The Bag Making Bible

If you are thinking of venturing into making your own designer bags The Bag Making Bible is well worth checking into.  The book covers every element of asembling a fabric bag.  It has great sections on closures of various types and instruction on several kinds of pockets.  With each chapter a project is included. The book was first published in the U.K. and some terns were not translated into American English, for example the book refers to zip instead of zipper. I also found a few grammar errors, page 9 has "If you want a job doing well you have to do it yourself."  Oops. Nonetheless, I thought the book had great projects and is packed with useful tips.  I appreciated the tips on types of presser feet to purchase to make the bag making process easier.  I am all over easier.

Modern designs for classic quilts

I picked up this book because I love the quilt on the cover.  I was scratching my head over modern verses classic quilts.  What are the differences?  I thought that modern quilts would be about using traditional quilt patterns with modern fabric color and patterns.  Which according to the authors somewhat explains the difference betwixt modern and classic.  The book lists several other differences.  Modern quilts have less or no borders, often use multiple-fabric background, use more neutrals and solids, employ less elaborate piecing and more focus on the fabric.  Take a look at page 6 for the full list of Modern vs. Traditional.  The authors list recommended stuff to get for quilting.  I will have to look for some fork pins, they looked pretty handy.  Nineteen different quilting project instructions are included, with three pages of templates and patterns.  

Big A book

An eclectic collection of upcycling contained in one book.  The projects in this book vary from making pillows from ribbon left-overs and  jewelry from plastic bottles to garden bugs from aluminum flashing and wire.  Each project is contained on two full color pages with a list of materials and equipment needed.  I can see me doing several of the ideas but a few are pretty weird. Any kid would be terrorized by a nightlight make from a doll’s head, it would freak out most adults.  Also, I can’t see making a table using wooden hanger for the center support, an uncontrolled pant leg catching on the hanger hook would cause the table to topple.  Oops how embarrassing.  Despite a few less than practical ideas the book is packed with great ideas for the upcycling enthusiasts.    

Embroidery "Hip" patterns

Most of this book is made up of black line patterns to transfer.  It does include different transfer methods and shows ideas of how to embellish materials with your own creative handiwork.  The hip patterns include borders, flowers, cars, trucks, and oh yeah Scotty dogs (retro must be hip).  The book is spiral bound with a handy pocket for the patterns once they are removed from the book.  I found the transfer information useful but many of the patterns are very basic, great for someone new to the craft.  Too many of the patterns are the same picture in different sizes.  Rather ho hum.

Scrap booking ideas

If scrapbooking is your passion take a look at The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages.  It is literally full of completed scrapbook pages.  If just looking at a finished project is all the instructions you need your set with this one.  Each completed page list the creator, supplies used and the source of the supplies.  Every third to fourth page has a bit of information called “Inspired Ideas.”  These tidbit include ideas such as sewing bits of lace or fabric to your page to keep it in place.  The book ends with single and double-page layout sketches and a score of product manufactures with phone number and or web addresses.

Repurposed plastic--cheap fun

Save your plastic bags of all size and colors!  Upcycle the plastic that abounds as a leftover in modern life.  With a few basic materials; plastic, parchment paper, scissors, and an iron create over 2 dozen projects. After trying two of the projects in the book all kinds of ideas have bubbled up in my head.

I tried this craft with a group of teens.  They had a great time.  We found that following the techniques to fuse the plastics on pages 12 and 13 helpful.  

Blue book bag made from the plastic sleeves that cover the newspaper each day.  Even the handles are made from several layers of fused plastic, the sides and bottom are sewn.  It's strong and waterproof besides.

One teen designed a bag that will hold a can of soda and ice and doesn't leak.  Instead of sewing she fused  all the seams--sides and bottom.  Viola let your imagination go! 

Crocheting continued

Continuing on a crocheting tangent I found more interesting books to suggest.  Baby Crochet has a basket load of projects for infants that span from easy thru advanced level.  Chucked full of cute baby pictures, the instructions are written out with a list of needed materials at the first of each project.  I personally tucked away the instructions for the sock monkey hat and toddler leg warmers.

I found this fun book at my local library, yahoo!!