words and pictures

Ive been pondering lately, thinking about why I still buy craft books when there is so much available on line for free.  I love me a good crafty book - a couple of hundred pages of 'I could make that' inspiration bound in a tempting 'buy me now' cover and speckled with ' you could make me this aftenoon' photos.

Who can say no?  

Ive been craft book addicted ever since I've had my own cash to spend.  I started out my habit when both my daughters were very young and a lot of time was spent changing nappies and feeding and toilet training and going to the doctors. Lots of time was spent going to the doctors, far too much.  The doctors surgery I frequented however was situated very neatly across the street from the library.  And it became a ritual for me to 'reward' myself a treat for all those hours spent attending to the needs of my daughters - a visit to the world of books where I could flip through the pages and dream about other peoples lives, people who had time to cook, to garden and to sit around making things out of pretty fabric.  It became customary for me to visit the library every time I passed it.  I would never knowingly leave without at least 8 books nestled neatly in the handy storage area at the bottom of my daughters pram/buggy/stroller.  My daughters benefited too as they always came home with a selection of childrens books, which they delighted in reading and playing with whilst I put the kettle on and my feet up (in that order) and read my books and looked at the pictures and dreamed of all these other lives I could have led. All the dreamy gardens that would one day be mine, all the delicious dishes I would one day cook and all the fabric-y things I would one day make.

Time has moved on and with my daughters tucked out of sight in school for a large chunk of the day combined with a lack of visits to the doctors.  I now have to satisfy my book cravings by purchasing them instead.  Which is no hardship with the world of Amazon at the beck of my fingertips.  I am careful with my purchases though, alot of time is spent on research, mostly in the 'look inside' chamber.  It is a rare purchase these days for me that doesn't begin with a scroll down in the 'look inside' chamber.

It is an odd thing that I rarely make stuff from the books I purchase but I think books can also act as a spring board for putting yourself into a creative mindset where your own idea's take hold to suit your own needs.  That is how it seems to work for me.  The books in these pictures are just some of my favourites that I return to again and again to flick through with a cup of tea in one hand and my sewing machine just out of reach of the other.  I like the feeling of looking at something and thinking 'I could make this right now if I wanted to'.  I might not go ahead and make it but the choice is mine.

It's not just new books that tempt me either.  Both of the above are highly recommended by me and are titles I return to again and again.

And all good book habits deserve a pretty quirky bookmark.  This one was made from the project in  Zakka Style.

What are your favourite craft, quilting, patchwork or embroidery books? any you are looking forward to coming out??  I'd love to know.  Need to keep this habit of mine ticking over.

Comments

[Laura Jane]

I'm the same, I hoard crafty books, but rarely make anything from them. I love looking at them though.

I'm particularly looking forward to Tacha Hexagogo book, I've had a "look inside" and it looks all kinds of awesome :o)

[Jamie Lee]

I love to buy craft books, too. My local library system has an awesome selection, so often I "preview" them before buying. The last book I bought was Kaffe Fassett's "Quilt Romance."

[Emma]

Oh I'm like that with cookery books too :/ when we moved I donated 125 cookery books to a local home start centre... They were well received but got me thinking each one cost £10 approx (that's a lot of moolah) and like you with craft books I rarely made anything from them. But now... I am addicted to craft and sewing books too. Latest one I want to purchase is the old needle craft book you have. I have the sewing one which I go to time and time again (like me readers digest cookery year or vintage margrete Patton cookery book... Books rock and always will in my house :)

[Sally]

Well, I not only WORK in a public library, I purchase the craft books (as well as fiction) for said library, so you would think I have no need to purchase craft books for myself...but you would be wrong! I have hundreds of craft books, cookbooks too! I've been thinking a lot lately about the phenomenon of rarely following a pattern or recipe from any of them. I think it's got to do with 1)a creative impulse that drives us to use the pattern/recipe as a springboard but ultimately tweek it to make it exactly our own way, and 2) esp. with cookbooks, to use what we have rather than buy the ingredients/materials required. Yes? No? Still, for me, nothing beats a book for inspiration.

[Sally]

p.s. Can't wait for YOUR book! :)

[Ellyn]

so glad to know I am not alone! Many that are in your favorites stack are also in mine.

[Treadlemusic.wordpress.com]

Love all those books and am so glad there are so many of us in this book crazed group!! My next purchase will be Fons & Porter's "Patriotic Quilts" as our quilt guild does many quilts for the returning military.....a part of a national program called "Quilts of Valor". Like you, and others, the books are the 'spring board' that gets the inspirational "juices" flowing for all those 'next projects'. Fun post! Have an awesome day, hugs, Doreen

[Mary Ann]

Yes, my house is filled with piles of craft books and cook books. I usually have one or two favorite recipes form each of the cook books and I sometimes make a project from a craft book but like you just enjoy looking them over time after time. My last book was Vanessa Christenson's Make It Sew Modern, my next will be Julie Herman's Skip the Borders!

[Jeni]

Hehe, I'm the same way! Loving having them around my rarely sew from them :) Let's see, a few of my favorites are.. The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns, Fresh Quilting, Material Obsession 2, and I love Patchwork!

[Laura]

Lately I am really into making mini quilts! A favorite that I recently purchased is "Make Mine Mini" by Christine Carlson. I also bought "Fresh from the Clothesline" by Darlene Zimmerman because I love to work with the 1930s reproduction prints. Looking forward to your book too!! :)

[Pennie]

hmmm, what I think the world needs is a really good book on embroidery.... don't suppose you can recommend one??? ;-)

[Hildy]

Today I found '§ Times a Charm' in my local quilt store and it went home with me! I love to look at and in bboks, too, but a book has to have this something special to be bought. My all-time favorite quilt book is Camille's 'Simplify', I just love it! But I know your book will make it really hard for Camille;-)
Hildy

[Margaret]

I have that exact same "Home Decorating Book." My then-roommate gave it to me years ago. I love it, too.

[Allison]

Hi Aneela. I too have the Complete Guide to Needlework, which I refer to time and time again. I also have The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket. She articulated so well much of what I was feeling about what I was doing and my role when I was at home and a homemaker. I make reference to a book of Amish quilts and another wonderful book called A People and Their Quilts. I don't have a lot of crafty books, but I love to look at those of my sister-in-law. I especially like Vintage Crochet.

[Caren Adams]

Wow. We sound so much alike! Except that I'm still in the "take the babies to the doctor" stage, I'm married to an African American as opposed to an Irishman, and I haven't quite gotten to the "having my own cash" part yet. But I do love my daily pot of tea! I have GOT to tell you about three of my favorite finds: A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2, which is a technique book, but the pictures and instructions are amazing. Sewn Toy Tales is also a great book - delightfully written (Melly&Me) and the toys are wonderful! Then for a change I got Countryside Softies (A.Adams), in which all of the creatures are made of felted wool. I find that having a change of textile makes for a fun way to broaden my creative process!

[Flying Blind]

I browse though the Material Obsession books with alarming regularity and still have made nothing from them, the same with the Gentle Art of Quilt Making - soooooo pretty x

[Lisa R - Little Blue Room]

I too am a craft book addict! Who am I kidding I love all books but craft books are an addiction I love to feed...I just bought the Tula Pink book at Barnes and Noble yesterday and have three more coming from Amazon! The one book I am waiting to come out is yours! Can't wait!

[Lisa R - Little Blue Room]

Oops...in all of the excitement I forgot to mention the books I ordered from Amazon are Sunday Morning Quilts, Homespun Style, and Block Party the Modern Quilting Bee.

[Archie the wonder dog]

I'm afraid I can't really help as I don't buy many craft books - one I have bought recently is Super Cute Felt by Laura Howard, it gave me so many great ideas for a school sewing club I recently ran. I might have to get your habit, it looks like fun!

[Jo Carter]

I too use my craft books more as kindling to get inspiration going than following an actual project in them. You've made me think about it now and I can only come up with 1 sewing project I've ever done 'by the book'.

Got my eye on Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop book next.

[Pam]

I see you have Jane Brockets, Gentle Art of Domesticity. That was one of my favorite reads for 2011.

[twitter.com/artl8dy]

I enjoy the work of Janet Bolton. She inspires alot of the applique work I do.

http://www.amazon.com/Patchwork-Folk-Art-Appliqué-Techniques/dp/1846013224/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335830818&sr=1-1

[Ute]

I've never met a craft/sewing/tapestry/needlepoint/cooking book I didn't like. I love browsing through them for inspiration and just for a general pick-me-up when I'm feeling blue. I cannot think of one actual project which I have actually made, though. Seems like a bit of a waste of money ... my husband certainly thinks so, but I always tell him that these books keep me sane and they are a lot cheaper then therapy!

[Sara]

I purchased the same Readers Digest book that you have over 25 years ago now. In fact until I got the internet I considered it so good that I rarely felt the need to get any further books to help me with my makes. It is a treasure trove of information which is very well put with clarity. I have a sewing one which I also love, and when I went through my dress-making phase told me everything I needed to know and more. When this got messed up I replaced it with a second hand copy from Amazon.

BUT, these days that has all changed as books are cheaper and I have access to all of them on-line, where before most book shops didn't stock that many. I am still very discerning which means a book has to have more than pretty styling. It has to have good projects to inspire or good know- how or both. Like you however, I rarely if ever make something from a book (which drives my daughter mad!) I love the potential of possibility they offer and the inspiration. I might even use techniques offered but to make something else. I don't really want to phaff my way through other people's directions to make 'their' stuff. No, I want to make my own things. That being said, sometimes there are must haves. I have several embroidery ones, Alicia Paulson's being my favourite project one. It's probably my favourite craft book as it is like a bit of her blog wrapped up. It is just so perfectly presented and produced. She is so trustworthy; you just know what she tells you works. I also have stitch books which are invaluable.

I am also thinking about getting 'Super Cute Felt' along with a couple of other felt books. Right now having abandoned my knitting I am in an embroidery phase but I have my felt all ready! I despair of crochet books as I am desperate to buy more but can't find what I want.

To be negative, some books I don't like are Jane Brocket's knitting book (not enough in it that you can't find already and just not rewarding enough). Kirsty's craft book - relies too much on the professional and doesn't have enough in it that I want to make. An example of style over substance (there are a few of those around).

If I had a lap top to take to bed and look at pretty pictures on flickr and blogs etc, rather than a desk top PC then I might buy less. But I love to look through them before I go to sleep.

[Donna]

I also love pouring over craft and mostly quilt books, even if I never make a thing! My mom bought me the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework a long, long time ago (must be close to 30 years!) and it is a great reference book for everyone to have. Lots of good instructions and photos. A book that I recently purchased and just love is Camille Roskelley's "Simplify". I think you'd like it.

[Chiska]

I just got one called Seaside Home that I'm really loving. Perhaps partly because I grew up near the sea and now live far away without much chance of visiting in the near future.

[Kaye Prince]

You know I'm a craft book junkie! I can't even begin to pick a favourite, but Scandinavian Stitches, the Knitter's Book of Wool, Lotta's Simple Sewing, and Zakka Style are definitely up there! I also own the same Reader's Digest volume as you and reference it quite a bit. I must say that I am eagerly awaiting Pretty in Patchwork Holidays (for obvious reasons) and I can't wait to see your book in real life!!!

[SewTara]

Yeah, it's inspiration, yeah that's it!

I see we have a lot of the same books, it is a healthy addiction :)

[ozjane]

But don't you love the bookshelves of books and I have a disgraceful collection of Aussie magazines.....most from the beginning of publication. So sad to think they might be refuse one day.

[Beezus]

I don't really buy a lot of craft books (or any in print anymore) because we have so very little space. But I have that Complete Guide to Needlework book, and I wouldn't part with it for anything. My grandmother bought it years and years ago (she has a craft book addiction herself, lol) and gave it to me when I was in college, I believe. It's my go-to source when I want to figure out how to make an idea into a reality, stitch-wise. :)

[Karen Jo Moseley]

Hi Aneela! I just love the fact that we share some of the same books...Me, way across the ocean in Minnesota, USA and You...wait! I think it's YOU that's way across the ocean in the UK! ; )
Either way, we are kindred spirits and I adore so many of the things that you apparently love, just as much! I sometimes get a whimsical feeling, when I think of spending a day in your home. I would LOVE to peek at every single "pretty" that I see in your photos! It would be delightful to curl up and chat and have a cup of tea. I DID notice some Sherbet Pips on the cover of one of the books! I want to share that a sweet friend made a beautiful quilt for me, with your Sherbet Pips! I've never met her, but she saw a comment I wrote, here on your blog and she kindly made a quilt for me. It's wonderful to "meet" new friends on the web! I Treasure that quilt and take it to my chemotherapy appointments and always to my hospital stays! It brings me so much peace. I am looking forward to seeing more of your "flossing"! I have an entire Board of Embroidery Hoop Art on Pinterest! Thanks, Aneela for listening to me rattle on! I have terminal cancer and am bedridden most of the time. I enjoy filling the final months of my life, just soaking up the Gifts that You and so many others have! Hugs ~ Jo

[GillyB]

I so resonate with this post. I also spent a lot of time at the doctor/at home with an ill baby/toddler, and would "reward" myself with books. Now he's at school (less time at the doc), I work part time and I can buy the craft books (and fabric). I also use them in the same way - I love that feeling of "I could make any of this right now" - and also use them as a springboard of ideas for making my own quilts/crafty items. I look at quilting blogs in the same way. I was wondering if I ought to feel guilty at the number of cooking/quilting/crochet/gardening books I have amassed, but I do look at them. And use them (not all) - some have become firm favourites. My faves are "The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking" by Jane Brocket, anything Kaffe Fassett, Sarah Fielke, "I heart Patchwork", Denyse Schmidt. I could go on for ever. Who knows, I might even try embroidery! Thanks Aneela.

[hydeeann]

i do the same thing - buy them by the dozens mostly just for the reading/daydreaming pleasure for when i don't have 7 little ones under my roof. dear jane brocket's "gentle art" is at the top of my list as is ms. hartman's "guide to patchwork" both of which i see on your shelf. i'm looking forward to adding your "stitches" to my collection.