Crafts & Hobbies

No matter your size or shape, renowned sewing expert Kenneth D. King is here to guide you in creating garments that fit flawlessly every time.

In this comprehensive resource, he empowers home sewers with the knowledge and skills needed to understand their unique figures and fitting options.

Transform your sewing projects and create garments that enhance your figure with Kenneth D. King’s expert guidance. Smart Fitting Solutions is not just about fitting; it’s about celebrating your unique shape and achieving the look you desire.

Key Features:

• Understanding Fit: Kenneth breaks down the complexities of fitting by teaching you how to analyze your shape and identify fitting issues. Learn to read the wrinkles in your garments to diagnose bad fit and discover tailored solutions.

• Smart Fitting Methods: Delve into Kenneth’s innovative Smart Fitting techniques. Each method is explained in detail, making fitting adjustments straightforward and achievable for all skill levels.

• Practical Techniques: This guide is filled with practical tips and foolproof techniques that demystify the fitting process. Kenneth’s approachable style ensures that even beginners will gain confidence in their sewing abilities.

• Comprehensive Resource: With clear instructions and insightful illustrations, Smart Fitting Solutions serves as your go-to reference for fitting garments accurately and effectively. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance their sewing skills, from casual hobbyists to dedicated fashion enthusiasts.

Michael Pekovich's The Why & How of Woodworking is a time-tested must-have resource for anyone looking to create meaningful and lasting pieces, blending practical techniques with a deep appreciation for the craft.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, The Why & How of Woodworking offers a blend of inspiration and practical advice that will elevate your craft and help you create pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Guidance: Learn the essentials of woodworking, from selecting the right lumber and mastering joinery to finishing surfaces with precision.
• Timeless Projects: Discover a variety of projects, including cabinets, boxes, chests, casework, and tables, all designed to stand the test of time.
• Inspirational Approach: Embrace a philosophy that values simplicity and functionality, encouraging you to create pieces that enrich your life and environment.
• Expert Insights: Benefit from the wisdom of Michael Pekovich, a seasoned furniture maker and creative director at Fine Woodworking, who shares his approach to both woodworking and life.
• Beautifully Illustrated: Enjoy stunning photography and detailed illustrations that bring each project to life, making it easy to follow along and achieve professional results.

An essential guide for anyone looking to master the art of wood identification.

With just your naked eye and simple tools like a hand lens or basic microscopy, you’ll be equipped to identify over 180 domestic and tropical hardwoods and softwoods. R. Bruce Hoadley, a renowned professor of wood science and technology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, breaks down the identification process into clear, actionable steps.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, professional woodworker, or simply curious about the world of wood, this book provides the knowledge and tools you need to identify a wide variety of woods accurately and effectively.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Overview: Gain a solid understanding of the wood identification process, enhancing your skills and confidence.

• Anatomy of Woody Plants: Learn about the basic anatomy of trees and how it relates to wood identification.

• User-Friendly Charts: Access hundreds of easy-to-use charts that streamline the identification process.

• Stunning Visuals: Benefit from crystal-clear photographs and microphotographs that illustrate key features of different woods.

• Glossary and Resources: Navigate technical terms with ease thanks to a comprehensive glossary, along with sources of information and materials for further exploration.

Unplugged – no power tools needed! For the growing number of woodworkers who are opting out of power tools and returning to hand tools, The Unplugged Woodshop is a refreshing concept and a welcome change. Written by custom furniture maker and hand tool expert Tom Fidgen, this new book promises to be as successful as his first book, Made by Hand.

Handcrafted projects with a distinctly retro look. Recycling designs from our not-so-distant past, this collection of projects has been repurposed for use today and includes:

• A classic library card catalog converted to use as kitchen storage
• A medicine chest that does double duty as a four-bottle wine tote
• A gentleman’s classic valet that becomes an elegant clothing stand

Get some useful pointers from a popular blogger. Founder of theunpluggedwoodshop.com, Tom offers savvy advice for working with and sharpening hand tools. He also delves into glues, finishes, and even how to make hand tools using only hand tools.

Visual inspiration. Practical instruction. The Unplugged Woodshop takes you on a fascinating adventure back to a simpler time when everything was made by hand. It’s a refreshing experience that takes you far away from today’s hi-tech, fast-moving world. And it shows you how to handcraft some handsome projects you’ll find satisfaction in making – whether or not you choose to use only hand tools!

Readers who love to sew - especially those who know Threads magazine - will have to have this definitive sewing encyclopedia. An incomparable collection of the best sewing information available, Threads Sewing Guide promises to explain, with trademark thoroughness, the full range of garment sewing techniques.

Threads Sewing Guide covers all the bases for anyone who delights in sewing: tools (from sewing machines and sergers to pins and needles); materials (fabrics and threads of all kinds); basic sewing (from seams and seam finishes to hand-sewn stitches); garment construction (top to bottom, inside and out); tailoring techniques (for a professional look); even lingerie techniques, pressing tips, embellishments, and much, much more. Without a doubt, this is the complete sewing answer book.

Fine Woodworking Almanac, Vol. 1 by the editors of Fine Woodworking is your essential companion for all things woodworking.

This expertly curated collection features some of the best articles from Fine Woodworking magazine, along with select vintage projects and exclusive bonus content. Perfect for both seasoned woodworkers and beginners, this almanac combines practical advice, expert insights, and inspiring projects to enhance your woodworking skills and creativity.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of woodworking with this comprehensive guide. With Fine Woodworking Almanac, Vol. 1, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice that will help you create beautiful, lasting pieces.

Key Features:

• Curated Content: Enjoy a carefully selected compilation of top articles and projects from Fine Woodworking magazine, ensuring you have access to the most relevant and inspiring information in the woodworking community.

• Vintage Projects: Explore classic projects that have stood the test of time, providing you with a sense of history and craftsmanship that enriches your woodworking journey.

• Bonus Material: Discover new content that includes tips, tricks, and techniques to enhance your skills and improve your woodworking practice.

• Expert Advice: Benefit from the insights of seasoned professionals who share their knowledge on tools, techniques, and best practices for woodworking.

• Beautiful Presentation: With rich photography and illustrations, this almanac is not only informative but also visually appealing, making it a great addition to your woodworking library.

• Perfect for All Skill Levels: Whether you are a novice eager to learn or an experienced woodworker looking for new challenges, Fine Woodworking Almanac, Vol. 1 offers valuable resources to elevate your craft.

Discover the age-old woodworking technique of whittling that's captivating enthusiasts everywhere.

In How to Whittle, Josh Nava presents 25 beautiful whittling projects designed for crafters of all skill levels, making it the perfect guide for beginners eager to learn this rewarding craft.

Transform ordinary wood into extraordinary pieces of art with Josh Nava’s How to Whittle. Whether you're carving for fun, relaxation, or to create unique gifts, this book will guide you every step of the way.

Key Features:

• Beginner-Friendly Projects: Each project is carefully crafted to be simple yet rewarding, allowing novices to build confidence as they carve stunning creations.

• Comprehensive Guidance: Enjoy full-color photography paired with step-by-step instructions that make it easy to follow along. From selecting and maintaining your carving knives to mastering luxurious finishing techniques, every aspect of whittling is covered.

• Wood Selection & Techniques: Learn the best practices for choosing the right wood for your projects, ensuring beautiful results every time. Josh also provides expert advice on finishes, including sanding, oiling, and curing surfaces to enhance the natural beauty of your work.

• Minimal Tools Required: With just a couple of knives and a piece of wood, you can dive into the world of whittling. This accessibility makes it easy for anyone to get started, whether you're a serious woodworker looking to add a new dimension to your craft or a hobbyist exploring a new creative outlet.

• Creative Inspiration: As you progress through the projects, you’ll find endless possibilities for incorporating whittling into your woodworking repertoire, encouraging creativity and personal expression.

In this contemporary look at the world of workbenches, Lon Schleining takes us on a guided tour of a wide variety of classic, modern, and specialty benches and offers hundreds of options for choosing or building that perfect bench and its accessories.

This is a fresh look at the classic subject with a focus on helping readers find the right bench and accessories for their needs. The object is to guide the reader through making critical choices, including whether to buy it or build it.

Even long-time woodworkers dream of the perfect bench and the time to build it, and for them, the real enjoyment is in the planning. With nearly 300 photos and drawings, The Workbench provides in-depth information along with the inspiration to fulfill workshop dreams.

The art of finishing is best learned with complete, visual step-by-step instructions - and that is exactly what Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing offers you. Detailed process photography demystifies the process of finishing -- and you'll get the finish you want for all your projects.

Jeff Jewitt, a world-renowned wood finisher, provides an in-depth coverage of tools and materials and covers all of the key processes. You'll learn about everything from surface preparation to color matching. Especially valuable is the coverage of advanced and special techniques, not usually covered in general finishing books, including detailed information on adjusting color, disguising defects, toning, glazing, spray finishing and rubbing out a finish. This comprehensive finishing reference is the most complete and detailed book on the subject - and you will find it incredibly valuable no matter what your skill level.

• Covers all the modern and traditional techniques for coloring and finishing wood.
• Organized for quick access, makes it easy to find each technique.
• Features over 850 photos and drawings illustrate the methods
• Covers sanding and surface preparation, staining and applying topcoats, and final polishing.

This updated 20th-anniversary edition of the essential reference every woodworker needs builds on the timeless knowledge of the original while incorporating new developments in composite materials, adhesives, and finishes.

Widely regarded as a must-have for any woodworking enthusiast, it offers an in-depth look at the nature and properties of wood, making it an indispensable resource for craftsmen of all skill levels.

Whether you're a seasoned craftsman or just starting out, Understanding Wood will give you the knowledge and confidence to master the material at the heart of your craft.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Guide: Learn everything about wood technology, from the raw materials to understanding the unique properties of different woods.
• Updated Content: New information on modern materials and techniques, including composites, adhesives, and finishes, to help you stay current in your craft.
• Visual Learning: Over 300 detailed photographs and illustrations bring critical woodworking concepts to life.
• Scientist & Craftsman’s Insight: Written by an expert with a true love for woodworking, offering both technical expertise and practical advice.
• Timeless Knowledge: With over 130,000 copies sold, this book continues to be the cornerstone of any serious woodworker's library.

While project books for making baby knits abound, what happens when your little cherub turns two? Lovely Knits for Little Girls solves the problem beautifully, with twenty patterns for pint-sized vests, dresses, sweaters, and skirts--all brimming with pretty, girly details. Forget about baby-weight yarn, tiny needles, and fussy patterns for clothes that are quickly outgrown.

For Lovely Knits, knitwear designer Vibe Sondegaard creates a bright, stylish, little-girl wardrobe of fabulous projects that knit up quickly and allow knitters plenty of opportunity for trying a few design tricks (cables, bobbles, lace patterns) on a manageable, kid-sized scale. Best of all, the pattern shapes size up or down easily (with back of book instruction on doing just that), making this collection versatile enough to use again and again.