Complete Idiot S Guide Big Book Of Needle Arts And Crafts

The Complete Idiot's Guide Big Book of Needle Arts and Craftsis the quintessential reference book for needlepoint, embroidery, quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and more! With 800 pages of information and projects, this book is the ultimate how-to! Includes patterns for making afghans, hats, window treatments, pillows, and more!

This guide is for anyone who is interested in learning or re-learning the art of embroidery or needlepoint. Containing a history of needlecrafts, as well as an updated look at its uses for your home and wardrobe, it explains how to deal with such concepts as color, balance, scale, and texture, and how to incorporate your own personal syle. Everything you need to know about the art of embroidery, including needle and thread types, materials, stitch types, frames, techniques, enlarging or reducing designs, monogramming, and project ideas, is in this book.

You're no idiot, of course. You can sew a button, tie a knot and even thread a needle in under 30 seconds. But when it comes to knitting and crocheting, you feel as prickly as a pin cushion. Don't unravel just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Knitting and Crocheting shows you how to create beautiful crafts worthy of becoming heirlooms.

Hundreds of budget-friendly projects include edible homemade goodies, holiday decorations, toys, musical instruments, and gifts made from wood, metal, glass, leather, clay, and found objects.

Explains the basic stitches and offers advice on selecting materials, reading patterns, fixing mistakes, finishing projects, and personalizing patterns with color and texture

Creating an Amigurumi of one's own... Amigurumi, the traditional Japanese art of knitted or crocheted stuffed figures, is a craft that is sweeping the country. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Amigurumi crafters will learn the basic stitches of crochet, how to make basic shapes (heads, arms, legs, torsos), stuffing techniques, and embellishments such as hair, eyes, and tassels. They will also learn how to make flowers and vegetables, and will acquire the tools to be able to let their imaginations run wild and create their own unique and adorable Amigurumi. Easy-to-follow instructions and patterns for the absolute beginner. The only book that teaches readers how to make their own Amigurumi (not just follow patterns) Includes several complete patterns Author is a foremost expert on Amigurumi

A manual that offers seamstresses the Right Stitch. From first threading a needle to the final completed project, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Sewing provides readers with a "learn- as-you-go" method that helps build sewing skills both by hand and by machine. ? Each chapter has a practice project for readers to apply their newly acquired skills to completing ? Includes dozens of easy-to-understand visual aid line drawings and photographs ? Features basic machine care and maintenance information

Offers advice and tips on needlepoint and embroidery, including how to combine stitches, create a sampler, and practice bargello techniques.