Tag: hobbies

Unleash Your Creative Self: New Crafts and Hobbies Books

Ria

This month’s collection of crafts and hobbies books offer a delightful cornucopia of creative pursuits and inspiration. From pattern-free sewing how-to’s to finishing an animal crochet block, there are so many fun DIY to explore or upskill. Each project would guide you through with varying level of difficulty, beautiful photographs, and clear step-by-step instructions.  Whether you plan to embroider flowers to give new life to an old shirt or upcycle pages of an old book, there are endless possibilities to channel that urge to explore and create.

Sew it yourself : 20 pattern-free projects (and infinite variations) to make your dream wardrobe / Braid, Daisy
“Sew It Yourself with DIY Daisy is a colourful, size-inclusive and inspiring book for sewers of all stages and abilities, beginners included. It includes guides on everything you need to get started (including equipment, materials and basic techniques) and step-by-step projects with clear instructions, photographs and illustrations that will take the scary out of sewing. Just remember: sewing is self-care, and you make the rules!” (Catalogue)

Sundressed : natural fibres and the future of fashion / Tonti, Lucianne
“In this superbly written book, fashion insider Lucianne Tonti looks beyond sustainable fashion to a future remade by natural fibres.An exploratory dive into the art and industry of clothing and an ode to the possibilities in nature, Sundressed is an accessible, engaging and optimistic challenge to designers, farmers and business to think bigger. She uncovers a growing hive of activity worldwide, from mulberry groves in China and cotton collectives in California to Mongolian goatherds and Australian sheep farmers. With a designer’s eye for detail and an insider’s understanding of the market, Tonti shows us where our clothes come from and why it matters.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Creative book art : over 50 ways to upcycle books into stationery, decorations, gifts, and more / Youngs, Clare
“Transform old books and magazines into beautiful paper crafts, with over 50 inspiring projects. Packed full of ideas for everything from stationery and homewares to paper animals and gifts for kids, Creative Book Art shows you how to make stunning projects that look impressive but are deceptively simple to make. Get cutting and gluing to make display scenes and decorations such as a fairy-tale castle, printed feathers, and hanging paper birds. With just a few basic tools and some old books or magazines to get you started, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to repurpose pages into unique items to keep or gift.”–Publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Seasonal flower embroidery : a year of stitching wild blooms and botanicals / Aoki, Kazuko
“Small embroidered gifts for every season. Give the gift of embroidery! Inspired by flowers in every season, theses small projects make the perfect gift. From small purses and pins to stunning artwork, these embroidery projects are small but stunning and make a big impact with just thread, needle, and fabric”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Cute & easy crochet with flowers : 35 fantastic floral crochet patterns / Trench, Nicki
“Bring nature with you wherever you go with these 35 beautiful projects, all incorporating floral motifs. Divided into three chapters, the book begins with projects perfect for first-time stitchers. Next, move on to Practice Makes Perfect, where you can develop your crochet skills to make beautiful pillow covers, place mats, and blankets to decorate your home. Finally, more experienced crafters will love the projects in Confident Crocheting–from a Daisy Scarf and Floral Bag, to a Vintage-style Vase Coaster and Gypsy Queen throw that will stay in the family for generations. ” (Adapted from Catalogue)

52 weeks of scarves
“52 Weeks of Scarves is a contemporary collection of 52 patterns for scarves, shawls, wraps, cowls and collars, from Nordic knitting experts Laine. This stunning book contains a beautiful scarf pattern for every week of the year. The 52 projects have been contributed by leading knitwear designers from across the world and showcase an exceptionally wide range of yarns, techniques and difficulty levels, including two crochet designs. Comprehensive patterns are supported by extra material on the Laine website, and stunning photography and styling evokes the inspiring Nordic lifestyle and slow living.”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

From quilting to amigurumi: New books on crafts and hobbies

Ria

Knitting, weaving, quilting, and pattern making have been called by different names in history, and still we find ourselves in awe at the sublime intricacies of these crafts. These artforms are forever capturing the zeitgeist of the modern world.

The book Te Puna Waiora : the distinguished weavers of Te Kāhui Whiritoi is a stunning depiction of the great mana of Aotearoa’s senior Māori weavers who not only honour the tradition, but also ensure the survival of the masterful practice today.

Pamela Vanderlinde’s book, Patternmaking for Dress Design: 9 iconic styles from empire to cheongsam, is packed with vivid illustrations and depicts the historical backdrops behind nine iconic dress designs. It showcases a comprehensive, project-based approach to classic cuts for modern-day, fashion pieces that even the present generation would love to wear.

Like weaving and pattern making, the art of crocheting traces its inception to China’s Shang dynasty, but has evolved into numerous cross-cultural forms. Learn by starting off with basic stitches in Crocheted bags : 25 quick and easy projects to make.

Crocheting has found its way, too, into the modern world. With a bale of yarn and hook, crocheting gave birth to amigurumi. Although amigurumi has been a trend for the last ten years, the Japanese form of knitting small stuffed creatures has swept the world’s imagination. Considered as one of the offshoots of the kawaii craze that started in the 1970’s Japan, amigurumi is a cuteness overload for the modern day world. Two new books in our collection: Crochet at work : 20 career dolls to make and customize and Anyone can crochet amigurumi animals : 15 adorable crochet patterns provide whimsical, crocheting journeys for everyone.

Finally, our new book on quilting, Quilt as you go : a practical guide to 14 inspiring techniques & projects, makes a great resource for those who simply don’t have much space or time, or are wanting to start a new fabric project in small manageable sections.

Te Puna Waiora : the distinguished weavers of Te Kāhui Whiritoi
“The weavers of Te Kahui Whiritoi are the senior Māori weavers of Aotearoa New Zealand. Here, their works and stories reveal the complexity and beauty of raranga, placing te whare pora, the house of weaving, at the centre of Māori life, where it connects the weaver to their whakapapa and whenua, their whānau, iwi and tūpuna”–Back cover.” (Catalogue)

Patternmaking for dress design : 9 iconic styles from Empire to cheongsam / Vanderlinde, Pamela
“Detailed patterns and step-by-step instructions guide fashion designers through creating 9 iconic dresses. With background on each garment’s historical significance and examples of how they’ve reinvented in contemporary collections”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Crocheted bags : 25 quick and easy projects to make / Osmond, Emma
“Crochet your way from clutch to tote, making a variety of beautiful bags in between, with the latest title in the Weekend Makes series.  Grab your crochet hook and yarn and join the trend by creating a carrier for every outing. Whether you’re a newcomer to this craft or have been hooked for a while, you’ll find a project to kickstart your creativity and learn the skills required to make it. With detailed techniques, tools and materials sections, this book provides everything you need to know to get started.”–Amazon.com.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Crochet at work : 20 career dolls to make and customize / McCully, Kate
“Discover 20 adorable amigurumi dolls to crochet, each dressed for a different career. Customize the dolls by choosing the body shape, skin and hair colour, hairstyle, outfit and accessories. There are over 100,000 possible combinations!” (Catalogue)

 

Anyone can crochet amigurumi animals : 15 adorable crochet patterns / Simpson, Kristi
“Whether you’ve been crocheting for years or have never picked up a crochet hook before, this accessible, exciting project guide will show any crafter of any skill level everything you need to know to successfully make adorable amigurumi animals! This crochet project book opens with expert guidance on basic tools and techniques and insightful introductory sections on the basics.  Each project that follows features clear, easy-to-follow instructions, how-to crochet illustrations, photo step-outs for detail work, and additional insider tips and tricks to make the most of your crochet projects. Also included are stitch guides, a comprehensive glossary, a handy abbreviations sheet, and more.” — Amazon.com.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Quilt as you go : a practical guide to 14 inspiring techniques & projects / Forster, Carolyn
“Choose from a variety of hand- and machine-sewn styles including stitch-and-flip, envelope-style, lined circles, Suffolk puffs and cathedral windows. Each technique is photographed step by step, and then each completed, discrete block can be transformed into a stunning quilt project, which comes complete with full instructions. If you like taking your creative work with you when you travel, love the convenience of working in small, manageable blocks, or simply want to try out some different techniques before committing to a full-size quilt, this book will help you achieve remarkable results. All the templates required are included at full size.” (Catalogue)

Build your own model railways

Xinxin

Imagine everything becomes miniature size, and moves fast while you are standing beside as if you were a giant! No, I’m not talking about the book Gulliver’s Travels or the movie Godzilla.  I’m talking about model railways. In this list, you will find resources for building vivid New Zealand sceneries, train tracks, wiring, and much more.

Also you can read the monthly Model Railroader and The Railway Magazine for free with your library card, via our Overdrive eMagazine collection.

Model railway detailing manual : a source book of period photographs from the steam age / Postlethwaite, Alan
“Railway modellers constantly refer to photographs for details of real scenes. Here, a whole library of useful illustrations is brought together to give a single reference source, arranged in over 70 themed mini chapters. The most popular period for modellers are the last days of steam on British Railways, 1958 to 1967, and the 300 previously unpublished photographs were taken during those years.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The big book of Lionel : the complete guide to owning and running America’s favorite toy trains / Schleicher, Robert H
“In 1900, Joshua Lionel Cowen invented his first toy electric train, and within a few short years Lionel layouts became a part of American living rooms at Christmastime. In this officially licensed guide, veteran hobby industry writer Robert Schleicher presents an illustrated treasury of practical advice for the Lionel enthusiasts or beginners. Contains comprehensive information for prototype railroads, including track plans, scenery and structures, wiring and track how-to, and maintenance and restoration techniques.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The railway magazine.
“The Railway Magazine has been published since 1897 and is now the UK’s best-selling general interest rail title. Every month, The RM provides enthusiasts and professionals with authoritative and informed news coverage of the following: – Network Rail and the train operating companies – Locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons – Steam, heritage and the preservation world, inc narrow gauge- Metro and underground systems – In addition, the magazine carries frequent items of overseas interest. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The model railway design manual : how to plan and build a successful layout / Freezer, Cyril John
“Before beginning construction work on a model railway it is essential to have a workable design. The plan needs to take into account the space, time, budget and personal skills available, as well as the type of railway to be modelled. Here, Cyril Freezer draws on more than 50 years experience in designing and building model railways to explain how each stage should be undertaken. Includes 150 specially-drawn track layout diagrams.” (Catalogue)

Hornby magazine yearbook. No. 5
“This is a digest of popular features from the Hornby magazine, plus a whole range of new and informative articles covering topics of interest to the broadest range of model railway enthusiasts.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Gorgeous garden railways / Horovitz, Marc
“This book features large portraits and informative text on garden railroad landscaping, trains, infrastructure, ponds and water features, and other landscape challenges. Marc Horovitz, editor of Garden Railways, and Pat Hayward, horticultural editor of Garden Railways offer details that both model railroaders and garden enthusiasts will appreciate.” (Catalogue)

 

A train is for life / Waterman, Pete
“This is a photographic portrait of Pete Waterman’s fantastic model railway collections, packed with photographs revealing the enormous skill of the model makers.” (Catalogue)

 

Scenery for your model railroad / Danneman, Mike
“Create a more realistic scene around your model railroad and add the finishing touches that give a railroad character! This book shows you how, from creating a backdrop to adding ground cover, trees, water, and more.” (Catalogue)

Collectable toys and the Wellington Collectors Toy Fair (5 July)

Xinxin

Collectable toys are intriguing snapshots of a time and a culture — many can even be fascinating miniature artworks, and nowadays, some of the more collectable ones can be worth a lot. Wellington City Libraries has a collection of toy collector books and magazines if you have an interest in collectable toys — have a browse below!

And did you know there’s a toy fair for collectors on in the Wellington region next month (5 July)? It’s the Wellington Collectors Toy Fair, which you can visit for a small charge and meet other collectors. Suitable for all ages.


Toys : how to pick antiques like a pro / Bradley, Eric
“Welcome to Toyland! Whether it’s a rare three-wheeled motorcycle that sold for $23,000 or an unopened LEGO set of the Millennium Falcon that can go for as much as $4,500, toy-box treasures are  waiting to be found. In this hands-on, how-to guide book, you’ll uncover: The best toys to hunt for, including action figures, LEGO sets, model trains, space toys, teddy bears, tin toys, vehicles, oddities, and more ; Practical strategies from top buyers and sellers ; Where to find hidden treasures ; How to flip toys for profit and fun ; Common fakes and reproductions.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Matchbox toys / Jones, Nick
“Matchbox toys were ubiquitous items for children across the Western world. Originally labelled Christmas-cracker trash by retailers and shopkeepers, they soon began to see unprecedented worldwide sales in the 1950s. In this beautifully illustrated book, Matchbox collector Nick Jones tells the story of Matchbox and its most famous toys, from the Coronation Coach to the Batmobile, and complements the story with beautiful, previously unpublished photographs.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Tin dream machines : German tinplate toy cars and motorcycles of the 1950s and 1960s / Walter, Gerhard G
“This is a picture book, a price guide, and a history of one of the most popular collecting areas in the toy world. It showcases the finest racing cars, saloons, convertibles, motorcycles, track toys and filling stations made in the 1950s and 1960s ” (adapted from the Catalogue)

Miller’s toys & games.
“Part of a series of specialist price guides in the collectables field, this title illustrates thousands of different toys and games with descriptions and prices. This enables the collector to gauge price differences due to factors such as location, condition, or provenance.” (Catalogue)

In miniature : how small things illuminate the world / Garfield, Simon
“Tiny Eiffel Towers. Platoons of brave toy soldiers. A doll’s house created for a Queen. Diminutive crime scenes crafted to catch a killer. Model villages and miniscule railways. These are just a few of the objects you will discover in the pages of In Miniature. Bringing together history, psychology, art, and obsession, Garfield explores what fuels the strong appeal of miniature objects among collectors, modelers, and fans. The toys we enjoy as children invest us with a rare power at a young age, conferring on us a taste of adult-sized authority.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Collecting Dinky toys / Richardson, Mike
“Dinky, a name that became synonymous with the whole genre of small toy cars is actually the name of a highly collectible brand of British-made toy vehicles produced from 1934 to 1979. Avid collectors know Dinky Toys. Now Collecting Dinky Toys tells everyone the whole story. Here’s the complete list of every Dinky Toy from cars, trucks, and buses to ships, construction vehicles, and military vehicles, plus their accessories. This valuable identification and value guide lists more than 1,500 toy vehicles with the dates manufactured, colors, and current values.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Matchbox : the official 50th anniversary commemorative book / Scholl, Richard
“Have you ever wondered why certain vehicles are considered more collectible than others? Or why Matchbox cars are numbered and what those numbers mean? The answers to these questions and more can be found throughout the pages of this authoritative book. You will also take a historical journey from when Matchbox cars were invented since half a century ago, and the large variety of vehicles produced over the years.(Adapted from Amazon.com)

Dolls of the Art Deco era, 1910-1940 / Oroyan, Susanna
“Rediscover old sentimental favourite dolls from the Art Deco era with doll maker Susanna Oroyan. Filled with full colour illustrations, this book presents a gallery of creative inspiration for collectors, crafters and all doll lovers.” (Catalogue)

Exploring the history of childhood and play through 50 historic treasures / Fletcher, Susan A.
“Exploring The History of Childhood and Play in American History Through 50 Historic Treasures is a compilation of fifty iconic toys and games from American history. As the amount of leisure time available to children has increased in the United States, the number of toys available to them has also dramatically increased”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

The toymaker / Pieper, Liam
“Adam Kulakov likes his life. He’s on the right side of middle age; the toy company he owns brightens the lives of millions of children around the world; and he has more money than he can ever spend, a wife and child he adores, and as many mistresses as he can reasonably hide from them. And he is not the only one with secrets. In 1944, Adam’s grandfather, Arkady, was imprisoned in Auschwitz and given an impossible choice. Now, as he reaches the end of his life, he has to keep the truth from his family, and hold back the crushing memories of his time with one of history’s greatest monsters.” (Catalogue)

Building antique model cars in wood / Reeves, William
“Here you’ll find easy-to-follow directions, patterns, measurements, and photographs for building 6 authentic and detailed motorcars from the dawn of the automobile age. Only basic woodworking skills and simple tools are required. The cars include the 1903 Model A Ford; 1903 Mercedes; 1903 Dideon Bouton; 1905 Cadillac; 1907 Locomobile; and 1911 Stanley Steamer.” (Catalogue)

The teddy bear encyclopedia / Cockrill, Pauline
“After 100 years, the teddy bear is still very much in vogue. This best – selling encyclopedia is a fascinating way to find out why bears have such long – lasting appeal with collectors all over the world. Read about the all – time, best – loved bears, from the original ‘teddy’ to Winnie – the – Pooh, with new features on the latest collectibles such as Beanie Bear and the Millennium Bears.  The Teddy Bear Encyclopedia contains a wealth of detail and historical information which bear lovers of all kinds will find irresistible.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)