Button It Up: 80 Amazing Vintage Button Projects for Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, Housewares, & More

As a child, I remember marveling at the quart jar full of old buttons at my grandmother’s house; I would pour them out onto the floor and separate out the ones that I thought were the prettiest.

La Petite “Scooter Babe” Starter Kit

If at first glance needlepoint may not seem to be the most feminist of activities, think again. The sewing and decorating of textile goods has long been a task designated to women. While women have won their place in the workforce, female crafts such as embroidery are losing popularity. What better way to keep the art alive than with the funky designs of Sublime Stitching? The slogan reads, “This ain’t your gramma’s embroidery!” and with all due respect grandma, the La Petite Starter Kit, available for $22.50, is a bit more free form.

Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista

The subversive notion of sewing (no pun intended) in this book initially caught my eye; I was drawn into the concept sewing is no longer considered to be something only our grannies do, but something that would enable anyone to shout out, “We’re are creative minds!” Sew Subversive is about sewing outside the box, tossing those patterns to the winds and creating your own statement. I shared this book with women both young and not so young; each one was energized by the book layout, ideas and the “coolness” of the ideas.