Crafts & DIY Reviews, July 2011
Jul 15, 2011ART INSTRUCTION
Kespersaks, Veiko. Calligraphy in 24 Hours. Barron’s. 2011. 160p. illus. index. ISBN 9780764145063. pap. $21.99. ART INSTRUCTION
Calligraphy specialist and lettering designer Kespersaks offers 24 one-hour calligraphy lessons, background technical information, and a handful of more ambitious projects. The crash-course approach is a little at odds with this meditative art form, but beginners will appreciate the simple method. This book will appeal to crafty types who want to try making handmade wedding invitations, greeting cards, party place settings, and family trees. Fans of typography, handwriting, and book arts will also enjoy it. For a wider discussion of the subject, consider All About Techniques in Calligraphy .
CRAFTS
The Complete Book of Home Crafts: Projects for Adventurous Beginners. Skyhorse, dist. by Norton. 2011. 352p. ed. by Carine Tracanelli. illus. ISBN 9781616083229. $24.95. CRAFTS
This extensive collection of projects focuses mainly on home decor, with a brief foray into decorative beadwork. The projects are beginner friendly, and individual steps are illustrated with color photographs, making it easy to follow along. Each section contains a brief introduction, familiarizing crafters with the tools and techniques involved in each type of project. The broad coverage includes picture framing, decorative painting on a variety of different surfaces, decoupage, and tile work. The projects are enough to start crafters on a new hobby, and most could be easily modified to suit individual taste. Excellent value for the information provided.
Dougherty, Karen. Metal Style: 20 Jewelry Designs with Cold Join Techniques. Interweave. 2011. 144p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781596682825. pap. $22.95. CRAFTS
Cold-join jewelry, which uses both household and jewelry-making tools rather than heat or solder for metalworking, allows the use of components that could be melted or distorted by high heat. Jewelry designer Dougherty, along with a number of contributors, explores the possibilities of cold-join jewelry in this collection of projects, which range from simple, modern pieces to edgy, industrial compositions. Many of the contributors have backgrounds in fine art or sculpture, which should give readers an idea of the complexity of the projects. They aren’t for beginners, but for jewelry makers experienced in working with both metal and jewelry tools.
Lincolne, Pip. Meet Me at Mike’s: 26 Crafty Projects and Things To Make. Hardie Grant, dist. by Trafalgar Square.Aug. 2011. 144p. illus. ISBN 9781740666305. $24.95. CRAFTS
Lincolne’s Melbourne, Australia, craft store, Meet Me at Mike’s, is a hub for crafty activity, and she here presents a variety of craft projects inspired by the shop and its clientele. A number of different techniques are represented, from crochet to paper work to sewing to embroidery, and most of the projects are simple enough for beginners. The presentation is over-the-top cute, almost to the point of cloying, and the directions aren’t always easy to follow, but crafters who enjoy this aesthetic will find the book a pleasing addition to their collections.
DO IT YOURSELF
The Complete Photo Guide to Window Treatments. 2d ed. Creative Pub: Quayside. 2011. 320p. ed. by Linda Neubauer. illus. index. ISBN 9781589236073. pap. $24.99. DIY
Both functional and decorative, window treatments dress up a room. Revised from the 2006 edition, this volume features about 30 more treatment styles. There is more depth to the instructions, and the inspirational photos have been updated. Fabric recommendations and materials lists introduce each style of window treatment, with clear, step-by-step instructions. Organization is consistent and well thought out, making this an easy manual to follow. With a wealth of updates, excellent tips, and great instructions, this edition is highly recommended.
FIBER CRAFTS
Carlton, Alissa Haight & Kristen Lejnieks. Block Party: The Modern Quilting Bee. Stash: C&T. 2011. c.128p. illus. ISBN 9781607051978. pap. $21.95. FIBER CRAFTS
Twelve quilters, most from different parts of the United States, got together online for a virtual quilting bee. Carlton and Lejnieks, who organized the bee, decided to chronicle the group’s quilting year in a book. To several of these quilters, “modern” seems to mean “wonky”—most of the patterns feature purposely crooked cutting and off-center piecing. A few of the projects veer into interesting territory, including a striking modern Dresden Plate and some intriguing appliqué projects. Although the patterns leave something to be desired, social networking–savvy quilters will be inspired and will enjoy reading about each quilter’s creative process.
Davison, Phil. Twisted Stitches: 30 Corrupt Cross Stitch and Embroidery Designs. North Light: F+W. 2011. 128p. illus. index. ISBN 9781440309335. pap. $19.99. FIBER CRAFTS
London-based cross-stitch designer Davison takes cross-stitch in a macabre new direction in his first collection of patterns. The projects themselves are typical of cross-stitch (napkins, bookmarks, pillows, tea towels), the designs are far from ordinary. The napkins are adorned with poisonous plants, the pillows have vampire teeth or smashed flies, and the tea towels feature a barbed-wire design. The projects range from beginner friendly to complex, and foldout charts are provided for the more difficult designs. This collection isn’t for everyone, but stitchers with a dark sense of humor will enjoy Davison’s distinctive take.
Montgomerie, Claire. Knitting Vintage: 30 Knitting Projects Inspired by Period Fashions. Barron’s. 2011. 176p. illus. index. ISBN 9780764146626. pap. $16.99. FIBER CRAFTS
Textile designer Montgomerie (Easy Baby Knits) explores vintage fashion from the 1920s through the 1980s in this collection of knitted garments and accessories. Each chapter focuses on a particular decade and begins with a textual and visual overview of the major trends in terms of style, color, and popular culture. As with most vintage collections, some designs are more wearable than others; here, the accessories are easily the most appealing to everyday knitters. Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn’s recent Vintage Modern Knits is more versatile, but knitters interested in true vintage garments (rather than vintage-inspired knits) will appreciate Knitting Vintage.
Nakayama-Geraerts, Kumiko. Furoshiki: The Art of Wrapping with Fabric. New Holland, dist. by Sterling. 2011. 64p. illus. ISBN 9781847738165. pap. $12.95. FIBER CRAFTS
In Japan, gift wrapping is an art, and furoshiki —traditional Japanese wrapping cloths—are used to wrap gifts and as makeshift bags for carrying everything from books to lunches to a futon. Japanese-born fashion designer Nakayama-Geraerts introduces Westerners to the fine art of furoshiki, with wraps ranging from basic folds for carrying lunches or other small objects to more intricate wraps for gifts or decor. All of the steps are nicely illustrated, and there’s a full-page photograph of each wrap. Furoshiki is an eco-friendly alternative to consumable wraps such as plastic bags or paper gift wrap, and this guide may pique readers’ interest.
Tailoring: The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket. Creative Pub: Quayside. 2011. 128p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781589236097. pap. $18.99. FIBER CRAFTS
Sewing a perfectly tailored jacket seems like an intimidating process. A fine jacket requires a combination of the correct fabric, a suitable lining, and sewing techniques that go beyond the standard repertoire of most home sewers. This guide breaks into steps the art of sewing a tailored jacket and makes the process far less intimidating. Color photographs demonstrate exactly what each step should look like, and a variety of techniques are described at length. Those interested in experimenting with tailoring will appreciate this easy-to-use guide.
Tregidgo, Jan. Torchon Lacemaking: A Step-by-Step Guide. Crowood, dist. by Trafalgar Square. Aug. 2011. 240p. illus. index. ISBN 9781847972019. $39.95. FIBER CRAFTS
Bobbin lace is a stunning and complex traditional form of lace making that is experiencing a minor renaissance among crafters in the United States and the UK. Tregidgo, who has been teaching lace making for 20 years, provides an excellent, up-to-date overview for lace makers of all skill levels. All of the basics are described in detail, and a variety of lace projects, from beginner’s samplers to advanced pieces, are provided. The author’s enthusiasm for sharing the joys of lace making is apparent. Most libraries’ bobbin lace books date from the 1970s, so this is a much-needed update.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Conran, Terence. Essential Children’s Rooms: The Back to Basics Guide to Home Design, Decoration & Furnishing. Conran: Octopus, dist. by Hachette. 2011. 112p. photogs. index. ISBN 9781840915686. $20. INTERIOR DESIGN
With his new, compact “Essentials” series, renowned British interior designer Conran ( Eco House Book) covers specific areas of home design—including bathrooms, kitchens, small spaces, and storage. Here tackling a subject often overlooked in design books, he addresses such considerations as safety, storage, and children’s needs. In addition, attention is given to accommodating children in such shared spaces as the kitchen, living room, and bath. Most of the decor shown can be easily and inexpensively adapted with a new coat of paint or new decorative accessories as a child’s taste changes. This practical guide to decorating for children will be a useful and popular resource.
Woods, Terry John (text) & Kindra Clineff (photogs.). Terry John Woods’ Summer House. Stewart, Tabori & Chang. 2011. 224p. photogs. ISBN 9781584799245. $45. INTERIOR DESIGN
Woods (Terry John Woods’ New Farmhouse Style) illustrates the type of decor he recommends for vacation homes by visiting his second home, on the southern coast of Maine. Clineff’s over 250 photographs, captioned with Woods’s explanations of his design choices, show light-filled, airy interiors and focus on tabletop collections, well-worn furniture, and wall hangings. The house and the garden, decorated with easy-to-care-for furnishings and decorative accessories, display a simplicity in design. Even if one doesn’t have a second home, this book will supply ideas for creating comfortable, carefree interiors.
