Make It Yourself

Cozy spaces and productive activities are natural companions for crisp fall days. The drop in temperatures chases us indoors to find inspiration in favorite crafts and to explore unfamiliar ones. For this issue we curated treasured projects plus new ones to kick-start your imagination and your crafting. Whether you want to spruce up your home with trendy yet timeless shibori-style fabrics (page 12) or prepare for the holidays with handmade gifts (page 62), easy, inspiring, and beautiful projects are waiting for your personal touch. Add pattern and color to your fall decor (page 22), or throw fresh style into your rooms with pillows (page 30). There also are plenty of ideas to get you in the holiday mood. Check out our space-saving Christmas trees (page 82) and luscious food gifts (page 72). Don’t…

1. CREATIVE SPRINT This interactive workbook has six 30-day challenges to jump-start your creativity— the more you practice, the stronger your creative “muscles” will become. The themed sprints are filled with daily prompts, inspiring quotes, and recaps for reflection. $17.99; Voyageur Press; quartoknows.com 2. STITCHED SEWING ORGANIZERS Sort your sewing supplies—or create cute cases, boxes, and pouches as gifts. Along with 15 projects, ranging from a petite needle case to a fullsize tote, the book includes suggestions for tools, materials, and supplies. A techniques section helps with the basics. $26.95; Stash Books; ctpub.com 3. THE GRANNY SQUARE BOOK Go retro cool with this most familiar crochet design. The book interprets 100 granny square patterns in fresh ways, including modern twists, delicate flowers, and unexpected shapes; 25 projects bring the squares to life. $24.99; Creative Publishing…

1. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BANNER Stitch a cross-stitch banner on a laser-cut board from Cotton Clara. You can choose from among several sayings and floss colors. The kit includes the lasercut board, floss, needle, and instructions. Personalize a gift with a custom cut. $14–$60;cottonclara.etsy.com 2. WOOL BALL GARLAND String a merry, modern garland with wool felt balls. The Winter Mint palette features 1- to 3-cm poms in Peppercorn, Red, Meadow, Crimson, Seafoam, Blush, and White. Benzie Design has palettes for every season and style. $7.50–$23 for 50 poms;benziedesign.com 3. CALLIGRAPHY KIT Express newfound creativity as a calligrapher, weaver, knitter, jewelry maker, or crafter with one of the 15 easy crafting kits from Brit + Co. The DIY Calligraphy Kit includes instructions and materials for 15 cards— no experience required. $20–$25;target.com 4. EMBROIDERY PINS Attract attention—and needles—with this…

Shapely Accents Pull a geometry lesson out of clay. Color-coordinated beads in not-quiteperfect shapes outfit your favorite bags with extra pizzazz. Attach your own custom-designed zipper pulls to a tote, clutch, backpack, or carry-on bag. You’ll always recognize your bag, and everyone will recognize your creativity. “Clay is such a perfect medium for crafting! The freedom it allows to create different colors and shapes makes for endless possibilities. I love how these sculptural beads turned out and how modern and fun they look hanging on a bag!” CHELSEA FOY LOVELY INDEED lovelyindeed.com MAKE IT Designed by Chelsea Foy YOU WILL NEED • Oven-bake clay, such as Sculpey III: assorted colors • Crafts knife • Clay carving tools • Small key rings • Thin suede cord 1 Plan your colors. Knead together two colors, such as dusty rose and orange, for a…

To the Point Create one-of-a-kind designs on fabric. The indigo dye for this project uses oxidation to turn the fabric blue. Folding, tying, and inserting objects between layers of fabric in the shibori style results in striking resist patterns—different every time. Mount the dyed fabric on a stretched canvas for eye-catching artwork. Instructions are on page 20. Designed by Cathy Kramer YOU WILL NEED • Basic dyeing supplies (see page 14) • Large square of natural-fiber fabric • Rubber bands • Artists canvas • Staple gun 1 Prepare dye in a lidded plastic container. Let mixture set according to manufacturer’s instructions. 2 Fold one side of the fabric over one-third. Fold adjacent side over one-third to create a square. Beginning at double-folded corner (not the side), make about 2"-wide accordion folds to the center. 3 Bring opposite corner into center. Continue…

Wall of Thanks Gather an abundance of blessings with this handy reminder. Make an acorn-inspired corkboard using punched cardstock circles for the cap. Throughout the season or at a Thanksgiving gathering, ask friends, family, and guests to add notes of thankfulness. Bonus: Kids will love the chance to broadcast their thoughts on the board. Instructions are on page 27. Designed by Lisa Storms YOU WILL NEED • 20×30" foam-core board • Crafts knife • Poster board • Cardstock: brown • 24×48" cork roll • Heavy books • 3½"-diameter circle punch • Crafts glue • Double-stick tape 1 Download and print the patterns at MakeItYourselfMagazine.com/FallWinter2017. Cut out the patterns. Trace the nut pattern onto foam-core board, and cut it out using a crafts knife. Trace the cap pattern onto poster board; cut out. Trace the stem pattern onto brown cardstock; cut out. 2 Unroll the…