Best Children's Fashion Crafts
Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins offer 101 stylish projects that use a single yard of fabric to make clothes, accessories, baby items, and more. For both novice and accomplished sewers, this spiral-bound guide offers directions that are precisely, clearly, and buoyantly written as the authors share 101 sewing projects requiring only a yard of fabric, including apparel, toys, accessories (human and pet), dresser organizers, and stuffed animals. For each "recipe", the authors, in well-organized fashion, list necessary materials and then take the reader-crafter through clearly numbered, carefully explained directions to create a successful final product.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've sewed for many, many years and always have a stash of leftover fabric."
"cute patterns and designs :)."
"So I thought this book would be a great way to make use of that type of fabric."
"I love all the sewing talk at the beginning--where they explain about french seams, seam rippers, fabric chalk, etc... You can use their patterns for something different than what they say it's for."
"The patterns are well illustrated, the book/package is well put together and the patterns are easy to use, however they have limited use."
"I bought this for my daughter-in-law who sews quite a bit and she said that it had a lot of patterns for things that she had thought about making but didn't have an idea of how to go about it."
"Good book with lots of quick projects."
"Fabric boxes ... really?"
Helpful photographs and instructional drawings ensure that even inexperienced knitters will be able to produce high-quality socks and handle more complicated techniques, such as the Kitchener stitch at the toe. Ann Budd is the best-selling author of The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns and The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Easy to add patterns into the leg of sock."
"A friend is borrowing it for a road trip and I can't wait to get it back."
"The book also gives you some different stitch patterns (different ribs, cables, etc) to mix in to your basic socks when you are ready to try something new. I read the entire introduction to this book to begin with, and then I made a swatch from some yarn I had laying around. This book helps you truly understand the shapes and techniques of sock knitting -- and once you have a firm grasp on those, the sky is the limit!"
"Tip boxes with information to enhance your sock, ie avoid leaving a hole when picking up stitches, how to and many other helpful ways to make your first socks, well made ones."
"Learned cuff down, heel flap & gusset from this book."
"Great book with good instructions."
"The directions are very helpful, maybe it's just me, I've had to rip out a few rows and start over, but I am very optimistic that at least one of my feet will have a warm comfy sock to wear before winter is over."
"The sock class though is just for learning and doesn't have sizes or anything."
With projects organized by yarn type and weight, you’ll be crocheting lacy shrugs for the springtime and heavy-duty beanies for the snowy winter months. There is no longer any excuse to point to a stash of unused yarn and say, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with these fibers.” Thanks to Durant, who pioneered the franchise of One-Skein Wonders, and her collaboration with Eckman (of The Crochet Answer Book, 2005, among many others), any needleworker can add another 100 possible projects to the ever-growing inventory of “gotta makes.” With classifications by yarn weight, which is an easy-to-use differentiation, the seven chapters offer at least one item in every conceivable craft category, including jewelry, home decor, belts, women’s wear, doll clothes, men’s scarves, toys, and baby apparel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Particulars about the book: 1) All skill levels are covered, but most projects are geared more toward those who already know how to crochet, not someone just learning. :-) The side of the book's pages is color coded so you can find each yarn section quickly. 3) First rate photos. 4) The patterns are clear and the font is easy to read. Rounds are clearly labeled and helps are given for specific areas of each project. Keep in mind though that a satisfactory finished product will depend on the coloration of the yarn. 6) Charts are included for motifs and some of the stitch patterns. 7) A good variety of projects. Speaking of projects, here is how they break down: Home items (9), Jewelry/accessories (7), Scarves (13), Cowls (7), Shawls/Cape (3), Adult Hats (7), Shrugs (2), Baby items (16), Stuffed Toys (7), Gloves/Mittens (6), other head items (6), Purses/Bags (10), other containers (3), Doll items (2), Belt (1), Hanky (1), Slippers (1). So, as you can see, not just hats or scarves (yeah!)."
"Also, those baby booties on the cover are stellar - I made a pair and they came out perfectly."
"The patterns are easy and fun to make."
"I myself know little of crocheting, but the book seemed to have a good layout as well as a plethora of ideas and creations to try."
"Bought as a gift for my sister and she loves it."
"It's perfect for all those single skeins that are so attractive at the LYS."
Best Children's Beadwork, Fashion & Jewelry Craft Books
Kids can sew too! Best of all, this practical, attractive sewing book features finished projects that look like they were actually made by children.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Unfortunately, so much of the sewing kits, books, and supplies are geared towards girls. Not only is it full of beautiful photographs that help teach sewing steps, I was pleased to see how many boys were included in the photographs--sewing just like their female counterparts."
"My 7 year old daughter loves this book."
"My daughter loves it and is always planning new projects to make."
"We can work on sewing projects together and the projects are easy enough for her to understand!"
"Grandaughter likes to sew things and this helped her make some projects."
"Such a lovely book!"
"Nice book but grand didn't really use it much."
"Fun projects."
Best Crocheting
Whether you're a new crocheter or just want to try new techniques, this must-have resource offers all the know-how you'll ever need.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What this does instead is show you how to do a ton of stitches whether you know the basics or are just picking up crochet for the first time. What about just wanting to know how to pick the right yarn and hooks? If you're brand new to crochet, the first couple chapters are all about crochet hooks sizes, yarn styles and sizes, gauge of crochet, how to hold the yarn, and the basic beginner steps to crochet such as how to start, chain stitch, slip stitch, tying off. If you already know how and just want to expand your repertoire then there are dozens upon dozens of stitches, tricks, techniques, and styles to increase your knowledge."
"I could remember making it as a young mother but couldn't remember how other than I needed a crochet hook and a VERY large "broomstick" (or in today's world - a large knitting needle). Anyway, the book contains information on types of yarns, hooks, gauge, how to read patterns and charts and other equipment you might need. One last feature of the book is that the front and back covers each have a "bookmark" flap which is very useful when you can finish a project in one sitting."
"I ordered this books so my daughter and I could learn crocheting together."
"Great information."
"Easy to read."
"Gift for son."
"Sooooo glad I got this book!"
Best Interior Upholstery & Fabric Design
Discover the joys of upholstery and bring new life to your worn-out furniture. That gorgeous book, Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design , officially launched yesterday and is chock-full of beautiful (and helpful) upholstery instructions, illustrated by more than 900 step-by-step photographs. Upholstery has always been daunting to me, but Amanda is an excellent teacher and everything she’s shared in this book will help you master the techniques and skills you need to reupholster any piece of furniture to suit your own taste and style.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Reasons I prefer this book above the rest: The author covers enough different styles of furniture so that you can tackle anything - and shows you how to determine which instructions would be best in her book for different pieces of furniture. The author combines more modern techniques (using foam and pneumatic stapler) with techniques that will help your piece of furniture stand the test of time. The only reason you wouldn't need to buy this book is if you lived in Austin, TX and could take a class from her personally."
"Very handy and provides good information."
"I am a "do-it-yourself" person and really appreciate the different projects in your book."
"That said, I have perused the book (kindle version) and been very impressed with the whole format: instructions, photography, and projects are well presented and detailed."
"This book is excellent."
"Excellent instructions for any furniture project."
"I've been taking an upholstery class with a really great 'old school' instructor teaching exacting and thorough processes."
"LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!"
Best Knitting
With projects organized by yarn type and weight, you’ll be crocheting lacy shrugs for the springtime and heavy-duty beanies for the snowy winter months. There is no longer any excuse to point to a stash of unused yarn and say, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with these fibers.” Thanks to Durant, who pioneered the franchise of One-Skein Wonders, and her collaboration with Eckman (of The Crochet Answer Book, 2005, among many others), any needleworker can add another 100 possible projects to the ever-growing inventory of “gotta makes.” With classifications by yarn weight, which is an easy-to-use differentiation, the seven chapters offer at least one item in every conceivable craft category, including jewelry, home decor, belts, women’s wear, doll clothes, men’s scarves, toys, and baby apparel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Particulars about the book: 1) All skill levels are covered, but most projects are geared more toward those who already know how to crochet, not someone just learning. :-) The side of the book's pages is color coded so you can find each yarn section quickly. 3) First rate photos. 4) The patterns are clear and the font is easy to read. Rounds are clearly labeled and helps are given for specific areas of each project. Keep in mind though that a satisfactory finished product will depend on the coloration of the yarn. 6) Charts are included for motifs and some of the stitch patterns. 7) A good variety of projects. Speaking of projects, here is how they break down: Home items (9), Jewelry/accessories (7), Scarves (13), Cowls (7), Shawls/Cape (3), Adult Hats (7), Shrugs (2), Baby items (16), Stuffed Toys (7), Gloves/Mittens (6), other head items (6), Purses/Bags (10), other containers (3), Doll items (2), Belt (1), Hanky (1), Slippers (1). So, as you can see, not just hats or scarves (yeah!)."
"Bought for a friend beginning to learn to crochet."
"Purchased 2 as Christmas gifts and once my aunt's and cousins saw them I believe I should have purchased at least 4 more."
"so many patterns I will not use - but ok."
"Also, those baby booties on the cover are stellar - I made a pair and they came out perfectly."
"The patterns are easy and fun to make."
Best Children's Bead Crafts
Kumihimo Basics and Beyond presents techniques for creating all-cord braids and beaded braids, then teaches beaders how to transform them into finished jewelry. Rebecca Combs is the owner of Design & Adorn Beading Studio in Tucson, Arizona, and has been teaching a variety of classes in jewelry making there since 2008.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I own dozens of beading books, and this one is truly exceptional -- even the book design deserves an award! I am fairly new to 8-strand beaded kumihimo, and this book has clear and well-illustrated answers to all my questions, from selecting the right-sized cord and combining fibers, to braiding with large or multiple sizes of beads, to incorporating pendants and multiple focal beads on a braid."
"Have been waiting months for this book in hopes it would be an improvement over other kumi publications, and have not been disappointed."
"This is a newly published book and it is a must have for kumihimo crafters!"
"It is a great introduction to Kumihimo however once one method is introduced it is repeated multiple times."
""The jewelry designs in KUMIHIMO BASICS & BEYOND are the copyrighted property of the author, and they may not be taught or sold without permission. Let me start by stating that I'm a retired librarian and, I know a little bit about copyright protection and believe in it. No, you can't copy it, sell parts of it, use it as the basis for a class. In fact, I would be concerned, if I were you, claiming copyright on any of the designs you feature. What you did better than anyone was write and excellent tool for learning to do kumihimo."
"This is JUST what I was looking for in a book on Kumihimo."
"The directions are clear and easy to follow, but the variety in Kumihimo presented is limited to a very particular style and none of the ones shown are ones I actually want to do."
"This book gave me helpful suggestions about problems I encountered as a beginner which were the key to me staying with the weaving."
Best Children's Jewelry Crafts
Kumihimo Basics and Beyond presents techniques for creating all-cord braids and beaded braids, then teaches beaders how to transform them into finished jewelry. Rebecca Combs is the owner of Design & Adorn Beading Studio in Tucson, Arizona, and has been teaching a variety of classes in jewelry making there since 2008.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I own dozens of beading books, and this one is truly exceptional -- even the book design deserves an award! I am fairly new to 8-strand beaded kumihimo, and this book has clear and well-illustrated answers to all my questions, from selecting the right-sized cord and combining fibers, to braiding with large or multiple sizes of beads, to incorporating pendants and multiple focal beads on a braid."
"Have been waiting months for this book in hopes it would be an improvement over other kumi publications, and have not been disappointed."
"This is a newly published book and it is a must have for kumihimo crafters!"
""The jewelry designs in KUMIHIMO BASICS & BEYOND are the copyrighted property of the author, and they may not be taught or sold without permission. Let me start by stating that I'm a retired librarian and, I know a little bit about copyright protection and believe in it. No, you can't copy it, sell parts of it, use it as the basis for a class. In fact, I would be concerned, if I were you, claiming copyright on any of the designs you feature. What you did better than anyone was write and excellent tool for learning to do kumihimo."
"This is JUST what I was looking for in a book on Kumihimo."
"The directions are clear and easy to follow, but the variety in Kumihimo presented is limited to a very particular style and none of the ones shown are ones I actually want to do."
"This book gave me helpful suggestions about problems I encountered as a beginner which were the key to me staying with the weaving."
"I teach Kumihimo and other braiding techniques and wish that this book had been around when I had first started learning how to braid."