Design*Sponge
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Design*Sponge
“Few things make me happier than watching the people we work with here at D*S do well. Amanda Brown from Spruce has been our resident upholstery expert for a while and we were thrilled when she told us she was working on a book. That gorgeous book, Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design, officially launched yesterday and is chock-full of beautiful (and helpful) upholstery instructions, illustrated by more than 900 step-by-step photographs. Upholstery has always been daunting to me, but Amanda is an excellent teacher and everything she’s shared in this book will help you master the techniques and skills you need to reupholster any piece of furniture to suit your own taste and style. If you have ever had an inkling to try to upholster a thrift store find, this awesome book can show you how.” (from Amazon)
by Amanda Brown, Grace Bonney·You?
by Amanda Brown, Grace Bonney·You?
Discover the joys of upholstery and bring new life to your worn-out furniture. With a few basic tools, an eye for color, and some ingenuity, you can customize your home with fabrics and textures that reflect your unique personality. This comprehensive guide features more than 900 photographs and includes five projects designed to teach you all you need to know to reupholster any piece of furniture. You’ll soon be confidently stripping down old sofas, stuffing sagging ottomans, and revamping chairs with your own distinctive style.
Recommended by Design*Sponge
“[Print, Pattern, Sew] is a treasure trove of knowledge that coaches novices and experts alike through the process of creating block-printed garments — it’s like one big, handy how-to guide that breaks down everything from tools needed, to navigating mistakes, to easy-to-read steps on each project. Print, Pattern, Sew also includes seven full-size original patterns, so you can get started right away. With projects that include making your own tote bag, apron, fold-over clutch, cap-sleeved blouse, and more, it’s hard to choose which project to tackle first!” (from Amazon)
by Jen Hewett·You?
Create bold block prints for a completely custom wardrobe--print fabrics, customize patterns, and sew garments that truly express your own style. This book offers: • Clear how-to instructions for carving motifs from soft blocks, plus 13 designs to get you started • A guide to printing on fabric and construct repeating patterns • 13 projects and full-size patterns for garments and accessories for a complete hand-printed wardrobe Infuse your everyday style with more color, more pattern, and more personality. Printmaker and textile designer Jen Hewett presents her distinctive process for block-printing yards of fabric with garment sewing in mind. Explore the process of designing and printing fabric through step-by-step instruction on carving blocks and printing pattern repeats. Hewett makes creating custom, hand-printed fabric approachable and doable. Inspired by her California home, Hewett's designs reference the plants and landscape around her through botanical motifs, organic shapes, and a bold graphic quality. Paired with a playful use of color, the pattern designs here offer the perfect place to start with block-printing. Once you've printed your fabric, it's time to sew. With sewing patterns for simple garments and accessories, you'll discover the play between fabric and finished project and work toward building a highly customizable wardrobe. With step-by-step photos, clear instructions, and full-size sewing patterns this is a complete guide to sewing clothes that truly reflect your style and personality.