Jenny Ryan has created a collection of projects that anyone can complete in a jiffy. Simple sewing techniques and quick yet stylish projects combine in this book that teaches readers basic sewing skills while they create adorable yet useful items to keep for themselves or give as thoughtful presents. Use surface embellishment techniques including appliqué and embroidery to transform plain tees or old linens into pretty and unique signature items like a pillowcase purse or a skinny summer scarf, or create lovable critters or a set of crafty coasters from scrap fabric and felted sweaters. A focus on using vintage and repurposed thrift fabrics shows readers how they can whip up unique sewing projects that are also easy on the planet (and on your pocketbook).--From publisher description.

Simple sewing techniques and quick yet stylish projects combine in this appealing book that teaches readers basic sewing skills while they create adorable yet useful items to keep for themselves or give as presents. Use surface embellishment techniques including applique and embroidery to transform plain tees or old linens into pretty and unique signature items like a pillowcase purse or a skinny summer scarf; create loveable critters or a set of crafty coasters from scrap fabric and felted sweaters; or clean up the clutter in your craft room with easy-to-sew organisers for your crochet hooks, knitting needles, pins, and more. A focus on using vintage and thrifted, repurposed fabrics shows readers how they can whip up unique sewing projects that are also easy on the planet (and on your wallet). Colourful photographs reveal the projects and fabric selections up-close; step-by-step instructions, plus Jenny's tricks and tips, make it easy for home sewers to re-create these sew darn cute items for themselves.

The host of HGTV’s Knitty Gritty presents “craftographies” of the most influential designers in the industry and profiles of under-the-radar newbies. Bestselling author and stitchery dynamo Vickie Howell puts down her needles to pay tribute to her fellow crafters! Her extraordinary new collection features interviews with thirty successful professional craftspeople as well as profiles of a diverse group of approximately sixty amateurs. And every interview includes a photo of the subject, plus a peek at their work or their studio. This project—a true labor of love—also documents how social networking sites, groups like Stitch ’n’ Bitch, and alternative sales outlets such as Etsy have helped create a close community of crafters passionate about their work and each other. Includes interviews with such influential crafters, designers, and business people as: Renowned quilter Denyse Schmidt The Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo Artist and designer Mary Engelbreit Emmy-nominated host of Creative Juice, Cathie Filian Indie craft documentarian Faythe Levine Scrapbooking legend Sandi Genovese Project Runway winner and fabric designer Jay McCarroll TV Host and author Mark Montano Craft pioneer Carol Duvall Famed fabric designer Amy Butler “Bad ass!”—Christina Batch-Lee, marketing for Etsy “The kind of book you can’t stop devouring from the moment you open the cover and when you’ve finished reading you’re hungry for more . . . It’s the kind of book that changes lives.” —Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter “[Vickie’s] heart, soul and intentions [with Craft Corps] are touching, and crazy cool!”—Amy Butler, world-renowned fabric designer

Fans of DIY projects and crafts will conquer their fear of failure and create their own masterpieces using this fun and inspiring handbook. Get Crafty. Make Great Stuff. Be Creative! The number one fear of all creative types—crafters, DIYers, makers, artists—is that failure lurks right around the corner. Crafty blogger and creativity guru Kim Piper Werker urges everyone to pick up their pen or paintbrush or scissors and make something mighty ugly: get that “failure” out of the way. This friendly book offers up a multi-pronged approach to overcoming creative fears through inspiring essays and anecdotes, interviews, exercises and prompts, and sage advice from all over the creative spectrum to help individuals slay their creative demons.

Geek meets craft in this fun collection of 25 kooky projects for geeks of any affiliation, from D&D dice earrings, Star Trek pillows, and Super Mario cross-stitch to Star Wars terrariums, a Morse code quilt, and much more! Organized by difficulty from "Not a Jedi Yet" to "Warp Speed," World of Geekcraft covers a range of popular crafting techniques including beading, quilting, appliqué, embroidery, and needle felting. Best of all, it's easy to get started with step-by-step instructions and handy templates included in the back of the book. With lots of photos and plenty of geekery throughout, this one-of-a-kind book shows that geek and craft go together like...pixels and cross-stitch!

CRAFT is the first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; resourceful spirits who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities. Volume 01, the premier issue, features 23 projects with a twist! Make a programmable LED shirt, turn dud shoes into great knitted boots, felt an iPod cocoon, embroider a skateboard, and much more.

Turn your craft into a successful business! Even the most expert crafters may find it challenging to market and sell their wares, but with Kari Chapin you have an experienced guide at your side. Learn to determine your cost of goods, set prices, identify the competition, and understand the ins and outs of wholesale and retail sales. Explore the various sales venues available, including independent craft fairs, Web sites such as Etsy, and traditional stores, and learn to maximize your visibility and sales in each one. Want to start your own website? Chapin shows you how to style and prop your crafts for photography and explains how the most popular Web marketplaces operate. You’ll find everything you need to turn your talent into profits.