The Ultimate Thread Guide

“[A] handy, in-depth guide . . . an attractive and useful reference for those passionate about sewing and other thread-based crafts.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Always choose the right thread! This amazing reference guide features a convenient thread use key that shows the most common uses for the wide variety of threads commonly used by quilters and sewists. This valuable information will help you determine which one is right for your project. Plus, get the inside scoop on thread types and fibers, thread weight, choosing the correct sewing machine needle, and how thread is made. Learn about the most important features of specific threads (grouped by thread manufacturer) The perfect on-the-go reference Try out new products and new techniques with confidence

Presents an introduction to basic sewing techniques, covering such topics as fabric, patterns, seams, cutting, hems, and surface embellishment.

If you can crochet with yarn, you'll easily transition to making a cell phone pouch, a ring belt to wear with your favorite jeans, or lace trim for a blouse--all with thread crochet! A bit rusty on crochet stitches? Just review the stitch guide at the back. Whether you want to create coasters or baby booties, you'll find all the information you need. You can also learn which thread weights are best for your project and pick up some fun techniques and helpful hints. 23 must-have accessories and lace trims: scarf, vest, 2 doilies, filet initial, belt, cell phone pouch, necklace, coaster, bird, 3 snowflakes, bookmark, sachet, baby booties, baby bonnet, receiving blanket, and 5 edgings sewn on clothing.

Discover how to use quilting rulers to their fullest and achieve the quilting you want every time. Straight lines, curves . . . there are rulers for every kind of quilting! Amanda Murphy shares an in-depth guide to everything you need to know about rulerwork quilting on both domestic and longarm machines. With recommendations for choosing templates and feet, this technical guide is great on its own, but also makes the perfect sidekick to Murphy’s popular Rulerwork Quilting Idea Book. Plan your quilting to perfection and learn to combine rulerwork with free-motion quilting. Watch your quilting aesthetic begin to evolve; helpful photos show you how to execute quilting designs with basic straight-line and circle rulers, as well as specialty shapes like waves, clamshells, and feathers! Become a rulerwork expert! Achieve the quilting you want every time Work on your longarm or domestic sewing machine, with troubleshooting and ergonomic tips for each Buy the right rulers and feet, plan the quilting, and execute rulerwork with finesse

Triangles, hexagons, diamonds, and more! Learn to measure, rotary cut, and machine piece 60° shapes with ease. Sew 15 interesting angular quilts with no templates, no y-seams, and no paper piecing! Any 60° triangle ruler or straight ruler with a 60° mark works with these patterns. Arrange blocks in straight rows or kaleidoscope layouts for wildly different looks. After learning triangle grid basics, you’ll be able to design your own angled blocks and quilts.

If you think you know what cross stitch is, look again! Jamie Chalmers, aka Mr X Stitch, shows you how to cross stitch using simple step-by-step instructions and also takes you to the frontiers of cross stitch design. The book is aimed at stitchers of all abilities, from absolute beginners looking to learn a new craft to embroiderers and cross stitchers who want to do something different in cross stitching. For many, cross stitch conjures up images of cute kittens and country cottages, but this book shows people that theres a different side to cross stitching that its an art in its own right, and will encourage them to be a little braver with their art. Jamies writing style is fun, entertaining and highly inspirational. The book aims to appeal to men as well as women, encouraging one and all to take up the ancient craft. It teaches the basics of cross stitching, including information on materials, tools, techniques and colour blending, but also puts Jamies own individual spin on it, with urban flavours and the introduction of different materials such as glow-in-the-dark threads and stitching on metal. As well as providing exciting designs to stitch, there is guidance on how to create cross stitch designs of your own, for example by using photographs and other images for reference. Jamie also showcases the work of other contemporary cross stitchers who are pushing the boundaries of their craft, and introduces more than 20 stunning cutting-edge projects to make, showing that beauty, innovation and 'craftivism' are alive and kicking in this inspirational book.

For quilters yearning to work with wool and wanting to learn from the master, Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings is here to help. In her first book, Wool, Needle & Thread, Lisa shares all her tried-and-true techniques--from start to fabulous finish--with dozens of step-by-step photos and a handful of projects. Now, in Wool, Needle & Thread 2, you can put all those stitchery skills into action with 15 patterns brimming with possibilities from table mats and pincushions to pillows and wall hangings. It's a maker's delight.

Learning how to sew has never been easier! Jam-packed with essential information, Complete Book of Sewing Techniques, Updated Edition provides an ideal introduction for beginning sewers, and is also a useful reference for those who already have sewing skills. Featuring step-by-step instructions and photographs, you’ll learn a variety of skills, from hand stitching and hemming to adding darts for shaping, inserting buttonholes, and more. Along with clear instructions on everything from making seams, sleeves, and collars to attaching linings and zippers, also included is information on fabrics, threads, needles, and other equipment.

A basic introduction to reulerwork, featuring fifty-nine designs using six basic quilting ruler shapes, including straight lines, circles, and squiggles. Quilting rulers have long been used by longarm quilters to make uniform shapes, but now, with the advent of the domestic ruler foot, domestic quilters can join in on the fun, too! Amanda starts with how to use six basic shapes of machine quilting ruler to lay a foundation for your quilting, then moves on to executing fifty-nine different designs. Finish up by following Amanda’s suggestions for filling in background space with free-motion quilting.

Wendy Ward teaches you all the skills you need to refashion garments and reuse fabric from existing pieces you already own, plus ways to use leftover scraps to make household items and to customise your clothes. Each chapter focuses on a different technique, for instance novel ways to join small fabric pieces, using larger pieces to make pieced household items and clothing, and easy ways to refashion existing clothing. Her 'minimal waste' mentality will help you to make garments based on your body measurements, and there's a useful section on mending techniques. Wendy also covers the ethical issues involved in buying new, from shopping locally to choosing your fibres carefully and supporting small businesses and other crafters. There is a comprehensive chapter covering all the sewing techniques used, from seam and hem basics through to tips on unpicking recycled garments. Each section includes projects using the techniques covered – a total of 20 makes that can be adapted to the materials you have to hand.