Easy-to-sew linens and cottons can fit any mood and season and have an infinite variety of textures, weights, and weaves. Susan Khalje takes you beyond the basics to learn new and classic techniques that will improve your results with these indispensable fabrics. With terrific information on fabric and design combinations, pattern preparation, construction techniques, decorative techniques, and finishing details, these methods can turn the simplest garment into couture elegance.

25 simple projects to sew with natural fabrics.

A visual tribute to the elegant world of heirloom household fabrics, from the white linen cloth of ancient Egypt to the rainbow-hued coverlets of today. This lively text introduces heirloom household fabrics, their use, manufacture, embellishments, and care, as well as the infinite variety of fibers and materials used. The author explains how they serve as both unusually revealing testaments of the history of daily life and quintessential examples of the weaver’s craft, often so magnificently decorated that they rival works of art. The text is supplemented by a rich array of paintings, archival photographs, vintage advertisements, and original commissioned photography from collections, private homes, and workshops of the leading contemporary manufacturers. A comprehensive glossary of technical terms, bibliography, and index complete the book.

Organised into five sections - Cotton, Wool, Silk, Linen and Hide - Cloth provides insight into their craftsmanship and history and includes striking projects that make the most of each fabric's properties, such as using antibacterial hemp to make napkins. Projects include: * cotton tote bag, waxed cotton purses, Liberty print cushions * silk sari curtains, a tie-dyed silk scarf and antique silk wheat bags * wool oven gloves, pillow covers and a dog bed fashioned from a kilim * linen bedcovers, slippers and hand-dyed cushions * leather purses, journals and a sheepskin stool With a resource guide containing all the information you need to indulge a passion for textiles, such as where to buy antique fabrics, suppliers of organic and well sourced cloth, specialist shops and websites, plus a toolkit of essential kit and instructions on hand-dyeing fabric.

“Kristine’s book breaks down natural dyeing from both a scientific and creative perspective, making the process feel as approachable as it is beautiful.” —Design*Sponge Thousands of natural materials can produce glorious color—the insect cochineal produces pink, maroon, and purple, and more than 500 species of plants produce indigo blue. In The Modern Natural Dyer expert Kristine Vejar shares the most user-friendly techniques for dyeing yarn, fabric, and finished goods at home with foraged and garden-raised dyestuffs as well as with convenient natural dye extracts. Demystifying the “magic,” Vejar explains in explicit, easy-to-follow detail how to produce consistent, long-lasting color. With stunning photography of the dyes themselves, the dyeing process, and twenty projects for home and wardrobe (some to knit, some to sew, and some just a matter of submerging a finished piece in a prepared bath), The Modern Natural Dyer is a complete resource for aspiring and experienced dye artisans. “A terrific primer for anyone new to the technique. Kristine walks you through the ins and outs of the process, from defining what scouring and mordanting mean to helping you learn how best to achieve desired colors.” —DIY Network “Vejar’s lovely book is very sophisticated and detailed.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Absolutely stunning . . . The projects range from dyeing pre-made items like a slip, silk scarf or tote bag to dyeing yarn to knit a hat, shawl or cardigan . . . exceeded all my high expectations.” —Make Something

Follow the saga of this remarkable fiber from seed to woven fabric. Learn about past and present day methods of flax cultivation, processing, and spinning, natural and synthetic dyeing, and weaving and finishing linen cloth. 233 color photos and 156 black and white photos and drawings reveal the characteristics of linen and emphasize its practical use.

A reference guide to all you need to know to dye fabric, including necessary tools, the best dyes, which fabrics to use, additives, precautions, and more. Dyeing expert and author of Fabric Dyer’s Dictionary, Linda Johansen offers a full overview of the process, including special tips and techniques for tricky colors. The compact size is perfect to take along to a class or to the fabric store to match complementary fabrics and materials. And the hidden wire-o binding will allow the guide to lay flat next to your work surface for easy reference. Dyeing is addictive! You’ll come back to this must-have guide over and over Complete and easy-to-follow recipes for every shade and hue for each color of the spectrum Includes directions for Dharma and ProChemical dyes

Award-winning artist Malka Dubrawksy presents a bold, modern take on dyeing, geared especially to quilters and fiber artists. She’s whipped up a variety of easy patterning techniques--including resist, discharge, and overdyeing--for creating one-of-a-kind fabrics, as well as more than a dozen simple projects that use the vibrant cloth. How-to photos accompany the text, which focuses on sources of inspiration, tools and materials, dyeing recipes, and the surface design techniques themselves. Stunning images from the author’s sketchbook and photos of her workspace provide quilters with additional motivation.

What can you uniquely give the world? We often sell ourselves short with self-limiting beliefs, but most of us would be amazed and delighted to know that we do have something special - our distinctive passions and talents - to offer. And what if I told you that what you have to give will also enable you to live a life of true contentment? How is that possible? It happens when you embrace and curate your own simply luxurious life. We tend to not realize the capacity of our full potential and settle for what society has deemed acceptable. However, each of us has a unique journey to travel if only we would find the courage, paired with key skills we can develop, to step forward. This book will help you along the deeper journey to discovering your best self as you begin to trust your intuition and listen to your curiosity. You will learn how to: - Recognize your innate strengths - Acquire the skills needed to nurture your best self - Identify and navigate past societal limitations often placed upon women - Strengthen your brand both personally and professionally - Build a supportive and healthy community - Cultivate effortless style - Enhance your everyday meals with seasonal fare - Live with less, so that you can live more fully - Understand how to make a successful fresh start - Establish and mastermind your financial security - Experience great pleasure and joy in relationships - Always strive for quality over quantity in every arena of your life Living simply luxuriously is a choice: to think critically, to live courageously, and to savor the everydays as much as the grand occasions. As you learn to live well in your everydays, you will elevate your experience and recognize what is working for you and what is not. With this knowledge, you let go of the unnecessary, thus simplifying your life and removing the complexity. Choices become easier, life has more flavor, and you begin to feel deeply satisfying true contentment. The cultivation of a unique simply luxurious life is an extraordinary daily journey that each of us can master, leading us to our fullest potential.

Fresh from Japan, the much-anticipated collection of Nani Iro sewing patterns is finally available in English! Beloved by art fans and textile enthusiasts around the world, Nani Iro fabric has developed a cult following since the brand's inception by artist Naomi Ito in 2002. With their simple, yet artful design, the 18 garment patterns in this book showcase fluid movement and beautiful drape for signature Nani Iro style. You'll find instructions for stitching up a wardrobe of comfortable, flowy pieces that you'll look forward to wearing again and again, including The Basic Blouse, The Cocoon Dress, and The Everyday Jumpsuit. Inside, you'll find outfit inspiration for mixing and matching me-made pieces to create artistically layered outfits. Plus, take a behind-the-scenes look at the brand's studio in Osaka for glimpse at the studio team's favorite ways to style their Nani Iro pieces.