The Needlework Revival

The Needlework Revival : Crafting Sustainably with Sashiko, Boutis & Smocking

Make 7 projects to capture the wonder of traditional stitching using 3 key techniques from around the world: Japanese sashiko, Canadian smocking, and French boutis.

Learn 3 types of traditional needlework from around the world by creating beautiful projects that highlight the ways that slow, handmade stitching enriches our lives today. 

Japanese sashiko, Canadian smocking, and French boutis enable stitchers to add new methods and textures to their creations. Best of all, the techniques in this book encourage you to use and upcycle materials you already have on hand, emphasizing sustainability over fast fashion.

Learn the history of each craft to understand why past generations chose these stitching ways. Next, learn the tools and materials needed, then test-drive each technique with 7 practical projects: an embellished shirt, a lovely waist cinch, revived blue jeans, two bags, a pillow cover, and an heirloom-ready blanket.

• 7 projects feature detailed step-by-step photos, making them approachable and beginner-friendly.

• Includes many additional patterns, each accompanied by photos of the completed design.

• Special troubleshooting sections show the most-common challenges faced by newcomers to sashiko, boutis, or smocking, and how to solve them.

• The emphasis throughout is on sustainability, repurposing, and using what you already have.

Size: 8.5in x 10.0in  |  Pages: 160  |  385 color and b/w photos and patterns