Books
Books
We carry a wide variety of sewing reference books to help you with projects that require indoor and outdoor fabrics. Whether you are just looking for new creative ideas, insight on light weight backpacking, directions on making custom boat tops or just trying to get familiar with your new serger, browse our book selection and find a book that will make the job easier for you. Here's what we currently stock:
Hiking Books
Hiking Light Handbook: Carry Less, Enjoy More (Backpacker Magazine)
About the Author: Karen Berger has logged more than 20,000 miles on her hiking boots. Answering real questions from real hikers, she has served as a contributing editor for Backpacker magazine and GORP.com. She is the author of More Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers; Everyday Wisdom; and Hiking the Triple Crown, among other titles.
Book Description: New entry in the Backpacker magazine series: Practical, reasonable strategies for everyone who'd like to lighten their load on the trail.
Berger helps you strike a balance between comfort on the trail versus comfort in camp. Always, the emphasis is on hiking wisely--and safely.
The Ultralight Backpacker
Written by Ryel Kestenbaum, this book is developed primarily for long-distance treks, the ultralight method is considered by many traditional backpackers as too austere. Thanks to recent improvements in equipment design, ultralight backpacking now offers a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional backpacking methods. This book dispels the myths surrounding this rapidly growing trend. Get acquainted with the ultralight philosophy and how backpackers can once and for all do away with heavy packs and move quickly and comfortably on the trail, whether on a day trip or a season long trek.
The Backpackers Handbook
Written by Chris Townsend, this book is a top-selling recipient of the "outdoor writers guild award for excellence". The Backpackers Handbook owes its success to its enormous practicality for backpackers of all skill levels, covering everything from essential techniques for every backpacking trip--such as map and compass work- to the skills needed for more remote wilderness journeys--such as how to ford rivers safely and how to choose a route through untracked terrain.
Boating/Canvas Books
The Big Book of Boat Canvas
Written by Karen S. Lips, this 242 page book has 36 projects to fuel the imagination of both powerboat and sailboat owners. Projects include hatch covers, dodgers, dinghy covers and much more! This book is loaded with excellent drawings and instructions to help add style, comfort and utility to your boat.
The Complete Canvasworker's Guide
Written by Jim Grant, this 171 page book has great information for both sailboat and powerboat owners who want to construct sail covers, boat covers, weather cloths and more. This book gives detailed instructions that are clear and easy to follow with 180 illustrations. A perfect gift to you or someone else!
Canvaswork & Sail Repair
Written by Don Casey this 9.5” x 7.5”, 140 page hard back book has all you need to tackle virtually any canvaswork project: sails and sail covers, flags, dodgers, ditty bags, cushion covers and awnings—including Biminis. The skills required for top notch canvaswork are astonishingly few and canvas’s potential to protect your boat and enhance your enjoyment of it is practically limitless. You will save a bunch of money and get exactly what you want in the process.
Sailmaker's Apprentice
Learn how to design, make, repair, improve, and maintain sails
Written by Emiliano Marino, if you want to produce sturdy sails for daysailing and cruising, built of low-tech materials you can repair with a few simple tools, The Sailmaker's Apprentice can show you how. Emphasizing the handwork that distinguishes the highest-quality, most durable sails, sail pro Emiliano Marino tells you how to select a rig, introduces you to sail shape and theory, and then shows you -- step by step, with the help of over 700 detailed illustrations -- how to sew patches, hand sew rings, fix tears or frayed edges, and stitch seams, not to mention how to make your own sails, canvas sailcovers, and sailbags from scratch.
A visual feast for the sailor as well as an indispensable guide for the mariner comprehensive apprenticeship, this hands-on reference is an illustrated tour of the world's rig and sail types, contemporary and historical.
Building The Greenland Kayak
Written by Christopher Cunningham, this step-by-step guide to building a lashed-frame, fabric covered sea kayak is both a means to a sleek, fast, universally admired boat and an excellent introduction to woodworking and boatbuilding for hobbyists. The Inuit design scales up or down to fit the paddler and can be built using $150 worth of hardware-store materials, a few basic tools, and a minimal investment of time. Also included: plans for a low-volume version designed for Eskimo rolling; an especially stable version for children; and discussions of kayaking equipment, paddling, and rolling techniques.
Windsocks, Banners and Kite Books
Let's Make Windsocks
Written by Valerie J. Lund, 69 pages full of 24 windsock designs, complete with patterns and instructions.
Let's Make Seasonal Windsocks
This 66 page book by Valerie Lund has 24 seasonal windsock designs with patterns and instructions. Combining several sewing techniques, Valerie had made something for any season---Seasonal Windsocks!
Let's Make Banners
Written by Valerie J. Lund this book has 8 full patterns with a 9-page instruction book. Make the banners you see hanging on houses and businesses for a fraction of the cost of buying them! Start with the next season and by the time you've made all 8 banners, you will have the whole year covered!
Kites For Everyone
Written by Margaret Greger this 8.5” x 11”, 136 page book is a running start for beginning kite makers, with thanks to generous kite designers. Loaded with detailed instructions and helpful illustrations.
More Kites For Everyone
Written by Margaret Greger this 8.5” x 11”, 59 page book is an addition to Kites For Everyone that helps beginning kite makers build on what they have already learned. Loaded with detailed instructions and helpful illustrations.
We carry a wide variety of sewing reference books to help you with projects that require indoor and outdoor fabrics. Whether you are just looking for new creative ideas, insight on light weight backpacking, directions on making custom boat tops or just trying to get familiar with your new serger, browse our book selection and find a book that will make the job easier for you. Here's what we currently stock:
Hiking Books
Hiking Light Handbook: Carry Less, Enjoy More (Backpacker Magazine)
About the Author: Karen Berger has logged more than 20,000 miles on her hiking boots. Answering real questions from real hikers, she has served as a contributing editor for Backpacker magazine and GORP.com. She is the author of More Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers; Everyday Wisdom; and Hiking the Triple Crown, among other titles.
Book Description: New entry in the Backpacker magazine series: Practical, reasonable strategies for everyone who'd like to lighten their load on the trail.
- Written by a former contributing editor for Backpacker Magazine
- How to pick and choose light hiking strategies to fit your needs and hiking style
- Light hiking is one of the biggest trends in backpacking today
Berger helps you strike a balance between comfort on the trail versus comfort in camp. Always, the emphasis is on hiking wisely--and safely.
The Ultralight Backpacker
Written by Ryel Kestenbaum, this book is developed primarily for long-distance treks, the ultralight method is considered by many traditional backpackers as too austere. Thanks to recent improvements in equipment design, ultralight backpacking now offers a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional backpacking methods. This book dispels the myths surrounding this rapidly growing trend. Get acquainted with the ultralight philosophy and how backpackers can once and for all do away with heavy packs and move quickly and comfortably on the trail, whether on a day trip or a season long trek.
The Backpackers Handbook
Written by Chris Townsend, this book is a top-selling recipient of the "outdoor writers guild award for excellence". The Backpackers Handbook owes its success to its enormous practicality for backpackers of all skill levels, covering everything from essential techniques for every backpacking trip--such as map and compass work- to the skills needed for more remote wilderness journeys--such as how to ford rivers safely and how to choose a route through untracked terrain.
Boating/Canvas Books
The Big Book of Boat Canvas
Written by Karen S. Lips, this 242 page book has 36 projects to fuel the imagination of both powerboat and sailboat owners. Projects include hatch covers, dodgers, dinghy covers and much more! This book is loaded with excellent drawings and instructions to help add style, comfort and utility to your boat.
The Complete Canvasworker's Guide
Written by Jim Grant, this 171 page book has great information for both sailboat and powerboat owners who want to construct sail covers, boat covers, weather cloths and more. This book gives detailed instructions that are clear and easy to follow with 180 illustrations. A perfect gift to you or someone else!
Canvaswork & Sail Repair
Written by Don Casey this 9.5” x 7.5”, 140 page hard back book has all you need to tackle virtually any canvaswork project: sails and sail covers, flags, dodgers, ditty bags, cushion covers and awnings—including Biminis. The skills required for top notch canvaswork are astonishingly few and canvas’s potential to protect your boat and enhance your enjoyment of it is practically limitless. You will save a bunch of money and get exactly what you want in the process.
Sailmaker's Apprentice
Learn how to design, make, repair, improve, and maintain sails
Written by Emiliano Marino, if you want to produce sturdy sails for daysailing and cruising, built of low-tech materials you can repair with a few simple tools, The Sailmaker's Apprentice can show you how. Emphasizing the handwork that distinguishes the highest-quality, most durable sails, sail pro Emiliano Marino tells you how to select a rig, introduces you to sail shape and theory, and then shows you -- step by step, with the help of over 700 detailed illustrations -- how to sew patches, hand sew rings, fix tears or frayed edges, and stitch seams, not to mention how to make your own sails, canvas sailcovers, and sailbags from scratch.
A visual feast for the sailor as well as an indispensable guide for the mariner comprehensive apprenticeship, this hands-on reference is an illustrated tour of the world's rig and sail types, contemporary and historical.
Building The Greenland Kayak
Written by Christopher Cunningham, this step-by-step guide to building a lashed-frame, fabric covered sea kayak is both a means to a sleek, fast, universally admired boat and an excellent introduction to woodworking and boatbuilding for hobbyists. The Inuit design scales up or down to fit the paddler and can be built using $150 worth of hardware-store materials, a few basic tools, and a minimal investment of time. Also included: plans for a low-volume version designed for Eskimo rolling; an especially stable version for children; and discussions of kayaking equipment, paddling, and rolling techniques.
Windsocks, Banners and Kite Books
Let's Make Windsocks
Written by Valerie J. Lund, 69 pages full of 24 windsock designs, complete with patterns and instructions.
Let's Make Seasonal Windsocks
This 66 page book by Valerie Lund has 24 seasonal windsock designs with patterns and instructions. Combining several sewing techniques, Valerie had made something for any season---Seasonal Windsocks!
Let's Make Banners
Written by Valerie J. Lund this book has 8 full patterns with a 9-page instruction book. Make the banners you see hanging on houses and businesses for a fraction of the cost of buying them! Start with the next season and by the time you've made all 8 banners, you will have the whole year covered!
Kites For Everyone
Written by Margaret Greger this 8.5” x 11”, 136 page book is a running start for beginning kite makers, with thanks to generous kite designers. Loaded with detailed instructions and helpful illustrations.
More Kites For Everyone
Written by Margaret Greger this 8.5” x 11”, 59 page book is an addition to Kites For Everyone that helps beginning kite makers build on what they have already learned. Loaded with detailed instructions and helpful illustrations.