Sewing for Special Occasions


Book Description

Learn how to make a beautiful dress suited for any special occasion. From selecting the perfect fabrics to adding the final applique of beaded lace, readers can plan and sew a bridal gown and other formal wear.




Stitching for Special Occasions


Book Description

Unlock the transformative power of needle and thread with *Stitching for Special Occasions*, your ultimate guide to infusing every celebration with handcrafted charm. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just beginning your journey, this book will help you create memorable pieces that echo with personal meaning and beauty. Dive into Chapter 1, where it all begins with an exploration of why handcrafted elegance is so important and how stitches convey emotion and meaning. Discover how to choose the perfect fabric for your creation, taking you through a fascinating world of textures and sustainable options, ensuring each piece is just right for the occasion. Explore the tools of the trade, from the essentials to advanced gadgets, and learn how to care for them, ensuring your stitching journey is as smooth as it is rewarding. Chapter 4 guides you in designing your masterpiece, transforming inspiration into stunning patterns that capture the imagination. Master the art of stitching with basic techniques—running stitches, back stitches, and the versatile French knots. Then, elevate your craft with intermediate personalization methods like appliqué and embroidery, combining techniques for extraordinary results. Each chapter is a gateway to creating something special for life’s biggest events. Design welcoming blankets and nursery décor for new arrivals, craft intimate wedding accessories that tell a love story, and create commemorative pieces for anniversaries and graduations. With projects for holidays and heartfelt tributes, you'll find no shortage of inspiration. Learn to blend colors and textures effectively, adding the final elegant touches with lace, ribbons, and professional finishing techniques. Ensure your creations last by mastering maintenance and care, and find joy in sharing your passion with others, building a community around your craft. Embrace the joy of creation with *Stitching for Special Occasions* and leave a legacy of thoughtful, personalized gifts for every milestone.




Stylish Party Dresses


Book Description

Sew stylish DIY dresses with an elegant flair using this easy-to-follow sewing book. For parties, weddings, banquets—any occasion that calls for that special dress—this is the book that lets you DIY sew something stylish and elegant, for a lot less than you'd pay for ready-made. These 26 dresses and separates range from short to long, from sweet to sophisticated, and from simple to dramatic to suit your mood, your style and the event. Beautiful photos feature garments sewn in a variety of elegant fabrics to inspire you to choose colors, prints and textures for a dress that is just right for you and for the moment. Sewing patterns include: Gathered-skirt dresses with lacy overlays Simple, elegant shifts and empire-waist styles An easy, flattering shirtwaist dress A pintucked smock style dress Shirt and blouse combos that allow you to mix and match Dresses sporting a few well-placed frills for a look that's both girly and subtle Little bolero jackets for when you want a little more coverage And more… Full-size sewing patterns are offered in six sizes and can be altered to suit most body shapes and personal measurements. The instructions and diagrams are easy to follow. Pick up the book and browse. They're some of the easiest, prettiest DIY sewing projects you'll ever make.




Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses


Book Description

Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch’s modern reinvention of a simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. “Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web’s most popular sewing blogs.” —Creativebug In the ‘50s and ‘60s, Simplicity released their popular line of Jiffy sewing patterns, which had minimal pattern pieces and simple constructions, yet were chic enough for fashion-conscious customers. This approach appeals now more than ever to stylish women who are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives packed with family, work, school, and countless other obligations. With the lessons offered here, you can make a Popover Dress, Chemise Dress, Swirl Dress, Boatneck Dress, and Patio Dress. Everything you need is included: pattern maps, finished garment measurements, and more. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm. Chapters include: Supplies and Tools Fabrics Getting Ready to Sew Dress Construction: The Basics Dress Construction: Essential Skills Trims and Flourishes Fitting Hirsch writes in her introduction, “So why did I write this book? Because I want to show that it’s possible to cultivate real sewing skills without spending days or even weeks on a project. Sewing more projects means more practice!” The vintage aesthetic of these projects will appeal to beginner and expert crafters alike. They stand on their own as great examples of retro fashion. They aren’t just simple sewing projects. So, don’t wait. Start sewing! Includes color photographs and illustrations Also available: Gertie Sews Vintage Casual Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing Gertie’s New Fashion Sketchbook




Sewing Basics for Every Body


Book Description

Follow Wendy Ward’s tutorials to make a capsule wardrobe of 20 classic garments, suitable for any body regardless of gender, age, or body shape. Wendy’s style is functional but beautiful basics, and you will learn the skills to make clothes out of both woven and knitted fabrics that are a joy to wear. There are five styles of button-down shirts, sweatshirts, and t-shirts, and three different styles of trousers, jackets, and jumpsuits, all made in versatile fabrics that can be dressed up or down. These are core basics that you'll turn to time and again and all these garments can be worn by any body, regardless of gender, age, and body shape. Suitable for both beginners and those more experienced in dressmaking, each project has multiple versions from easy to more technically challenging. Plus, there is a comprehensive techniques section covering everything from sewing a fly zipper to making a traditional shirt collar, alongside the fundamentals such as different seam and hem finishes. Patterns for the five basic garments and all the variations to make 20 different designs are included in the book on three pull-out, full-scale, multi-sized pattern sheets. Each pattern covers 10 sizes and there’s no need for downloading or scaling-up patterns, just trace off the pieces that you need and off you go!




Special Occasions in Cross-stitch


Book Description




Stitching Home


Book Description

**Stitching Home Transform Your Living Space with Timeless Embroidery** Unlock the secret to elevating your home décor with "Stitching Home," the ultimate guide to integrating the timeless art of embroidery into every corner of your living space. Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or picking up a needle for the first time, this comprehensive eBook provides you with all the inspiration and instruction you need to make your home truly unique. **Explore the Past and Present of Embroidery** Embark on a journey through the history of embroidery and discover its modern applications in today's home decor. Learn about essential tools and materials necessary to embark on your creative adventure. **Select and Customize Perfect Patterns** From classic designs to contemporary styles, this guide helps you choose and modify patterns that resonate with your personal taste. Discover the best sources for finding patterns that speak to you. **Master Basic and Advanced Techniques** With step-by-step instructions, master essential stitches like the Running Stitch and Chain Stitch, then effortlessly transition to more advanced techniques such as the Satin Stitch and Bullion Knot. Each chapter builds your skills, ensuring you create stunning results every time. **Create Decorative Home Masterpieces** Turn your embroidery skills into show-stopping wall art, cushions, throws, and table linens. Learn innovative framing techniques and find the perfect fabric for each project, ensuring a professional, polished finish. **Upcycle and Personalize with Flair** Breathe new life into old curtains, furniture, and upholstery with creative upcycling ideas. Personalize everyday items like tea towels, napkins, and placemats, transforming them into cherished keepsakes. **Seasonal and Outdoor Projects** Dive into seasonal projects, perfect for holidays and special occasions, and discover durable outdoor embroidery techniques for garden accessories and weatherproof fabrics. **Embroidery for Every Room** Make children’s rooms magical with personalized bedding and wall hangings, or add a touch of elegance to home clothing items like loungewear and aprons. **Blend Crafts for Unique Creations** Combine embroidery with quilting, painting, and other crafts to create stunning, multi-media art pieces. **Professional Tips and Troubleshooting** Gain insights into achieving a professional finish with expert tips on fabric care, display solutions, and troubleshooting common issues. **Turn Passion into Profit** Learn how to transform your hobby into a thriving business, with guidance on marketing, managing orders, and delighting customers. Let "Stitching Home" inspire you to make every part of your home a reflection of your unique creativity and love for the craft. Embark on a lifelong journey of continuous learning and find joy in every stitch. Start creating your handmade haven today!




Alma Lynne's Cross-Stitch for Special Occasions


Book Description

Written by one of America's best known and selling cross-stitch designers, this book includes over 70 of her new designs, providing ideas and patterns for pillows, wall hangings, framed pictures, hand towels, baby quilts and seasonal decorations. Each design is accompanied by colour photographs and easy to read graphs as well as precise instructions for each project.




The New Quilting by Machine


Book Description

This perennial best seller is your comprehensive guide to rotary cutting, quick piecing, and quilting techniques. Full-color photographs lead you step-by-step through the basics of machine quilting. Features a variety of quilt-block projects, from simple to complex.




Stitching with Beatrix Potter


Book Description

Bring Beatrix Potter’s stories to life with 10 projects using appliqué, embroidery, quilting, and more. This book gathers together 10 easy yet elegant projects celebrating the life and talents of Beatrix Potter. With 10 appliqué and 6 embroidery designs, even beginning stitchers can work with hexagons to create a beautiful embroidered quilt, stitch up a cushion based on The Tailor of Gloucester, appliqué a wool storage box, and construct a beautiful wedding quilt based on one from Beatrix Potter’s home. Plus, all-of-the designs can easily be adapted—just add a dash of imagination to create bags, appliquéd pinafores, or embroidered gifts. • Stitch by hand and by machine as you create projects the whole family will love • Learn about the life and work of Beatrix Potter with historical vignettes • Amazing appliqué tips from bestselling author of William Morris in Appliqué and More William Morris in Appliqué Praise for Stitching with Beatrix Potter “Hill’s designs celebrate the best-known works of Potter, while also bringing some of her lesser-known botanical illustrations to the forefront. Quilters interested in machine appliqué, as well as fans of Potter’s work, will enjoy this collection.” —Library Journal