Quick to Make: Stylish Gifts to Craft in a Day

Quick to Make: Stylish Gifts to Craft in a Day

by: Threads Magazine

Topics include: buttons with holes, pie bag, soutache braid, bouncy ball, narrow hem, felted wool, stamped image, seam tape, hemp cord, base fabric, seed beads, seam allowances, fusible web, press cloth, lining fabric, silk organza, machine embroidery, embroidery floss, embroidery stitches, tie points, elastic cord

Book Description:

Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Craft-it-fast items generally have a thrown-together, inelegant look, but not so the 31 sophisticated projects in Quick to Make. Culled from the column of the same name in the popular Threads magazine, this guide is filled with charming ideas for scarves, bracelets, bags, boxes, pillows, buttons, belts, and much more. Interesting techniques include burn-out velvet, rubber-stamped fabrics, ribbon work, and photocopy transfer onto polymer clay. In the tradition of the magazine, the directions are excellent, the photographs are beautiful, and the finished products are classy enough that you'll be proud to give them to chic friends--although you may be tempted to keep them for yourself. --Amy Handy Book Description This hands-on guide from the editors of Threads magazine shows how sewing projects can be fun and productive without requiring enormous amounts of time and material. Since its inception in 1995, the "Quick to Make" column has been a popular feature in Threads, and this book collects its best articles. These small projects, explained step by step, provide an opportunity to try out new techniques, or test a special fabric that is too expensive to buy in large amounts. All of the projects lend themselves to gift giving, and many of them can be made from the bits and pieces lying around the sewing area. 35 complete projects and 200 color photos and illustrations are featured.

Stylish creations to craft in a day The one item sure to make every sewer's wish list is "more time to sew." Quick to Make, brought to you by the editors of Threads magazine, helps you make the most of the precious time you do have with more than 30 simple but sophisticated projects that you can complete in a day -- or less! From jewelry to clothing to home-decorating and embellishment ideas, you'll find a host of handcrafted items to create for yourself or your family and friends. With Quick to Make's projects, you can: try new sewing and design techniques or practice the rusty ones use up remnants in your fabric stash indulge in exotic or high-end fabrics that are too costly to buy for a whole garment introduce others to your craft by using the projects as fast and fun teaching tools Drawn from the popular "Quick to Make" articles in Threads, these designs are the creations of such sewing and fashion professionals as Linda Lee, Debra Blum and Moises Diaz, Shirley Botsford, and Jane Conlon. And step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, and an extensive resource list will help you find the most efficient path from start to finish. Fit a little bit of sewing into every day with Quick to Make

The one item sure to make every sewer's wish list is "more time to sew." Quick to Make helps you make the most of the precious time you do have with more than 30 simple but sophisticated projects that you can complete in a day. In this excerpt, author and designer Linda Lee shares three easy-to-sew pillows that resemble the $200 variety available from fine stores, but can be made at home at a much lower price.

Reviews:

INTRODUCTION

BUTTONS, BRACELETS, AND PINS
The Saturn Hatpin
From Buttons to Bracelets
Patchwork Puzzle Pins
Fabric Cuff Bracelets
Old-World Treasures: Clay Buttons and Jewelry
Gorgeous Beaded Buttons: Make Just One or a Set

EMBELLISHMENTS
Stamped Fabric Is Only the Beginning
Your Very Own Dvor Velvet
Dimensional Embroidery
Take the Ribbon Road

WEARABLES
Call 'em Irresistible -- Beads and Tulle
Gossamer Ribbon-Work Scarves
Stitch an Easy Bra-Slip
Seashells to Wear
Easy Braided Belts
Two Sew-Easy Scarves
Wrap Yourself in Soutache
Variations on a Shrug
Stitch a Pie Bag
Overstitched Bags and Portfolios
The Simplest Summer Skirt

HOME ACCESSORIES
Embroidered Felt Trivets
Pillow and Pyramid Gift Boxes
A Pillow from Neckties
Great Pillows 1,2,3
Ribbonwork Holiday Stocking
Fold a Fabric-Origami Treasure Box
Button-Up Spreads and Throws
Needlebooks for Hand-Stitchers
Customized Hangers
Pincushions with Personality

RESOURCES 91

CREDITS