Our library is just being developed and in the future we hope to have more images of the books and magazines featured here for you and to link you to any projects we have created from within their pages.
COUTURIER ISBN: 978-4-89432-552-4
THE SEWING BOOK ISBN: 978-1405335553
This really is a fantastic book. It has detailed step by step instructions for almost anything you can imagine you'd need a hand with on sewing. All of it's reviews on amazon are 4 and 5 star. If someone was really getting into their sewing I'd definitely buy this for them. When I made my first pair of slacks I looked up how to put a zip on properly, I could chose from every different one and way of doing it. I then looked up how to do pockets too, it has a glossary at the back which I always find useful. When I first started to make my own things it took me half of the time to look up what certain words meant, basting, naps, selvedge etc. It also a bit of a directory in the form of line drawings showing all of the different types of things in a category. For instance it shows that when making a shirt there is a ladies' shirt, men's shirt, men's fitted shirt, ladies' dress shirt, children's dress shirt, wing-collar dress shirt, denim shirt, short-sleeved shirt, western style shirt 1 and western style shirt 2. The list or diagrams rather, go on and on but are brilliant in that they show you the difference between each one! Very handy indeed. Here's a quick list from the index of what's in the book. TOOLS: Sewing equipment, Fabrics and Patterns. TECHNIQUES: Stitch essentials, Darts, Tucks, Pleats and gathers, Facings and necklines, Collars, Waistlines, belts and tie-backs, Sleeves and sleeve finishes. Pockets, Hems and edges, Fasteners, Linings and interfacings, Professional techniques and mending. PROJECTS: Directory of fashion and soft furnishings and glossary.
COUTURIER ISBN: 978-4-89432-552-4
This is a fantastic idea for a magazine, I haven't seen one any where else. It's packed from cover to cover full of little adorable things to make and do. The best bit is (if you can understand Japanese!) you can fill out a form to order the exact bits to make the projects you want. My eyes don't stop when I'm looking through it! The projects vary from small purses, crochet blankets, felt animals, hair accessories, fake biscuits, embroidered cushions, hats, bags, keyrings, jewellery, oh the wonderful list goes on and on! It also contains a couple of inserts which have some sewing tips, some pattern ideas for things you can make with your own materials and this issue contains a pop out card with pop out squirrel, rabbit, rocking horse and 8 other little bits to create your own greeting card. All for about £2 : ) You can have a browse through their website here.
さり気なく甘い服 CLOTHES SWEET CASUALLY ISBN: 978-4-579-11300-2
I found this delight in the Aoyama book center in Roppongi and I have no idea what it's called. What I do know is that it has some really lovely patterns. The projects are listed from A to R and include dresses, coats, skirts, jackets, trousers, shorts and a waistcoat! This again contains full scaled pattern sheets with step by step detailed illustrated instructions. Each garment is photographed in the beautiful and simple Japanese style.
SEW! CATH KIDSTON ISBN: 978-1-84400-953-4
This lovely book contains over 40 simple sewing projects. It includes templates a list of handy addresses of where you can find Cath Kidston stores, other haberdasheries and fabric shops. A small list of sewing classes, fairs and a few handy websites. I've found this book very helpful a few times for birthday gifts as it has loads of small quite quick projects. It also has some hints and tips for how to sew the decorative pieces, doing applique and quilting, seams, fastenings, hems and edges just incase your a bit unsure.
TIPS FOR KNITTERS - DEBBIE BLISS ISBN: 978-0-09-193279 4
My Mum bought me this one christmas when I had just started doing some more complicated knits. It has definitely helped I'll say that! The 192 page book includes some handy descriptions of yarns, equipment and understanding knitting patterns. It starts with the basics of how to knit, what the different stitches are, increasing decreasing, fixing mistakes, colour knitting, seams, finishing touches and care of garments. All of the instructions are illustrated and the different types of stitches and edges are photographed.
STYLISH DRESS BOOK ISBN: 978-4-579-11226-5
Whilst in Tokyo last year I came across this oh so Japanese "a la mode" pattern book. It has very detailed diagrams on how to create each of the 26 pieces which are indexed by our alphabet. It, of course includes full scaled pattern sheets and each piece is photographed in the lovely Japanese style featured on the front of the book.
DEBBIE BLISS - KNITTING MAGAZINE FALL/WINTER 2010
I bought this last winter at one of the John Lewis in Liverpool knitting clubs that they have every first Thursday of the month. I have banned myself from looking at it any more as I really want my next project to be the lovely jumper featured on the front. It's from the scottish eccentrics feature where there are loads more to get excited about. The home for the holidays article also has some lovely pieces particularly the baby booties. I can't see where on the Debbie Bliss website you can buy this issue from but if you give it a google I'm sure you'll find it somewhere. http://www.debbieblissonline.com
KNITTING ENCYCLOPEDIA - 1500 PATTERNS ISBN: 0247-2708
Grandma gave me this book last year, she's had it for years, since she worked in the news agents
in Cemaes Bay actually and it has proven to be very handy. It is literally full of every kind of
knitting stitch you can imagine and even includes a knitting dictionary!
in Cemaes Bay actually and it has proven to be very handy. It is literally full of every kind of
knitting stitch you can imagine and even includes a knitting dictionary!
