Country Craft Compendium/Includes 20 Special Projects

Offers instructions for creating twenty country craft projects, including quilts, rugs, weathervanes, lampshades, banks, and clocks made with recycled materials

What's considered "country" these days goes far beyond gingham and calico, and oak and pine, to encompass the best in folk arts and crafts. At least it does to Innes, who, in her sixth book on decorating and crafts, selects only the finest examples from practicing artisans (in both the U.K. and U.S.) to showcase. Simple, stylish designs are the hallmark; included are modern samples of Amish quilts, rag rugs, weathervanes, lampshades, even clocks and banks of recycled materials. Step-by-step directions for each of her 20 projects are superb, featuring color photographs, charts, graphs, and easy-to-follow instructions. However, those unfamiliar with a needle and/or a jigsaw, among other basic tools, should first consult an elementary how-to book in stitchery, woodwork, painting, and the like. Barbara Jacobs