October 2023 MBR The Needlecraft Shelf

The Needlecraft Shelf

The Art of Weaving
Betty Briand
Stackpole Books
www.stackpolebooks.com
9780811771849, $39.95, HC, 284pp

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Weaving-Techniques-Understand-Structures/dp/0811771849

Synopsis: "The Art of Weaving: Master the Techniques, Understand the Weave Structures, Create Your Own Designs" by Betty Briand is a comprehensive instruction guide to floor loom weaving. It begins with the basics (parts of the loom, how to wind your warp and dress your loom; how to read and weave drafts) but then goes so much farther, explaining the different types of weaves and how to read and weave from charts, and exploring a variety of weaves in depth.

"The Art of Weaving" covers each topic in detail, with illustrations, photos, and charts to guide you. The first half of the book is devoted to the basics of weaving, and the second part teaches a variety of weave structures and how to use them and adapt them to whatever you want to make.

"The Art of Weaving" is extensive in its scope, and a reference book appropriate for all skill levels as it covers: Preparing your yarn and threading your floor loom; Understanding and working from drafts; Exploring weave structures; Finishing; Troubleshooting.

Critique: Comprehensive, illustrated, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Art of Weaving: Master the Techniques, Understand the Weave Structures, Create Your Own Designs" is an ideal introduction to loom weaving wither as a DIY how-to manual or as an academic curriculum textbook. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and community library collections, it should be noted that "The Art of Weaving" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $32.49) as well.

Editorial Note: Betty Briand's interest in textiles is rooted in the childhood skills she learned from her grandparents who were passionate about fiber arts: weaving, spinning, vegetable dyeing, knitting, and making ropes. After solid training from several instructors, she became a full-time weaving teacher. Today, she works with students in her ARTissage workshop/school located in Chinon in Touraine, France, while continuing her own explorations in weaving.

Made to Measure
Elisalex Jewell
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartous.com
9780760382806, $29.99, PB, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Measure-Drafting-Wardrobe-Pattern-Free/dp/0760382808

Synopsis: When you learn to draft and sew your own customized clothes that fit you perfectly and make you feel fantastic, you no longer need to feel confined by the boundaries of a sewing pattern in order to make clothes that fit beautifully and represent your style in a way that store-bought clothes never can.

Designer and founder of popular pattern brand By Hand London, Elisalex Jewell is known for designing beautiful, fun garments that look fabulous on women of all sizes. With the publication of "Made to Measure: An Easy Guide to Drafting and Sewing a Custom Wardrobe - 16 Pattern-Free Projects", she guides even the most novice of seamstresses in creating stylish garments while empowering them to learn new skills, be creative, and feel confident.

Following an overview of essential sewing tools, a primer on fabrics, and a guide to essential sewing techniques, you will learn how to: Draft simple patterns based on your measurements; Take a pattern from an existing garment; Identify and fix common fit issues.

The sixteen pattern-free projects for dresses, skirts, tops, a pantsuit, and more are a springboard for creating a versatile, personalized wardrobe. The designs include: Sweet Shirred Top and Dress; Faux-Cute Jumpsuit; Paneled Wrap Skirt; Prairie Dress; Not Your Grandma's Quilted Circle Skirt; Siren Slip Dress; Refashioned Sweater Dress.

In today's world of "fast fashion," sewing your own clothes is a wonderful way to slow down and create garments that are sustainable and unique. While most sewing books show you how to create garments from specific patterns, "Made to Measure" takes sewing clothes to the next level by allowing you to customize the designs to fit you.

Critique: Whether you are new to sewing clothes, or simply want to add to your garment-making skills, "Made to Measure: An Easy Guide to Drafting and Sewing a Custom Wardrobe - 16 Pattern-Free Projects" is the ideal combination of instructional guide and 'how-to' manual for creating an impressive and personalized wardrobe that is specifically tailored to and for you. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "Made to Measure" is an outstanding and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft, Fashion, and Sewing collections.

Editorial Note: Elisalex Jewell (www.byhandlondon.com) is the co-founder of the independent sewing pattern label and sewing education platform By Hand London. She went to the London College of Fashion, where she trained as a shoemaker, then worked in the fashion industry for four years. She founded By Hand London out of an interest in wanting to equip people with the skills and confidence needed to sew their own clothes. She also teaches sewing and handicrafts and contributes to various sewing and craft publications. She lives in London, United Kingdom and can be followed on Instagram: @elisalex and Facebook: By Hand London

Customize Your Cross-Stitch
Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean
Walter Foster
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780760385357, $22.99, PB, 112pp

https://www.amazon.com/Customize-Your-Cross-Stitch-personalized-cross-stitch/dp/0760385351

Synopsis: "Customize Your Cross-Stitch: Friends & Family: Learn to customize, prepare, stitch, and finish your very own personalized cross-stitch creations" by Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean is a very helpful and 'user friendly' guide that introduces you to the basics of needlecraft stitching with easy-to-follow written directions and photographic instructions.

You will learn everything from using the tools of the trade to reading a pattern, creating basic stitches, and tweaking an already-existing design. The beautiful, modern designs in this combination of 'how-to' manual are accompanied by simple instructions appropriate for all skill levels.

The easy-to-follow lessons (complete with patterns, detailed instructions, and photographs) ensure success in customizing patterns to create your very own unique pieces. You will discover how to swap out colors, alter hairstyles, change clothing, and much more, to make your scene depict you and your own friends and family!

The instructive examples include: A couple sitting on a porch; A family portrait with a pet; Friends on a road trip; A meeting for coffee at the cafe; A baby birth announcement; A family sledding scene; A family in the garden; A pool party; A family picnic at the park.

An inspiration gallery at the end includes full-color images of additional finished pieces to inspire you to continue your learning with even more patterns from Stitch People, which has offered patterns and instruction for do-it-yourself cross-stitched family portraits since 2014.

Critique: Simply stated, "Customize Your Cross-Stitch: Friends & Family: Learn to customize, prepare, stitch, and finish your very own personalized cross-stitch creations" by needlecraft expert Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean is fun, informatively instructive, and a highly prized pick for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.

Editorial Note: Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean started her service business Stitch People in 2013. The first Stitch People portraits were Christmas gifts for her family in 2011; now countless customized portraits have been stitched for families all over the world based off of her designs. Stitch People is now a wife-and-husband team headed by Lizzy and has expanded its pattern collections with digital patterns available for purchase and downloading online at www.StitchPeople.com

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review