A fully revised and updated edition of the self-sufficiency classic. Packed with practical information and expert advice on everything from gardening to cooking, and from health and beauty to raising livestock, this is the indispensable guide to living more sustainably, whether you live in a city apartment block or on a rural smallholding. "A treasure-trove of brilliant ideas and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions" - Adam Henson, BBC One's Countryfile In our current era of pandemic and environmental crisis, self-sufficiency is a means of taking control of our lives and safeguarding for the future - and this new, fully updated edition of the sustainability classic will help every householder do just that. You'll find all the practical information and expert guidance you need on every aspect of self-sufficiency, from gardening and baking through health, beauty and cleaning to foraging and livestock, whatever your needs, circumstances and resources. This means that the gardening chapter, for example, is appropriate both for people with an urban back yard or a more substantial plot of land. Written in a down-to-earth, engaging and often amusing style, and charmingly illustrated with line drawings, the book will appeal to anyone who wants to be more creative, resourceful and independent, who wants to rediscover their inner hunter-gatherer, to single people as much as to large families, and to parents looking to equip their children with basic life skills.

With the expert sewing techniques shared in this book, anyone can create home-made soft furnishings with a designer's flair.

Add texture, colour, warmth, and character to your home with 50 easy-to-follow projects Soft furnishings—from curtains and pillows, to bed and table linen—can provide the perfect finishing touches to a room, adding an injection of color and pattern. So often, store-bought furnishings are either hugely expensive or mass-produced, but The Home-Sewn Home shows you the easy way to create your own, using the wonderful fabrics designed by Vanessa Arbuthnott. There are 50 inspiring step-by-step projects, all with easy-to-follow step artworks and instructions. The projects range from a simple pillow and table runner for the novice stitcher, through to lined curtains with an array of different headings, blinds, bed throws, and table linen. There is a chapter on accessories, including a cook’s apron, a tote bag, and table mats, which also make great presents, while the basic techniques chapter teaches you all the skills you need to make any of the projects. Throughout the book, Vanessa offers practical advice on mixing fabrics, colors, and patterns, helping you to achieve a truly individual look in your home. There are variations, too, allowing you to adapt the projects to suit your own surroundings. Whether you have just bought your first sewing machine, or want to find new ways to use Vanessa’s stunning fabrics, The Home-Sewn Home will show you the way.

Learn to sew curtains, shades, pillows, and more and make your home truly your own with these 50 beautiful projects. Sewing your own home furnishings will allow you to choose exactly the fabric and style you want, and make your home unique. Learn to sew curtains, shades, pillows, and more and make your home truly your own with these 50 beautiful projects. Sewing your own home furnishings will allow you to choose exactly the fabric and style you want, and will make your home unique. There’s never been a better time to sew for the home, with a huge range of furnishing fabrics available in stores and online. And the money you save by making these items yourself can be put towards buying the loveliest fabrics you can afford, making your home more beautiful still. Designer Vanessa Arbuthnott guides you through 50 projects, each made in one of her own beautiful printed fabrics, and all with easy-to-follow illustrated instructions. The projects range from the simplest of pillow covers for the novice stitcher, through to lined curtains with an array of different headings, shades, bed throws, and table linen. There is also a chapter on accessories, such as a cook’s apron, and table mats, which would all be a great starting point if you want to brush up on your skills before tackling a larger project. Vanessa explains how each of her collections was developed, and what inspired her designs, but if you prefer to choose your own material, there is plenty of advice on selecting fabrics, using color, cutting out, matching pattern repeats, piping, and hand-stitching, as well as a techniques section covering the basic sewing skills you will need. Guidance on measuring for curtains and shades, and on ways to hang them, as well as instructions for valances and an upholstered cornice, make this a complete introduction to sewing your own window treatments, and more. Previously published as The Home-Sewn Home, this new edition includes four completely new projects and inspirational photography featuring Vanessa’s most recent fabric collections throughout.

A guide to making a variety of soft furnishings for the home which also includes a discussion on the basic principles of design, sewing techniques, and equipment.

Inspirational photographs combined with clear explanations and extensive instructions guide you whether you want to subtly enhance your room with cushions, make a big statement with curtains or go for a contemporary look with blinds.