An engaging makers' guide to the history and craft of straw plaiting, brimming with helpful step-by-step diagrams.Straw plaiting has been used to make accessories from hats and baskets to handbags, trimmings and homewares around the world for centuries. Once employing tens of thousands of people in the UK alone, the craft is now listed as Critically Endangered on Heritage Crafts' Red List.This book aims to change that, drawing on more than 50 previously unp...

This one-of-a-kind encyclopedia shines a spotlight on more than 200 animals and their wondrous fleece.Profiling a worldwide array of fiber-producers that includes northern Africa’s dromedary camel, the Navajo churro, and the Tasmanian merino, Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson include photographs of each animal’s fleece at every stage of the handcrafting process, from raw to cleaned, spun, and woven.The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook is an artist’s handbo...

The renowned jewelry crafter teaches readers how to make beautiful creations using the traditional Japanese braiding technique of Kumihimo.Kumihimo is the centuries-old Japanese artform of creating elegant braids using intricate and beautiful patterns and designs. These braids are then fashioned into all kinds of objects, such as bracelets, necklaces and more. This illustrated guide features step-by-step diagrams and photographs to help you create your own Kumihimo ...

This vintage book contains a comprehensive guide to lace and lace making, with information on bobbin, filet, needle-point, netting, tatting, and much more besides. Written in plain language and full of useful tips, “A Compendium of Lace-Making” is highly recommended for those with little previous experience. Although old, the information contained within this book is timeless, and will be of considerable utility to the modern reader. Contents include: “Bobbin Lace”, “ Bobbin Lace—The Found...

With this compact portable reference in hand, crafters can quickly and easily look up any of 100 different sheep breeds, the characteristics of their fleece, and the kinds of projects for which their fleece is best suited. Each breed profile includes a photograph of the animal and information about its origin and conservation status, as well as the weight, staple length, fiber diameter, and natural colors of its fleece. This is a great primer for beginners, and a handy guide for anyone who...

Add a touch of personality and creativity to your home with projects for Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s and birthdays.Complete with step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography, learn to make extra special festive decorations – such as a birthday pinata, knitted angels, fragrant rose petal stuffed hearts or an Easter tree. Shop-bought decorations just can’t compare!25 fun and simple projects to make, perfect for beginners.Complete with patterns, and...

This book contains a comprehensive guide to hand-loom weaving, with information on tools and equipment, materials and quantities, pattern weaving, weaving with cards, and much more. Complete with step-by-step instructions and useful illustrations, this volume is ideal for the beginner, and would make for a worthy addition to collections of related literature. Contents include: “Introduction to the Craft”, “Simplicity of the Basic Principles”, “Task of the Learner”, “A Simple Loom”, “Use of...

Get out your knitting needles, crochet hooks and sewing machines and learn to make something truly original!Complete with step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography, these projects – from knitted fingerless gloves to upcycled vintage summer bunting – will add individuality to your home and wardrobe, and also make perfect gifts.25 fun and simple projects to make, perfect for beginners.Complete with patterns, and knitting, sewing and crochet basics.Incl...

For spinners of all levels, this guide provides fleece profiles of nineteen sheep breeds and different spinning methods to produce yarns for a range of projects.The characteristics of fleece — its structure, grease content, and fiber diameter — vary widely depending on the breed of sheep the fleece comes from. In this comprehensive guide, Beth Smith profiles twenty-one types of fleece, from bouncy and pliant to lacy and lightweight. A sheep-by-sheep reference descr...

A fascinating and accessible history of textiles, including the key personalities and inventions which revolutionized the industry, together with the East End workshops and the creation of artificial materials such as rayon. Textile expert, Fiona McDonald, includes tips on the care and repair of materials and advice on whats worth collecting and the best materials to wear, as well as safe cleaning, tips on collecting.In addition to a handy glossary of textile terms, there is an A-Z of diff...

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

All the basics of weaving are provided in this succinct handbook. Filled with definitions and illustrations, the book invites weavers to refer to it as they work.