GMC Publications

For debonair gentlemen who eschew denim if favor of tweed, and feel that grooming and gallantry should not be consigned to history, this book will suit your needs. The Gentleman's Wardrobe features a cornucopia of elegant garments and accessories to sew, this beautifully illustrated book is full of inspiration and charm. 

Including beautiful garments such as pajamas, vest, trousers and jacket, plus indispensable accessories such as a cravat tie, flat cap and wallet, there's something for every fellow who's looking to be urbane than urban. Whether you make these smart projects for yourself of a loved one, this selection of vintage-style projects will put a spring in anyone's step.

Full-size, hardcover edition describes over 200 timber species in detail. Learn more about common and exotic wood from around the world in this lavishly illustrated, hardcover edition of Terry Porter’s bestseller, WOOD Identification & Use. This indispensable guide features handsome color photographs of each species and reliable data on working properties, seasoning requirements, typical uses, and safety considerations, along with inspiring examples of woodworking projects.

Plus another 200 species are listed in brief. Designed for the individual or small-scale user, either professional or amateur, this must-have guide covers woods used in cabinetmaking, joinery, carpentry, turning, carving and a host of specialized applications. It includes most species in widespread use, and many less familiar ones that deserve to be better known. A comprehensive index is a handy extra you’ll appreciate.

As beautiful as it is practical! This expanded version of WOOD Identification & Use includes 20 important species that did not appear in the original. You’ll rely on this guide for important information and love browsing through its beautiful pages. Specially commissioned drawings of living trees show details of their leaves, fruit and flowers, enhancing our appreciation of wood in its many forms.

For those days when you want to explore your inner pirate, princess, superhero, astronaut, knight or even dinosaur, this book has the answer. Simply grab some readily available craft items and you'll soon be stepping out in dressing-up creations including dinosaur paws, astronaut's helmet, knight's tabard, superhero mask, buccaneer boots and ice princess tutu.

These exciting projects will get children cutting, sticking, sewing and painting in no time and then there's even more fun to be had wearing the projects afterwards. Plus the good news is grown-ups need little or no crafting experience to help!

An ancient art with a contemporary edge. Treat yourself to an inspiring adventure that begins the moment you open Creative Paper Cutting by artist Cheong-ah Hwang. You’ll find yourself immersed in the fantastical world of paper cutting: the delicate craft of creating original, intricate artworks by folding, layering, and snipping beautifully textured papers into amazing designs.

15 projects to capture your imagination. This exquisite book offers everything you need to become thoroughly inspired and utterly proficient in this popular craft. It will tempt you with 15 irresistible projects created by one of today’s outstanding paper sculptors. Here’s your chance to create intricate art that can adorn walls, serve as greeting cards, or be showcased in a number of innovative ways.

Advice from a self-taught paper sculptor. Drawing on her considerable experience, Cheong-ah guides you through each project with her straightforward, friendly approach, aided by step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow photographs. Comprehensive in scope, Creative Paper Cutting includes full details on all the essentials: tools, materials, and techniques for cutting and sculpting along with methods for displaying your paper-cutting art.

Cut loose and enjoy the delightful art of paper cutting! With simple tools, a few sheets of beautiful paper, and this how-to book you can learn this beautiful art form that dates back centuries, but fits beautifully into contemporary life.

Go wild and unleash your creativity.  Animal Hats to Knit has a menagerie of 20 adorable knitted hats in a whole range of delightful designs, from silly to fierce—to help express your animal instincts.

20 wildly amusing projects to knit including:

• Rabbit
• Zebra
• Cat
• Dog
• Mouse
• Penguin
• Eagle, and more
• Step-by-step instructions and patterns to create hats for adults and children

Now I Can Paper Craft is the follow-up to GMC's recently published Now I Can Sew. This book is the perfect introduction for children aged 8+ to the amazing world of paper crafting. The book contains 20 diverse projects ranging in complexity from paper windmills and pop-out greetings cards to quilling and three-dimensional animal heads.

• The projects are designed to be created by children from start to finish and the book contains  tools, materials and techniques sections.
• A number of techniques will also be covered in projects throughout the book.
• All projects will appeal to both boys and girls.

Now you can indulge in your love for pizza, cake, burgers and ice cream without putting on any weight! With these sumptuous miniature polymer clay food projects you can enjoy all of your favorite treats without any guilt at all.

• 30 polymer clay miniature projects
• clear step-by-step instructions
• beautiful photography
• includes an extensive techniques section
  

Making Mini Food includes projects are split into three sections based on experience level, and an extensive primer on tools and techniques will tell you everything you need to know to embark on creating these adorable, intricate projects.

This bumper book of 100 boredom-busting craft activities is all you need to be inspired during those long rainy afternoons, or times when the little ones are climbing the walls, and so are you. Dip in and discover the eight handy sections in The Big Book of 100 Little Activities. Each one is packed with things to do that range from spur-of-the-moment creative play, involving little or no preparation, to mini projects with step-by-step instructions.

Sections include:

• Nature lovers
• Messy makes
• Rainy day
• Sunny day
• Little Laboratory
• Paint and print
• Playing and performing 
• Dressing-up

Turn fabric scraps into clever projects with Fat Quarter: Home, part of a fantastic new series of stash-busting sewing books for beginner and intermediate crafters. 

• There are 25 quick and easy projects to make, all from half a yard of fabric or less.
• Each project features easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and beautiful photography, as well as a comprehensive tools and techniques section.

Fat Quarter: Home is packed with ideas for using up leftover remnants of fabric to make a range of practical items for your home, as well as great gifts to give to friends and family.

The craze for crocheting cute characters was born in Japan, and now everyone can discover its appeal with Little Crocheted Monsters. Japanese legends are full of animals and humans transforming into something bizarre, and this tradition has inspired the authors to create weird and wonderful creatures to amuse and delight. The instructions are simple to follow and are accompanied by innovative, easy-to-read charts.

• 12 weird and wonderful creatures to create
• All projects have clear instructions and can be made with only basic crochet skills
• Small and easily portable for the perfect project on the go

In Zen Coloring - Advanced Art Therapy: Floral Collection, the intricate line drawings of flowers and leaves offer complexity to engage the adult brain, but also simplicity, in that there are no rules or even guidelines, you are completely free.

Coloring isn’t just for children; it has been proved to be also beneficial for adults. Generating wellness and quietness, as well as stimulating the brain areas related to the senses and creativity, people across the globe are enjoying this simple form of art therapy. By concentrating on a straightforward task and allowing you complete creative freedom, you will soon find your body and mind relaxing.

Let yourself relax into the creative world of coloring. Containing a beautiful and diverse collection of illustrations, this fantastic book will allow the artist within you to shine! This edition contains a collection of floral artworks for you to complete using your own color scheme. Make your finished artworks as simple or as complex as you like - whichever you choose, you'll be delighted by the results.

• Relaxing and therapeutic
• Artworks range in complexity and style
• Over 40 artworks to color in

Cute Crocheted Food is a quirky collection of  amigurumi crocheted vegetables, fruit, nibbles and 

snacks offering a whole menu of delicious, zany fun.

 Making use of the Japanese amigurumi technique to sculpt robust shapes with yarn, every piece of food becomes a cute and whimsical character.  For health food fans there is an array of wholesome fruit and vegetables, while those who like to indulge can recreate a variety of sweet treats and fast food snacks. Perfect for stimulating children’s imaginary play, these little foodie friends will be at home in any play kitchen, café or restaurant.

• 24 fun and quirky amigurumi food projects suitable for beginners to crochet
• Playful and colorful illustration influenced by Japanese-style kawaii cuteness, Hello Kitty and bubble tea menus
• All crochet techniques fully explained and illustrated with step-by-step drawings
• Use up small amounts of leftover yarn
• Perfect for small gifts and stocking fillers

When the stresses of modern life get too much, what could be better than gathering a few simple tools, heading into the woods and literally whittling away a few hours? The gentle art of whittling is a relaxing and absorbing hobby that can be enjoyed almost anywhere from round the campfire to in a cozy armchair at home. All you need is a good pocket knife, a piece of wood and your imagination.

Projects can range from the delightfully simple to impressively intricate—it's up to you.

Woodland Whittling guides you through the basics explaining what equipment you need, how to hold the knife, and what timber to use. The projects are then all described in detail with clear step-by-step photographs.

Projects include: letter opener, thumb stick, ring tree and egg cup.

Woodworking Basics is the perfect introduction to the fundamentals of working with wood for those with little or no experience. The book covers all of the basic hand tools that a beginner will need and describes how to use each one, giving useful tips and expert advice along the way.  Successful woodworking is all about best practice and this book shows how it is possible to create all manner of pieces with a very limited and inexpensive set of tools.

• Includes photos and diagrams to guide you through each project and technique.
• Also covered are the important techniques of accurate measuring and marking, gluing, sanding and making simple joints such as butt, lap, and mitres.
  
• 6 simple projects are included.
  
• Projects which can be made using the skills are covered: toolbox, shelf unit, table, cabinet, box, and picture frame.
  

For any keen woodturners out there who want to do more turning but are short of time, 30-Minute Woodturning is the perfect book as it has an enticing variety of projects which can all be completed in 30 minutes. Even for those working at an intermediate level, this book provides you with something to aim for without compromising safety and it will help beginners to build their skills.

Each of the 25 projects also has plans for four variations included so there are a total of 100 designs to whet your appetite. Most of the projects require only basic turning tools and workshop accessories that nearly every turner will have. A list of tools and materials required is included for each one, along with drawings with dimensions.

Projects include:

• candlestick holder
• doorstop
• decorative bird box
• toadstool
• spatula
• honey dipper
• bud vase 
• square edge plate

Weekend Makes: Crocheted Bags is a stylish collection of 25 simple projects for every occasion.

Crochet your way from clutch to tote, making a variety of beautiful bags in between, with the latest title in the Weekend Makes series. Crochet has been brought bags up-to-date and now fills Instagram and Pinterest – not to mention catwalks and high-end fashion houses – with modern masterpieces. Grab your crochet hook and yarn and join the trend by creating a carrier for every outing. Whether you’re a newcomer to this craft or have been hooked for a while, you’ll find a project to kickstart your creativity and learn the skills required to make it. With detailed techniques, tools and materials sections, this book provides everything you need to know to get started. Each project guides you step by step with easy-to-follow instructions and close-up photos of each stage. Whether you need to carry keys, groceries or a picnic, or add the finishing touch to an outfit, there are 25 easy projects to make, from essential everyday bags, such as the tote, shopper and backpack, to more exciting, elaborate shapes, such as the Japanese knot, circle raffia and drawstring bag. As well as learning the basic stitches and how to shape these styles, you’ll expand your knowledge to create different patterns and textures, including leopard print, geometric and honeycomb designs, and work with different colours and types of yarn.

Projects include: leopard-print clutch, circle raffia bag, honeycomb messenger bag, ombre shopping bag, Japanese knot bag, beach bag, eco shopper bag, tweed shoulder bag, textured tote bag, crossbody drawstring bag.

Turned Boxes is a must for all avid woodworkers. Packed with over 40 projects, there are designs to suit all levels of ability as well as taste—from simple boxes with an elegant lid to more intricate designs incorporating screw threads and exotic timbers — there are a wealth of projects to choose from.

Most of the projects include helpful tips and hints which will help to ensure a perfect result and all projects include detailed instructions along with either step-by-step photography or easy-to-use diagrams. Plans are also provided where necessary.

Knitted Menagerie provides 30 easy-to-follow knitting patterns for an eclectic array of animals.

Within the pages of this bright and fun book, you’ll find 30 adorable animals to knit, ranging from sealife to birds, insects to mammals. You’ll find everyone’s favourites, including a lion, an elephant, blue whale, meerkats and a llama.  The patterns vary in complexity, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Complete beginners or more experienced knitters can be reassured by the comprehensive illustrated techniques section provided.  

Packed with fun and enticing photography that shows each of the projects from different angles, this book is sure to delight the knitter and the lucky receiver of these gorgeous, knitted creatures.

Learning to embroider has never been easier! An accessible introduction to embroidery, How to Embroider is for absolute beginners. Simple-to-follow projects teach the basic skills and techniques of this fun and creative craft. Those new to embroidery will learn everything they need to get started while making the 9 pretty projects. Straightforward instructions paired with 150 illustrations and beautiful inspirational photography mean that even if you've never held and embroidery needle before, you will soon be on your way to mastering the craft.

Celebrate the splendor of wood with these wood-crafting projects. From simple woven panels to making a functional yurt, Woodland Craft features an array of easy-to-follow projects that include crafts for the farm, garden, wood fuel, building and domestic use.  Green wood – wood that has been recently cut and is therefore still moisture-rich – is the predominant material used in the projects featured in this essential guide for craftsman of all levels.

With Woodland Craft:

• you'll learn all you need to know about tools and devices, both old and new.
• you’ll browse through the directory of tree species and identify the best uses for each.
• you’ll gain the insight you need to make practically anything out of this clean, crisp, beautiful element.
• Includes 700 illustrations and photographs

Good things come in small packages! And cupcakes are no exception. They are soaring in popularity – and price – in pop-up shops totally dedicated to these tiny treats specially decorated for any and every occasion. And now not only can you make your own, but with Party Cupcakes, you will make them like a pro.

Start from the bottom up. A delicious sight to behold, Party Cupcakes inspires you with fanciful examples of this baker’s art and provides the simple directions for duplicating them at home. First, you’ll learn how to bake the tasty vanilla and chocolate mini-cakes that are the starting point for these incredible edibles. And then you’re ready to move on to the really fun part.

30 cupcakes projects with complete instructions. 500 helpful photos and instructions guide you step by step in mastering a variety of piping techniques and forming tiny leaves and blossoms. Then, you’ll learn how to create the adorable sugar-paste critters that make these cupcakes so special, including: pandas, mermaids, dinosaurs, boats, pirates, fairies and more. Party Cupcakes treats you to 30 unique projects suitable for children’s parties, special birthdays, baby showers, engagements, and a host of other festive occasions.

Small masterpieces make a big impression! Cupcakes are the perfect answer whenever you’re called on to bring a dessert or celebrate with cake when at home or away. With Party Cupcakes, you’ll always make a great impression. Even beginners will be amazed by the professional-looking results that can be achieved. Accomplished bakers can advance their skills and go on to make their own inspired creations.

Chip Carving is the art of removing small sections of wood from a single piece of timber, usually to form geometric patterns. Finished pieces can be very intricate and complex but amazing results can be achieved surprisingly easily with the right guidance. Unlike many types of woodworking, chip carving requires very few tools, usually just two knives, and is a wonderful way too decorate all manner of existing objects including boxes, plates and furniture.

The author guides the reader through the process of creating 15 distinctive projects. The necessary stages are explained with the use of detailed step-by-step photographs and accompanying text. The author also explains how to go about planning and designing each project in preparation for the actual carving process.

These ten adorable crocheted chums have enviable wardrobes to mix and match.  The five pairs of animals – rabbits, mice, cats, foxes and bears – all have distinctive personalities and gorgeous outfits.  All the clothes can fit all of the animals, so there is lots of fun to be had dressing them up.

Each project in Cute Crocheted Animals is beautifully photographed and includes clear patterns and guidance.  There is also a techniques section that gives comprehensive instructions on all the skills you’ll need to make the animals and their outfits.

• Ten beautiful animals to crochet, plus cute clothes
• Clearly presented and easy-to-follow patterns
• Detailed techniques section explaining all you need to know

Celebrate the splendor of wood with these wood-crafting projects. From simple woven panels to making a functional yurt, Woodland Craft features an array of easy-to-follow projects that include crafts for the farm, garden, wood fuel, building and domestic use.  Green wood – wood that has been recently cut and is therefore still moisture-rich – is the predominant material used in the projects featured in this essential guide for craftsman of all levels.

With Woodland Craft:

• you'll learn all you need to know about tools and devices, both old and new.
• you’ll browse through the directory of tree species and identify the best uses for each.
• you’ll gain the insight you need to make practically anything out of this clean, crisp, beautiful element.
• Includes 700 illustrations and photographs

A woodland  craftsman’s workshop should bring immense pleasure and the tools and devices that furnish it are unique to woodland work and have formed the heritage of woodland crafts that we have today. Following on from his successful book Woodland Craft, woodsman Ben Law explains what makes a good workshop, outlines the key tools needed, gives information on how to sharpen them and shows us how to make an array of fascinating devices from scratch.

• Projects include: peeling jig, pole lathe, woodsman's grip, cleaving brake
• 16 step-by-step woodland device projects
• Beautiful photography and illustrations
• A foundation book for every green woodworker to use as reference

Coupled with interesting titbits of historical and practical information, this is an invaluable guide for every green woodworker.

If you love silver jewelry but don't have the time or patience to learn traditional silver-smithing techniques, then the exciting medium of silver clay will open up a whole new range of possibilities to your jewelry making. Boasting all the same properties as modeling clay, it is 99.9% pure silver—meaning that you can make high-quality jewelry using the easiest of techniques.

• Revised and reformatted Silver Clay Workshop is perfect for anyone taking their first steps with this rewarding craft. 
• 22 projects that show perfectly the versatility of silver clay. Shape, roll, cut, mold and indent your way through them, learning the techniques as you go.
• From pendants and bracelets to rings and statement beads, there will be something for everyone.

If you need an emergency craft fix, then this book has the answer! Armed with a crochet hook and some yarn you can rustle up these gorgeous projects in next to no time. Granny squares are a simple and fun way to get creative when time is short, while offering a fashionable way to use up your yarn stash. From hats and coasters to cute toys and decorations, Granny Squares Weekend is packed with inspiring projects that can be finished in a couple of days.

As well as iconic granny square patterns, this book explores the scope of the technique, using it as an edging for blankets and in chic single-color projects.

Oak-framed projects stand the test of time. The longevity of the mighty oak trees that grow for centuries is echoed in Oak-Framed Buildings – they are here to stay and so are these oak-framed buildings! Newly updated, this classic title is ideal for carpenters, builders, aspiring DIYers, and anyone who appreciates beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly structures.

Revised and fully up-to-date. Oak-Framed Buildings has been substantially revised to bring the book completely up-to-date and in compliance with current building technology. It combines traditional building techniques with modern materials and installation methds, resulting in solid buildings with a high standard of energy efficiency. It covers all this and more:

• Practical information about the history of timber framing
• Structural qualities of oak
• How-to get started
• Techniques of timber-frame construction
• Designing frames
• Making and raising frames
• The building envelope
• Finishing details and much more

Beautifully photographed. The structural details are clearly explained through:

• 180 stunning full-color photographs of structures in various stages of construction 
• 90 three-dimensional illustrations

The best of yesterday and tomorrow.  Oak-Framed Buildingsis an amazing melding of centuries-old techniques with 21st century environmental and energy-saving standards – an essential resource for pros and non-pros alike.

A form of handmade lace, tatting is a traditional skill with origins dating back centuries and spanning continents. Each stitch is composed of two half-hitch knots. The single thread is looped and knotted with the aid of a small shuttle — a simple technique that produces amazingly intricate results.

This book shows how a simple piece of tatting can be developed into something striking and complex. The reader is guided through the process with easy-to-follow  diagrams and descriptions. The 15 stunning designs, including many variants to experiment with, allow the tatting disciple to explore the craft further. Ideas for how the basic patterns can be developed are included, as well as suggestions such as creating very different looks by varying the thread used. Whatever your level of experience, Mastering Tatting offers the chance to create something satisfying and unique to cherish or give as a gift.

Pop-Up Design & Paper Mechanics offers a totally new, entertaining, and approachable method to pop-up theory and practice. Numerous mechanisms are distilled into a logical set of 18 underlying shapes. These shapes are all simply explained with step-by-step instructions and hundreds of vivid photographs and illustrations. Detailed information regarding techniques for building upon and layering these shapes to create your own amusing pop-up art is also included.

Ready, Set, Turn! Weekend Woodturning Projects: 25 Simple Projects for the Home is the best way to start your woodturning and woodworking pursuit. This book will build your woodturning skills and your confidence.

Ideal for beginner and intermediate turners. This book presents clear, step-by-step instructions accompanied by over 600 photographs and finely detailed drawings (with dimensions for further guidance)  —here's all the hands-on knowledge you'll need to start your woodworking projects. Features that all weekend woodturning warriors will love:

• Helpful sections on safety
• How to season wood
• Tool and material lists for each project
• Special sidebars describing the types of wood used

Learn to use 6 basic tools. With clear and concise instruction, you will learn to use:

• Spindle roughing gouge
• Spindle gouge
• Parting tool
• Bowl gouge
• Skew chisel
• Scrapers
• Plus carving tools and a boring tool

25 fabulous and functional projects are quick to make. Projects will take from a couple of hours to only a few days to complete. Using a limited number of tools and types of equipment, these are stress-free projects ideally suited to a beginner or intermediate turner. The fun, practical projects for household items include:

• Rolling pin
• Candlestick
• Beaded bowl
• Salt and pepper mills
• Christmas ornaments, and many more!

The interest in Japanese amigurumi is explored in minature in this charming new title. Gorgeous and cute, these projects may be small but they are bursting with personality, making perfect gifts for friends and family. These tiny creatures can be used in a variety of imaginative ways—as key rings, jewelry accessories or just displayed as adorable trinkets in their own right.

All the basic crochet techniques you will need are clearly explained along with step-by-step illustrations making Mini Crochet Creatures perfect for beginners upwards. Anyone unsure about working in this scale can simply practice with larger hooks and thicker yarn—the patterns are exactly the same.

The animals are divided into six categories: farm, small, woodland, pet, sea and zoo so there is something for everyone from an elephant or a whale down to a squirrel, piglet, bunny and even a ladybird or butterfly!

Watercolour the Natural World is a comprehensive guide to painting nature which also shows how art can promote understanding of our environment and the animals and plants that inhabit it.

Critically acclaimed wildlife painter Tim Pond takes the reader on a journey from pole to pole to discover pristine frozen wilderness areas, coniferous forests and dense tropical rainforests. They are introduced to species that have made these habitats their home and discover how they have evolved to survive fierce winters or sweltering rainforest temperatures.

Each section is packed with tips, techniques and concepts that can speed up the reader's progress in learning to paint mountains, forests, waterscapes, plants and animals. It applies the lessons of the life class to every subject and includes suggested activities such as painting in aquariums, zoos, Natural History museums and outdoors in the landscape. Working from a photograph is explored, too, so that readers that can’t see their subjects in real life can also fully participate.

This guide is suitable for all abilities, whether entirely new to watercolour painting or an experienced professional. Drawing methods are taught to help the reader conceive the fundamentals of form. It then explores colour theory and the best watercolour combinations to capture the brilliance of nature, from green leaves and the patterns of animal coats to the bright plumes of exotic birds. Key foundation techniques are fully explained, as well as specific techniques, such as using a dry brush to create the impression of fur.

Painting is one of the most rewarding ways of expressing yourself. It sparks creativity, engages the imagination and relaxes you, reducing stress levels and leaving you feeling mentally clear and calm. Most people assume that the ability to paint is a skill you either have or you don't, so although they would like to paint they lack the confidence to do so. But painting can be readily learned with the right teacher to guide you, and a clear approach and encouraging voice are often all that's needed to get you on the right track.

That's where this book, Acrylics, comes in. Adrian Burrows is an enthusiastic and accomplished artist and teacher who explains the fundamentals of painting with acrylics in a helpful and accessible manner. Adrian shows you what you need in terms of tools and materials, and explains and illustrates all the basic techniques.

• Ten step-by-step tutorials, covering a variety of subjects, then put these techniques into action.
• Each tutorial is broken down into stages, with clear instructions and photographs for readers to follow, plus plenty of helpful tips and troubleshooting advice.
• There are also special features on painting trees, skies and figures.

These hats certainly make a statement and that statement is "Rawwwwwwwr!" Not for the faint-hearted, the beautifully designed knitted hats in Monster Hats will keep you cozy while turning some heads. Hopefully not right around.  Fun and vibrant, they are just the thing for getting you noticed on a winter's night.

Projects include: a creepy zombie, an enchanting griffin, an amusing yeti and a stylish demon.

In this visually stunning book, Gail Marsh has delved into the archives to research the personalities, varied and unusual techniques and tools that hand-embroiders used in the period 1900–1939, before the outbreak of World War II.  A unique and fascinating feature is the concentration on the embroiderers and their involvement in the teaching, promotion, writing and practice of stitching in this period. These include the unknown but intriguing experts in the craft, as well as the famous and well-known, including such luminaries as Jessie Newbury, Ann Macbeth, Margaret Swanson, Mrs. Foster, Louisa Peel, Grace Christie, Lewis F. Day, Rebecca Crompton, Kathleen Mann, Rachel Kay Shuttleworth, Prof. Letharby and Joan Drew. Each chapter follows the format of a short biography, design influences, materials and working practice and then the actual embroidery and how it was worked.

Gail’s in-depth research is presented in a highly readable manner, with contemporary quotes and social comment and the final chapter, ‘Connecting the threads’, connects all of the embroiderers together. Early 20th Century Embroidery Techniques is the essential reference for any student studying embroidery, fashion and textiles; craftspersons interested in historical embroidery techniques; collectors of textiles and indeed any needlework enthusiast wanting to extend their knowledge.

Encouraging controlled risk taking, boosting social skills, wellbeing and a healthy resilience, this is the ultimate way to avoid battles over screen time and classroom-induced fatigue. 

Wood Identification & Use is a gift book for wood lovers - an indispensable and informative guide to over a hundred different kinds of wood.  

This compact directory explores the world’s most valuable natural resource in detail. This new gift edition gives helpful details about the most popular and useful woods with illustrations and photographs to help with identification. There is also valuable information on the typical uses, durability, wood defects and potential health hazards for each species. Based on a best-selling reference work, this revised and updated abridged version includes drawings and descriptions of the living trees to enhance appreciation of the raw material of woodwork. In-depth yet accessible this handy pocket guide will be the perfect gift for all woodworkers and wood lovers.

The Christmas Craft Book is a festive collection of 30 fun projects using everyday recycled materials and craft supplies.  

Keeping young children occupied and entertained can be tricky, even at the best of times. But when they are super excited about Christmas it can be even more of a challenge. This book channels all that Santa-fuelled energy into making fun festive projects for everyone to enjoy. While making decorations, toys and gifts children will learn crafting skills. The book features simple projects that are suitable for parents with little or no crafting experience. Most of the items can be made using items already in the house or things that would be thrown away.

The 30 boredom-busting projects include: pompom stocking, festive hand warmers, Santa skittles, Christmas wreath, tree topper, paper lanterns, candy cane biscuits and sock snowman.

Let your creative urges take flight with this wonderful collection of birds to crochet. Featuring 10 gorgeous projects, all with stunning photographs and detailed charts, Crocheted Birds is a bird lovers delight!

• includes extensive techniques section
• suitable for all skill levels
• 10 projects for adorable crocheted birds
• projects include blackbird, wren and robin
• hand-drawn charts included with patterns

Intricate charts are included with the patterns to help you make your feathered friends come to life!

Outdoor Woodworking is an impressive collection of over 30 projects for the garden, patio, or deck. Some projects are suited for those just starting out in woodworking while others will challenge even the experienced woodworker. All include clear instructions, helpful hints and tips, and either step-by-step photography or detailed diagrams; project plans are included where necessary.

Projects include: bird table, picnic bench, garden obelisk, rose arch, garden gate, dovecote, toy wheelbarrow.

*Features over 30 projects, ranging from small to large, all ideal for the garden, patio, or deck.

*Both inspiration and practical information to suit a range of skill levels, from those just starting out in woodworking to experienced woodworkers.

*All projects include clear guidance on how to best approach the construction of each piece.

Learn how use oil paints with this clear and simple guide. Accomplished artist and teacher Norman Long explains all the basics and shows you how to master this versatile, vibrant medium so you can produce beautiful paintings full of life and color.

Oils has a handy front section covering all the practical stuff, from choosing the right materials to essential techniques. 

• 10 step-by-step tutorials each broken down into key stages
• range of subject matter from still life to landscapes to figures
• clear step-by-step photography and instructions
• includes special features on painting people, painting outdoors and composition
• tips and practical advice to help make the most of your paints

Crocheted Houseplants features 25 stylish projects to revive your home or office décor and create a lush indoor garden. Flip through the stylish gallery pages, pick your favourite plants and get started. Everything you’ll need to know is included in the book, from tools and materials to explanations of the basic crochet stitches. You’ll also find out how to pot up and display your fabulous, crocheted creations.

Spheres within spheres, stars within cubes, delicate lattices with no apparent means of support—woodturners over the centuries have developed a whole range of extraordinary structures which seem at first sight to be quite impossible. In fact, all of these things can be made by anyone with basic woodturning skills, an ordinary lathe and simple hand tools—and this book shows you how.

• A best-seller when first published in 1993, the book has been thoroughly revised for this new edition.
• Stunning new 3-D illustrations show cutaway views of the work in progress, making the instructions even easier to follow than before.
• A variety of projects in addition to an introductory chapter outlining the required equipment, advice on selecting wood, as well as workshop safety.

Fill your jewelry box with one-of-a-kind pieces you create yourself. We’re not talking about basic bead-strung necklaces…these are intricate, ornate, fabulous designs made out of polymer clay. Before you say, “that sounds hard!” let Polymer Clay Jewelry Workshop show you how simple and satisfying it can be.

Polymer clay is one of the most versatile jewelry-making materials. It has a chameleon-like quality that can mimic many other materials including metal or even glass. And because it’s easily modeled and molded, polymer clay can take on whatever shape and design your imagination can conjure.

A simple-to-follow and beautiful to look at workshop-in-a-book that will have you crafting fine, custom jewelry in no time. Polymer Clay Jewelry Workshop offers page after page of inspiration and techniques along with a wealth of advice on tools, materials, and proper methods for making stunning polymer clay jewelry—from necklaces to rings, bracelets to earrings.

You get:

• 30 main jewelry projects from a range of jewelry designers, and each with bonus mini projects to complete a set or to complement the main design
• 490 full-color, step-by-step photographs, clear instructions, and professional tips to guide you through the projects, techniques, and materials

The perfect primer for beginner jewelry makers. The step-by-step instructional format, handy tools, plethora of vivid photos, and approachable style of Polymer Clay Jewelry Workshop make it easy to start and finish your own beautiful jewelry pieces.

If you think of dolls houses as usually being period houses, it's time to think again! In this amazing compendium of miniature buildings, author Sarah Walkley looks at the many other styles of construction created by miniatures enthusiasts including

• cozy cottages
• modern loft apartments
• churches
• garden sheds
• lighthouses
  
• windmills

Each of the 12 chapters will be accompanied by tips on the key techniques needed to recreate a particular style of property. This will include, for example, how to lay wooden floors or work with molding to create a grand country estate, or how to install lighting in a lighthouse.

It aims to provide inspiration to those that are new to the hobby, or want to take their model-making a stage further, as well as being a delightful read for those who are simply fascinated by all things miniature.

This comprehensive guide to pop-up is a delightful introduction to the fun, surprising and intriguing aspects of a fascinating craft. Duncan Birmingham’s totally new and accessible approach to pop-up theory and practice distills the numerous mechanisms into a logical set of underlying shapes, and the techniques for building these shapes is methodically explained with step-by-step pictures and text.

No measuring is necessary and only cardstock, scissors and glue are needed to make highly complex folding sculptures. Birmingham demonstrates how sophisticated pop-up designs are constructed and shows how to form a 3D reference book, invaluable for professional and amateur designers interested in this craft.

To use a scented herbal soap is to partake of an element of ritual used down the centuries. Since time immemorial, aromatic oils, perfumes and herbs have been used to cleanse, anoint and scent the body for hygiene, medicinal purposes, worship and spiritual well-being. Yet today, we take many of the toiletries we use for granted. We don’t know how they are made or what goes into them. So why not create some lather in your life and discover the wonderful craft of soap making? The latest ready-to-use ‘melt-and-pour’ soap bases are fast and easy to use, making it easy to craft, mould and shape fantastic vegetable glycerine soaps. Follow the easy step-by-step techniques and 13 recipes provided in this book and you will be delighted with the results – deliciously scented, textured and colourful soaps that you can use to pamper yourself or give to friends and family.

Learn the ins and outs of using a sewing machine with How to Machine Sew. This accessible introduction to machine sewing will teach you everything you need to get started, including basic machine stitches, making seams and hems, binding edges, and working with zippers.

In no time at all, you'll be creating beautiful and handy items to use around your home, like a pot holder, place mat, strip quilt, drawstring bag, makeup purse, pillow cover, and more. Clear step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and beautiful photography make this workshop-in-a-book ideal for the absolute beginner.

Whiling away a few hours making pompoms is fantastic fun for all the family, and these wonderfully easy pompom projects are sure to brighten up your day. Ideal to make as gifts for young and old alike, you can choose from 17 projects. Pompom Crafts contains clear step-by-step instructions and a fully illustrated techniques section, you'll be whipping up these cute pompom makes in next to no time.

Be seated in style and comfort with this gorgeous book full of ideas to revamp the things you sit on everyday. If your chairs are looking past their best, or in need of a makeover, you will find beautiful projects that can turn sorry-looking seats into stylish centrepieces. Jemima Schlee’s clever use of fabrics, textures, yarns and paint not only add personality and character to any interior, they are also an ideal way for thrifty types to create a new look on a budget. From homely armchairs and pouffes to eye-catching footstools and vintage-print stools, these are the personal touches that can transform a house into a home.

Making Vintage Bags has nine original projects inspired by the elegance and sophistication of styles from the 1920s to the 1950s. There's also a purse pattern so that any of the bags can be enhanced with a pretty matching purse.

Designs range in skill level, so if you are new to the craft you can start simply, then move on gradually to more challenging projects as your ability increases and your creativity blossoms.

Weekends are the perfect time to get crafting! This stash-busting sewing book, aimed at beginner to intermediate crafters, has 25 quick and easy projects to make, all from fat quarters or fabric scraps.

• Each project has easy-by-step instructions and beautiful accompanying photography, as well as a comprehensive techniques section.
• Ideal for using up leftover remnants of fabric to make great gifts. Give them to your family and friends, or keep them for yourself!
• Projects include: apron, tea cozy, coin purse, weekend bag, bunting and bed quilt.

Learning to knit has never been easier! An accessible introduction to knitting, How to Knit is for absolute beginners. Simple-to-follow projects teach the basic skills and techniques of this fun and creative craft. Beginners will learn all the essentials, from how to hold needles, cast on and off, make a tension swatch, and form the basic knit and purl stitches, to how to knit stripes, cable, rib, and lace, plus shape their knitting and add buttonholes.

Clear step-by-step illustrations and beautiful photographs of the finished projects are included throughout, making How to Knit both practical and inspirations—the ideal book for want-to-be knitters!

Projects include: tablet cover, hot-water bottle cover, striped hobo bag, fingerless gauntlets, beanie hat with felt corsage, envelope clutch bag, cabled placemats and coasters, chunky lace cowl and patchwork cushion cover.

Perfect for inspiring kids to get out in the fresh air, this brilliant book is crammed full of outdoor activities and fun for children.  As well as gaining some simple survival skills, children will learn more about the world around them and their place within it. Practical, creative and educational, the tasks concentrate on leaving only a positive trace, while enjoying the great outdoors.

Learn the stunning art of Sashiko stitching with this comprehensive guide that's packed with inspirational ideas. Meaning "little stabs", it's a traditional Japanese sewing method that uses evenly spaced running stitches to create eye-catching geometric patterns.

• 20 patterns and motifs that readers can choose from and use as templates for their own unique Sashiko designs.
• Thorough guidance on the tools, materials and basic techniques,
  
• Included are large-scale items such as bedding, a door curtain and wall-hanging, and smaller items, such as brooches, greetings cards and notebook covers.

Sashiko explores the history of this strikingly effective technique and demonstrates how to apply it to a range of useful and ornamental items for the home, accessories and gifts.

Fat Quarter: Vintage is the latest addition to a fabulous series of stash-busting sewing books. Separated into five decades, from the 1930s to the 1970s, each chapter contains five projects using fat quarter fabric or scraps that reflect the era.

• Projects have clear step-by-step instructions and beautiful accompanying photography
• Includes a useful tools and technique section for those who are new to sewing
• Perfect for using the leftover remnants of fabric
• the projects make great gifts

Projects include: 1930s pin cushion, 1940s flower brooch, 1940s sewing machine cover, 1950s apron, 1950s sunglasses case, 1960s child's dress, 1970's draft stopper, 1970s shopping bag.

An insider’s secrets to tailoring and making alterations. Master the basics and more with Simple Tailoring & Alterations, a practical guide written by an accomplished costume maker and theatrical tailor. With over thirty years experience in the garment industry, J. Francois-Campbell knows every tailoring trick of the trade and shares them with you.

A nip and a tuck for the perfect fit.Off-the-rack clothing rarely fits well because it was not made to your specific measurements. With the step-by-step instructions – plus 250 full-color photographs and 100 helpful illustrations – you can now make alterations that will save you big bucks:

• Save by updating outfits that no longer fit properly and spend less on new clothes.
• Don't pay expensive tailoring fees to have clothing mended and altered.
• Do follow these simple techniques to improve your wardrobe and line your pockets with the money you save.

10 essential tailoring techniques. Jay François-Campbell guides you through must-now techniques suitable for novices and intermediate sewers that range from replacing buttons to changing a garment's shape for a better fit. Projects cover skirts, dresses, pants, jackets, shirts, coats, capes, suits, sweaters, vests and ties.

Master new skills and get more from what’s in your closet. Get your copy of Simple Tailoring & Alterations you are on your way to advancing your skills with in-depth information on equipment, fabric choices, measuring, stitching, and making pro-level alterations to men’s and women’s garments. Here’s know-how that will help you revamp your wardrobe and adeptly handle sweeping alterations that go beyond changing a hemline.

Denim Upcycled contains 25 creative projects using old pairs of jeans to create fabulous customised clothes & homewares.

Jeans are such a wardrobe staple that most people end up with at least one or two pairs of that don’t fit any more, have worn out in places or have gone out of style. But instead of consigning them to landfill, why not repurpose them? Denim is a durable and versatile fabric that’s perfect for upcycling into stylish, sustainable and useful items for you, your family and friends, and your home. With clear instructions and handy tips throughout, projects are suitable for all levels.

How do I learn to crochet? If you've been thinking about taking up crocheting, but don't know how to start, How to Crochet: Techniques and Projects for the Complete Beginner is the perfect guide for you. You will learn everything you need to get started including how to:

• Crochet basic stitches
• Read charts and patterns
• Properly finish your work
• Double crochet, work in the round, make granny squares, and more

Worry-free instruction with 10 exciting projects. This simple-to-follow project based book teaches you which tools and supplies you will need, as well as, the basic techniques of this creative and entertaining craft. Each technique is accompanied by a stylish project for you to make including:

• Tablet cover
• Cushion cover
• Toy bunny
• Granny square blanket,
• Fingerless mittens, and more

This how to series is for absolute beginners. Every technique is clearly explained with step-by-step guidance, enhanced with beautiful illustrations and attractive photographs throughout. Simple, straightforward instruction guides you stitch by stitch to your fabulous finished project.

Super Simple Outdoor Woodworking  is an imaginative collection of 15 projects for the garden, patio or deck that are easy to make.

There are projects designed for both those just starting out and those that would be fun for even the most experienced woodworker to create. All of the projects include clear guidance on how best to approach the construction of each piece and they can be made with standard-sized wood from the DIY store. There are also a number of projects include helpful hints and tips to achieving perfect results. The projects include helpful step-by-step instructions with clear photography and detailed diagrams.

Simple Japanese Furniture presents 24 simple and stylish furniture projects for the home based on timeless Japanese designs.

Each project is presented with notes on the key design elements of each piece, the tools and techniques needed, and step-by-step instructions for completion. The designs are chosen to illustrate the structure of furniture and key principles in furniture building, and the techniques are well-suited to working with cuts of coniferous trees, especially cedar. Each project is described in a brief overview, with notes on degree of difficulty and an emphasis on key design elements.This isfollowedby a detailed descriptive sectionwithhelpfulillustrations.

Will appeal to woodworkers and hand-tool enthusiasts, the book reflects growing interest in making simple, practical furniture for the home as well as an appreciation of Japanese design.

Zen Coloring – The Ultimate Collection: Inspirations is the latest edition in the highly successful Coloring series. Containing 100 inspirational, beautiful and diverse images to color, this booklet will help calm and relax while enabling the artist within to shine.

This edition contains the ultimate collection of artworks for you to complete using your own color scheme. Make your finished artworks as simple or as complex as you like; whichever you choose, you’ll be delighted by the results.

Manga – Japanese graphic novel and comic strip art based on line drawings of characters noted for their highly stylized facial features – is one of the most popular forms of comic illustration today. This book is for anyone interested in drawing manga, from beginners who want to learn the basics of drawing figures and poses to more experienced artists who are keen to discover the key techniques and details that make manga art so distinct.  

Each project covers an element of drawing manga, from faces, body shapes and proportions to different angles and expressions and creating action poses. This bite-size approach allows the reader to build up their skills and confidence before they create more ambitious drawings of their own. The book finishes with composition ideas and how to add backgrounds, giving the reader the tools they need to create their own manga stories.

In contrast to most manga books, Draw Manga features fully illustrated step-by-step instructions for every stage of the projects, so even the most novice reader will know exactly when and where each line or detail should be added. There is also a wealth of tips and advice to help avoid common pitfalls and difficulties, based on the author's years of experience tutoring manga workshops.

This new title is packed with colorful designs that are easy and fast to knit, and detailed instructions explain everything you need to know. Mug Hugs make fabulous gifts and are an ideal way to use up odds and ends of yarn. Best of all, readers will never need to suffer cold coffee or tepid tea again.

Includes 30 fun and fast to knit projects for the reader to make, these are suitable for knitters of all abilities; the first project can be completed by an absolute beginner, further knitting skills are built up and explained in successive projects.

Mini Cross Stitch Designs is an inspiring collection of 100 small, colorful and fun motifs to stitch.

Cross stitch is making a big comeback with modern crafters and it’s easy to see why. Providing the perfect introduction for beginners, 100 Mini Cross Stitch Designs will also appeal to intermediate and advanced cross stitchers looking for inspiration. The book provides a detailed section on tools and materials, instructions on getting started, reading cross stitch charts, essential stitches and finishing touches.

With so many wonderful designs to choose from, selecting a project is likely to be the most time-consuming part of the whole process! From bees to bicycles, caravans to cupcakes, and rockets to rainbows, there are contemporary subjects and styles to suit every taste. Display your stitches in an embroidery hoop, frame or greeting cards or choose a pattern that adorns clothing, home furnishings or other decorative items. There are useful tips on how to add your own personality to projects and ways to incorporate leftover thread or fabric.

10,000 Knitted Hats is a fun and clever flip-page instruction book for designing and building your own unique headwear creations.

This interactive knitting book contains photographs of different hat brims, bodies and crowns that can be combined in a total of 10,626 ways to create unique hat patterns. Once you’ve chosen your design, turn over the pages for the correct written pattern for that combination of parts. You can then use the handy embellishments section to add any extra features to the basic design. 

The hat brims, bodies and crowns use many stitches, some familiar and others new. Find colour work, both easy and more challenging, along with slipped-stitch patterns, cables, lace and texture, all explained clearly in the handy techniques section. Aimed at all ability levels, there is something for everyone. You’ll never need another hat book!

100 Essential Crochet Stitches is the ultimate "Go-To" guide for 100 of the most essential crochet stitches. 

Ideal for beginners or a great reference guide for more experienced crocheter's, this reference book is essential for all who want to hone their skills.  It provides all the information needed to make a large range of projects.  Readers will enjoy the concise step-by-step instructions and crystal clear photography, carefully explaining how to create each stitch.  This is sure to be the essential guide for all crocheter's for years to come.

Discover the richness of historical embroidery 18th Century Embroidery Techniques. For the wealthy, the eighteenth century was a period of decadent splendour, and clothing was no exception – sumptuous fabrics were embellished with lavish, ornate embroidery. Gail Marsh, a costume and textiles curator and senior lecturer in fashion and textiles for many years, has delved into archives to research the techniques and tools that embroiderers of the day used to create such bewitching items of clothing. Her in-depth research is presented here in a highly readable and fascinating manner, with relevant quotations from ladies and gentlemen of the period, intricate drawings of costume pieces, annotated with the greatest detail and telling of the stitches, threads and techniques that were used, plus color photographs of the museum-held pieces.

This enthralling book is a must for any student studying embroidery, fashion and textiles, craft persons interested in historical embroidery techniques, creators of historical costumes for stage, collectors of textiles and costumes, plus any needlework enthusiast wanting to extend their knowledge.

• Simple stitches provide the foundation of knitted fabrics.
• Colorwork designs brighten up your project.
• Textured stitches and lacy patterns add interest to your work.
• Delicate edges and trims finish things off nicely. 
• The opening section covers essential knowledge on tools and materials and getting started.

Each stitch is rated for difficulty and is laid out with a decorative stitched sample and clear instructions.  

Go from leftover yarn to 100 Little Knitted Projects. It’s everywhere—balled-up remnants of yarn from the sweater you knitted, random scraps left languishing in a cupboard. Now you can recycle these yarn leftovers into 100 fun, fabulous, and frivolous projects to choose from in 100 Little Knitted Projects.

Great as gifts and stocking stuffers! These precious little masterpieces appeal to knitters of all ages and abilities…and, when given as gifts, are sure to delight both children and adults. They make adorable party favors, table decorations, and Christmas tree ornaments. Turn them into fun brooches, key chains, or even string them together and make a sweet bunting to decorate the nursery—the possibilities are endless.

This darling new knitting guide features:

• 100 whimsical knitting projects—from mini animals to sports, birthdays to nature—you can whip up in an instant
• Step-by-step instructions with 20 illustrations and 280 color photographs to lead the way and ignite your creative spark

Easy to make…easy to love! Unravel your yarn remnants and start knitting up these lovable knick-knacks with 100 Little Knitted Projects. They’re 100 pocket-sized rays of sunshine!