Crazy Textile Jewellery and Other Accessories: Using Water-Soluble Stabiliser [Abridged, Audiobook, Box set, Illustrated, Large Print] [Paperback]

I think this book has the wrong title. It deals with water-soluble stabiliser - a particular German brand. It shows how to make fabulous accessories - and I liked this part more than the jewellery. Make lacy stoles, scarves, tops and boleros that would cost a fortune in fashion stores. Instructions are clear and the photography of finished items is very good. I do believe a few more step-by-step instructions would have been helpful for beginners with soluble stabilisers. Some templates are provided. Create individual clothes with this 64-page book. I really enjoyed this book.-KarenPlatt.co.uk How about making some of your own jewelry and accessories from nothing much more than ordinary threads, scarps of fabric and the odd bead or two? If this sounds impossible then you haven't tried using water-soluble fabrics yet. If I hadn't been sent this book for review, I would have bought it! The items in here are truly beautiful and transform any outfit into something truly special. Choose from jewelry, bags, belts and even simple garments many of which are in sets instead of just individual pieces, something I always like to see in a craft book. The process is simple, and very green as well as being credit crunch friendly. All you really need is a simple swing needle sewing machine and the sort of odds and ends left over from other projects. There are no staged diagrams in here however, and each project tends to be explained only in words with just the basics shown at the front in four photographs. The text is translated from the German, and at times this shows although a few readings and a bit of common sense (as well as reading the instructions that come with the water soluble fabric) works wonders as does rolling up your sleeves and just having a go. If you are a total tyro with a sewing machine and have never made a garment of any kind before this might well be a bit advanced, but anybody else ought to be able to make something to be proud of. One for the keeper shelf.-Myshelf.com A very colourful, informative book with clear instructions. Featuring sixteen beautiful, contemporary items in a range of different designs, colours and styles, it includes detailed step-by-step instructions as well as a range of templates and patterns where necessary. The projects are definitely created for more experienced crafters and I think a beginner would struggle with almost all of the designs. The book looks very appealing and the photography is great. The cover is very eye-catching and the layout is generally very simple and easy to read. Each design comes with a whole page colour photo, making it clear to see what your final result should look like. The techniques are also illustrated brilliantly and very easy to follow. At GBP6.99 the book is very reasonable and offers great value for money.-Craft Business How many of you have an embroidery machine and use stabiliser? Do you know that you can create stunning pieces of textile jewellery and accessories using simple techniques based on water-soluble stabiliser? Do look out for this new book. The unique and stylish designs for jewellery, bags, shawls and jackets require no special skills. All the methods are clearly explained and involve simply combining painted silk, yarns and threads and machine stitching them on to a background of water-soluble stabiliser. The results, however, are stunning. There are 16 beautiful, contemporary items in a range of designs, colours and styles with detailed step-by-step instructions. Templates and patterns are provided where needed, making the book suitable for all abilities.-Machine Knitting Monthly No special skills are required for this unique, youthful and stylish collection which includes jewellery, bags, shawls and jackets. Construction methods are clearly explained, and involve combining painted silk, yarn and thread, machine-stitching them on to a background of water-soluble stabiliser. There are sixteen projects in a range of designs and colours including collar and cuffs, waistcoats, matching bag and belt, scarves, filigree necklaces and halter tops. Each project has a list of material requirements, step-by-step instructions and colour photography of the finished item. Templates and patterns are provided where needed plus a list of product manufacturers.-Sew Today Browsing this book, the eye is caught by the amazing illustrations of textile jewellery and wearable art. Requiring no special skills, the creation of bags, shawls and jackets as well as the intricate jewellery of the title is accompanied by simply combining painted silk, yarns, threads and machine stitching on to a background of water soluble stabiliser. The results, however, are stunning. Make lacy stoles, scarves, tops and boleros that would be very expensive items in fashion stores to complement a casual look, or glamorise an evening outfit, then create your own style of jewellery with your choice of colour and texture. Based on simple methods, this book is suitable for all abilities. Sixteen beautiful, contemporary items in a range of designs, colours and styles are detailed, with step-by-step instructions, templates and patterns provided where needed.-Flair This book shows how to create beautiful, stylish and exciting items of clothing and accessories using simple techniques. The basis of the process is the use of a water soluable stabiliser, which Hannelore Koch uses with great skill. The illustrations are inspiring and the author explains how the technique works in an easy to follow format. The technique the she uses is so straightforward that beginners could follow it easily, experienced stitchers could find it very useful as a basis for the development of their own ideas. The possibilities for creating surface texture are endless and the finished products are stunning. Templates and patterns are included at the back of the book as are useful details of suppliers.-Meg-online.info An attractive, well set out book which should inspire anyone interested in making a unique piece of jewellery or small item of decorative clothing for a special event. It opens with a comprehensive list of materials, the fabrics and hardware, followed by a section on how to paint silk and design your masterpiece. General instructions on how to use the aids such as iron-on and water soluble stabilisers are included in this section. This is followed by a lovely selection of projects for decorative boleros, scarves etc. and ideas for fabric jewellery. At the end of the book are some patterns which the reader may use for inspirations or choose to follow. The finished designs are further embellished with beads of all shapes and sizes making each project unique. My initial reaction was that the author assumes that the reader has more than a working knowledge of using a domestic sewing machine for free machine embroidery - dropping the feed dog and moving the fabric under the needle has to be practised to achieve any degree of fluency. The elements of the design are held together by lines of straight stitching which are sometimes angular and others twisting and swirling. I would advise the reader to experiment with spray adhesive and water soluble stabiliser before starting the project. Best results will be achieved by using the fabrics suggested by the author. I found the book both exciting and inspirational and now after my first attempt I am eager to try my own designs. (Marita Page).-Bead Society of Great Britain

Hannelore Koch's unique and stylish designs for jewellery, bags, shawls and jackets require no special skills - all the methods are clearly explained and involve simply combining painted silk, yarns and threads, and machine stitching them on to a background of water-soluble stabiliser. The results, however, are stunning. Use them to complement a casual look or evening wear, or create your own style with your own choice of colour and texture. Full, step-by-step instructions are provided for all the projects, and patterns and templates where required. This title is based on simple methods using painted silk, threads, yarns and water-soluble stabiliser, making the book suitable for all abilities. It features sixteen beautiful, contemporary items in a range of designs, colours and styles. It includes detailed, step-by-step instructions. Templates and patterns are provided where needed in this title.