A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

{Book Reviews} Sewing Titles

August 2, 2013 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 3 Comments

We have two new titles for sewing lovers today.

Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses by Sweet Seams contains more than 25 easy, pattern free designs for little girls. The dresses all start with a basic T-Shirt. Fabric and embellishments are then added to create one of a kind dresses. Using a T-Shirt as a basis for a dress is genius – they are inexpensive and you don’t have to worry about tricky necklines, sleeves, zippers or buttonholes. You can even up-cycle T-shirts that are too short or stained at the hem.
The book includes handy tips and techniques for making T-Shirt dresses, and templates for some of the patterns. Each pattern includes lots of great photos that showcase the design. You are shown how to prepare the T-Shirt for the dress, and step by step instructions with diagrams/photos to guide you through the process.
Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses includes many different designs that suit young girls. Pretty fabric, ruffles, trims and embellishments help create one of kind dresses, that are fun and practical to wear. Great if time is short but you love to make your daughters clothes.
Book Details:
Publisher:   Sixth and Spring
Format:      Paperback, 112 pages
ISBN:        9781936096497
RRP:         $18.99
Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses is available from Booktopia
How to Make Stuffed Animals by Sian Keegan showcases 18 designs for modern, simple animals. It features a wide variety of animals including – bunny, narwhal, squirrel, penguin, fox, cat, bear, pug, raccoon and more. All the animals can be made with just one fat quarter of fabric ( or 23 cm/1/4 yard) or you can experiment with recycled clothing.
The book is for anyone with the most basic of sewing skills. There is a helpful chapter guiding you through the basics of toy making. The toys can be used to create a mobile, cake topper, ornament or simply as softies. Templates are included at the back of the book (they need to be enlarged). Each design has lots of step by step drawings to help you with the construction methods.

Check out the google preview for more images of the book.  The animals are all so charming.The hard part is deciding which one to make first. We recommend this book to anyone who wants to venture into making soft toys and loves modern patterns.

Book Details:
Publisher:    Quarry Books
Format:       Paperback, 128 pages
ISBN:         9781592537990
RRP:           $29.99
How to Make Stuffed Animals is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia.
Disclaimer: Please note we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: book review

« Pretty Peg Bucket
Box Pouch »

Comments

  1. Karen O'Farrell says

    August 2, 2013 at 2:49 am

    I love the idea of the t-shirt dresses for my girl who wont wear traditional dresses – this might just work! Thanks

    Reply
  2. Cherry Blossom Handmade Gifts says

    August 3, 2013 at 2:31 am

    This has inspired me to make more for my own kids….. I used to but got side tracked making for others 🙂 T-shirt dresses are a fab idea 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Nancy says

    August 7, 2013 at 9:13 am

    After receiving this post in my email I went straight to Amazon and Ordered this Book. It arrived yesterday and today I am digging in! The way she has the Instructions laid out is perfect for beginner plus sewers. Thanks so much for sharing this great book!!

    Huggs, Nancy

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

As the year comes to a close, I’m taking a quiet m As the year comes to a close, I’m taking a quiet moment to say thank you. Thank you for sewing with me, sharing your makes, sending messages, and bringing so much joy to this little corner of the internet. This community is truly the heart of A Spoonful of Sugar, and I’m so grateful for every stitch we’ve shared in 2025.I’m looking forward to a fresh year of scrap‑friendly, beginner‑friendly, quick‑to‑sew, gift‑ready projects — all with a more elevated, thoughtful touch. I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been planning for 2026.If you’d like to follow along with weekly studio updates, tutorials, and new projects, comment NEWSLETTER below and I’ll send you the link to join. I’d love to have you with me for the year ahead.Wishing you a peaceful, creative start to 2026. Lisa x#sewinglife #giftablesewing #sewinginspiration
If your scrap basket is overflowing after holiday If your scrap basket is overflowing after holiday sewing, this one’s for you. Ten quick, satisfying projects to help you sew through your stash and start 2026 feeling organised and inspired. These projects are scrap‑friendly, beginner‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for gifting. Save this for your next sewing session.If you’d like the patterns, comment SHOP and I’ll send you the link to my pattern store. 25% off storewide ends soon.#scrapbusting #scrapsewing #sewingprojects #sewinglove #beginnersewing
Small Scraps? Sew This!Got small scraps piling u Small Scraps? Sew This!Got small scraps piling up? Here’s a quick, satisfying make that turns the smallest offcuts into something useful and adorable. The Bitsy Basket is perfect for storing clips, threads, treats — or adding to your gift‑ready box. Save this for your next scrap‑busting session.Comment BASKET for a link to the pattern. 25% off storewide ends on January 1 2026 - be quick!#scrapbusting #sewingprojects #sewistsofinstagram #sewingpatterns #aspoonfulofsugardesigns
Got tiny scraps you can’t bear to throw away? Here Got tiny scraps you can’t bear to throw away? Here are three quick, satisfying makes that turn the smallest offcuts into something useful and adorable. Perfect for a cosy afternoon sew — and a great way to build up your supply of gifts for the year ahead. Save this for your next scrap‑busting session!Patterns featured: 
Zakka Card Wallet (aqua)
Rotary Cutter Pouch (yellow)
Cosy Cat Mitt (navy)P.S. Our 25% off store‑wide sale ends 1 January — now is the perfect time to stock up on patterns you’ve had your eye on.Comment SALE and I'll send you a link to the pattern store.#scrapbusting
#sewingprojects
#sewistsofinstagram
#sewingpatterns
#aspoonfulofsugardesigns
What a year of sewing it’s been. As we wrap up 202 What a year of sewing it’s been. As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the patterns you loved most — the ones you stitched for gifts, for joy, for your sewing room, and just because it felt good to make something with your hands.From iconic favourites to fast‑rising new releases, these patterns have been at the heart of our creative community this year. I’m endlessly grateful every time you choose one of my designs, share your makes, or send a message saying how much you enjoyed a project. It truly means the world.Swipe through to see the patterns that shone in 2025 — the beginner‑friendly wins, the scrap‑busters, the seasonal stars, and the little gems that deserve a moment in the spotlight.To say thank you, all patterns are 25% off until December 31. If you’d like a direct link to the pattern store, just comment SALE and I’ll send it straight to your DMs.Here’s to a year of creativity, colour, and tiny joyful stitches. And I can’t wait to share what’s coming in early 2026 — so many sweet new projects are on the way.Thank you for being here and for making this community such a warm, inspiring place to create. 💛🧵  #SewingPatternDesign #ModernSewingProjects #BeginnerSewingPatterns #SewingCommunityLove #ScrapFriendlySewing
Here are three little habits I’m taking into 2026 Here are three little habits I’m taking into 2026 — nothing fancy, just the things that make sewing feel joyful, calm, and creative.1️⃣ Tidying my sewing room between projects2️⃣ Adding all the cute details3️⃣ Using my scraps more intentionallyWhat about you — what’s one thing you’re taking into the new year?P.S. You may spot a few tools/products from SOHMO — I love discovering and using beautiful tools from Aussie sewing brands. @sohmo_au#sewingreels #sewingcommunity #sewistsofinstagram #sewinginspiration #beginnersewingprojects
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Maker’s Gift Guide: 15 Handmade Stocking Stuffers
  • Merry Little Christmas Sewing Projects
  • Fabric Gift Pouch
  • 10 Projects to Sew for Men
  • Folded Hexagon Ornament
  • Gifts to Sew for Sewists
  • Sewing Gifts 101: Easy and Affordable Ideas for Your Crafty Friends

Copyright © 2025 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar