Craft Book Club

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects

Whenever we're out shopping, my wife always wanders off to the craft department. One of the bins she always checks out are the fabric scraps where she finds a yard of corduroy here and a polka dot cotton print there. She likes to get a variety of fabrics because she uses them for pictures on her blog, but as you know, those odd yards of fabric start to add up. There are a few simple fabrics and patterns that she likes to reuse, but generally the others sit until she winds up selling them at a yard sale or donating them.

It seemed like a waste to me, not just in money but in craft potential. I figured there had to be something she could do with that fabric, rather than letting it sit or giving it away. So, I was looking around and I found the book, One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, on Amazon.com. It's full of different sewing and craft projects that are designed specifically to use one yard of fabric or less.

What impressed me about the book is the versatility of the projects and the time they spend explaining basic techniques for those new to sewing—like my wife. Along with patterns and pictures, there are also explanations of various, useful stitches and techniques that make it easy for newbies to get their bearings and really enjoy the book. Read more about One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Projects

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

One of my wife's resolutions for the year is to redecorate the house as inexpensively as possible. Since having children, many of our household decorations have been put into storage for safe keeping, didn't survive the toddler phase or just aren't our taste anymore. Still, our budget is incredibly tight, so we won't be hiring a decorator or going on shopping sprees in department and home improvement stores. Luckily for me, I married a woman who appreciates the challenge of thrifty shopping and repurposing the old into something spectacularly new, fresh and modern.

In her quest to find ways to freshen up our home without going into debt, she's been collecting ideas from her friends, the Internet and a variety of books on making old things new and exciting again. One of the books she recently picked up was Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott's Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase. Read more about Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase

Crafts To Make In Winter

With the cold winter months comes long days inside the house and the potential for boredom and cabin fever. Having fun and interesting crafts to share with your family can be a lifesaver on days when it's too icy or blustery to play outdoors. I especially enjoy cute crafts that my wife, boys and I can make and enjoy together.

One of my favorite winter craft books for kids is Kathy Ross's Crafts to Make in the Winter. The book is written to be handy in a classroom or group setting, so the instructions are clear, simple and come with good illustrations. Some craft books aren't as detailed or require steps that are complicated for younger crafters. When sitting down with my young sons, these types of crafts wind up being made mostly by me, because they can't carry out the complex instructions on their own. I like this book because I can guide them without having to perform every single step myself.

They have the chance to be more creative and feel greater senses of accomplishment when they do most the work themselves. Plus, I think they just like working alongside their mom and me rather than having us hover over them like craft wardens. Read more about Crafts To Make In Winter

Learn to Use Your Serger

For several years, I have wanted to own a serger. Never mind the fact that I didn’t even own a sewing machine and hadn’t touched one since before I was a teenager. I love the finished edge a serger can give, and the fact that with a serger, I can create my own household cloth items and have them look professional too. Last year, I finally bought one and have more than paid for it in the savings of using cloth instead of disposable rags, wipes and other items. I couldn’t have done any of it without a good serger book, though, and I thought I would share some of the better books on sergers with you. Read more about Learn to Use Your Serger

Sewing For Boys

When it comes to creative sewing for girls, the possibilities are really endless. Patterns, styles and even embellishments can go on and on, and there's plenty of room for creativity. When it comes to little boys, the scope of variety becomes a bit more limited. Beyond changing up fabrics, clothing for boys is pretty straightforward. That doesn't mean making a wardrobe for your little guy has to be totally boring.

Having boys doesn't mean you're doomed to sewing plain slacks and t-shirts. With the right patterns, you can make hip and trendy clothing for the little fellas, too. The problem is usually finding these elusive “cool” patterns. And then, if you find a pattern that excites you, often the instructions are complicated and the final turnout can be disappointing.

That's why my wife really likes Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage's book, Sewing for Boys: 24 Projects to Create a Handmade Wardrobe. The book covers simple, but trendy, patterns for boys from infancy through size 6/7. There are patterns for everything from basic rompers to edgier button downs that, with the right fabric choices, can keep them stylin' for years. Beyond the basic clothing, there are also patterns for hats, jackets, robes, blankets and more. Read more about Sewing For Boys

What are Your Crafting Goals This Year?

The start of a year is resolution time, but it can also be a great time to lay out some goals for other aspects of your life. Many of us crafters have heaps of projects and ideas we want to work on, and there just isn’t enough time in the day to get to them all. I still have a skirt cut out from last winter, ready to sew but unlikely to be finished in this decade. So this year, how about we set some goals to accomplish with our crafting and see how far we can get? Read more about What are Your Crafting Goals This Year?

The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs

Have you ever been moved to buy a sign or craft because you were enticed by the gorgeous lettering? Beautiful lettering is an art form in itself, and without the know-how, many skip the fancy or fun fonts or turn to appliques to do the work for them. Not being able to vary your crafts' lettering can limit your creativity or keep a piece from turning out just as you envisioned it.

With The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs by Becky Higgins, you can learn to make your own incredible letters without cheating or compromising your vision. Her fonts vary from quirky and mod to traditional and elegant, so you'll be able to find the right lettering for any and every project. Read more about The Art of Creative Lettering: 50 Amazing Fonts You Can Make for Scrapbooks, Cards, Invitations, and Signs

Have Little Ones? Try These Craft Books for Kids

Crafts and kids seem like they were made for each other. Nothing is more fun than watching a child discover the joy of creating something with their own hands. Creating is a great way to spend time with your child, and daily artistic exploration can help them develop motor skills and learn to use their own creative skills throughout life. Without a guide, it is hard to think up fun crafts each day, but the following books are full of ideas and can help you get started crafting with your kids. Read more about Have Little Ones? Try These Craft Books for Kids

Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking

My wife got into scrapbooking about five years ago when a local store opened specializing in the artform. She went in and got so many supplies that I still think there's a few boxes in the basement that haven't been touched.

It became a hobby and pastime that she thoroughly enjoyed, and many of the memories of our family are stored in the pages of her many scrapbooks. When she makes a scrapbook, it looks more like a work of art, than the homemade designs of work-from-home mother. Much of what she learned came from the "Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking" by Creating Keepsakes. The company that created the book is a longstanding and trusted company in the scrapbooking world.

When she first started, lets just say it wasn't pretty. The book helped show her the proper tools and techniques to create beautiful scrapbooks. The book included scrapbooking fundamentals, techniques for embellishing and help with photography, journaling, computers and ways to increase your productivity. Read more about Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking

Best Retro Craft Books

Retro crafts are just so cool. Perhaps it is because we are tired of assembly line products, or because our foremothers just knew how to work it when it comes to doing more with less, but retro crafts have an appeal that is unmatched by today’s projects. These books celebrate those crafts, from tacky macaroni creations to sewn retro skirts and a host of ideas in between. Read more about Best Retro Craft Books