Ideal for patchworkers, quilters and sewists looking for ideas and inspiration, this book contains designs for 20 mini blocks, all measuring just 12.5cm (5 inches) square, and all constructed from basic shapes including squares, triangles and rectangles. Mini quilt blocks are ideal for making small patchwork projects such as bags, pincushions, coasters and placemats, for incorporating into larger blocks, or for forming motifs within a larger quilt design.

Each of the 20 projects are shown four ways, to inspire the reader with different fabrics and colourways. Each project is accompanied by the number and size of each shape in the block and instructions on the order in which to put the shapes together. Includes techniques on how to cut the shapes using a rotary cutter and ruler, design ideas and instructions for a simple coaster.

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This easy-to-use beginner's sewing book contains 20 stylish and contemporary bag designs, from tote bags and box bags, to a courier bag, a sports bag and a bowling bag. A range of techniques, styles, fabrics and finishes is used to ensure that you can create exactly the bag you want.

The projects are interspersed with 20 step-by-step techniques so that you can treat the book as a course and work through it in order, trying out the techniques as you go, or simply pick and choose your favourite styles. Each of the bags is graded 'beginner level', 'intermediate level' or 'confident' to help you. The projects and techniques are explained with a mix of photographs and illustrations to provide the clearest possible instruction. All the pattern pieces required are given at full size on the pull-out template sheet at the back of the book.

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Artist Minki Kim turns her own daily sketchbook challenge into 65 stitchable drawings to mix and match. Embroider and appliqué the whimsical, easy-going way with 6 useful projects to make and share, like a simple zipper pouch for the teacher, a cozy pillow for a handsome chair or a wallhanging for your family room. Minki’s uplifting designs, plus an extra gallery of small project ideas from coasters to wall art will appeal to anyone who wants to add personality to their home and personal accessories.

• Illustrate daily life in fabric and thread with sketches from the author's sketchbook
• Stitch 65 creative motifs and 6 projects – a sewing machine cover, mini quilt, bookmarks, and more
• Embroider and appliqué little gifts for the ones you love in Minki Kim's irresistible signature style

Brimming over with exciting and innovative techniques, Jane Betteridge's book pushes watercolour to new heights, introducing vibrancy, texture and dynamism to this subtle medium.

She introduces you to a huge range of new and exciting ways of working using crackle paste, modelling pastes, metallic leaf, gliding flakes, print and much more. The book provides a fascinating insight into how to generate ideas for a painting and turn your inspiration into a finished piece, and the three step-by-step projects show you how to combine techniques and media to produce a unique and stunning painting.

This book will excite and inspire watercolour artists of all abilities to experiment and take a more dynamic approach to their painting.

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A is for angels
flying above and around.
Their softest of wings
make barely a sound.

Have fun learning the alphabet with Ruby Red Shoes – everyone's favourite hare!

Recommended for ages 3+.

Learn how to create over 60 tiny masterpieces in a wide range of styles by original mini embroidery hoop creator Sonia Lyne. Using these little hoops as your canvas learn to stitch it all, from classic embroidered flowers and appliqué animals through to abstract stitch 'n' paint shapes and tasselled creatures.

Beginner embroiderers and experienced stitchers short on time will love the small size of these hoops, and almost all the designs can be made in a weekend. Throughout the book, the author gives you tips on colour and stitch variations, as well as alternative hoop shapes you could use from her mini hoop packs, inspiring you to make these little designs truly your own!

Whatever your style, theres a treasure trove of stunning designs and motifs to stitch and adapt, encouraging you to grow confident in building (and feeling proud of) your own artistic juices. So get ready to be motivated, excited and inspired to stitch up a sea of mini masterpieces.

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In Sew Beautiful Quilted Bags, Japanese quilt artist Akemi Shibata combines elegant yarn-dyed fabrics with colour prints to demonstrate her signature patchwork style. With an astounding 28 designs, youll discover a trove of unique bags to make in all shapes and sizes including purses, pouches, shoulder bags, backpacks, sewing cases, cross-body bags, totes and more!

Learn how to incorporate multiple techniques into the same project to create sophisticated, multifaceted designs featuring patchwork, appliqué, embroidery, beadwork and hand quilting. Full of ingenious Japanese construction methods, youll learn how to create beautifully finished bags that can be considered works of art.

In Sew Practical Pets, 18 whimsical and imaginative animal-themed projects have been designed not only to add character and colour to your home, but also to serve as functional items that will last for years to come. From useful items such an owl doorstop, a snake draught excluder and a sheep hot water bottle cover through to an elephant tea cozy, fox pillow and doggy oven mitt, there is a cute and handy little creature for every room. For kids (and the child within us), the author has also included beautiful cat and dog toys and an animal-shaped apron.

Key techniques and basic materials are detailed at the beginning of the book, and all of the projects include easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. Templates for all the animals are provided on a fold-out sheet at the back of the book.

For sewers of all abilities, bring a touch of playfulness and practicality to your home today with these fresh faux animals that you'll soon love as much as the real guys!

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The artist's sketchbook offers an exciting platform to explore a host of mixed media techniques. Using a combination of paper, textiles, found objects, pencil, ink and paint, Shelley Rhodes shows how a sketchbook can act as an illustrated diary, a visual catalogue of a journey or experience or as a starting point for more developed work.

Whether out on location or in the studio, she explores every stage of the creative process, from initial inspiration to overcoming the fear of a blank page, manipulating paper and images and incorporating 'found' objects to build a sketchbook that is both beautiful and inspiring. Sketchbook Explorations is the ideal companion for everyone from the beginner to the more experienced artist looking for exciting techniques to expand their repertoire in mixed media.

The book explores:

• Why work in sketchbooks? The importance and joy of working in a sketchbook
• Ways of recording and investigating ideas that inspire
• Techniques in mixed media from found objects and layers to three dimensional sketching
• Creating on location
• Using electronic devices to develop ideas

Now in paperback, textile artist Rosie James shares ideas and techniques on using the sewing machine's needle and thread almost as a pencil. The book covers:

• How to set up your machine
• How to tackle drawing (with exercises that will help even those who are afraid to put pen to paper)
• Transferring drawing to cloth, working with transparency, different surfaces and adding fabrics and colour
• Photography, with details on using photographs in textiles
• Putting it all together with layering images, playing with scale, repetition and composition.

Tips and advise throughout show textile artists how to expand their repertoire and how to use figurative stitch to really showcase their creativity. Includes illustrations by the author and other leading artists that will inspire both professionals and those new to stitching.