Crafts & Collectables

This comprehensive introduction to weaving by the internationally acknowledged expert Anne Field covers the composite parts of the loom, shows how to thread or warp it and explains basic weaving techniques. The 11 projects featured, including a table runner, cushion cover, wall hanging, scarf and jacket, all teach a different practical skill, from how to create stripes and twill to how to make a reversible cloth, and a helpful appendix covers yarns and draft writing.

When making or designing your own clothes, sewing patterns are a useful starting point, but often need to be altered to achieve a good fit. Lee Hollahan, a fashion and textiles expert, explains how to use and adapt patterns, from choosing the right size and understanding the markings to translating flat shapes and pattern blocks into wearable garments.

When it first appeared in Old English, 'cræft' signified a sense of knowledge, wisdom and resourcefulness. Using our collective nostalgia for authentic objects produced by human hands as a starting point, the archaeologist and broadcaster Alexander Langlands interweaves historical research, scientific analysis and personal anecdotes. He attempts to recover the lost meaning of the word, stressing the importance of passing on traditions from one generation to the next.

Covering subjects including tools and equipment, architectural carving, moulding and lettering, this compilation of articles from Woodcarving magazine by Master Woodcrafter Chris Pye also includes a selection of step-by-step practical projects, clearly illustrated with photographs. Off-mint.

Matt Hayes is one of Britain's best-known anglers, through appearances on the Discovery Channel and contributions to the Angling Times. His photographs of the sport, and the fish, have been used in many publications and, in this guide, he describes his methods for creating compelling angling images, from taking a good 'trophy shot' on the river bank to creating atmosphere and drama in a variety of locations, and photographing fish underwater.

A specialist in producing large-format and panoramic views of the British Isles, Peter Watson explains the secrets behind over 90 of his photographs. The practical advice on equipment, light, locations, composition and technique is suitable for all levels of ability.

Each of the 40 intricate dot-to-dot puzzles in this nature-themed compilation will take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete and offer a pleasant diversion from the stresses of everyday life. Subjects include a leopard, a great white shark, a hummingbird and a sloth.

This encouraging guide includes many tips for budding artists, such as how to look properly, simplify what you see but include key features, get the basic shapes correct, and understand how shading can transform your drawing. There are sections on depicting landscapes, animals, people and cartoons, and each is accompanied by step-by-step illustrations showing how to build up your drawings and create texture, while assignments enable you to measure your progress.

Mark Linley reveals secrets of his craft and provides tips and assignments as he guides readers to produce drawings that really are funny. From doodling to focusing on facial features, he explains how to caricature friends and famous people. First published in 1999.

Sussex Pottery thrived during the late 18th and early 20th centuries. Small potteries produced ‘brownware’ in the form of flagons, bowls, candlesticks and chamber pots, each piece performing a specific function. With black-and-white photographs, this book, published in 1980, describes the pottery, its makers and the variations in style from one Sussex village pottery to the next. May smell slightly musty due to long storage.

An essential guide for collectors of oak furniture, this new edition (first published in 1979) incorporates additional colour photographs and improved quality black-and-white originals. The text remains the same, featuring a short background history, practical contexts and detailed consideration of the changing language used to describe furniture, and style, from a 13th-century chest to a late-19th-century armchair. A pictorial index including all items illustrated in the main text assists readers with dating and identification of pieces.

The concept of this knitting resource book is that all the designs are made up from blocks that are mixed, matched and combined into garments and accessories. The blocks range from simple knits to creative colour work, appliqué, embroidery and cord patterns, and detailed instructions and charts are provided for all 150 block templates and 13 creative projects. Felt-tip mark on lower trimmed edge.

With the world’s best reaching the solution in about 20 seconds, this guide aims to train Rubik's cube solvers to approach such times and also includes tips for solving the 4x4 and 5x5 versions of the puzzle.

Wendy Jelbert and Ian Sidaway, both experienced artists and instructors, present an accessible introduction to painting in watercolour, with over 25 practical projects as well as a guide to basic materials and techniques. Both sections feature step-by-step photographs illustrating technique and showing the authors’ own works in progress. The projects are designed to use and practise different watercolour skills and are arranged in sections on painting skies, water, trees, flowers, still lifes, buildings and people.

This illustrated guide to Spanish fans offers a comprehensive overview of their origin, development and use, from the gem-encrusted status symbols of the wealthy to the mass-produced, disposable paper trifles used to advertise goods and services. The various religious and cultural influences that inspired their design are considered, along with the range of materials used to construct them and the artists who decorated them.

Infantry and cavalry troops of the early 18th-century British, French, Dutch, Prussian and Bavarian armies feature in this volume, as well as regimental flags, artillery and officer figures.

The heavy card pages of this volume contain printed models of a range of buildings, from a Northern European church to a Spanish farmhouse, appropriate for both the War of Spanish Succession and the Peninsular War. Slightly off-mint.

Modelling English, Scottish and Welsh soldiers of the 14th century, the templates in this book also include a castle, siege engines, camp tents and instructions for wargaming medieval battles. Slightly off-mint.

Supported by hundreds of colour photographs, the detailed instructions in this manual analyse every component of a mountain bike and advise on maintenance and repair. There are also tips on choosing components, setting up the correct riding position and basic riding technique.

Named after the great Italian Renaissance ceramicist, the Della Robbia Pottery was founded by Harold Rathbone, the son of a Liverpool businessman. Embodying the principles of the Pre-Raphaelites and the Arts and Crafts Movement, it produced uniquely beautiful tiles, vases and other wares for more than a decade. This lavishly illustrated book charts its history, explains its working methods, and includes a catalogue of its products, an A-Z of the pottery's artists, and a guide to its marks.

This comprehensive and practical guide introduces routers and routing techniques, from simple hand-held trimming and edging work to making joints and using jigs and templates. A number of projects, including skirting boards and a chest of drawers, are also provided.

Aimed at the amateur enthusiast or model engineer, this overview of the properties of commonly used metals includes advice on material selection, a review of the micro-structures and performance of metals and case studies on steam locomotive boilers, model aero engines and two-stroke motorcycle engines.

This introduction to traditional and modern upholstery methods guides the practitioner, whether beginner or professional, through the whole process, from choosing the correct tools to web, fill and stitching, using step-by-step illustrations and detailed explanations at each stage. Advice on making and cutting out patterns, stripping down chairs and repairing frames is given in preparation for the job of re-upholstery, and photographs show each finished project.

From simple items that can be completed in a few hours to more intricate and ambitious creations, the projects in this workbook include purses, bags, place mats, hangings, cushions and quilts. Using simple patchwork, appliqué and quilting techniques and a variety of fabrics, the designs include step-by-step instructions, templates and piecing diagrams.