Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book

by Ziggy Hanaor (Editor)

Making Stuff is an eclectic craft book for the new millennium. It is a testament to a trend that is only going to get bigger. Whether you are a seasoned crafter looking for new ideas or a novice who still doesn’t know how to cast on, this book is for you.

The twenty-first century has seen an explosion in all kinds of crafting. The rise and rise of knitting as a cool pastime has led to circles and clubs springing up everywhere from New York to Notting Hill and alternative craft fairs are fast becoming a weekend institution as ever more people are reclaiming these age old hobbies and asserting their individuality through ‘making stuff’.

Utilising both traditional craft materials and thrifty finds Making Stuff gathers together over 50 projects from established members of the craft scene that will undoubtedly inspire you to get your craft on. A section at the beginning lays out the basic skills you need to make something out of nothing: knitting, sewing, crochet, felting and appliqué. The book simultaneously rejects and embraces these traditionally old-fashioned activities, whilst the skills remain the same the results have a modern edge: an eclectic mix of the useful, the hip, the beautiful and the downright weird.

Projects include:

Knit an i-Pod cover
Fashion a purse from your old school-ties
Stitch one piece of fabric into a stylish smock-dress
Turn an old jumper into a cuddly toy
Make a notebook out of record covers
Fold beautiful origami fairy-lights
Knit unwanted t-shirts into a bathmat or weave a placemat

As well as a plethora of ingenious ways to customise your clothes, make your own jewellery, decorate your home, recycle your old possessions and fashion baby clothes and toys for the children in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, How To

140 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2006

Reviews

[Rachel B]

Unicorn embroidery pattern? Check.

I wish they would included more projects and less directions on how to knit and how to crochet. There are some nifty ideas here, and several excellent icons of craft contributed projects. Still, I was left wanting more.

[Note for me: I'm not counting this toward my 100--that would be a cheat.]

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing craft book. Its introduction does an excellent job discussing the rise of crafting in alternative/punk/Riot Grrl circles, including a brief & (somewhat) balanced discussion of the feminist implications of crafting. It has a great list of organizations and other resources. There's even clear instructions on the basics skills for underpinning all the projects (it's a bit like Stoller's _Stitch 'n Bitch_, only it covers much more than knitting.)

The actual projects are plentiful. There are only a few I would actually do, but this is because it covers knitting, sewing, jewelry making and more. There probably is something here for everyone.

As in _Alabama Studio Style_, there is an emphasis on up-cycling (i.e. the thing that was normal when your grandmother did it but is magically hip when you do it). These were probably my favorite patterns in the book. I thought the pattern for re-making old sheets into grocery bags was a winner (and if you are on Ravelry, it's a free download) as was the tee-shirt into bath mat and rags into place mats.

This is a library rental that will likely lead to a retail purchase.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book mostly for one project, which I'd sworn I'd never buy a crafting/project book for just one project and which I haven't yet started... but it was so nifty an idea I couldn't resist. It's a roller blind with a music box mechanism attached to the up-and-down of your shade. There are a few other projects that look inspiring. I do regret having spent 26 bucks on it though and have recommitted myself to the pledge of not buying crafting/projecting books for just one neat idea.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an english take on the indie crafts movement. Full of more fun craft ideas with cheeky discriptions. Made all the more entertaining by the fact that a twelve page signature was inserted into the book upside down, so when you get to page 60, you have to turn the book upside down until you get to page 73, when you turn it right side too again. How very handmade. I think I like it that way.

[Mortalform · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like a new craft book and this one is especially good because it covers many, many different areas. Kind of an invitational manifesto about how craft has only the limits you set on it and can be applied with more diversity than the uninitiated (those who think crafting is kind of lame). Best highlights: the Lullablind (make your curtains musical), origami flower fairy lights and trumpeting tiara complete with rearing elephants.

[Cherie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book for a long time and had it on hold at the library forever. It came and it's a bunch of crafts…I guess I thought it would be more practical, or something…it just wasn't what I wanted, though I liked the wing instructions.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh.