of needles. This isn't like other how to knit' books with basic information about casting on and how to form stitches (although there is a handy how-to reference section at the back for when you need a refresher), this is a book about the why' of knitting. Not about why we knit' but about why we knit the way we do'. By digging deeper into the why' Patty doesn't just fix your knitting problems she helps you to truly understand why the yarn/stitches/needles/tension are acting in a certain way and how to fix any issues. She starts by looking at the basics and explores the anatomy of a stitch, examining how this affects the look, feel and shape of the finished knitted fabrics and how different knitting techniques affect the finished outcome. Patty examines the problems caused by common mistakes that many knitters make without even noticing before diving into more complex knitting issues and how to trouble shoot them. All of Patty's techniques and tips are illustrated with detailed step-by-step artworks for absolute clarity. And, as you'd expect from a Patty Lyons book, there is a healthy scattering of humour and irreverence thoughout ; you might take knitting seriously but you don't have to be serious while knitting!

With Hook in Hand, Enrich Your Spiritual Practice and Renew Your Awareness
of the Connections of Creativity to Spirit

What can you learn about yourself through your crocheting? What deeper symbolism lies behind the loops and patterns that you create? How can this simple activity help you make your way down a spiritual path? Delve into these questions and more in this imaginative book that will become your spiritual friend, your teacher and your sanctuary. Follow the crochet journeys of the author and other crocheters to discover how they have used their crocheting to explore and strengthen their spiritual selves, and how you can do the same. In this joyful and engaging look at a time-honored craft, you will discover ways to: Find a Sense of Fullness and Gratitude Have More within a Structure of Less Combine the Spiritual Practices of Meditation and Prayer Create Tools for Intensifying Spiritual Practice Find Your Spiritual Path with Crochet Connect with Community through Crochet Make Crochet Uniquely Yours and much more

Knitting is the miracle of creating new dimensions from a strand of yarn. Let it bring that miraculous transformation to your spiritual life too.

This book is about seeing and listening. It s about becoming aware that through knitting you can hear and give attention to what s in your heart and soul that knitting can be a place of rest and thought and a place for the Divine. It s about connection to yourself, to the world, to others and to the Holy. from the Preface

What can you learn about yourself through your knitting? What deeper symbolism lies behind the loops and patterns that you create? How can this simple activity help you make your way down a spiritual path? Delve into these questions and more in this imaginative book that will become your spiritual friend, your teacher and your sanctuary. Follow the knitting journeys of the authors and other knitters to discover how they have used their knitting to explore and strengthen their spiritual selves, and how you can do the same. In this joyful and engaging look at a time-honored craft you are invited to: Find time and space that was previously hidden in plain sight Try creative, thought-provoking original knitting patterns Recognize and deepen spiritual connections through knitting Meet other knitters on the journey to spiritual and self- discovery Explore new ways to expand and savor your knitting community Recognize your own power to pass along the knitting wisdom

From your first stitch to your own complete clothing & homeware projects, this book will guide you from novice to pro. You want to learn to knit, but somehow you always end up in a tangle of knotted yarn and baffled by complicated and conflicting advice. This beginner's handbook goes back to basics, with clear step-by-step illustrations demonstrating how to cast on and how to ace a range of stitches, while 15 easy projects allow you to practise your skills and build your confidence. You Will Be Able to Knit by the End of This Book provides a simple guide to picking up your knitting needles and getting started, and it helps to build your confidence slowly, as you practise and perfect skills and techniques. By the end of the book, you will be able to knit a range of projects including a simple headband, tablet case and even a doorstop. So take some time for yourself, learn a new skill, and enjoy crafting gifts for your friends, family and home with this beautiful book by your side. Projects include: - Super chunky scarf - Mittens - Blanket - Baby booties - Cushion - Hot water bottle case - Teddy - Triangle shawl

- FOR ANY SKILL LEVEL: With basic cross-stitching instructions and 4 easy patterns, this kit is perfect for beginners and advanced stitchers alike - INCLUDES ALL MATERIALS: Kit includes 3 pieces of 4" x 4" cotton Aida cloth, a 3-inch embroidery hoop, 2 tapestry needles, and 4 skeins of embroidery thread - BOOK INCLUDED: 32-page, fully illustrated mini book with simple cross-stitching instructions and 4 easy patterns - DISPLAY OR GIFT YOUR MASTERPIECE: Tiny embroidery hoop can serve as a frame for your finished work! - OFFICIALLY LICENSED: Authentic cross-stitching kit (c) 2022 Disney

Grab a crochet hook and go from beginner to pro in no time with this accessible guide. You want to learn to crochet, but somehow you always end up in a tangle of yarn and baffled by complicated advice. This beginner's guide goes back to basics, with clear step-by-step illustrations demonstrating how to tie a slipknot, chain stitch, increase and decrease your rows, and crochet in the round, plus many more skills and techniques. Once you've aced the essentials, move on to 15 clear, stylish and straightforward projects, from colourful plant pot covers to a chic crocheted blanket. As the projects get more complex, you'll practise and perfect the skills you've learned, and build your confidence. By the end of the book, you will be able to crochet a range of projects including a mobile phone case, a cuddly toy, a wall hanging and a bobble hat. So take some time for yourself, learn a new skill, and enjoy crafting gifts for your friends, family and home with this beautiful book by your side. Projects include: - Pompom hat - Storage baskets - Cushions - Cuddly toy - Market bag - Ear warmer - Cup cosy - Sleep mask