Marie Clayton – författare

Sewing is the perfect hobby – it is relaxing, creative and extremely useful! But sewing machines can seem complicated. This book has everything you need to know to choose, use and look after your sewing machine with confidence.The first chapters will help you choose a machine, explaining which features to look out for. Once you’ve got your machine home, the step-by-step instructions will help you get to grips with everything. Learn how to set up your machine and its basic functions including: winding a bobbin, threading up and adjusting tension and stitch size.With plenty of information on basic dressmaking techniques, you will soon be tackling seams and hems, zips and buttonholes, gathers and pleats, binding and trimming. Feeling creative? Try out some decorative techniques – with machine embroidery, appliqué, patchwork and quilting. And if you get stuck, there is an invaluable trouble shooting section along with a jargon busting glossary.So whether you want to use your sewing machine to carry out simple repairs, customize and alter your vintage finds, create a whole new wardrobe from scratch, or make a stylish curtains and cushions for your home, be sure to have this manual by your side at all times!

Sewing is an extremely rewarding hobby. With so many different fabrics, embellishments and trimmings now available on the high street and online, it is easier than ever to create unique clothes and home furnishings.Now available in paperback, this best-selling title is THE essential guide to sewing.Each chapter is devoted to one key area of sewing and provides clear and concise in-depth instructions along with step-by-step instructions for basic principles and more advanced sewing techniques. Learn about materials and equipment, and choosing the right machine to work for you in chapter one, then move onto fabrics and patterns in the following chapter. Once you’re comfortable with the basic stitches, seams and techniques, learn how to make clothing, accessories and soft furnishings. With this book by your side, you will soon be able to make anything from a commercial pattern, and will also know how to alter patterns to suit your style.With a section on care and repair, you will find out how to look after and fix homemade and store-bought items. And if it can’t be fixed, learn how fabric and trimmings can be reused or upcycled into something else.This comprehensive guide offers a glossary of sewing terms, clear instructions and hundreds of illustrations and diagrams showing each stage of the sewing process. It’ll be the one resource that you will turn to time and time again.

Quilting is a hugely popular pastime, with many people all over the world producing beautiful quilts to be displayed as wall hangings for display, as well as to be used as bedcovers and throws.Now available in paperback, this best-selling title is THE essential guide to quilting.This book aims to cover all the basic techniques that are used in making a quilt, whatever kind you might wish to create. Learn about materials and equipment, and choosing the right sewing machine to work for you in chapter 1, then move onto fabrics and their characteristics in the following chapter. A section on colour and pattern will help you design your quilt, as you decide which of the quilt-making traditions you are most drawn to: wholecloth and strippy quilts, pieced quilts, appliquéd quilts, embellished quilts or folded quilts. With inspirational photographs of traditional and well-loved designs in each section, as well as specific techniques that apply to each quilt, you will be spoilt for choice. There is also a section on the care, cleaning and storage of quilts, as well as a glossary of quilt-making terms.This comprehensive guide also offers clear instructions and hundreds of illustrations and diagrams to show each stage of the quilting process. It’ll be the one resource that you will turn to time and time again.

This volume in Collins & Brown’s bestselling Ultimate series reveals all the techniques you need to begin making beautiful projects with paper.The book covers all the basic papercraft techniques, many of which can be achieved using only paper, scissors and glue. There is even a chapter on materials as well as a useful tools section for more advanced papercrafting techniques.Once you've got the basics covered, you will be amazed at the variety of paper techniques there are to explore. Various paper treatments are covered in the sections on colouring, decorating and texturing. You will learn how to make beautiful cards for family and friends in the cardmaking chapter, and add a special personal touch to gifts by making your own envelopes, giftwrap and gift boxes. The scrapbooking chapter is packed full of ideas on ways to preserve memories of trips and events. Decorative techniques can be found in the papercutting and origami chapters, and there is a final chapter on other papercrafts which includes techniques such as papier maché, decoupage, quilling and advice on the best ways to make your own paper.

Yet another in our illustrious series of Illustrated Biographies, with photos drawn from the massive archive of The Daily Mirror, digitized specially for publication in this book.