Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update Show Your Home Some Love


Sherry Petersik - 2012
    With two home renovations under their (tool) belts, 5 million blog hits per month, and an ever-growing audience since the launch of "Young House Love" in 2007, Sherry and John are home-improvement enthusiasts primed to pass on a slew of projects, tricks, and techniques to do-it-yourselfers of all levels. Whether an experienced decorator or a total novice, on a tight budget or with money to spend, any homeowner or apartment dweller will find ideas for his or her own home makeovers here. Learn to trick out a thrift-store mirror, spice up plain old roller shades, "hack" your Ikea table to create three distinct looks, and so much more.Packed with 243 tips and ideas--both classic and unexpected--every project pictured was exclusively executed for the book (so there are no photos that you've already seen on the blog). With more than 250 photographs and illustrations, this is a book that readers will return to again and again for the creative projects and easy-to-follow instructions in the relatable voice the Petersiks are known for. Adding a little wow factor to your home has never been more fun!

Little Stitches: 100+ Sweet Embroidery Designs


Aneela Hoey - 2012
    Aneela Hoey offers basic instructions for simple stitches, along with a generous selection of original embroidery patterns.

Wear, Repair, Repurpose: A Maker's Guide to Mending and Upcycling Clothes


Lily Fulop - 2020
    For beginner and experienced makers, Lily Fulop's guide to mending and upcycling is your colorful companion to ditching fast fashion and extending the lifecycle of all your favorite clothes.Fulop's vibrant step-by-step illustrations make mending easier than every, demystifying techniques and displaying unique ways to show off your personality. And when your mending possibilities run out, she has simple yet striking solutions to repurpose fabric, including braided rugs, crocheted pillows, and more. Say hello to sustainable inspiration.

The Complete Book of Sewing


Chris Jeffreys - 2003
    Packed with modern computer-aided designs, cutting-edge advice on tools, supplies, and fabrics as well as a new, inspirational fabric gallery, and hundreds of specially commissioned full-color step-by-step photographs--the book maintains its original appeal, while enticing a whole new generation of readers.

Half Yard Heaven: Easy Sewing Projects Using Left-over Pieces of Fabric


Debbie Shore - 2013
    All of the projects use just half a yard (about half a metre) of fabric, making them ideal for using up scraps and oddments left over from other projects or sold off cheaply by your favorite fabric store. All you need is a sewing machine and a basic sewing kit, and in no time at all you'll be making one of the gorgeous projects in the book. There are 26 to choose from, including beautiful bags, aprons, a craft caddy for storing your making kit, padded coat hangers, a chicken doorstop, a handy wash bag, a notice board and numerous other gifts and accessories for you, your family and your home. The basic techniques you need to know are explained clearly at the beginning of the book, and every step-by-step project is accompanied by a fabulous photograph of the finished piece, which will not fail to delight and inspire you.

Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas


Melanie Falick - 2003
    Step-by-step instructions for knitting projects that can often be completed in a weekend are accompanied by full-color photographs, quotations about knitting, recipes for treats, and tips on stress- reducing activities.

Gentle Art of Quiltmaking


Jane Brocket - 2010
    There's a Russian Shawl Quilt, inspired by traditional motifs of Russian folk art, a Floral Frocks Quilt inspired by summer dresses, flower gardens and herbaceous borders and a Suits and Ties Quilt reusing sober woollen suiting contrasting with extravagant silk ties designed in an Irish Chain.Finally, a practical section covers all the knowledge you’ll need – from chainpiecing, hand-quilting and sandwiching to binding, storage and caring for your quilt. Armed with the design tools, you can embark on your quilting journey and begin creating your own personal masterpiece.

The Art of Manipulating Fabric


Colette Wolff - 1996
    To describe them all would be to describe the entire history of sewing. In "The Art of manipulating Fabric," Colette Wolff has set herself just this task, and she succeeds brilliantly. Working from the simplest possible form - a flat piece of cloth and a threaded needle - she categorizes all major dimensional techniques, show how they are related, and give examples of variations both traditional and modern. The result is an encyclopedia of techniques that resurface, reshape, restructure and reconstruct fabric. More than 350 diagrams support the extensive how-tos, organized into broad general categories, then specific sub-techniques Handsome photos galleries showcase the breathtaking possibilities in each technique and aid visual understanding by emphasizing the sculptured fabric surface with light and shadow Textile artists and quilters, as well as garment and home decor sewers, will expand their design horizons with the almost limitless effects that can be achieved

Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life


Jenna Woginrich - 2008
    Learn a few basic country skills, she reasoned, and she would be able to produce at least some of the food and resources she used every day.Goodbye, fast food and Wonder Bread; hello, homesteading. With enthusiasm and joy for the tasks at hand, Woginrich embarked on a journey that has been sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and always soul satisfying.From the fulfilling work of planting a garden and installing honeybees, to the bliss of gathering fresh eggs for an omelet or playing an old-time ballad on the fiddle, Made from Scratch shares the honest satisfaction of doing for oneself, and brings the reader to a deep appreciation for the value of simple skills performed well.

Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter


Alison Hansel - 2007
    Charmed Knits offers dozens of patterns for items that evoke the mystique of Harry Potter - a Wizard Robe, an Invisibility Shawl, a Quidditch Sweater, Ron's Ragg Raglan, a Clock Blanket, Harry Christmas Ornaments, and more. Easy-to-follow patterns, color photos of the finished projects, and illustrations of special stitch patterns and design elements make it easy for all knitters - from beginners to those at Mrs. Weasley's level - to work knitting magic. Charmed Knits whisks you away on a wonderful journey. Along the way, you can pick patterns inspired by the Weasleys, stock up at Diagon Alley, show your house colors, conjure up gifts, or create pieces to help you feel at home in the magical world of Harry Potter.

Visible Mending: Artful Stitchery to Repair and Refresh Your Favorite Things


Jenny Wilding Cardon - 2018
    Then rev up the sewing machine for fast mends that put the pedal to the metal. Even with a limited budget and not much time to spare, you can create eye-catching repairs with visible mending--35 examples and more than 150 photos make it easy to put your unique mark on everything you mend!

The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-Kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters


Crispina French - 2009
    She's a great artist who understands texture and how it adds individuality and comfort to a home, not to mention a car, or an old refurbished orange trunk seat!!" - Carly Simon"Crispina makes the most beautiful soulful blankets, pillows, and sweaters, out of people's old sweaters. In this amazing and magical book she shares her secrets so that you can do it too." - Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry's

Lotta Jansdotter's Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style


Lotta Jansdotter - 2010
    Now she shares her recipe for a stylish home: take a whole lot of Scandinavian influence, mix in a dash of flea-market finds, and then top it all off with expressive handmade touches. The result? An entirely fresh approach to home dcor and contemporary living. In this lavishly illustrated book, Lotta shares her decorating secrets, design resources, entertaining tips, and family traditions. Tucked away at the back shes included stencil pages and perforated recipe cards featuring classic Swedish dishes. Equal parts inspiration and how-to, this charming book shows readers how to create a warm home with elements of simple Scandinavian-influenced style.

Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses: A Modern Guide to Stitch-and-Wear Vintage Patterns You Can Make in a Day: A Modern Guide to Stitch-and-Wear Vintage Patterns You Can Make in an Afternoon


Gretchen Hirsch - 2019
    This approach appeals now more than ever as stylish women are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives filled with family, work, school, and countless other obligations.Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch’s modern reinvention of this simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm.

2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle; Works for any Sock Pattern!


Melissa Morgan-Oakes - 2006
    Step-by-step photographs illustrate how to cast on and knit two socks together on one long circular needle, whatever the pattern or shape. Lonely, abandoned single socks are now a thing of the past!