Choly Knight

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Category Archives: Books


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A new book! Wonderful One-Block Quilting!

Wonderful One-Block Quilting: Quick and Easy Techniques for Small Projects to Full-Size Quilts

Wonderful One-Block Quilting: Quick and Easy Techniques for Small Projects to Full-Size Quilts

Hi everyone! Some exciting news 😀 I have a new book that’s released recently! It’s called Wonderful One-Block Quilting and is kind of a spiritual companion to Quilting Simplified. It’s a great book for beginners to quilting, but this one focuses on patchwork projects that can then be transformed into quilts. Just like Quilting Simplified, it covers all the uncommon and underrated techniques that I’ve gathered to make quilting simple for beginners, but gives you 8 projects to test your skills with. Each project prominently features a certain quilt block, which can then be repeated later in the book to make full quilts. There are fabric requirements and cutting instructions for all the major quilt sizes: baby, twin, full, queen, and king. So whether you want to make patchwork gifts or a quilt for yourself you’re in good hands.

Again like Quilting Simplified, the projects follow a modern aesthetic, not only for the fresh and simplistic look, but also because I think it’s a great attitude for beginners. Modern quilting focuses a lot on experimentation and improvisation, which is so welcoming for beginners I think. What I was most proud of while writing this book is that all of the projects work overtime for you. The design for a simple purse can be transformed into a full bed quilt in every size, so it’s like getting 6 patterns for the price of one. And other projects like the Nesting Fabric Boxes show you how to make a set of 3 boxes of different sizes, so there’s even more value there. And of course like many of my other books, like the ones in the Sew Me! series, the sample projects let you learn through experimentation. Whenever possible, I try to show the whys and hows of every technique so if things go wrong you’re more likely to understand how to fix it 😀 And in the future maybe work out your own patterns!

So if you think this book sounds like something for you, I hope you’ll give it a look! There’s a more detailed page that describes more about the projects, or you can check out the purchase details!


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I’ve got a new book! Pixel Craft with Perler Beads!

Pixel Craft with Perler Beads: More than 50 Super Cool Patterns

Pixel Craft with Perler Beads: More than 50 Super Cool Patterns

Hot on the tails of my other short & sweet summer craft books like Awesome Duct Tape Projects and Craft Projects for Minecraft, there’s Pixel Craft with Perler Beads! It’s a one-stop resource of over 50 patterns, 6 fully-photographed step-by-step projects, and over 20 idea gallery projects for Perler beads, Hama, Artkal, Nabbi — or other fun melty beads. The designs range from cute and quirky mustaches, woodland animals, emoticons, and ninjas to more sophisticated geometric patterns. The projects range from super simple jewelry and work their way up to more complex 3D creations. The beginning covers all the basics of fusing perler beads that you need to know, troubleshooting, adhesives, building 3D objects, and using mini beads.

I know I love pixel art because of the way it’s so iconic and simple 😀 Perler beads do a fantastic job of bringing those pixelated elements to life. And with all of the idea gallery projects to pull inspiration from, you can color swap and customize the patterns to make some beautifully unique and functional creations! The best part of all is you really don’t need any crafting experience to get started with perler beads, using them is as easy as following a chart. So if you’re interested, check out the main book page to get a closer look at the projects, or see where to buy!


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My Newest Book! Sew Me! Sew & Go!

Easy-to-make totes, tech covers, and other carry-alls

Easy-to-make totes, tech covers, and other carry-alls

It was a bit of a pause, but finally we have another installment in the Sew Me! series! Sew Me! Sew & Go is the third book in the series. The first two dealt with complete beginner basics and sewing home décor, while this focuses on useful accessories for organizing and travel, such as totes, tech covers, and other cases. Just like the other books in the series, the projects are perfect for beginners, and make everything super simple to tackle with lots of diagrams, illustrations, and photographs. And there’s even special focus on installing zippers, buttonholes, and snaps.

Finding ways to spruce up classic basics was the most fun in writing this book. For instance, the Tablet Case pattern not only offers lots of applique options for decorating your case how you like, but it also works off the measurements of your own tablet, so you’ll know it fits like a glove no matter what version you have. The Reversible Tote Bag is also a great beginner project, but it works double duty because you can flip it inside out on a whim.

Drawstring Ditty Bags, Tablet Cases, & Reversible Tote Bags Photo © Design Originals

Drawstring Ditty Bags, Tablet Cases, & Reversible Tote Bags
Photo © Design Originals

Since it’s specialized, it’s a little shorter at 96 pages and 9 projects, but the price is very affordable. So whether you’re looking to expand your sewing skills or just want a quick and easy way to get a coordinating set of organizers, pouches, and totes, I hope you’ll give my book a closer look! You can see more info on all of the projects on my main book page, or check out where to buy if you’re interested!


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My newest book! Quilting Simplified debuts!

Quilting Simplified: Fresh designs and easy instructions for beginners

Quilting Simplified: Fresh designs and easy instructions for beginners

Though my posts have been a little less frequent as of late, I do have something to show for it! Officially up for sale is my latest book, Quilting Simplified. It’s a great beginners book for those that want to give modern quilting a try but have been too intimidated to do so.

I’ve been quilting for nearly as long as I’ve been sewing, because it’s a great way to use up fabric scraps. When I decided to make my first quilt, I knew there was no way it was going to be as good as the experts, so I always kept my ears and eyes open for techniques that were beginner-friendly and foolproof. I’ve been using them for years to help me get the quilts I wanted without a lot of the headache. So in this book you’ll find all the skills you need to get started quilting, from the tried-and-true basics to underrated tips that shave hours off your sewing time.

Inside are 8 quilt projects with a modern, fresh feel. This type of style I think is great for beginners because mistakes can look purposeful and improvising is encouraged. If you’re more experienced and know exactly what you want, each project also comes with the fabric requirements to make the quilts in every other blanket size, from baby to king.

So if you’re still curious, you can check out more info about the book or see purchase details if you think it might be something for you 😀


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A new book! Awesome Duct Tape Projects!

Awesome Duct Tape Projects: More Than 50 Projects Including Washi, Masking, & FrogTape

Awesome Duct Tape Projects: More Than 50 Projects Including Washi, Masking, & FrogTape

I have another result of my semi-hiatus for the first part of the year! While I was gone I was also working on this fun book on duct tape 😀 It’s been up for sale for a little while, but it’s officially released on Amazon now, complete with the “Look Inside” feature so you can take a peek at the projects to see if it’s for you.

It’s no surprise that duct tape is a really popular medium right now, and this book has a huge selection of projects. There are lots of classics with a twist as well as some new ideas you might not have seen before. All of these are spread between 20 step by step projects and a huge idea gallery that’s sure to have something you’ll love. In the getting started section it goes over basic skills that will be helpful for whatever project you come up with, as well as some decorating ideas that you can apply to whatever sticks. If you’re still curious, you can check out more details about it on the main book page.

So if you’ve also been swept up in the duct tape craze, I hope you’ll give the book a look and see if it’s for you!


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A new book! Craft Projects for Minecraft® and Pixel Art Fans!

Craft Projects for Minecraft® and Pixel Art Fans: 15 Fun, Easy-to-Make Projects

Craft Projects for Minecraft® and Pixel Art Fans: 15 Fun, Easy-to-Make Projects

I’m back again with more of the fruits of my semi-hiatus! Another project I’ve been working on while I’ve been so inactive this year is this fun book inspired by the awesome stuff of Minecraft®! It’s been up for sale for a little bit now, but I wanted to be sure to share it here when it was on Amazon with the full “Look Inside” feature so you can see for yourself if the book is for you!

Of course many of you know how crazy I am for pixel art and old school video games, so getting a chance to blend that with the awesome art of Minecraft® just seemed natural! This book is directed at young kids, but any budding crafter that wants to see the world of Minecraft® come alive should love it. It’s filled with 15 step-by-step projects as well as a huge idea gallery of other projects for creations that are easy to jump into like duct tape, Perler beads, paper crafts, and painting techniques. The pixelated nature of the art means everything’s basically made from squares and cubes, making it so easy to recreate in real life and to adapt and change to your whims. The book features a load of patterns and charts that are easy to follow for making the projects, though you can swap out the charts and use them on different projects to suit your taste. For instance you can take the Cardboard Costume Head – while it’s shown as Steve, you can easily change the pixels and make it into a Creeper, Enderman, or Pig.

So if you love the look of pixel crafts or want to go into Creative Mode and make some Minecraft® items of your own, I hope you give the book a look and see if it suits you!

In the meantime, I’m working on launching some new free tutorials to show here! I hope you’ll check in later and I’ll likely have more nerdy and quirky things to show ♥


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A New Book! Bling it Up! Debuts

Bling It Up!: Super Cute Craft Techniques to Add Decoden Sparkle to Phone Cases, Purses, Jewelry & More

Bling It Up!: Super Cute Craft Techniques to Add Decoden Sparkle to Phone Cases, Purses, Jewelry & More

For all of you that have been wondering about my absence for the last few months, I can finally divulge some details – I’ve been writing books! So I do apologize for being gone for so long and hardly updating at all x_x But I am still here, and I’ve been working on even more projects that you’ll soon hear about just like this one 😀

Bling it Up! is the book that released most recently, and it’s filled with 16 over-the-top decoden projects. What’s decoden you may be wondering? It’s a craft that’s huge in Japan and basically translates to “phone decoration,” but it can apply to lots of other personal belongings too. It consists of covering your phone with loads of over-the-top glittery and whimsical items like rhinestones, jewelry findings, cabochons, and other trinkets, some of which are applied with fluffy ‘whippy’ frosting to make your items look like a big mound of cake >w< That's not to say that decoden hasn't been around in the US before now — a lot of awesome artists have shared their decoden creations on the internet. But what’s so great is that until recently, you needed to buy silicon bathroom sealant to achieve the whipped frosting look for your decoden pieces, but Mod Podge recently came out with their own frosting adhesive called Collage Clay – it’s non-toxic, comes in two colors, and is much more user friendly!

Making this book was a load of fun because I got to play around with so many trinkets and clay food. You’ll find projects inside that range from simple rhinestone decorated items to all-out frosted goodness. There’s inspiration for several cell phone case ideas, journals, tablet cases, boxes, and the like. The beginning section also goes into how to sculpt different foods with polymer clay, like macarons, ice cream scoops, and Pocky. It’s a short book at only 48 pages, but it’s really chock full of tips, techniques, and projects that should jumpstart some ideas for you 😀
If decoden sounds like something you might enjoy, I hope you’ll give it a look!

In the meantime, I have to keep working x_x But know that I’ll be back very soon to let you know about more of the projects I’ve got going! Thank you all for your continued support!


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Sew Me! Basics & Home Décor Debuts!

Sew Me! Sewing Basics: Simple Techniques and Projects for First-Time Sewers

Sew Me! Sewing Basics: Simple Techniques and Projects for First-Time Sewers

My newest set of books, called the Sew Me! series recently released! It’s been available for preorder for a bit, but now it’s fully in stock and available for you all to buy! These latest books are written especially for beginning sewers! I actually don’t personally have many friends that know how to sew, so I wrote things books while personally considering all of my close friends who will hopefully take the plunge and try out sewing one day 😀

The series begins with Sew Me! Basics which tackles how to get started sewing from the very beginning: from picking out a sewing machine based on your personality to how to choose the perfect fabric for you. You’ll find loads of helpful charts and illustrations that explain fabric types, color theory, how sewing machines work, and lots more! The added projects help you learn crucial sewing techniques one step at a time – from creating your first seam, trying out appliqué, hand sewing techniques, installing zippers, and sewing buttons just to name a few.

Each project is super simple to understand and follow, with lots of diagrams and helpful photographs to take you through every step. You’ll learn as you go while making pincushions, fabric flowers, pouches, handy wallets, plushes, and even an adorable hat! The projects are easy to customize to your taste and style and will quickly teach you the techniques you need to know to build a strong sewing foundation! I hope you’ll check out the details or take a closer look if you think this book might be for you!

Sew Me! Sewing Home Decor: Easy-to-Make Curtains, Pillows, Organizers and Other Accessories

Sew Me! Sewing Home Decor: Easy-to-Make Curtains, Pillows, Organizers and Other Accessories

Now once you’ve tried out some simple projects to ease your way into sewing, you might have a better idea of what sort of things you plan to sew in the future; whether they be clothing, accessories, quilts, or home décor. That’s where the next book in the series comes in! Sew Me! Home Décor is like a continuation in the series if you’ve found that you like the home décor projects in Sew Me! Basics. In it you’ll find the same kinds of simple projects with lots of illustrations and easy-to-understand diagrams for a duvet cover, storage boxes, pillow covers, a striking modernist quilt and lots more!
SO if you’re new to sewing, I hope you’ll check this one out and maybe it’ll be for you or someone you hope to teach to sew!

Thanks in advance to anyone who checks out my new books! And stay tuned for more in the future about more books in the Sew Me! series!


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Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes! My latest book is released!

Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes: Chic to Unique Bags & Purses that You Can Make

Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes: Chic to Unique Bags & Purses that You Can Make

My latest book, Sewing Stylish Handbags & Totes, was released in the past few days, so I’m happy to say that it’s now available for you all to buy! I’m a bit of a bagophile myself, so I was very excited to take on this project, creating 18 interesting and varied bag designs that will suit every taste. My goal in writing this book was definitely to make a collection of bags that would make a wide variety of people happy. In addition to that, I wanted to design classic bags with an interesting twist.

For instance there’s a tried-and-true shopping tote, but it has a zippered wallet attached for folding the bag up and zipping it shut when you don’t need it! There’s also a messenger bag, but it has an expandable bottom section that nearly doubles the size of the bag when you need to carry the big stuff. Nearly every bag has options for embellishment, including appliqué designs and templates that work perfectly for fabric paint stencils. The designs range from techie to mod, kawaii to ornate. You’ll see a lot of my kawaii style in some of the options, so keep in mind if that’s not really your aesthetic, the variations are completely optional. I think you’ll find the bare bones patterns to be very classic and casual designs. You can read about the whole dish if you’re interested in how the book came together ^-^

One of the main things that makes me proud of the book though, are the huge tutorial sections that explain how to implement bag hardware, which can really make a handbag look special. I’ll show you how to install zippers, snaps, buckles, eyelets, strap adjusters, metal rings, turn lock closures, magnetic snaps, and many many more things. If you’re like me, seeing the hardware transform your bag from handmade to high-end will really get you excited to whip out your machine.

I hope you’ll give my book a look with the see inside feature, so you can see if the bags are your style, then please give it a try if you have a bag addiction like me!


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Sew Baby! My Latest Book is Released!

Cuddly and cute bibs, blankets, booties, and more

Cuddly and cute bibs, blankets, booties, and more

Hello everyone! I’m so excited! My latest book, Sew Baby came out this weekend! It’s one of the books I worked so ardently on last year, and I’m super proud to finally have it out in stores for you all to buy!

If you are familiar with my work, you know that I love making cute and adorable accessories so working on a book for babies was a natural progression. However, I still put in lots of blood, sweat, and tears into this book, so I hope you all enjoy what you see! I worked on creating loads of home décor projects, accessories, toys, and practicalities, all while imbuing my style of simple kawaii cuteness into them.

I found that as I worked on these projects, I had a goal where I wanted to highlight every loveable and gentle creature I could imagine, from kitty cats to red pandas, elephants to monkeys, and puppies to dragons. I think kind and gentle animals not only reflect the sweetness of babies, but the characters make these projects perfect for unisex gifts. A boy looks just as adorable in a panda hat as a girl, so you literally have a whole menagerie of projects to choose from 😀

Beyond that, seeing sweet little baby faces with baby animals would warm anyone’s heart. It makes me think of babies and kitties playing together, or of that quintessential boy and his dog vibe. Together, I see that animal as both a lifelong friend and a protector, and I think that image is what my muse was as I created for this book. I hope it inspires you as much as I was inspired, and you take a look if you have a special baby in your life that needs a perfect gift or would you would just like to surround with smiling faces! ^-^