The moment after a woman says yes to the BIG question, she is deluged by even more questions – and all of them have to do with the wedding. Khris Cochran, founder of www.DIYbride.com and author of “The DIY Bride,” has plenty of answers to brides’ questions, especially brides who want a wedding that isn’t like everyone else’s, and one that doesn’t cost a fortune.

Cochran’s book offers six chapters that take the bride from announcing the happy event to the ceremony and beyond.

The “Telling the World” chapter gives the reader projects for invitations and thank-you notes, including a pocket fold invitation done up in couture silk and a small rhinestone buckle. Very sophisticated.

The “Beautiful Bride” chapter gives instructions for crafting a tiara from a vintage necklace that channels Grandma and the 1950s, drop earrings, a birdcage veil, a hair ornament and a fabric flower brooch.

The “Tying the Knot” chapter includes projects for a ceremony canopy, a “best dog” collar for the pooch that walks down the aisle with its master or mistress, and a ring pillow made of real flowers.

The “Having a Ball” chapter is all about the reception and includes 10 projects, among them a cupcake tower, cake jewelry and a seating chart.

The “Giving with Style” chapter makes making favors and gifts fun and easy, with ideas for matches and candles, and for making a bridesmaid tote bag and resin cufflinks for the groomsmen.

The “Looking Back” chapter helps the newlyweds organize wedding photographs and keepsakes to keep the happy memories fresh.

“The DIY Bride” is replete with cost comparison information; for example, custom-printed wedding invitations may cost as much as $2.50 each. Do-it-yourself invitations can cost as little as 35 cents. Directions for projects are detailed and well-illustrated. Tips and hints are sprinkled liberally throughout the book. An index and resource guide add to the user-friendliness of the book.

And if the book isn’t enough to keep the bride and all her female relatives and friends happily crafting toward the “Big Day,” a visit to the www.diybride.com will yield many other thoughts and ideas from the blogosphere. The Web site posts a long list of links for the prospective bride to explore, including the Great Green Wedding, which will appeal to brides in search of biodegradable ribbon, “green karat” rings made from recycled gold and gems, wedding gowns made of hemp, organically grown flowers, recycled paper invitations, and – my favorite – handmade shoes with birch or cherry footbeds and recycled tire soles all done up with swirls of flirty ribbon. Visit www.mohop.com to drool over the shoes.

Speaking of making stuff, unleash your sewing machine and get your hands on this book – “49 Sensational Skirts” by Alison Willoughby, an edgy British textile designer who sells and exhibits her work throughout the world.

In her book Willoughby offers instructions for shaping fabric into ruffles, layers and fringes with which to transform the concept of “skirt” into a one-of-a-kind SKIRT. The unique thing about the book is that it comes with a wrap-around skirt pattern and paper templates for creating the fabric embellishments integral to Willoughby’s designs.

While Willoughby’s designs may not be for everyone, they certainly offer food for sewing thought. I was attracted to the Lady Cruella and Lacerated Stripes version of the skirt, which is all about layering and slashing. I also liked the Running in Circles design, which uses the simple technique of the running stitch to establish the motif. Circles are a recurring theme in the designs.

The book’s Skirt Making section offers information on inspiration, deconstruction, construction, decoration, paper patterns, making, closures and finishing.

The Collection section gives instructions on how to make loops and tags, layering, using found objects, mark making, cutting and sticking, ruffles and ruching.

To learn more about these books, call your local bookstore or library, or Google them on the Internet.

Snippets

. “Warped and Wrapped,” the dimensional fiber art of Peggy Whitney Hobbs, will be on display May 7-June 25 at Maine Fiber Arts, 13 Main St., Topsham. A reception and gallery talk will take place 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 8. Hobbs will give a demonstration of her work at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6. For more information, visit www.fiberarts.org or call 721-0678.

. Celebrate the sheep 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Tidepool Studios and Gallery, 6 North Main St., Milbridge. Spinning demonstrations take place throughout the day. Sheep shearing is from 10 a.m. to noon. Raw fleeces, roving, natural dyes and hand-spun yarn will be available for purchase. For more information, call 546-7736.

. The shawl knitting ministry has inspired Music to Knit By. Visit www.shawlmusic.com for more information.

ahamlin@bangordailynews.net

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