You saw the collaboration between Muji and Lego? Genius. I admit I had float through my head, ooh if I can’t buy these, get me a hole punch and some lego and off I go. Well it seems someone else thought the same. Head on over to Filth Wizardry for the deets.
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I have reviewed a heap of books this past year – thank you to all the writers and publishers for sending these my way. Every year I like to do a little roundup of my favourite books for the year – perfect for gifts for your crafty family and friends. Here are my fave stitch and sew books for 2009.
Kata Golda’s Hand-Stitched Felt: 25 Whimsical Sewing Projects
Kata Golda’s hand stitched felt lovelies have a gentle rhythm that is witty, tender and wise. They evoke an endless sense of longing – of childhood, innocence and a simpler time and life.
Manga Cross-Stitch: Make Your Own Graphic Art Needlework
With a compelling voice, Helen McCarthy, reaches out to those with a curiosity for everything Manga and needlework.
Carefree Clothes for Girls: 20 Patterns for Outdoor Frocks, Playdate Dresses, and More (Make Good: Crafts + Life)
Felting for Baby: 25 Warm and Woolly Projects for the Little Ones in Your Life (Make Good: Crafts + Life)
The latest additions in the make good series (Japanese craft books published in English by Trumpeter) are 2 books for parents or those who love to make things for children.
Embroidered Effects: Projects and Patterns to Inspire Your Stitching (Sublime Stitching)
This is not just a book with groovy embroidery designs and lots of transfers to help you re-create the groovy designs, it is in fact an extremely comprehensive book on embroidery for beginners.
Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing for Baby: 20 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers
I love this book – it is so very obviously written by someone with young children – the projects are practical and fun – and simple.
Fashion Geek: Clothes Accessories Tech
I am totally into the whole new tech savvy fashion thing that is going on these days. Combining science with sewing – totally cool.
Dorm Decor: Remake Your Space with More Than 35 Projects
A refreshing take on decorating in small spaces – the college dorm room is the focus, however these decorating tips and patterns would be perfect for rental accommodation or share housing anywhere and also just around your own home.
Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures
Amanda Soule makes me feel like I know her. I love her style, her lifestyle and her parenting style and I appreciate her creativity and her imagery.
Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials
Betz White’s new book on repurposing and eco sewing.
Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots
A quilting book reflecting our modern times where fabric is prolific and designs too many to count – inspirations comes from everywhere – how to narrow it all down and make a design work for you.
Folk Art Needlepoint: 20 Projects Adapted from Objects in the American Folk Art Museum
In this age of craft books that are funky beyond funky, I found myself (a not so old mum and [I think] a pretty groovy craft chick) totally in love with this book of traditional needlework projects. Each of the projects has been inspired from an object from the American Folk Art Museum.
Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter
These are all low-sew projects perfect for the beginner sewer who just wants to get crackin’ on some real projects but is too afraid to muck it up.
Free-Style Handmade Bags & Skirts
My two top things to sew have to be bags and skirts – for a satisfying and useful weekend project you really can’t beat em.
Amy Butler’s Little Stitches
Like all Amy Butler’s patterns, this book is full of gorgeous designs, with detailed instructions. Not for the absolute beginner sewer, although some projects might fall under that category. There are some challenging projects to stretch your sewing skills.
French General: Home Sewn: 30 Projects for Every Room in the House
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Elegant projects, nicely designed book, well organised and easy to follow layout, fabulous photography.
Felt Furnishings: 25 Accessories for Contemporary Homes
I am sort of completely and utterly in love with this book – fantastic projects and really clear, concise and well photographed instructions.
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BURGER! Yes I yelled that at you. How ADORABLE is it?! Flamin’ adorable. You’ll have to excuse me, I’m quietly counting down the days until my Christmas holiday. AAAh Mojito here I come. Link to burger.
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From Sister D’s book “Kanzashi in Bloom”. I’ll admit I SUCK at maknig kanzashi, I’d love to be good at it, I love they way they look, but I just can’t get it happening. Link to freebie.
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There’s a new kid on the block “make & meaning – our community in conversation” offers up some thoughtful content for the makers of the world. Get on over and have a read, lots of awesome stuff.
The bloggers are:
Sister Diane – http://www.craftypod.com
Paul Overton – http://www.dudecraft.com
Pip Lincolne – http://meetmeatmikes.com
Betsy Greer – http://www.craftivism.com
Alice Merlino – http://www.futuregirl.com
Kim Werker – http://www.kimwerker.com
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The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters
Sweater Chop Shop is full of clever and cool ideas on how to re-use those felted sweaters. Refashioning and recycling are pretty hip on the crafty scene and while there isn’t a shortage of books on the subject – it still remains fresh and interesting and new designers have scope to add their own unique take on how to re-use the old.
This book has lots of sassy designs – nothing too refined or overly worked – her hacked sweaters and toys have a mix ‘n match aesthetic that verges on the clunky but still manages to maintain the funky. I actually really like this folksy chunky style – with big stitches and patchwork styling – some of the toys have fallen off the cliff into the crazy clunky abyss – but even these are fun and simple to make and appeal strongly to children. However its the reworked dresses and sweaters that really make this book worthwhile for me. Take elements and sections from 3 or more different sweaters and cut and swap and mix them up, add some big stitches and you end up with a very cool outfit. Along with the hand drawn illustrations and clear instructions – this will be a useful addition to your recycle and refashion library.
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