A thoughtful, meditative guide to the ways creative textile art can soothe and comfort us during challenging times. Renowned British textile artists Cas Holmes and Deena Beverley, each well known for their richly textured, deeply evocative work in stitch, collaborate for the first time in this important and timely book. Beautifully illustrated with a wealth of work from both artists along with other embroiderers and textile artists from around the world, Soulful Stitch documents a wide range of stitched responses to crisis, both personal and global. With invaluable advice on how to develop your own work in times of trouble, it explores: • How the restrictions and trials of everyday life can inform your textile work, enabling you to develop imaginative new approaches. • The healing power of stitch to soothe and console, with the simple act of putting needle into fabric providing a mindful route to inner calm. • Practical ways to continue with your textile art practice in the face of seismic life changes, finding creative opportunity in difficult situations. • How to use found objects, repurposed threads and personal items to create deep emotional resonance in your own work. Both authors have recent lived experience of having to navigate new paths through big life challenges, making this book particularly heartfelt. It truly demonstrates how even in the toughest times, creativity in textile art can keep you afloat.

Craft your own comfort with these uplifting cross stitch projects featuring spirit-boosting quotes. Cross Stitch for the Soul is a collection of beautifully designed motivational and inspirational quotes rendered in easy cross-stitching techniques that will raise the spirits, both during the making process and beyond, as gifts for loved ones or as treasured pictures on the wall. Cross stitch is a wonderfully calming and mindful occupation, a chance to slow down, embrace the process, and create something beautiful. The twenty designs in this collection feature quotes that will resonate with anyone in need of a little boost. Designed by leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon, aka Stitchrovia, whose modern styling appeals to crafters of all ages and abilities, these inspiring quotes will provide comfort, motivation, and an all-around positive spin on life, reminding us that we are brave, we are strong, and we have the power to make our own futures—one stitch at a time!

Tired of knitting books that spend fifty pages telling you how to get started? Get the skinny, compact directions for simple to advanced designs (such as a baby carrier, bangleless bracelet, and mobius wrap). Over twenty unique, quick-to-knit items, photographed at the Historic Michie Tavern (near Jeffersons Monticello), are for knitters and spinners of all skill levels. Your soul will find comfort in creating a gift to comfort another soul.

This richly illustrated book offers a glimpse into the lives and creativity of African American quilters during the era of slavery. Originally published in 1989, Stitched from the Soul was the first book to examine the history of quilting in the enslaved community and to place slave-made quilts into historical and cultural context. It remains a beautiful and moving tribute to an African American tradition. Undertaking a national search to locate slave-crafted textiles, Gladys-Marie Fry uncovered a treasure trove of pieces. The 123 color and black and white photographs featured here highlight many of the finest and most interesting examples of the quilts, woven coverlets, counterpanes, rag rugs, and crocheted artifacts attributed to slave women and men. In a new preface, Fry reflects on the inspiration behind her original research--the desire to learn more about her enslaved great-great-grandmother, a skilled seamstress--and on the deep and often emotional chords the book has struck among readers bonded by an interest in African American artistry.

The benefits of sewing are well known - nothing feeds the soul like the act of creativity and sewing garments and projects gives you a huge sense of satisfaction. Not to mention the enjoyment of wearing the finished garment! Sewing is good for the soul and this collection of relaxed garments, accessories and loungewear sewing patterns is designed to soothe the soul and lift the spirits. But this book isn't just about the clothes, it's about the power of sewing to help you relax and unwind: there are smaller projects for hand sewing, the ultimate mindful craft, and quick dressmaking patterns for times when you want a sewing 'fix' but are a bit pushed for time. As well as the sewing projects there is also a smattering of delicious recipes to feed more than just the soul! Sewing and baking have always been natural bed fellows and this collection features garments, cakes and drinks to celebrate every season whether it's 'Mullered Wine' in the winter or a delicious Lemon Drizzle Cake for the summer. There are full-size, graded patterns (up to a UK size 26/US size 22) for 10 easy-to-wear garments including pyjama pants, a linen T shirt, a summer dress and palazzo pants. This means that you can find your perfect size and get sewing straight away without having to print out the patterns. The designs are for relaxed-fit clothes and 'loungewear', which are suitable for both work and home and all the garment instructions have written step-by-steps and diagrams making them suitable for all abilities. Unlike other sewing collections Sewing for the Soul takes you on a journey throughout the year with sewing patterns, projects, recipes and drinks to take you from season to season. Each season has a slow sewing project for when you have more time, a quick sewing project so that even the time-poor can get a therapeutic sewing 'fix' and either a hand sewing project, such as embroidering a decorative detail onto one of the garments, or a reinvention project. This means that, by the end of the year, you will have a whole new wardrobe to be proud of and will have spent many relaxing hours mindfully making.

Textiles and clothing are interwoven with Islamic culture. In Islamicate Textiles, readers are taken on a journey from Central Asia to Tanzania to uncover the central roles that textiles play within Muslim-majority communities. This thematically arranged book sheds light on the traditions, rituals and religious practices of these regions, and the ways in which each one incorporates materials and clothing. Drawing on examples including Iranian lion carpets and Arabic keffiyeh, Faegheh Shirazi frames these textiles and totemic items as important cultural signifiers that, together, form a dynamic and fascinating material culture. Like a developing language, this culture expands, bends and develops to suit the needs of new generations and groups across the world. The political significance of Islamicate textiles is also explored: Faegheh Shirazi's writing reveals the fraught relationship between the East – with its sought-after materials and much-valued textiles – and the European countries that purchased and repurposed these goods, and lays bare the historical and contemporary connections between textiles, colonialism, immigration and economics. Dr Shirazi also discusses gender and how textiles and clothing are intimately linked with sexuality and gender identity.

Learn how to knit a sweater seamlessly. Kristen TenDyke will teach you how to knit the perfect sweater--no assembly required. Through clever planning and some simple techniques, her knitting projects are shaped and joined as you go--all without sacrificing the pretty details. No-Sew Knits offers 20 garments that combine innovative construction and on-trend styling for comfortable everyday wear. Kristen takes the opportunity to introduce you to a variety of easier-than-they-seem techniques, while keeping each knitting pattern approachable for advanced beginners. Chapters offer basic no-sew patterns, interchangeable stitch patterns, cables, and lace. The results are beautifully constructed garments that boast eye-catching details such as seamless pockets, hoods, bust darts, and faux seams. Each knitting pattern features a Tip section that helps you learn new ways to customize your garments. Pretty and practical, the patterns in No-Sew Knits will build your knitting repertoire as you build your wardrobe.