Jeanette Appleton DVD by Graham Eccles and Val Burnett available from Odyssey Videos, price 20.00 from www.odysseyartvideos.com

Here is a chance to see textile artist, Jeanette Appleton in action. Jeanette shows techniques for making felt and this DVD is useful for the hobbyist and student as well as designer/maker. Over ten minutes are taken up watching Jeanette produce needle felt on an industrial machine in a college department – few will have the means to produce felt in this way. This is such a shame as once seen, you’ll want to give it a try. I like the way Jeanette works in layers. She then goes on to needle punching and the most instructive section of all is the wet felting. There is also insight into Jeanette’s way of thinking and working. We see how she translates the landscape around her into textiles. We also see glimpses of her sketchbooks. All in all this is an interesting DVD, Jeanette’s work is amazing.

Gifted by Mags Kandis, softback published by Interweave. ISBN 978-1-59668-178-1, price 17.99 available in the UK from www.searchpress.com

These small gifts are quick and easy to make and are a good way to practise your knitting and crochet skills before moving on to bigger projects. Everyone loves a hand made gift. I love the arm warmers – so cool. Leg warmers have been around for years but it took Mags Kandis to bring these arm warmers to light. I don’t know about you but my hands, wrists and arms do get cold, so I am thinking of knitting these. Also love the coasters – not seen those elsewhere either. I love the little egg cosies and the needle case is a must. Along with the hearts on the front cover, these are all felted projects. Everything has a simple yet very effective contemporary style. All in all I think I would make most of the things in this book and I think they will appeal as gifts for the mid twenties to thirties or even teenagers. Great styling and photography and clear instructions.

Felt Fashion by Jenne Giles, softback published by Quarry Books. ISBN 978-1-59253-608-5, price 24.99 USD, 16.99 in the UK, available from www.quarrybooks.com

I have mixed feelings about this book. Let’s look at the good points first. It’s colourful, there are some good ideas here. There is a good introduction to fibres and equipment. The general felting instructions are excellent. I am not keen on all the upcycling section, I don’t think the ideas are that great but the passementerie could be put to good use. The garments section is interesting, some of the shapes I do not like. It would be a case of making a pattern yourself and using the techniques as you wish. The kimonos and jackets look bulky under the arms. The accessories section is probably the best. All in all this is worth buying.

Wool Pets by Laurie Sharp, softback published by Creative Publishing International in the USA. ISBN 978-1-58923-525-0, price 15.99 USD and 10.99 in the UK available from creativepub.com

This paperback edition has all you need to know about felting animals from frogs to pigs and includes a mermaid too. Learn how to sculpt felt creatures. Step by step instructions with photographs.

The Felted Bag Book by Susie Johns, hardback published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84773-456-3, price 14.99 from www.newhollandpublishers.com

There are so many felted bag books. This book provides easy to follow instructions that are suitable for beginners with a variety of styles to choose from. Good shapes and styles include totes and handbags and a round bag. Very simple designs and techniques mean that this book is only suitable for the beginner and I would not recommend it for experienced felters. Templates included.

How We Felt, Designs and techniques From Contemporary Felt Artists by Carol Huber Cypher, softback published by Interweave. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-1-59668-031-9, price 17.99 from www.searchpress.com

There are some wonderful projects and ideas in this book. It would have been better if the instructions incorporated more how-to photos. I love the boots and slippers, the bags and the African trade beads in the gallery are superb. The book includes some exciting techniques. However, like most, I am still wondering, having read the instructions, how to make these things.

Felt Inlays by Nancy Hoerner, softback published by Creative Publishing in the USA. ISBN 978-1-58923-362-1, price 19.95 US dollars, 12.99 GBP from www.creativepub.com

I found the easily achievable projects in this book inspiring. They make you want to start as a beginner and continue making felt and discover other techniques. The book uses wet felting and is easy to do at home. Clear instructions, great colour photography.

Felting fashion by Lizzie Houghton, hardback published byBatsford/Anova. ISBN 978-1-906388-14-0, price 18.99 from www.anovabooks.com

This is a wonderful book full of inspiration and practical instructions for felt makers. Discover how to make your own clothes from felt. The designs in this book are a cut above what you usually see. There are detailed patterns and templates to enable you to make a variety of projects including hats, tops, jackets and full-length coats. This book has a number one priority on my bookshelf. 128 pages of superb photography showcasing original work. Highly recommended.

Embellish and Stitch by Valerie Campbell-Harding and Maggie Grey, softback published by d4daisy. ISBN 978-0-9555371-03, price 14.00 from www.d4daisy.com

The embellishing machine was the prerogative of felters, but now these two innovative authors expose its virtues in the world of creative stitching. Both authors are renowned for their work and you will learn far more from one of their books (see other reviews on Maggie Grey books) than many other authors.

All d4daisy books are top quality and Michael Wicks’ photographs bring the textiles to life. These books are produced on heavyweight paper and are lavish. A comprehensive getting started chapter leads into creative stitching with textured surfaces. Techniques are explored by hand and machine. Learn how to apply different fabrics for texture, how to create pattern and how to add stitches. Discover the art of distortion, felting and couching. Find out how to tuck, gather and weave. Finally there are useful notes on taking the ideas further. 

The examples of work are superb and as such provide so much inspiration, but this is a practical book too, that will teach you how to achieve stunning effects with an embellishing machine or hand tools. Highly recommended.

Bags That Rock by Kelley Deal, softback published by Apple Press. ISBN 978-1-84543-319-2, price 9.99 from www.apple-press.com

Kelley Deal is perhaps better known as lead guitarist in The Breeders, but she also has an obsession with knitting. Subtitled Knitting on the Road, this book features 20 knitted bags with a difference. Each project has suggestions for altering the pattern in some alternative way.

Funky, trendy – these bags do rock. Produced for the younger market, these stylish bags will revamp your style. Some projects are fast, others are felted, all have interesting features and unusual handles. Techniques include using double-pointed needles. There is a useful how-to section at the front of the book. This book is suitable for all skill levels.