Fabric Basics at Your Fingertips Have you ever wished you could call an expert and ask for a five-minute explanation on the particulars of a fabric you are sewing? Claire Shaeffer provides this key information for 88 of today's most popular fabrics. In this handy, easy-to-follow reference, she guides you through all the basics while providing hints, tips, and suggestions base don her 20-plus years as a college instructor, pattern designers, and author. In each concise chapter, Claire shares fabric facts, design ideas, workroom secrets, and her sewing checklist, as well as her sewability classification to advice you on the difficulty of sewing each fabric. Color photographs offer further ideas. The succeeding sections offer sewing techniques and advice on needles, threads, stabilizers, and interfacings. Claire's unique fabric/fiber dictionary cross-reference over 600 additional fabrics. An invaluable reference for any one who sews, Sew Any Fabric provides practical, clear information for novices and inspiration for more experienced sewers who are looking for new ideas and techniques.

A new edition of the best-selling fabric guide includes all-new updated information on the selection of the best fabrics for a variety of projects and how to make the most of them, including new tips and more than three hundred color photographs.

Wendy Ward teaches you all the skills you need to refashion garments and reuse fabric from existing pieces you already own, plus ways to use leftover scraps to make household items and to customise your clothes. Each chapter focuses on a different technique, for instance novel ways to join small fabric pieces, using larger pieces to make pieced household items and clothing, and easy ways to refashion existing clothing. Her 'minimal waste' mentality will help you to make garments based on your body measurements, and there's a useful section on mending techniques. Wendy also covers the ethical issues involved in buying new, from shopping locally to choosing your fibres carefully and supporting small businesses and other crafters. There is a comprehensive chapter covering all the sewing techniques used, from seam and hem basics through to tips on unpicking recycled garments. Each section includes projects using the techniques covered – a total of 20 makes that can be adapted to the materials you have to hand.

If you want to sew your own clothes but are put off by the idea of cutting out pattern pieces covered with dotted lines and symbols, this is the book for you. Using Rosie Martin's innovative method, you begin with nothing but a rectangle, circle, or triangle of fabric and some basic body measurements. Next, follow the detailed step-by-step photographs and diagrams to complete your garment. You'll need a sewing machine, but no special equipment or expensive fabrics. With plenty of variations suggested for each garment, there's lots of room for your own creative touches, too.

Stitch it pretty! 16 projects for your family, friends, and home Fill your home with small works of art that embody the simple life. Start with 16 useful handmade gifts in the popular Zakka design style, then add adorable motifs pulled from everyday life. 35 charming designs are printed on iron-on transfer paper–have fun sketching them with bits of fabric and free-motion stitching. Customize a variety of bags, a fabric basket, a makeup roll, coasters, and more. You can even use images pulled from a photograph, a rubber stamp, or a child’s drawing! - 16 charming projects for your home using free-motion quilting and raw-edge appliqué - Choose from 35 adorable sketches, printed on iron-on transfer paper, for handmade gifts you’ll love to sew and share - Branch out and try sewing your own doodles (or your kid’s!), a stamped image, or a traced photo

One of America's foremost sewing experts, presents 50 forms of patch pockets. Your will learn to duplicate what you see in ready-to-wear, form the basic shirt pocket to military bellows pockets. This book is perfect for you, the busy sewer who has little time, but who desires the latest fashion. Now you can sew an easy, fast outfit and bring instant pizzazz by adding an interesting pocket.

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.