With an emphasis on innovative designs that range from simple to complex, this collection of contemporary knitting projects includes garments and accessories for women. Featuring projects with a sense of style that will appeal to knitters of all ages, it includes designs for socks, hats, sweaters, dresses, and shrugs. A basic primer on knitting lace that is closely linked to the projects in the book includes information on how to knit lace, choosing yarn and needles, types of increases and decreases, reading charts, simple ways to achieve a lacy effect, ways to incorporate lace designs in knitting patterns, and information on blocking. Each pattern has detailed step-by-step instructions, lavish lifestyle photographs, and plenty of detail shots. Experienced knitters looking for inspiration and beginners trying lace knitting for the first time will find everything needed to knit lace with confidence.

'African Lace' denotes brightly coloured, industrially embroidered textiles that define the image of Nigerians worldwide. For over fifty years it has been the fabric of choice for festive and format dress styles. This volume is the first to explore the history and cultural significance of this particular fabric in Nigeria. Industrial embroideries have been produced in Austria and Switzerland since the 19th century. The specific designs manufactured for the West African market go back to the early 1960s when commercial relations with the newly independent state of Nigeria began. Since then African Lace has been extremety popular in Nigeria and the resulting clothes have been adopted as 'traditional dress'. This book presents a fascinating chapter in African fashion history and enhances a contemporary aspect of culture that extends beyond the borders of a single nation, interconnecting people, ideas, and creativity through trade. African Lace highlights fashion, creativity, opulence, and the joy of social gatherings in Nigeria.

50 Dutch Bobbin Lace Patterns presents a stunning selection of Withof and Duchesse bobbin lace patterns for the lacemaking enthusiasts. This multi-language lace book introduces a variety of patterns chosen to suit every level from the enthusiastic beginner to the most experienced lacemaker. The book includes: Detailed explanations of the Withof and Duchesse techniques. A variety of designs, including an alphabet, a coat of arms, a clematis and a butterfly. Advice and further suggestions to encourage lacemakers to create their own personalized lace designs. How to use traditional fine threads, thicker threads - which give the pieces a larger scale - and coloured threads.

Comprehensive, profusely illustrated book, written with charm and enthusiasm, discusses techniques of making, mending, cleaning, and caring for lace. Over 100 large photos identify scores of important laces.

Learn to create modern quilts more quickly and easily than ever with this popular method, featuring thirteen projects and twenty-five bonus ideas. Do you believe rules were meant to be broken? If so, this improvisational quilt-as-you-go technique is for you. Instead of dealing with precise paper patterns and cutting measurements, you’ll learn how to piece fabric onto small, manageable batting blocks. Let your creative juices flow as you quilt directly on the blocks (not the whole quilt!), whether in large abstract zigzags or small structured stitches. After the blocks have been joined, all you need to do is add backing fabric and binding, and—voila—it’s finished! A modern approach to quilting that’s fresh, fun, and simpler than it sounds; it will change the way you quilt (for the better) Great for moms or anyone with a busy schedule—these thirteen projects are easy to transport because they make it simple to pick up where you left off Go your own way: This method allows you to use a pattern or improvise, creating a wide variety of design options Save money! Learn how to finish your own quilts without the use of a longarm professional “Quilting is easier than ever with Jera Brandvig’s modern spin on the popular quilt-as-you-go technique.” —Modern Quilts Unlimited “Quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) is one of those techniques that every quilter is curious about trying, but can be daunting as the process is so different to the traditional process of making a quilt top and then quilting it. . . . The book introduces the technique very thoroughly, so you can clearly understand the difference between traditional piecing and quilting and QAYG. Then there’s a great selection of gorgeous quilts that are sure to appeal to the modern quilter. A must if you’ve ever thought about trying QAYG and haven’t had a clue where to start.” —Make Modern Magazine

What is that lace? How old is it? Has it been made by hand or machine? What would it have been used for? These are the types of questions that this practical guide sets out to answer. Lavishly illustrated, it shows you how to identify the sort of lace that you might find hiding away in drawers and cupboards, or buy at a vintage textile fair. It deals predominantly with the hand-made and machine laces of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Topics covered include: an introductory survey of the different types of lace, their history and construction; guidelines for a systematic approach to lace identification and advice on cleaning and storage; chapters on the different types of lace: bobbin lace, needlelace, craft laces such as crochet and tatting, machine lace and lace based on tapes and nets. There are exercises on distinguishing similar pieces of lace made using different techniques and there are illustrations of how lace has been used and of some of the tools used in the making. Written by experienced lacemakers, Gilian Dye and Jean Leader, it presents items from their own collections to illuminate and inspire others who wish to know more about this fascinating textile. Lace Identification is a complete guide to the beauty of this stitch craft, and will richly reward all those who study the treasures they may own.