Quilting Projects

            Quilting is a classic craft that allows the quilter to express both her/his practical and creative sides. Here are some new additions to our quilting book collection.

            No Scrap Left Behind: 16 Quilt Projects That Celebrate Scraps of All Sizes is written by Amanda Jean Nyberg, who also is the author of Sunday Morning Quilts and the blog crazy mom quilts. Detailed instructions and color photos accompany the sixteen quilts featured in the book. Projects are group into four categories, those created from squares, strips and strings, triangles, and snippets.

            ScrapTherapy: The Versatile Nine Patch: 18 Fresh Designs for a Favorite Quilt Block is written by Joan Ford, author of other quilting books and online newsletters, and founder of the ScrapTherapy program. The book contains directions for making a 9-patch and for eighteen projects, which include coverlets, quilts, pillows, table runners, and more. Full instructions, color diagrams and photos are provided for each.

            Wise Craft Quilts: A Guide to Turning Beloved Fabrics into Meaningful Patchwork is written by Blair Stocker, a quilt designer and crafter. She has created twenty-one projects, each of which tell a story and are constructed of special collections of fabrics; for example - baby clothes, or table linens, or men’s dress shirts or vintage handkerchiefs, or prints of children’s drawings - and more. Instructions, tips, and color photos are provided.

Crafting Creatively

            Crochet One-Skein Wonders for Babies, edited by Judith Durant and Edie Eckman, presents 101 projects for infants and toddlers. Choose from hats and caps, socks and bootees, tops and bottoms, toys, blankets, and more; all with detailed instructions and color photos of the finished products. A glossary, list of abbreviations, symbol key, and index are provided.

            Crochet to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress with 18 Colorful Crochet Patterns is a collection of simple projects whose repetitive motion relaxes the crafter while creating beautiful and useful items for the home and for friends, family, and yourself. Instructions, color photos, and a how-to of basic crochet stitches are given.

            Easy Fair Isle Knitting: 26 Projects with a Modern Twist, is written by Martin Storey. The projects include scarves, hats, vests, and other clothing items, as well as pillows and blankets for the home. The patterns are a simpler version of Fair Isle knitting, with a maximum of two colors per knitted row, making it easier for the novice. Large color photos show the beauty of the items.

            Creative Leather Jewelry: 21 Stylish Projects that Make a Statement, is written by Christina Anton, a jewelry and accessories designer and business owner. Here she melds jewelry making with leather crafting, creating unique, modern earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The book begins with a chapter on tools, materials, and techniques; followed by project instructions accompanied by color photos. Templates for all projects also are given. 

Crafty Ideas

           Crafts are for everybody! Whether you’re an adult or child, female or male, there are many ways that you can express your creativity. Are you looking for ideas? Here are some books to help.

            Just Us Girls: 48 Creative Art & Craft Projects for Mothers & Daughters to Do Together, written by Cindy Ann Ganaden, presents instructions for more than forty earth-centered activities arranged by season, to be enjoyed by all ages. Templates, designs and full-color photos abound.

            Boy Craft: Loads of Things to Make for and with Boys (and Girls), written by Sara Duchars and Sarah Marks, is designed for boys and tomboys. Many of the projects are made from old junk (recyclables). There’s paper craft, stitchery, crafts made from wood, model-making, projects made from yarn, and more. Detailed instructions are accompanied by drawings and color photos to help the crafter.

            Candy Aisle Crafts: Create Fun Projects with Supermarket Sweets, written by Jodi Levine, relies on candies, cookies and cereal for decorative projects to make on your own. They can be for special occasions, holidays, or anytime fun; the color photos show how tempting these crafts can be.

            Friendship Bracelets All Grown Up: Hemp, Floss, and other Boho Chic Designs to Make, written by Suzanne McNeill, shows how to make bracelets out of knotwork using a variety of materials. Clear instructional drawings aid the novice.

            A Beautiful Mess Happy Handmade Home: Painting, Crafting, and Decorating a Cheerful, More Inspiring Space, written by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, the creators of the décor blog A Beautiful Mess. Travelling room-by-room around the house from living room to bedroom to playroom and more, a multitude of color photos, supply lists, and easygoing text make crafting for the home a breeze.

            Felt-o-Ween: 40 Scary-Cute Projects to Celebrate Halloween, written by Kathy Sheldon and Amanda Carestio, features felt, that favorite craft fabric. Make home decorations, clothing accessories, and more! Templates and color photos included.

Crafted by Hand

Crafting can be the act of expressing yourself while creating an object to satisfy a physical need. The following books show the beauty of crafts when they combine excellence of design with function.

Beautiful LEGO, written by LEGO artist Mike Doyle, is a collection of color photos illustrating the works of eighty artists whose works range from realistic to abstract. Brief biographical interviews with the artists also are included.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Metal Jewelry, written by Nancy Lee, guides the beginner through the setup of a workspace, including selection of tools and equipment. The reader then learns about the qualities of the metals and how to manipulate them, followed by instruction on adding textures, colors, gems and more. Complete instructions for ten projects are included.

Fabrigami: the Origami Art of Folding Cloth to Create Decorative and Useful Objects is written by Jill Stovall and others. Color photos and detailed diagrams teach the reader how to create fun, imaginative objects suitable for gifts or home décor.

Woodworking Techniques: Projects for the First-Time Woodworker is written by John Kelsey. Learn the seven fundamental woodworking skills, and then jump right in by choosing one or all of the twenty-three projects presented. Color photos aid in the presentation.

Zany Wooden Toys Reloaded!: More Wild Projects from the Toy Inventor’s Workshop is written by Bob Gilsdorf. After a brief review of woodworking basics, the reader is presented with eight projects, each including a list of the necessary materials and tools, patterns and diagrams, color photos and ideas on how to play with the toys.

Craft Presents for the Holidays

    Express your creative side by crafting holiday gifts for friends and family. Here are some books to get you started.

    Vogue Knitting Very Easy Sweaters: 50 Simple, Stylish Designs features current styles using basic stitches and techniques. Color photos accompany each project. First-time knitters and those with more experience will find patterns to interest them.

    The New Crochet: a Beginner’s Guide with 38 Modern Projects, written by Marion Madel, presents 25 lessons in the art of crocheting, each including at least one, or two, projects to reinforce the stitch or technique. Illustrations and color photos assist the crafter.

    Sew Modern Baby: 19 Projects to Sew from Cuddly Sleepers to Stimulating Toys, written by Angela Yosten, offers ideas and patterns for creating infant toys and accessories out of fabric. Color photos and explicit instructions abound.

    And, for kids of all ages, here are two books each featuring 101 duct tape activities: Tape It & Make It and Tape It & Make More, each written by Richela Fabian Morgan. Create fashion accessories, housewares, costumes and more. In-depth instructions show you how.