Upcycling / Maintenance, reuse and repair of objects Books

Book SynopsisLearn the art of visible mending—a joyful, meditative, and restorative practice—to repair the clothes and belongings you love! Mending Life, a beautiful modern sewing and mending guide with vibrant, full-color illustrations woven throughout, encourages us to break free from the fast fashion industry by repairing our clothes rather than discarding them. Along with DIY and how-to illustrations and tutorials, you’ll find heartfelt stories by authors Nina and Sonya Montenegro (creators of the popular @TheFarWoods) that encourage you to change your consumption habits, celebrate a sustainable, intentional lifestyle, demonstrate mending as a powerful act that not only strengthens the object we are repairing, but ourselves as well. Beginners and Seasoned Sewers will find:Basic Mending Skills - how to thread a needle, how to tie knots, and basic stitches Sashiko - a striking Japanese hand-sewing technique for reinforcement and decoration Darning - plain weave, swiss weave, crocheted patch, knitted patch, and needle-felted patch Patching - the best three ways to patch holes how-to guide Mending Tutorials by Item - down jackets, shirt cuffs, and linen Other Common Repairs - snags, buttons, belt loops, leggings, pant pockets, and more Sewing Beyond Mending - hemming pants, taking garments in, and adding pockets Extend the life of your favorite clothes and beloved household items with mending with this timeless and practical guide to cherishing and caring for our belongings.Trade ReviewSelected by Powell's Books "30 Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2020"“In this thoughtful and gorgeously illustrated book, Nina and Sonya Montenegro remind us what our grandmothers taught us: that mending is a radical exercise, both in its creative play and in its role in fighting consumerism and waste. For anyone who yearns to mend but needs helpful advice, this is the coziest book you’ll ever own.”—Lisa Congdon, artist and author“[Mending Life] positions making things by hand as a path to a less consumerist, more centered, maybe even more spiritual existence.”—Publishers Weekly“Mending Life is equal parts illustrated textile repair primer and gentle prescription for fixing our fraught relationships with the planet and each other.”—Yes! Magazine“With a guiding mantra that 'There’s nothing broken that can’t be fixed,' this very accessible guide will encourage readers to look with hopeful possibility at their well-worn, well-loved clothes.”—Booklist “This powerful book, full of care and gratitude, will inspire you to give new love and attention to the objects in your wardrobe. But it will also awaken you, challenging you to rethink your outlook on the world and your role in it.”—Anna Brones, author of Fika and Live Lagom"A book to use long after the first reading. Like the garments the authors so carefully tend to, these pages are sure to take on the stains of well-worn, well-loved readings."—Library Journal“Mending Life walks newbie sewers through the process of mending their clothing in visible, stylish ways.” —Portland Monthly “It is so refreshing to read through this beautifully organized and illustrated book. It will inspire you to take the time to engage with your second skin in a manner that was almost lost to the tsunami of fast fashion. Regenerating your wardrobe with your own two hands is an act that gives the planet an opportunity to rest and repair itself." —Rebecca Burgess, founder of Fibershed and author of Fibershed and Harvesting Color “This is a heartwarming tribute to generations before us as much as it is a practical and mindful toolkit for learning to repair our belongings. You’ll be well equipped to tackle any snag, hole, or frayed end. A patch we mend into our favorite jeans becomes a thoughtful story about what we value. This is a book to treasure.” —Andrea Marie Sanders, meditation teacher and artist“Mending Life invites us back into real care and love for the material world, and by extension, all the worlds of our experience.” —Charles Eisenstein, author of Sacred Economics, The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, and Climate—A New Story

Read more less

Book SynopsisSustainability meets DIY in this instructive guide to garment embroidery from designer and fiber artist Alexandra Stratkotter. Combining comprehensive instruction with photography and illustrations, The Embroidered Closet guides novice and experienced stitchers through the process of adorning and upcycling garments. Now more than ever, we are all pitching in to help the planet: This book offers a fun and satisfying avenue to do just that by refreshing the wardrobe you have and making your clothes seem new again.The Embroidered Closet presents the inexpensive craft of embroidery and uses it to show readers just how fun embellishing your own clothing can be. Expect to learn not just about tools, techniques, stitches, and project designs, but also how to pick fabrics that work best for you and your wardrobe, how to source and thrift your clothing, and how to mend and prevent wear and tear. Stratkotter will inspire you to expand your opti

Read more less

Book SynopsisDenim Upcycled contains 25 creative projects using old pairs of jeans to create fabulous, customised clothes & homewares. Jeans are such a wardrobe staple that most people end up with at least one or two pairs of that don’t fit any more, have worn out in places or have gone out of style. But instead of consigning them to landfill, why not repurpose them? Denim is a durable and versatile fabric that’s perfect for upcycling into stylish, sustainable and useful items for you, your family and friends, and your home. With clear instructions and handy tips throughout, projects are suitable for all levels. Projects include: Flower Brooch, Decorative Cuff, Phone Case, Coin Pouch, Zippy Pouch, Water Bottle Carrier, Tote Bag, Messenger Bag, Storage Baskets, Drawstring Bag, Notebook Cover, Luggage Tags, Shorts, Skirt, Pendant Bottle, Gift Bag, Love Cushion, Home Cushion, Plant Pot, Hanging Hearts, Tooth Fairy Pillow, Pencil Case, Tablet Storage Pouch, Wall Hanging Organizer, Three-in-a-Row Game. 25 quick and easy projects for useful items from upcycled jeans Projects for bags, tags, covers, baskets, cuffs and clothes Suitable for those with little or no sewing experience as well as more experienced crafters Will appeal to those wanting to counteract throwaway culture, buy less and reuse more Table of ContentsIntroduction A Brief Background to the Iconic Blue Jeans The Deconstruction Phase Other Materials Measurements and Templates Equipment Stitching Denim Hand Sewing and Embroidery Stitches Turning Through and Finishing PROJECTS Flower Brooch Decorative Cuff Phone Case Coin Pouch Zippy Pouch Water Bottle Carrier Tote Bag Messenger Bag Storage Baskets Drawstring Bag Notebook Cover Luggage Tags Shorts Skirt Pendant Bottle Gift Bag Love Cushion Home Cushion Plant Pot Hanging Hearts Tooth Fairy Pillow Pencil Case Tablet Storage Pouch Wall Hanging Organizer Three-in-a-Row Game Templates Resources Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnya Lautenbach is a digital creator and passionate gardener, who wants more people to give gardening a go no matter their background, budget or garden size. Born in Poland, she now lives with her husband and two younger sons in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and was recently diagnosed with ADHD - her self-described "superpower". A lifelong gardener, she has propagated thousands of plants, and has shared her budget gardening journey via her Instagram @anya_thegarden_fairy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTake advantage of nature's bounty and craft in time with the seasons! Whether potting up dandelion honey, cooking and crafting with rose petals or preserving autumn leaves and acorns, there are so many wonderful gifts, ornaments and treats that can be made from either a short walk in the woods or a rummage in your cupboard. With an emphasis on foraging and upcycling, Becci explores the ways we can create beautiful projects using materials readily available in the garden and home.Upcycled projects include gorgeous home textiles woven from bed linen, mini lampshade fairy lights for a summer's evening and even a fabulous picnic table from an old suitcase. Capture the breeze of autumn with wind chimes made from old necklaces and cutlery and learn how to felt old sweaters, turning them into cosy wreaths, brooches and purses for winter. There is also a section on working with willow, with projects encompassing everything from woven bird-feeders (with home-made fat balls!) to festive ornament

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover a trove of upcycling ideas and inspiration, with this collection of projects from upcycling influencer Emma Foss. She shares detailed, step-by-step tutorials to teach you essential upcycling techniques so you can create something out of nothing. Through these creative projects, you’ll develop skills in basic woodworking, re-upholstery, painting, papier-mâché and so much more. Best of all, these projects use materials you’re likely to already have lying around the house or can be found cheaply at thrift stores! This astounding collection of projects is perfect for any DIY enthusiast, or anyone with a knack for using the materials they have to make something unique and memorable. Turn thrift-store jeans into a unique painted masterpiece, transform a paint palette into a functional clock or even hand-make your own recycled paper. It’s up to you! Embrace your creative side as you beautify your space with these one-of-a-kind projects. As you work through each one, you’ll learn the upcycling skills you need to make anything you want, out of anything you can find.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOver 35 creative ways to transform recycled and natural materials into stunning projects. With ideas for makes from gifts and stationery to homewares and decorations, this collection shows you how to craft innovative projects from foraged and upcycled materials. The 35 designs include a festive gilded leaf garland, pretty seedpod coasters, floral paper bags and an appliqué wall hanging. Expert maker Clare Youngs guides you through all the techniques you’ll need, showing you how to use a wide range of materials including fabric and paper off-cuts as well as natural elements such as twigs, flowers and pebbles. With just a few inexpensive supplies and tools to get you started, you’ll soon be making beautiful works of art and developing your creativity while being kind to the planet.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoanne Condon takes you step-by-step through the process of furniture flipping, from choosing the right piece to using colour, pattern and detail to bring new life to an item. The perfect antidote to unsustainable, mass-produced ‘fast furniture’, flipping can take many forms: applying paint or wallpaper, replacing handles and hardware, experimenting with colour and adding pattern and texture. First of all, Joanne explains everything you need to get started, including essential equipment and how to prepare old furniture for painting. Next, you will find 25 projects, organized by difficulty level. Beginners can start out with simple stencils and colour blocking. Intermediate upcyclers can try their hand at cross stitch on a cane-backed chair. And confident furniture flippers can take on more advanced projects, such as transforming a wardrobe into a pantry or creating a distressed paint effect. Throughout the book, Joanne presents easy-to-follow instructions with photographs to guide you at every step of the way.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSewing 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.

Read more less

Book Synopsis With this guide to mending and patching, you don’t have to say goodbye to your worn favourite clothes. Throwing away damaged, yet beloved, clothes can be one of the saddest things, but what if you were able to fix those holes and extend their life? With Mend & Patch, you can learn to take care of your clothes, mending, patching and repairing so you can cherish all your garments. In the furthest corner of her clothes store in Stockholm, Sweden, Kerstin has a mending studio where she gives a new lease of life to people’s favourite jeans. In this book, she arms you with the skills and ideas you need to mend your own clothes, whatever their wear and tear. There are emergency tips for mending in a hurry, including sewing in a button and repairing split seams. You will learn how to enhance your clothes with decorative stitches and how to mend with different materials, including leather, cotton, wool and denim. Packed full of simple fixes, as well as more advanced techniques, this book is perfect for sewers, crafters, and fashion lovers of all abilities and for those who want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.Trade Review'Getting the most of your clothes has never been easier' * Let’s Knit *'Our favourite of all the mending books so far’ * Embroidery Review *'A brilliantly practical guide to repairing clothes and textiles' * The Simple Things *'Perfect for those looking to sharpen their mending skills and lead a more sustainable lifestyle' * Craft Focus *'Ideal for anyone who wants to learn the basics of mending garments with care' * Knitting Review *

Read more less