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{Book Reviews} 4 New Crafty Titles

December 10, 2012 By Spoonful of Sugar - 3 Comments

There are so many lovely creative titles that have been released recently. Here are some of our favourites!

Knitting Hats & Mittens from Around the World: 34 Heirloom Patterns in a Variety of Styles and Techniques by Kari Cornell (editor) is a lovely collection of hat, mitten, and glove patterns from around the globe. The book is divided into regions – Hats & Mittens of Scandinavia; Hats & Mittens of Europe; Hats & Mittens of the East; and Hats & Mittens of the West.The patterns are really stunning – using traditional designs from each region, and incorporating a range of knitting techniques and colours. All the projects are beautifully photographed and styled. The hard part is deciding on which pattern to work on first! This book would make a lovely gift for a knitter.

For more details and a peak at the lovely images, check out the google preview on Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:     Voyageur Press
ISBN:          9780760340653
Format:       Hardcover, 142 pages
RRP:           $34.99

Available from Fishpond, Booktopia, and Can Do Books.

The Stitch Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to 225 Embroidery Stitches and Techniques by Kate Haxell is a lovely resource of 225 embroidery stitches and techniques. It includes comprehensive step-by-step illustrations of each stitch, plus additional project and embroidery stitches are available online.

The book has a helpful “Getting Started” section which guides you through everything you need to know about embroidery equipment, supplies, tracing designs, framing fabric and more. The stitches are divided into the following sections: Freestyle, Hardanger, Blackwork, Crewelwork, Goldwork, Pulled Thread, Canvaswork and Drawn Thread. Each chapter also includes a couple of projects that have been designed to help you practice the different stitches and techniques.

Whether you are new to embroidery, or simply want to increase your stitch repertoire or master new techniques, this is a terrific resource for your Craft Library. The projects are lovely and are a great way to develop new skills.

Book Details:
Publisher:       David and Charles
Format:         Paperback, 176 pages
ISBN:            9781446301661
RRP:             $34.99
Availbale from  Fishpond and Booktopia.

Felted Feathered Friends: Techniques and Projects for Needle-Felted Birds by Laurie Sharp contains techniques and projects for needle-felted birds. If you have ever wanted to learn needle felting techniques, this is a great resource. You will learn how to sculpt wool roving to make a whole flock of different birds. You need wool, a needle and foam pad to create 20 unique birds. The book has a helpful section demonstrating basic techniques. Birds include: dove, bluebird, flamingo, mallard duck, hummingbird and more. Each project includes a comprehensive step by step instructions and progress photographs (12-15 images guiding you through the process).

You can find a Google Preview of the book with more details over at Fishpond.

Book Details:
Publisher:     Creative Publishing International
Format:        Hardcover, 127 pages
ISBN:           9781589236943
RRP:            $24.99

Available from Fishpond, Booktopia, and Can Do Books.

Make It and Mend It by Clare Flynn, Hillary Bruffell, Clare O’Brien, and Anne Caborn inspires you to make more and use less in this creative guide to sustainable living. It contains over 30 ideas to make, bake, sew and grow. The book is divided into chapters that cover the seasons and major holidays. The book includes sections on Equipment and Supplies; Basic techniques; Supplies; and full sized Templates.

The book includes lots of clever, crafty. and thrifty ideas to make do and mend. Projects use techniques such as knitting, sewing, decoupage, gardening, DIY, and baking. All projects are well photographed and come with step by step instructions. This book is recommended for anyone who loves to dabble in a range of crafts and enjoys eco-friendly projects. Most of the projects would be suitable for beginner crafters and older children.

Book Details:
Publisher:         David & Charles
ISBN:              9781446302927
Format:           Hardcover, 160 pages
RRP:               $39.99

Make it and Mend It is available from Fishpond, and Booktopia.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Fishpond.

Filed Under: Crafts, Uncategorized Tagged With: book review

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Comments

  1. haggiz says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:50 am

    The make it and mend it book is on my christmas list! I have just posted a photo of the flourless chocolate cake I made from your recipe (not as pretty as yours but it tasted delicious!) thank you x

    Reply
  2. Ruby Jean says

    December 11, 2012 at 9:16 am

    These all look like great books.. But I am really wishing I knew how to Knit. Those Mittens and Hat look adorable and so very Wintery 🙂
    Angelina

    Reply
  3. Kate says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Love the look of the hat and mitten one! Maybe it is because of the crazy weather we are having today!

    Reply

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Create a soothing self‑care bundle with two quick, Create a soothing self‑care bundle with two quick, calming projects. Perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself. Comment SELFCARE to save 25%.  Save this for when you need a thoughtful gift idea.#selfcaresewing #beginnersewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #handmadegiftsideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
A little peek at my next Makers Caddy… sewn in Som A little peek at my next Makers Caddy… sewn in Something Blue, Tilda’s beautiful new range releasing worldwide on June 1. I’ve just cut out the pieces and couldn’t resist sharing the fabrics, tags, labels, and all the tiny details that make this project so fun to sew. It’s always the little touches - the leather patches, contrasting handles, and coordinated notions - that bring a caddy to life. Stay tuned to see the finished version.Comment CADDY for a link to the pattern.Fabric Details: Tilda Something Blue with thanks to @Tilda_australiaPattern Details: Makers Caddy Sewing Pattern - Available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop  #makerscaddy#tildafabric  #wipinprogess #tildasomethingblue #ilovetilda
There’s something so lovely about putting together There’s something so lovely about putting together a bright, happy self‑care gift… especially when it’s handmade.  I stitched a colourful set using Ruby Star Society fabrics - a Relaxation Eye Pillow and a Heavenly Heatpack - and styled them into a complete gift bundle.To make it feel extra special, I lined a small bamboo tray with soft tissue, added the two calming makes, tied them with a pink ribbon, and tucked in a few thoughtful extras: a candle, a box of speciality tea, and a tiny plant. It’s simple, cheerful, and such a beautiful way to show someone you care.Both projects are scrap‑friendly, beginner‑friendly, and quick to sew - perfect for weekend making or last‑minute gifting.If you’d like to sew your own self‑care set, comment SELFCARE and I’ll send you the link to the bundle. You’ll also save 25% on these two gift‑ready patterns when you buy the bundle.#selfcaresewing #beginnersewingproject #scrapfriendysewing #handmadegiftideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
The Large Quadra Pouch in this bright orange colou The Large Quadra Pouch in this bright orange colourway shows off everything makers love about this pattern — it folds completely flat for storage, has a clever structured base, four coordinated fabrics, and cinches closed beautifully. It’s quick to sew, gift‑ready, and so satisfying to pop open and fill.If you’d like to sew your own, comment QUADRA and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern Details: Quadra Pouch Pattern - available in our Pattern Store and Etsy shop.#QuadraPouch #SewingPatternDesign #HandmadePouch #SewingProjects #ASpoonfulOfSugarDesigns
One of my favourite features of the Quadra Pouch i One of my favourite features of the Quadra Pouch is how it folds completely flat between uses — perfect for travel, storage, or keeping your sewing space tidy. A quick press and it pops back into shape, ready to fill with treats, notions, or gifts.This version uses eight Tilda blenders for a scrappy, pretty finish that shows off the crisp base and four neat corners.If you’d like to sew your own, comment QUADRA and I’ll send you the pattern link.Pattern Details: Quadra Pouch - available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#ilovetilda #drawstringpouch #sewingpattern #scrapsewing #sewingcommunity
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Thank you so much for the wonderful reception to t Thank you so much for the wonderful reception to the Quadra Pouch launch last week — I’m thrilled you’re loving this pattern as much as I do.Today I’m sharing a brand new Tilda version, stitched in the large size and made entirely from blenders. I used four Bellflower prints from the Wallflower range for the exterior, and four Stella prints from the Songbird collection for the lining — eight fabrics in total, making it delightfully scrappy.I love how easily Tilda collections mix and match, and how each corner of the pouch showcases a different print. The clever panel construction gives the pouch a neat flat base without boxed corners, and the result is both practical and beautifully structured.If you’d like to sew your own, the Quadra Pouch pattern is available in both my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.Comment QUADRA and I’ll send the link straight to you.Pattern Details: Quadra Pouch (3 Sizes) - available in our Pattern Store and Etsy ShopFabric: Bellflower blenders and Stella blenders from Tilda, with thanks to @tilda_australia#tildafabrics #quadrapouch #sewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #pouchpattern
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