This is the fifth and last in a series of blogs about the books I use for designing, pattern making and sewing. The other four were about sewing, costume research, patterns and "dress up" costumes. For those of you who haven't read the other blogs, you should be able to go to those by clicking on the appropriate word ... (if I've done it correctly).
Collecting craft books is different for me than costume or pattern books I need books for all the different technics, not for design or styling too much. Because when I do a craft pattern, it's usually supposed to be contemporary styling, so I look on line and pick up magazines which I. most often, don't keep very long.
Below are the books below I refer to for techniques and classic crafts.
Below are the books below I refer to for techniques and classic crafts.
This is one of my mainstays, McCall's Needlework Treasury, first published in 1950.
Two flower making books that came in handy making my recent flower pattern. The Flower Workshop by Vera Jeffery has good leaf patterns.
A few books on home decorating. Decorating with Fabrics by Donna Lang gives all the basic techniques.
A couple books on weaving ...
A few books for kid's crafts and
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The McCall's book has everything from embroidery to quilting, tatting, knitting, etc. and the instructions are very good.
This is one of those books that is a binder of separate little projects that get sent each month. I collected so many of those cards and used maybe 2, but you never know!
I subscribe to Piecework magazine. I've never done a project from it, but it is so enjoyable to read. It always features some lost art or interesting folk craft.
one for rugs and macramé, actually macrame is pretty fun.
a couple books with easy craft ideas.
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Also, a super book with basic quilting lessons and traditional pattern. And a book on lace making ... something to do after I retire, maybe???
I have a small collection of vintage booklets published by Wright's. The one on the top is from the 20s. It's interesting to see the projects they made up for the 1920s homemaker.
Bias tape projects for the home.
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and for yourself!
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BUT! look at all the different widths and fabrics bias tape was made in, in the 1920s. I guess lots of ladies were doing those projects.
Here's a Simplicity booklet from the 1950s that shows you how to make garments from flour and feed sacks.
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They used to make all those sacks in pretty prints with labels that came off so people could use them for clothes.
And last this is a booklet I printed off the web that shows how to embroider using the stitch that is used on the Bayeux tapestry. It is a terrific stitch to quickly fill large areas. I've seen the Bayeux tapestry. I think it is the longest embroidery piece in the world. But, if you want to know more. Here are two websites that will tell you all about it. Wikipedia article Official Bayeux Tapestry site |
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