Tag: crafts

classic quilted vests

Fashionable Quilted Vests

Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 11 comments

Classic Quilted Vests
Fons and Porter
1982

I am a fan of quilting and although I lack real skills, I can appreciate the skills and would love to make a quilt with any of these patterns. However, I just don’t want to WEAR a blanket as a fashion statement. In terms a fashion, these quilts are just a step above the sweatshirt makeovers we have featured all the time on this site. In fact, how about the combo of sweatshirts AND and quilting?

I am impressed with the skills. I just wish they had used their quilting skills for good rather than evil.

Mary

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CosmoGirl Make It Yourself

Cosmo Girl DIY

Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 7 comments

CosmoGirl! Make it Yourself: 50 Fun and Funky Projects
2007

Submitter: Found in a public library, this book is catalogued as a children’s item. This gem was found by a customer who was looking for craft projects her 11 year old could do. 

While most of it was pretty innocent (make your own chain belt, DIY hair clips!) this idea [“Boys-of-the-week panties,” image below] just seemed so wrong. The first step really sets you up for an uncomfortable crafting experience – “pick seven guys names.” But there are so many questions that follow. Who decided this was a good project for a kid’s book? Why did they have to pick black panties? And why do you need a silk scarf? Given the book is from 2007 we decided it was time to weed this copy and put an end to any panties crafting.

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Book of Decorations cover

Holiday Crafting Special!

Holiday Collection 3 comments

It’s not too late to break out the holiday books as we close in on the end of the year. If you are celebrating Christmas, there is still time to make some personalized gifts. Your family will appreciate the thoughtfulness!

Kicking off our collection, is Magic with Tin Cans. You can make a holiday tree, ornaments, and even a can chair! Just be careful to avoid cutting yourself on the can edges.

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crafts jamboree

Comprehensive Crafting

Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 15 comments

Crafts Jamboree
Macrame, Knitting, Quilting, Rugmaking, Dyeing, Needlepoint, Patchwork, Crochet, Jewelry, Leather, Clay, Stained Glass, Collage, Enameling, Kites, Candlemaking
Deutch
1977

I think this book had every single craft medium known to mankind. To be honest, reading the table of contents is kind of exhausting. I guess a craft jamboree is like crafts turned up to 11.

I think we can all agree that perhaps this book has been around long enough. One look at some of the fashion choices will tell you all you need to know.

I think the bigger question is if a giant book of a variety of crafts works for the crafting patron. For the most part, my experience is that people are looking for a book on a specific craft. If you want to learn quilting or knitting, most people would gravitate toward an entire book on quilting or knitting. Even some of the contemporary compilations don’t try to go too deep on the more skilled crafts. The multi craft books will try and stay within a theme or some kind of parameter.

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crafts for the elderly

Crafting for the Senior Set

Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 7 comments

Crafts for the Elderly
Gould and Gould
1971

This book is probably the worst book ever for learning a craft. I understand that this was written for eldercare staff on creating some recreational projects. However, there are practically no pictures, the print is small, and the projects are kind of dumb.

I can appreciate the idea of crafting or any kind of programming for folks that have limited mobility issues, but this book is not necessarily the answer.

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