Join the Handmade Movement!We make to give. We make to share. We make to connect with others. Crafters all over the world are using their hands and hearts to make a statement, change the world, and build community.Craft Activism is an inspiring celebration of this growing movement. Inside, dozens of superstars of this grassroots phenomenon share their experiences, tips, and advice on living, teaching, and promoting a more meaningful DIY lifestyle. Learn to craft fo...

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or leather using any type of thread or yarn that can fit through the eye of a needle. It is not as complicated as it often looks. The stitches are mostly straight stitches placed in various positions to form patterns and are very easy to master. You will soon realize how easy it is to build on the basic stitches you have learned, to be able to graduate to more advanced embroidery work.

From the authors of bestselling titles Loom Magic! and Loom Magic Xtreme! comes Loom Magic Creatures!: 25 Awesome Animals and Mythical Beings for a Rainbow of Critters. According to the New York Times, Rainbow Looms are the hottest trend on the market, and it is continuously growing in popularity. New and crazy designs are being created every day, and now you can astound all of your friends with these fun and wacky critters, including:Medusa

The fiber artist and author of Crazy Quilting Odyssey shares her secrets for creating embroidered landscapes and seascapes in this illustrated guide.Beloved fiber artist and teacher Judith Baker Montano demonstrates how to beyond traditional embroidery in this new and comprehensive to free-form embroidery. In this book full of stunningly photographed examples and watercolor illustrations, she shows you how to apply the principles of fine art to various pro...

Cross-stitch patterns from iconic tattoo artist Ed Hardy, design inspiration for the fashion brand beloved by celebrities, millennials and now Gen Z.This ain't your grandmother's cross-stitch. Ed Hardy's Love Kills Slowly Cross-Stitch is a counted cross-stitch book for a new generation of crafters. From pierced hearts to images of skulls and crossbones, Hardy's colorful, tattoo-inspired designs are perfect for stitchers looking for something bold and graphi...

Smocking is a craft that can easily be learned. It only looks complicated, but believe me it's very easy once you try it yourself. If you know how to use a needle and thread you will be able to smock in no time at all. Because of its simplicity, smocking became, and remains a very popular form of decorative embroidery - it's an inexpensive, creative and relaxing hobby.

The immensely popular knitalong—an organized event where people knit together for a common goal—has only grown with the explosion of the Internet. Yesterday’s wartime Red Cross sock drives have evolved into today’s meet-ups at locales as diverse as cafes, state fairs, and major league ballparks, as well as international online gatherings; in fact, at any given time tens of thousands of people worldwide are involved in knitalongs, organized around a particular yarn, a favorite social cause,...

Knitters are a breed unto themselves. They speak their own language, and they harbor a passion for their craft that takes a strong hold, blocking out troubles and worry, whenever they pick up the needles. But knitters are not exclusionary—all are welcome into the warm circle once you appreciate the beauty of hand-spun and dyed yarn, the sense of focus that comes with starting a new project, and the joy of creating something beautiful to share with a loved one. In their first book, ...

The elegant art of silk ribbon embroidery is easy and quick to do, with stunning results within the reach of any stitcher. Author of numerous titles on crazy quilting and the needle arts, J. Marsha Michler will guide you through getting started with this timeless craft. Learn embroidery stitches for ribbon work, and how to create sewn florals that will add further dimension and emphasis to your designs. Learn to make bias ribbons, and to easily dye silk ribbons. Follow a simple tutorial to...

Say hello to today's young & fun craft of macramé! Inside you'll find thirteen contemporary projects that dramatically update this vintage art. With savvy designs for accessories and home decor, Hello! Macramé shows you how to make fabulous knotted creations using colorful macramé craft cords.Macramé is easy to learn and requires no elaborate equipment or expensive materials. All you need are your fingers, some cord, and this book to get started making stylish rugs, plant ...

Whether you’re a dedicated knitter who bestows lovingly crafted gifts upon family and friends at every possible occasion, a sometimes knitter with a bag of fully conceived but half-completed projects, or a newcomer who has recently taken up the needles with great gusto, you know the rewards that this hobby can bring. You may also know that knitting as a hobby can verge on obsession—be it the compulsive purchasing of stunning hand-spun wool, the desire to rip out nearly finished sweaters be...

How to tie perfect, creative bows for craft projects and gift wrapping.Bows are a gorgeous part of many craft projects including wedding and holiday decorations, faux and fresh floral designs, sewing for home and fashion, even scrapbooks and cards, not to mention giftwrap. However, almost everybody finds bow-making tricky. Creative Bows Made Easy shows and tells how to make a perfect bow every time.