Craft Focus - February/March 2024 (Issue 101)

80 Bookstand Stock your shelves with the latest craft-related book releases SIMPLE MACHINE SEWING By Angela Pressley £14.99 9781800652941 CICO Books Here, expert sewing teacher Angela Pressley shows you how to make 30 stunning accessories, garments and home furnishings, each of which will help you to practice different techniques. Master topstitching, quilting and patchwork so that you can create items for the home including a pouffe, mug cosies and plant-pot covers. Learn how to sew curves, add pockets and work with lightweight fabrics as you make accessories such as a bucket hat, a reversible tote and a foldaway shopper. Finally, there’s a chapter of clothes such as a tailor-made top, a drawstring skirt and a duster jacket, where you’ll learn how to create an elasticated hem, draft a paper pattern and sew buttonholes. We say: This helpful guide will give great advice to any sewer. GRANNY SQUARE FASHION By Cassie Ward £14.99 9781800922259 Search Press This book contains essential techniques and patterns for 15 fashion-focused granny square garments and accessories, including cardigans, sweaters, waistcoats, and bags. Readers learn different ways to join the squares and finish their eyecatching garments. Organised into two parts, the book begins with the beautiful designs and then showcases different joining and finishing methods. Cassie Ward is the founder of The Missing Yarn, an online crochet garment retailer. We say: Each design and technique is clearly demonstrated with photography and illustrations. Nostalgic, yes. Making a comeback, totally! Sewing Crochet CREATIVE ABSTRACT WATERCOLOUR By Kate Rebecca Leach £16.99 9781446310564 David and Charles Learn how to create dynamic, original abstract art using easy techniques and nothing more than watercolour paints and a few pens. Let your creativity loose and start making art, without getting bogged down in detail or accuracy - just allow yourself to experiment, have fun, be present, and play with colour, shape, and texture to your heart’s content. Author Kate Rebecca Leach of Essoldo Design has amassed a huge following online for her beautiful abstract artworks. In her debut book, she generously shares her techniques so that even complete beginners will be able to pick up a brush and create stunning works of art. We say: In this step-by-step book, you’ll discover watercolour techniques, tips, and tricks to create your own vibrant art, letting the natural watercolour flow to help form your composition and inspire further mixed media embellishment. Watercolour

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