Stitch By Stitch

From the blanket that his great-grandmother made for him as a boy, to the friends he gathered together in San Francisco as a young man, to the idea for a monument sewn of fabric and thread, Cleve Jones’ extraordinary life seems to have been stitched together bit by bit, piece by piece. Mentored by Harvey Milk, Jones first had the vision for what became the AIDS Memorial Quilt during a candlelight memorial for Milk in 1985. Along with friends, Cleve created the first panels for the quilt in 1987. The AIDS Memorial Quilt grew to be one of the largest public arts projects ever and helped grow awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Quilt is an iconic symbol of hope and remembrance and is Jones' shining achievement. It has since toured the world and been seen by millions. This evocative biography is a touching tribute to Jones' life of advocacy, the positive effects of a community working towards a common goal, and an inspiring story for young readers. Includes a timeline and extensive back matter.

An awe-inspiring African American woman! A talented seamstress, born a slave, bought freedom for herself and her son. This picture book biography weaves together historical details, vibrant collages, and the words of her own journals to bring to light the life and beautiful work Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the seamstress who bought herself and son out of slavery. Lizzy’s story of hardship and resilience offers an untold side of history during a time of great injustice and change. Born enslaved in 1818 on a Virginian plantation, Lizzy experienced and witnessed unspeakable cruelty. When she was sent to workfor a tailor, her wages went to her master, not Lizzy. However, the beautiful gowns that Lizzy created attracted the attention of the wealthiest women in Virginia, even Mrs. Jefferson Davis. With money from her patrons, Lizzy bought her freedom and her son’s freedom working tirelessly stitch by stitch, going on to design gowns for the First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and grow an influentialcareer. This inspiring story about an unsung hero is beautifully illustrated with oil paint, cut paper and fabric collage and hand-embroidery by Elizabeth Zunon that brings Lizzy’s dresses to life. Connie Morrison writes with straightforward honesty and clarity, seamlesslyincluding research on fashion, life, and politics of the time. The backmatter includes a bibliography for further reading.

Learn to Love Sewing, Stitch by Stitch So, you love all that gorgeous designer fabric and you really want to make something with it. Or maybe you've taught yourself a little sewing know-how but have become frustrated. Whatever your background, Stitch by Stitch guides you through everything you need to know to start sewing and make it to the varsity level. Inside Stitch by Stitch, you'll learn essential sewing skills--everything from basic stitching and backtacking to creating gathers, making darts and using multi-sized patterns--while completing appealing projects. In the book's unique format, skills and projects build upon each other so that you get instant gratification and motivation to progress. Stitch by Stitch, learn to love sewing with: A guide to the machine, notions and fabric. Get to know your sewing machine and learn about all the essential materials and tools you need to get started. 11 modern, stylish projects. A variety of projects--like a simple tote, a piped throw pillow, a hipster belt, a sweet A-line skirt and a cap-sleeved blouse--will build your sewing skills while giving you great pieces to show off. Clear and comprehensive step-by-step photo instruction. No vague illustrations that keep you guessing. Bonus CD. Includes PDF patterns for apparel projects (in sizes 4-14), stitch practice guides, sample applique designs and more. Whether you're a sewing novice or returning sewist, Stitch by Stitch will give you the confidence and skills to keep motivated, get great results and finally learn to love the process.

Discover needlecraft with 20 simple and fun sewing craft projects for young crafters to try. This hands-on sewing book shows inquisitive children how to do basic needlecraft. Explore more than 20 fun-filled projects, each with clear instructions and step-by-step photos that are easy to follow. Stitch by Stitch will make young crafters aged 7-11 become confident at sewing projects, from stitched felt flowers to a cute crocheted bag. They will discover how to knit a simple doll’s scarf and find out how to create a colorful patchwork cushion. Award-winning author Jane Bull combines her unique arty style and excellent instructions to teach children how to knit, sew, crochet, appliqué, embroider, and patchwork. This hands-on sewing book for kids offers: - Projects that will help children acquire skills in basic stitching, knitting, and crocheting from a small crocheted bag to a sewn patchwork ball. - A revised edition which has lightly refreshed designs and fonts throughout the pages. - Clear step-by-step photography that guides children through each project, and straightforward explanations makes the sewing skills behind the projects clear and accessible. - Activities that are easy for children to do on their own. Only a handful of steps need an adult to do them instead of the child. Stitch-by-Stitch will inspire a new generation of children who are just starting out on their creative journey of making things from scratch. Children can make beautiful stitched items for themselves or to use as gifts for friends and family. They will finally find something fun to do with those spare beads and buttons that are lying around!

Step-by-step directions for using various stitches to decorate pillow cases, handbags, place mats, potholders, and other objects.

Experiment with stitch, fabric and thread to create your own unique textiles. This inventive book is a treasure trove of over 40 inspiring practical exercises, a rich and creative exploration of fabric and stitch, and a fascinating all-round read. Elizabeth Healey's approach to sewing is that it should be fun, and not like a chore or an exam we need to excel in. Her aim is to simply encourage you to pick up a needle and thread and get sewing! The exercises draw inspiration from around the world: create corded works of art inspired by Milton Glaser's iconic Bob Dylan poster; create bold embroidered African masks; layer up and cut away to create Mola applique; use bleach and fabric paint to create Aboriginal dreamtime lizards; create knotted works of art inspired by ancient Mayan counting systems; embroider varsity cross-stitch letters or try out decorative Japanese book binding. Alternatively, try a host of other techniques such as quilting, printing, dyeing, couching tumbled crockery, creating pleats and puckers and needlelace. Packed with stitch galleries and bursting with slow sewing ideas, the book also contains 'behind the stitches' features: illuminating insights into sewing movements such as Boro textiles, Gee's Bend quilting and Dorset buttons.

This illustrated crochet stitch dictionary features 125 stitches plus handy shaping techniques and endless inspiration for creative crocheters. In Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary, designer Dora Ohrenstein offers detailed instructions for 125 beautiful stitch patterns. Plus, she explains how to increase and decrease each stitch pattern in three different ways—without shaping, with shaping at the edges, and with internal shaping. This hefty collection, ranging from lace and filigree to shells and textured stitches, is loaded with beautifully photographed swatches of each pattern, plus charted and text instructions. Ohrenstein’s focus on shaping techniques makes it possible to explore an array of variations without a pattern.