Country Rag Crafts: 50 Colorful Projects from Leftover Fabric

I am impressed by this book and the uniqueness of it. It's filled with beautiful color photography of the projects and well drawn black and white diagrams of how to do things. The book is also well organized: Example: For making a Papier Mache and Rag Bowl, author suggests first getting "design inspiration" by visiting textile and embroidery exhibitions to see how artists blend texture, color, and stitching. Then the author goes on to discuss "planning the decoration" by looking at the fabric and it's texture and shapes or patterns., etc.. Next, "applying the decoration". THen, "making a collection of bowls", the "making the decorated bowl"---materials are listed, then a numbered step-by-step directions in a well-explained and simple manner, followed by colorful artsy photo of a possible finished piece of beautiful art. I never realized all the wonderful things you can do with colorful fabric and the beauty of the textures and designs. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction Collecting and Preparing Rags Rag Rugs Coiled, Crocheted and Knitted Rugs Waving with Fabric Decorative Room Furnishings Greeting Cards Decorative Wreaths and Rings Decorative Household Objects Beads, Buttons and Jewellery Re-Using Knitwear Dyeing, Printing, and Marbeling Index This is fantastic book not only for its well organized instructions, but also for the inspirational photos and the colorfulness that makes it exciting reading. A GREAT BOOK!!

The book features fun, unusual projects and juicy colors. It's well illustrated so that you can create the same effects yourself, throughout your home. I used this book to put a fresh, woven seat in a rocking chair, and the results were beyond anything I'd dared hope for. I can't imagine this book ever seeming "dated" and you'll refer to it again and again. The author is British, so some supplies have different names in the U.S., but if you ask at the art supply or hardware store (take the book with you), they'll point you in the right direction. If you love unique DIY projects that actually turn out as well (or better than) the pictures, this book will delight you.