Needlework & fabric crafts Books

Aimed at those who get warm fuzzies just walking into a wool shop, simply have to stroke the fabric at the quilt store, and long to touch the textiles at museums, this roundup of New Zealand's craftiest places will go down a treat. It's essentially a guide to the many places in New Zealand where you...

 Soft, cuddly, and totally wild! Stuffed toys are great projects for beginners, but when you’ve grown bored with dolls and bears what do you knit next? How about a tiger, a warthog, or a moose? KNITTED WILD ANIMALS has a menagerie of soft, squeezable wild animal designs to inspire your...

"Waste not, want not" with this guide to saving money, taking heart, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Nowadays, many of us "outsource" basic tasks. Food is instant, ready-made, and processed with unhealthy additives. Dry cleaners press shirts, delivery guys bring pizza, gardeners tend flow...

The book will feature projects for Prince William, Kate Middleton, the Queen, Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Archbishop, and even a corgi. The background scene, which fits into a pocket in the back cover, is an illustrated foldout of Westminster Abbey. Also included are instructions for ...

Knitting is simultaneously trendy and traditional. We're pleased to present here the easiest how-to-knit kit you'll ever find. Knitting takes you from step zero (how to hold the needles and yarn) to finished projects you'll show off shamelessly. The book comes complete with yarn, knitting needles, a...

This stunning book presents a photographic survey that traverses the concepts and values of tradtional M-ori weaving through to innovative, contemporary weaving practice. The evocative photos and text reveal the spiritual significance of weaving within Maori culture. Accolades Shortlisted for ...

Now updated and better than ever - the bestselling guide to knitting brilliant, timeless pieces, "Knitting For Dummies" consistently ranks among our top-selling "Dummies" titles since it published six years ago, with 300,000 copies sold. "Knitting For Dummies, Second Edi...

Debbie Bliss, author of the enormously popular "Baby Knits," "New Baby Knits," and" Kids' Country Knits," presents instructions for more than 30 irresistible soft toys-- from pigs to cuddly teddy bears to dolls, sheep, and even a kangaroo. Beginning and advanced knitt...

Taking a journey back in time, Kaffe Fassett presents 20 glorious new quilts that feature all the romance of a time gone by. The eleventh in the series of best-selling quilt-pattern collections, Kaffe Fassett's Quilt Romance is a study in pastels and tradition set against the dramatic Italianate arc...

Here is a unique opportunity for all Cath Kidston fans to make their own projects and gifts using Cath's own motifs. Inspired by vintage prints found in car bootand jumble sales, and reinvented in cool modern colours, Cath Kidston's instantly recognisable designs are so popular that they feature on ...

The ultimate sewing guide for all skill levels, from basic seamstress to the aspiring Vivienne Westwood. Detailed photographs cover every sewing technique from sewing a basic hem to creating a couture look-alike. Inspiring step-by-step guide for any sewing enthusiast who wants to create, alter and r...

This highly illustrated book gives step-by-step instructions on how to make your own piupiu, the traditional Maori flax skirt. Experienced Rotorua weaver Leilani Rickard covers everything you need to know - from customary uses of harakeke or flax, to the simple tools you will need to finish the garm...

Certain challenges are often faced when learning how to sew. As a beginner, you must acquire a basic understanding and the necessary tools and equipment. As you gain interest and finesse your technique, you become aware of the principles behind each technique. As an expert, your boundaries are limit...

Albert Einstein proved to us that E=MC2. Marilyn Monroe convinced us that gentlemen prefer blondes and that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Elvis Presley showed us how to swivel our hips to old-time rock 'n' roll. Through science, pop culture and arts, all of them have become the objects of great...

When people think of Japanese craft, they often think of zakka - cute, whimsical sewing projects. But Japan has a long history of traditional quilting as well. Yoko Saito, a quilt artist for more than thirty years, explores traditional folk themes in her work and interprets them with a vintage, yet ...

Discover the joy of making one-of-a-kind art dolls. Renowned dollmaker Marina Druker teaches you how to build wire armatures, work with air-dry clays, and build charming fabric sculptures. Eight unique projects include a beautiful mermaid, a fantasy fish, an elegant princess, and a sweet teddy bear....

Each aspect is clearly illustrated by example and includes tools for selecting colours, choosing shades that enhance our embroidery, why some shades blend better than others, and the importance of contrast with light and shadow. There are projects to represent each colour group including stunning ro...

The dozens of original transfer designs in this book are perfect for embellishing and personalising your home and wardrobe with colourful embroidery. Embroidery is the wonderful take-it-along handwork you can pick up and put down whenever and wherever you want to create with needle, thread and fabri...

No-one can resist knitting a pretty pair of baby bootees for a new baby - so here are twenty of them, all unique but all equally irresistible, in a range of colours and styles. Each pair of bootees requires relatively small quantities of yarn and can be knitted quickly and easily using the clear, st...

Sarah Skeate and Nicola Tedman offer crafters an array of charmingly raffish characters inside "Steampunk Softies: 8 Scientifically Minded Dolls From a Past That Never Was." Even if you're unfamiliar with the term "steampunk," chances are you've already discovered it through the works of Jules Verne...

A real return to the timeless, unchanging qualities of knitting - knitting to clothe, protect, wrap, comfort, enhance and insulate for all seasons. The aim here is show off the beauty of the stitch, the real joy and intimacy of knitting, and to emphasise that the slow, meditative, unhurried creative...

The follow-up to Nicky Epstein's hit guide to borders, "Knitting On the Edge", is now available in paperback. "Knitting Over the Edge" includes more than 350 additional edging patterns including unique ribs, cords, appliques, colour concepts and brand new techniques. With patterns for every skill le...

These novelty knitting projects range from quick and easy to more challenging, and cover apples, pears, mangoes, grapes, cherries and more - there's even a banana to unzip. This fun and inventive book provides knitting patterns and instructions to make twenty knitted pieces of fruit, which are perfe...

This is an adorable collection of "Tilda" characters, complete with all the sewing techniques, designs and templates you need to create them. It includes four titles presented in a stylish slipcase - Birds, Bunnies, Angels and Dolls - perfect for both dedicated fans and crafters new to the "Tilda" s...

Discover the amazing Circle of Nine quilting and its almost limitless potential. Learn how to sew quilts in original and creative designs with this stunning, easy-to-master setting. Using simple quilt blocks and focus fabrics or block variations, the setting offers limitless creative and colour poss...

Find new inspiration from the seasons and traditional Scandinavian folk art with these 21 whimsical projects. The first flowers of spring, the smell of the sea, the warm colours of the autumn leaves. These are the things that inspired artist, teacher, and author Kajsa Wikman to sew, stitch and share...

Discover the wonderful world of quilting or brush-up your technique with this practical guide to the basics. Try a fresh, relaxed approach to making quilts with this brilliant 'dip-in, dip-out-of' book that features a bright aesthetic and clear, simple instructions to guide beginners and intermediat...

Quick to make, simple to construct, and fun to give, the soft slippers that crafters can make in this book come in an array of sizes and styles for both children and adults. Using only one skein of chunky weight yarn, most of the projects in this collection can be finished by intermediate-skilled kn...

Softies galore! These cute and cuddly creations will melt your heart and bring a smile to the face of everyone they meet. Homemade softies are a worldwide craze, and this bumper collection includes all the toys you could ever wish to make. Here you'll find everything you need to create your very own...

Hello My Name is Amineko follows the journey of Amineko the Crochet Cat and his crocheted friends as they eat, sleep, and have lots of fun and adventures. The book comes with complete step by step photography and instructions for creating an Amineko of your very own and personalizing this cute cat w...

"Pattern Magic" is the cult pattern-cutting book from Japan. Taking inspiration from nature, from geometric shapes and from the street, this book harnesses the sheer joy of making and sculpting clothes. The book takes a creative approach to pattern cutting, with step-by-step projects for fashion des...

 Patchwork is one of the most satisfying and enduring of crafts; a pleasure for the sewer to make and an endless source of delight for those who live with the results of their labour, be it a quilt for a bed, a wall hanging or a cushion. This is an essential source book of instructions for maki...

 This collection of 36 soft toys in knitting and crochet will inspire and delight in children and the young at heart. The colourful cast of characters includes a range of animal and 'human' friends, including some cheeky rabbits, lovable monkeys, charismatic mice, cute dogs and cats and a multi...

he essence of plants bursts forth in magnificent hues and surprising palettes. Using dyes of the leaves, roots, and flowers to color your cloth and yarn can be an amazing journey into botanical alchemy. In Eco Colour, artistic dyer and colorist India Flint teaches you how to cull and use this gentle...

Nicola Tedman and Sarah Skeate awaken their inner George A. Romero and focus their creative attention on the malleable, fuzzy softness of felt inside "Zombie Felties: How to Raise 16 Gruesome Felt Creatures from the Undead." Inside, crafters will find instructions for more than 15 zombie c...

Like home baking, making your own craft wares is becoming increasingly popular, however these are no longer the lace doilies and tea cosies of our grandparents' generation. Crafts today can be worn, displayed, played with and just simply enjoyed and all can be made with a minimum of fuss and expense...

Like home baking, making your own craft wares is becoming increasingly popular, however these are no longer the lace doilies and tea cosies of our grandparents' generation. Crafts today can be worn, displayed, played with and just simply enjoyed and all can be made with a minimum of fuss and expense...

The 20 original designs in this book are based around tiny mechanical creatures, crobots, each with his or her own qualities and abilities: from Babybot, who is just growing into his silver suit; to Geisha, with her downcast gaze, blushing pink cheeks, and efficient demeanor; and Dogbot, the crobots...

Create wonderful knitted dolls with a fantastic range of knitted clothes and accessories, including coats, sweaters, mini skirts, dresses, tops, bikinis, swimsuits, scarves, hats and bags. There are nine dolls to choose from, each with her own distinctive style and personality, and with a wardrobe t...

The craze for crocheting cute characters has swept Japan and now everyone can discover the appeal of the latest art form. Amigurumi - which literally means crocheted stuffed toy - is fast, fabulous and fantastic fun. The necessary techniques can be learned in minutes and it's perfect for creative pe...