Nursery and creative
If you don’t like the nursery decorations available in the shops, have you thought about turning your hand to making your own? This book tells you how to create baby blankets – easy for even first-timers as long as you have access to a sewing machine – think of how much money you’d save if you just made these! There are also plans for fitted sheets, a nappy stacker, padded wall shapes and a window topper to complete the nursery décor. The instructions are very detailed and although they are basic to allow a first timer to work out what to do, they offer inspirational ideas for the more advanced to get adventurous. The book is ring-bound, a nice-touch that means you can leave it lying open and flat while you work.
No, not embroidery you give to your baby to do, but embroidery to create the sweetest little patterns on everything surrounding your baby. You can customise the plainest of blankets or create your own small projects – coathangers, nappy pincushions and even a bottle warmer! There are designs in here that are just perfect for a plain cot blanket, from a pretty spray of flowers to a detailed and very professional Jack and Jill, Baa Baa Black Sheep and Mary Mary Quite Contrary designs that would be indistinguishable from shop-bought versions. There’s even a sleeping bag, which converts into a dressing gown as baby grows, with a cute teddy bear pattern. This book offers inspiration on every level, from the fanciest of designs to the tiniest of stitches, giving you the chance to turn a standard blanket into an heirloom with just a few hours work.
When you have a baby, especially if it’s the first of the next generation, you’ll find all kinds of great-aunts and third cousins come out of the woodwork to see the baby and present their offering – a matinee jacket. Now, while we’re not saying you shouldn’t be grateful, wouldn’t it be nice if just a few of those cardigans and jumpers presented to baby were absolutely gorgeous? Bet they’d be the ones you picked out the pile over and over again! Now you can make sure that those around you with a love of knitting can create baby designs you just can’t resist. There are designs that go right up to ten years old too, so older children can get funky tops their friends won’t be able to buy! These two books are packed with clean, modern designs with standardised patterns to make it easy for anyone who knows how to wield a knitting needle. Pipsqueaks has 35 designs, including a gorgeous jumper with a star called Mickey and a funky cardigan called Muffin. Tadpoles and Tiddlers is filled with 32 designs, including a pretty Highlander jacket and a complex but stunning Hearts and Flowers jumper.
The quilts and wallhangings in this book look so beautiful and very unusual, particularly in the UK where quilting is not as big a hobby as in the United States. The directions look clear and concise and seem to offer guidance at every stage to make the process as easy as possible. And the designs are just beautiful, including Rub A Dub, with a happy baby in a tub with his duck, A Horse of a Different Color (it is an American book!) starring a fuschia rocking horse and Hugs and Kisses, a smart pastel quilt. There are just eight quilts and wallhangings in here, but if you have any talent for this particular type of artwork, every design is irresistible and will see you making quilt after quilt not just for your own baby but for friends as well! |
