The sewing machine attachment handbook by Charlene Phillips — Many of us who sew start out with the basic presser foot and can sew happily for quite some time without the need to use any other attachments. But there are a ton of useful attachments that can make particular sewing techniques a breeze, and allow you to expand your repertoire to include effects you might have thought were too complicated. Just flipping through this book, I discovered several attachments I'd never heard of which I know will save me time and effort.

Gifted : lovely little things to knit and crochet by Mags Kandis — As the cold weather comes in, we're all looking for something cozy to keep us warm. These projects, which are knitted, crocheted, and some felted, are ideal gifts because they are all so manageable in size that they won't take very long to make.

Pumpkins, turkeys and leaves abound, as there are so many fun crafts to offer kids and parents this time of year. Trim your Thanksgiving table with some special additions, or learn how to make a delicious turkey treat to gobble up. There are plenty of ideas out there to inspire your creativity and fun!

Simply sublime gifts : high-style, low-sew projects to make in a snap by Jodi Kahn ; photography by Scott Jones ; illustrations by Kate Francis — We all love the idea of a handmade gift, but often it's difficult to make the time to create something from scratch. No worries! Here you'll find nearly 30 gifts that you can make from materials as easily at hand as dishtowels, shammy cloths, and empty cardboard containers like cereal boxes. Some of the patterns are even available online.

The complete photo guide to knitting by Margaret Hubert — This guide is a perfect choice for someone just learning to knit, but is also a handy reference for more experienced knitters. The photographs are extremely clear, making it easy to connect the instructions with the look of the technique being demonstrated. There are also a handful of fun patterns appropriate for beginner to intermediate knitters.

Drop in and join other handcrafters for an evening of sharing and learning. All ages and stages are welcome.
Monday, November 8^th at 7:00PM
Monday, December 13^th at 7:00PM

Drop in and join other quilters to share ideas, skills, patterns and scraps. All skill levels are welcome at 7:00PM on November 3 and the first Wednesday of each month.
Next date will be December 1st. Registration not required.

Little green dresses: 50 original patterns for repurposed dresses, tops, skirts, and more by Tina Sparkles; photographer, Erica Beckman — Looking for a way to refresh your wardrobe without spending big bucks? Here you'll find lots of ideas for revamping existing clothing in your closet or from a thrift store, places to find inexpensive fabric, and sewing instructions for all levels. These patterns are printed so that you can photocopy onto larger paper and sew from there. Check out this Q&A with author Tina Sparkles at Craftzine.com.

The felted bag book : 21 simple projects for every occasion by Susie Johns

Are you in the market for a sturdy bag that you can make yourself? You may find just the thing in this book of over twenty felted projects. They range from clutches to purses to totes and use a variety of techniques: knitting, crochet, wet felting, and reusing existing materials. Crafters with some experience will have a head start, but there are also projects here for beginners.

Eco books : inventive projects from the recycling bin by Terry Taylor

Handmade books sound neat, but how easy is it to actually make one? Turns out, pretty easy! You can take materials you have around the house and make them into books in a variety of styles. This book shows how to make forty different types of books ranging from easy (complete in an afternoon or less) to more advanced styles that might take a little longer. You can also reuse a ton of different materials for the covers, including egg cartons, cardboard, fabric, an old mouse pad, cereal boxes, and lots of others.

Quilting group meets on the first Wednesday night of each month from 7:00-8:45PM in the Community Room. Bring your quilts to show and ideas to share with the other quilters. The library has a large collection of books on quilting. Browse through our collection and enjoy your evening.

Sew retro : 25 vintage-inspired projects for the modern girl & a stylish history of the sewing revolution by Judi Ketteler
This book is a treasure trove for the home sewer. It offers quick glimpses into the history of home sewing and includes easy projects inspired by vintage pieces. The vintage color photographs and illustrations are enough to make this a fun book to flip through, but the projects are also great for hobby seamstresses at any level.

Recently my sister gave me a section of crazy quilt that our great-grandmother had made. This inspired me to find out about how it was made. I found a book… The Magic of Crazy Quilting by Marsha Michler. It turn out to be a great resource. It covered the construction of the quilt as well as some history.

If you are interested in quilting join the Quilting Group on October 6 in the Community Room at the Library.

Hattitude : knits for every mood by Cathy Carron

Want to make a hat? Got little to no knitting experience, or maybe just some easy patterns that you can whip through? This book has got you covered with forty different designs using a wide variety of yarns. From a cloche to a stocking cap to a fedora, if you can name a hat, it's probably in here. My favorite is the Aloof (which is also available free online). What's yours?

Starting October 1, 2010 Museum Adventure Pass kicks off with nine new participants. Added to the program are:

• Michigan Youth Theater
• Holocaust Memorial Center
• The Art Experience
• Detroit Children's Museum
• Huron Lightship
• Carnegie Center, Port Huron Main Museum
• Thomas Edison Depot Museum
• US Coast Guard Cutter Bramble
• Monroe County Historical Museum

The following organizations will no longer be participating:

• Cranbrook House and Gardens
• Ford Rouge Factory Tour
• Henry Ford Estate, Fairlane
• Paint Creek Center for the Arts

Simple sewing: the complete illustrated machine-side reference of tips and techniques by Beth Baumgartel
Have you ever needed to mend a ripped seam, or wanted to make your own simple curtains, but weren't sure where to start? These and many, many other projects are detailed here, along with basic guides to sewing machines, working with patterns, and a guide to fabrics. This is an ideal book to have at hand when sewing at home.

100 afghans to knit & crochet by Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss

100 afghans is a lot of blankets! But you'll be glad for the selection when you look through this book, because you can choose just the right design to suit your taste. There are more crochet patterns than knit, but the variety is still quite impressive. You can also find one of each available free online: Americana (crochet) and Rainbow Rib (knit).

The sewing answer book by Barbara Weiland Talbert
This handy little book has answers to hundreds of the most common questions home sewers find themselves asking. If you've got a problem working with plaids, need help adjusting a pattern to fit your personal size, or wonder what maintenance your machine might need, this book has the answer.

Button it up: 80 amazing vintage button projects for necklaces, bracelets, embellishments, housewares, & more by Susan Beal
Buttons are ubiquitous, but how many of us think to use them for more than just functional purposes? This book outlines dozens of colorful projects for all kinds of buttons. You can also check out the Button It Up! blog, which has further instructions and ideas.

Art cloth : a guide to surface design for fabric by Jane Dunnewold
This book contains detailed how-to instructions for embellishing your own one-of-a-kind fabrics. From dyes to paints, stamps to stencils, screenprinting to resists, there are a myriad of techniques here with which you can make your fabric unique and beautiful.