An indispensable volume for beginning and advanced sewers alike that guides readers through necessary equipment, techniques, fabrics and more.First published in 1976, Reader’s Digest’s popular Complete Guide to Sewing has become the standard stich-and-seam reference book for both beginner and seasoned sewers. Now, Reader’s Digest has refreshed this tried-and-true volume for the modern era, adapting it to current trends while preserving the comprehensive, practical and inspiring content within. Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing gives sewers of every experience and comfort level everything they need to know to create the wardrobe of their dreams and beautify their homes with original decorative accents. Clear, simple instructions written by experts in the field tell you what to do and how to do it. Plus, thousands of illustrations and diagrams throughout the book’s 384 pages illustrate each stage of the process. Key elements of the book include: A detailed list of the basic equipment you’ll need before getting started sewing.Tips for choosing the right fabric for your project.A step-by-step photo guide that shows you how to take measurements.Instructions in a variety of essential hand-stitching techniques.20 timeless projects—more than half of them new to this edition—to practice your skills including shirts, dresses, bags and more. Plus, the book has received endorsements from a variety of trusted sources: “…and I always recommend the Reader’s Digest Guide to Sewing. It’s very comprehensive and very user-friendly.” —Tim Gunn “…abundant and precise line art, enticing photographs, simple-to-follow instructions and valuable information on tools, supplies, materials and techniques.” —The New York Times “A woman who takes sewing seriously, or who wants to learn to sew, won’t want to be without this book.” —Portland Oregon Journal “Here is everything you always wanted to know about sewing—a veritable encyclopedia of stitching facts.” —The Austin American Statesman Read more

New York Times BestsellerLearn the Historically Proven Stitches Every Seamster Needs with Beloved Historical Fashion YouTuber Bernadette BannerWhether you are just getting started with sustainable fashion and need to alter your new secondhand finds, or you want an introduction to sewing techniques for making your own clothes, Bernadette Banner’s signature voice will guide you through all the traditional stitches and techniques you need to extend the life of your favorite pieces and take fashion intoyour own hands!From tips and tricks on choosing your materials and preparing your fabric for sewing to more complex techniques like mending small holes, adding pockets to garments, making your own buttons and beyond―this book has everything you need. Complete with step-by-step photos and insight into what alterations each sewing technique is best suited for, Bernadette walks you through every step of your sewing journey. For added inspiration, this book also includes profiles on exciting voices in the historic sewing community and their perspectives on how taking fashion into their own hands has changed their lives for the better. Make, Sew and Mend is the perfect foundation for beginner sewers to start making their fashion their own. Read more

Artist, textile designer, and author Lena Corwin highlights the work of 100 talented and diverse American fiber artists in a new book for all who are inspired by weaving, quilting, dyeing, and other heritage techniques In Cloth, Lena Corwin spotlights American artists using (and reinventing) heritage techniques. The contributors represent a wide spectrum of age, gender, race, and locale; and their rooted ancestral influences are unique. Each artist, including Lena herself, shares their fascinating perspective and process to create a book that is a colorful, captivating portrait of works made with fiber. Chapters explore four categories of fiber art: -Weave and Braid (loom, handweaving) -Sew and Quilt (patchwork, stitch, embroider) -Loop and Felt (crochet, knit, felt) -Print and Dye (screen print, block print, batik, dye bath) The book includes DIY instruction via eight projects (created by the author in collaboration with a contributing artist) so that readers can learn, experiment, and create. Contributing artists include: Zak Foster, host of the Seamside podcast; Jen Garrido; Ilana Kohn; Rose Pearlman; Hopie Stockman Hill, Block Shop; Windy Chien. Read more

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Learn how to crochet with this complete beginner's guideWith just a little yarn and a crochet hook, you can enjoy a relaxing new hobby while creating beautiful gifts, garments, and decor. This crochet book for beginners shows you how to get started with step-by-step instructions and illustrations for 30 fundamental crochet stitches and techniques—plus a collection of fun projects to help you practice your skills.What sets Crochet for Beginners apart from other crochet books:The basics of crochet—Learn the different types of hooks and yarn, essential and nice-to-have tools, and explanations of important crochet terms.Skill-building stitches—Start with the most basic stitches and work your way up to more intricate ones as you learn techniques like following a pattern, joining pieces, changing colors, and more.10 beginner projects—Put everything you learn into practice with easy crochet patterns for beginners, including a beanie, a crochet tool holder, a circle bag, and a blanket.Develop your crochet skills with this beginner-friendly guide to success. Read more

Elevate your quilting skills with flawless binding techniques!Marci Baker is your guide to the world of quilt bindings through a step-by-step journey, revealing the joys of achieving a polished finish. Whether you're tackling your first quilt or your hundredth, learn the art of basic double-fold binding to ensure every corner lays perfectly flat. Explore a spectrum of binding techniques, from knife-edge to mock piping, and embrace decorative options like prairie points and loops. With detailed instructions and variations, you will be well on your way to perfect the finishing touches on a quilt that truly shines.   Explore 25 binding techniques and practice your newfound skills with five projects Learn how to tailor your binding selection to the quilt, making key decisions on width and mastering corner mitering for various stylesGain tried and tested troubleshooting techniques to ensure that your quilt binding looks fabulous every time Read more

Professional quilter Jessica Ahlstrand Kwanpresents the ultimate guide to quilting for all quilters. In this complete, illustrated guide, readers will learn everything they need to know to start quilting. School of Quilting breaks down every step for quilters both new and experienced. The book starts with what sewing machine to buy and the tools and supplies to keep in your arsenal. It also demonstrates fabric cutting and preparation, quilt options for different kinds of piecing, and how to assemble a quilt top. With guidance on basting, batting, and finishing a piece, the book also introduces ways to troubleshoot problems as they arise. Full of helpful tips from a professional quilter with over twenty years of experience and 100 color illustrations, School of Quilting is a necessary guide for any quilting project. Read more

Learn the fun and easy craft of rope sewing!Scrap-friendly craft of sewing with rope is easy to learn and exciting to experiment with16 projects for durable and decorative bags, bowls, baskets, coasters, and other accessories and home décor itemsStep-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and helpful tips throughout to ensure successBeginner-friendly tutorials on rope sewing basics, how to coil rope, advanced shaping techniques, and lots of finishing ideas for adding unique detailsAuthor Katherine Lile is a fourth-generation quilter and the owner of The Mountain Thread Company, a shop that specializes in coiled rope baskets and high-quality quilting cottonsRope sewing projects are satisfying to make and a joy to gift! With this book, not only will you develop versatile sewing skills, you'll also discover your own unique style and explore endless possibilities.Zigzag Rope Sewing Projects is a complete craft guide to making stylish bowls, tote bags, trivets, baskets, plant stands, and other functional yet beautiful projects by coiling rope and joining it together using a simple zigzag stitch. It's an easy and fun craft to quickly master, perfect for anyone looking to try something new with their scraps!This exciting guide features a fun collection of 16 sewing projects with clear, step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and expert tips throughout that will ensure success and build your rope sewing skills. Also included are insightful introductory overviews on materials, supplies, techniques, stitching tips, the basics of rope sewing, instructions for more advanced shaping, and tons of finishing ideas.Author Katherine Lile is the owner of The Mountain Thread Company, a shop that specializes in coiled rope baskets and high-quality quilting cottons. She is a 4th generation quilter, having started sewing in preschool!The perfect beginner-friendly guide, Zigzag Rope Sewing Projects offers endless design ideas and several techniques to try — from painting and fabric wrapping to dying, adding handles, and more — to open the door to a whole new world in crafting that's easy, fun, and fast!Fall in love with the exciting craft of sewing with rope, with Zigzag Rope Sewing Projects!"Katherine brings her expertise, wit, and contagious enthusiasm to life in this complete guide to all things rope."—Lee Chappell Monroe, sewing teacher and author; founder of May Chappell"Such a thorough and fun book! I found myself learning something new on every page. This book is a phenomenal resource on rope sewing!"—Brittany Lloyd, quilt pattern designer and founder of Lo & Behold Stitchery and Beginner Quilting Academy Read more

Create unique and stunning nature-inspired blocks!30 patterns including butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, mushrooms, a bee, snail, daisy, rose, tulip, hydrangea, and moreSampler quilt projects are included for a full quilt, a table runner, and wall hangings, plus upsizing alternatives for different size blocks5-inch and 7-inch blocks with on-page templates and instructions for enlarging a foundation patternUses foundation paper piecing to create pieced quilt blocks with beautiful nature-based printsWhen you combine sampler quilts with the ever-growing popularity of foundation paper-pieced quilt blocks—those inspired by nature and gorgeous quilting prints—it's a win-win!Inside this quilting book, author Liza Taylor has created 30 floral and creatures-of-flight blocks that have a sophisticated sensibility. The patterns include dragonflies, a ladybug, poppy flower, larkspur, maple leaf, lotus, forget-me-not, peony, and much more. Individually, these blocks are beautiful; combined into a full-size sampler quilt, table runner, and wall hangings, they're simply fabulous!Liza Taylor is a sewing pattern designer based in Utah. She specializes in foundation paper piecing and has a passion for teaching others this beautiful skill. Her goal is to help people discover the joy of creating stunning, handmade pieces that bring beauty and creativity into everyday life.These blocks are so pretty that you might find yourself making extras to complement your fresh new bedding! The blocks are offered in two sizes — 5" and 7" — with on-page templates, but Liza also instructs quilters how to enlarge a foundation pattern in case you're looking for alternative-size blocks. You'll also find an idea gallery for other inventive ways to use these beautiful blocks.Capture a fresh, modern vibe infused with the vintage charm of patchwork quilting, with Wonderful World of Paper-Pieced Blocks! Read more

Stitch up a storm with these new, stash-friendly projects from every fabric lovers’ favorite creative force: Spoonflower.Spoonflower—the design-your-own, print-on-demand fabric company known for its unique designs—presents dozens of brand-new projects designed to be completed in just a few hours. Get inspired and turn your favorite fabric into a lovely garland, stylish tote, children’s tent, and all sorts of other accessories for home and fashion. The simple step-by-step instructions are accompanied by templates and pattern pieces. With projects for a wide range of skill sets, this book is perfect for both new and experienced sewists. Designing fabric, wallpaper, and gift wrap used to be the stuff of dreams. Today, Spoonflower’s technology allows anyone to affordably create, print, and purchase one-of-a-kind fabric or paper. Read more

Think outside the box quilt! Jera Brandvig’s signature quilt-as-you-go method is back with brand new techniques and ideas.   Create pretty projects using small, manageable pieces of fabric that can be made into different shapes and sizes from a creative and fresh perspective. The follow-up to bestsellers Quilt-as-you-go Made Modern and Quilt-as-you-go Made Vintage, this book introduces how to quilt individual circles, hexagons, and easy 3D quilt blocks.   Also, learn to add extra creative flair with embellishments such as lace and ribbon to your quilt. And once you’ve created your treasured masterpiece, enjoy Jera’s tips on how to tastefully display quilts in various sizes as elegant home décor! Read more

Boost your quilting skills with Amanda Murphy!Grab a pen or pencil and let free-motion quilting expert Amanda Murphy lead you through guided exercises to increase your quilting skills and confidence! Don’t waste your time and fabric at a sewing machine―practice, experiment, and build muscle memory with ease and portability using this workbook. Explore 20 allover quilting designs, each broken down into simple steps with light gray-scale illustrations for tracing, guiding you step-by-step to mastery until you’re filling entire pages with personalized stunning creations. Based on the best-selling free-motion quilting books by Amanda Murphy, Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book and Organic Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book.In this 88-page workbook, free-motion quilting expert Amanda Murphy leads you through guided exercises to boost your free-motion quilting skills and confidenceMaster 20 allover quilting designs with ease as each step is broken down into simple, traceable lines for quick practice sessions, making skill-building effortless and portableBased on the best-selling free-motion quilting books by Amanda Murphy, Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book and Organic Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book Read more

Learn the art of visible mending—a joyful, meditative, and restorative practice—to repair the clothes and belongings you love!“Not only a compendium of practical knowledge, but a moving meditation on what mending can mean more broadly. If everyone practiced the care, patience, and forgiveness suggested by the authors’ outlook, the world would be a better place.”—Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time A beautiful modern sewing and mending guide with vibrant, full-color illustrations throughout, Mending Life encourages us to break free from the fast fashion industry by repairing our clothes rather than discarding them. Along with DIY and how-to illustrations and tutorials, you’ll find heartfelt stories by authors Nina and Sonya Montenegro (creators of the popular @TheFarWoods) that encourage you to change your consumption habits, celebrate a sustainable, intentional lifestyle, demonstrate mending as a powerful act that not only strengthens the object we are repairing, but ourselves as well. Beginners and seasoned sewers will find:• Basic Mending Skills: How to thread a needle, how to tie knots, and basic stitches • Sashiko: A striking Japanese hand-sewing technique for reinforcement and decoration • Darning: Plain weave, swiss weave, crocheted patch, knitted patch, and needle-felted patch • Patching: The best three ways to patch holes how-to guide • Mending Tutorials by Item: Down jackets, shirt cuffs, and linen • Other Common Repairs: Snags, buttons, belt loops, leggings, pant pockets, and more • Sewing Beyond Mending: Hemming pants, taking garments in, and adding pockets Extend the life of your favorite clothes and beloved household items with mending with this timeless and practical guide to cherishing and caring for our belongings. Read more

This is your complete guide to dressmaking, from designing, creating, and customizing your clothes. Master every dressmaking technique in the book!Fully illustrated and easy to use, this dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make timeless wardrobe staples. It's a must-have for beginners and expert stitchers alike.Fed up with fast fashion and keen to make your own clothes? This is the ultimate dressmaking guide for absolute beginners. Comprehensive, step-by-step guides and dressmaking patterns cover everything from choosing the perfect fabric for any project to trying your hand at a range of machine-sewing techniques. Inside the pages of this sewing book you’ll discover:   • Step-by-step instructions and techniques, accompanied by clear, full-color photography    • Thorough sections on tools and equipment, to help the reader choose the right items for each project    • 13 downloadable patterns for skirts, dresses, trousers, tops, and jackets that can be used to create 31 different garments    • Over 80 techniques, including how to cut out a pattern, machine stitch, and hand stitch Accompanied by close-up photographs, clear instructions, and a glossary of dressmaking terminology to demystify even the trickiest technique. This book will help you advance from a sewing learner to a seasoned stitcher in no time. Zoomed-in photographs of hand and machine tools show you the best dressmaking equipment for the job and teach you exactly how to use it.All the techniques and projects are graded by difficulty level, from the simple and straightforward to the more complex and challenging ones. Put your new-found knowledge to the test with 13 downloadable patterns that can be easily adapted to create more than 30 stylish garments. Learn how to make classic dresses, skirts, tops, trousers, and jackets, alongside creative ideas for giving your old clothes new life!The Essential Guide to DressmakingSew Your Own Wardrobe guides you through every hand stitch, machine stitch, and sewing technique you'll ever need. We've included the best way to stitch, alter, put in linings, seam and hem, so you can make your favorite bespoke outfits to suit your unique style. Read more

Sewing with precut strips makes quilting a snap! Your favorite jelly rolls plus easy-to-follow patterns equal a beautiful handmade quilt in no time.Master the use of 2 1/2”-wide precut strips with these delightful blocks, all featuring Jelly Rolls. Precut strips are perfect for beginners because they’re incredibly easy to work with and versatile. If you’re new to quilting, start here, and you’ll be amazed at what you can do with just one roll.This book contains 20 quilt blocks and patterns with accompanying quilts! Go beyond the Jelly Roll Race! Make dynamic and fun blocks with 2 1/2”-wide strips 20 blocks ideal for Jelly Roll, Rolie Polies, and Bali Pops hand-selected by the precut experts at Missouri Star Quilt Company 20 quilts for 20 blocks! Each block as an accompanying quilt; yardage and instructions included Read more

Add a charming textured touch to your wardrobe with enchanting stitchery!500 designs for embroidery, each one beginner-friendly and easy to sewArranged by category including household, gardening, animals, flowers, babies, birthdays, Christmas, food, alphabets, and more15 basic stitches are all that you need, and each is clearly illustrated along with essential embroidering techniquesAn inspiring gallery of finished projects provides ideas for clothes, bags, coasters, table mats, and more500 Simply Charming Designs for Embroidery provides plenty of inspiration for embellishing any fabric project with enchanting stitchery. There is something for everyone, with hundreds of simple but lovely embroidery motifs presented with clear photographs and illustrations.Easy-to-sew ideas for decorative embroidery are arranged by category, from home, holidays, and food to animals, monograms, and borders. Essential embroidery techniques are clearly illustrated and explained, along with 15 basic stitches from the backstitch to French knots.An inspiring color photo gallery shows some of the many ways you can use these adorable designs to add hand-stitched flair to hats, slippers, scarves, purses, coasters, baby blankets, and more.This beautiful compendium of classic embroidery designs is the perfect book for beginners—even a rookie can just pick it up and just start stitching! Read more

Create a floral and starry sampler quilt that’s as refreshing as a spring breeze! Step into a garden of creativity with best-selling author Shelley Cavanna’s new book! Bursting with vibrant spring and summertime blooms, Flower Farm Sampler invites you to explore 18 unique blocks that can be combined into a full sampler or seven other captivating quilt projects. From petite 4” blocks to eye-catching 24” blocks, these designs come together as fresh, vibrant pieces that breathe life into any room. With so many block sizes and designs, fabric possibilities, and easy-to-follow quilt layouts, this collection will provide endless inspiration and instruction for beautiful floral and blooming projects. Embark on a fresh quilting adventure with Shelley Cavanna, author of the best-selling Barn Star Sampler Create the full sampler from 18 floral-inspired blocks, or make one of seven other blossoming quilts, all with the vibrant hues of a flower farm Engages and inspires fans of her first book with the same beloved techniques and inspirations while creating a whole new suite of on-trend and stunning projects Read more

Become a quilting expert with this complete collection of Angela Walters' designs Enter the mesmerizing world of free-motion quilting––the Angela Walters way. Filled with inspiring photos, insightful essays that delve into Angela's creative philosophy, practical tips for making your quilting the best it can be, and an extensive design library, this compendium leaves no stone unturned. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just dipping your toes into free-motion quilting, this book has it all. The techniques and design library spans all styles and skill levels, from Circles & Swirls to stunning Combination designs. Get ready to quilt like Angela, with all the tools, resources, and inspiration at your fingertips. Everything Angela Walters: A treasure trove of free-motion quilting techniques and designs, taking you from start to finish. Includes everything you need to get started, extensive guidance on how to choose and use quilting designs, tips for adjusting designs to your quilt top, and a massive design library! Angela Walters’ creative philosophies and inspirations buoy these long-celebrated techniques and designs. Read more

A comprehensive history of the treasured Singer sewing machine from the author of Big Block One-Star Quilts by Magic.Enjoy an entertaining look at the history of the Featherweight sewing machine with this expanded third edition updated with the latest research. It’s packed with photos, stories, and handy information, like how to date and troubleshoot your machine. It’s a fun read for quilters, Featherweight owners, and history buffs. Read more