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{Book Review} The Sewing Workshop and Stash Happy Applique

August 3, 2012 By Spoonful of Sugar - 5 Comments

If you love sewing smaller projects for yourself, for gifts, or for the home, you will love the titles we are reviewing this week!

The Sewing Workshop: Learn to Sew with 30+ Easy, Pattern-Free Projects by Linda Lee has an inspiring collection of sewing patterns for the beginner to intermediate sewer. The Sewing Workshop gives you the knowledge and skills to create your own home decor, bags, and fashion accessories.The projects are  divided into:

  • Home Accents – Fresh ideas for decorating your home, including placemats, napkins, pillow, and laundry bag
  • Bags and Totes – 10 designs for carrying everything you need, including satchel, hobo, tote, and backpack
  • Wear It – Fun fashions like scarves, belt, brooch, and tube skirt.

The Sewing Workshop has a helpful section that explains everything you need to know to achieve a good result. It includes helpful tips on measuring and marking fabric, construction a seam, sewing a hem, special elements, and more. The book has a hip, modern vibe, so would appeal to younger sewers.

Book Details:
ISBN:          1936096404
Publisher:     Sixth and Spring Books
Format:        Paperback, 128 Pages
RRP:            $19.99

The Sewing Workshop is available from  Fishpond, and  Booktopia.



Stash Happy: Applique: 25 Fresh Projects for Fabric Lovers by Cynthia Shaffer is a lovely compilation of colourful and modern designs to help you put your fabric and felt left overs to good use! The book includes a  practical introduction on appliqué techniques, with photos and diagrams to guide you through the basics. The projects themselves are all fun and vibrant, with lots of step by step photos to guide you through the process.    
 Projects include: mug rugs, baby ensemble, brooch, curtains and more.Templates are included – and some need to be enlarged.Whether you an appliqué beginner or have more experience, there is sure to be a project to attract your interest. It is one of the best sewing books I have seen lately with lots of creative projects to inspire!
Book Details:
ISBN:            145470280X
Publisher:        Lark Books
Format:          Paperback, 128 Pages
RRP:              $19.99
Stash Happy Appliqué is available from  Fishpond, and Can Do Books.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Booktopia and Fishpond.



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Filed Under: Sewing, Uncategorized Tagged With: book review

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Comments

  1. soninamama says

    August 3, 2012 at 8:10 am

    переднички бесподобные 🙂

    Reply
  2. Webbing says

    August 3, 2012 at 9:55 am

    I love that book Applique! Easy to use and follow, great guides, and interesting projects.

    Reply
  3. CrochetBlogger says

    August 3, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Some beautiful projects in there. Looks like a great set of fabric choices went into the making of the book!

    Reply
  4. Mimi says

    August 3, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    aww, those are so pretty! 🙂

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    Twisted Orchid Giveaway — Win any bag of your choice! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kay says

    August 4, 2012 at 12:36 am

    They will go onto my amazon wishlist! It is great to find a book which is good for the beginner/intermediate level, as often everything is for the experienced stitcher.

    Reply

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A tiny basket that’s endlessly useful and so much A tiny basket that’s endlessly useful and so much fun to sew. This Bitsy Basket is made in the beautiful Tilda Songbird collection and filled with a few sewing favourites — the perfect way to turn small scraps into something sweet and giftable.It comes together quickly, uses very little fabric, and looks adorable with a Threaded Token atrached (the Threaded Token pattern is free — you’ll find the link in my profile).Comment BASKET and I’ll send you the link to the Bitsy Basket pattern in my shop.Shown in the gorgeous Tilda Songbird range. Thanks to @tilda_australia . Styled with a few sewing goodies from @sohmo_au  
#sewingproject #sewinglove #quicksewingproject #scrapsewing #tildasongbird
A little Valentine’s stitching, penguin‑style. The A little Valentine’s stitching, penguin‑style. These sweet penguins always make people smile — which one would you sew first?Comment PENGUIN for the pattern link (available in our pattern store and Etsy shop).Pattern: Penguin Love Mugrug#penguinlove #valentinesewing #sewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #makersgonnamake
A tiny sewing moment for today — threading the cor A tiny sewing moment for today — threading the cord through the Pocketful of Sunshine Bag using a bodkin. It’s such a simple step, but it gives the sweetest finish to this little drawstring bag. I’ve been loving making these in the Tilda Songbird range lately… the colours, the tiny motifs, the soft palette — everything works beautifully together.If you’d like to sew your own, comment SUNSHINE and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you. You’ll also find it in our pattern store and Etsy shop — links are in our profile.Shown in the gorgeous Tilda Songbird collection with thanks to @tilda_australia#ilovetilda #tildasongbird #beginnersewist #sewingtips #drawstringbag
Turning tiny scraps into something sweet is one of Turning tiny scraps into something sweet is one of my favourite parts of sewing. These Threaded Tokens were made from the leftover pieces of the Tilda Songbird range, and the small‑scale motifs are perfect for fussy cutting. A little fairy here, a tiny bird there — every detail feels like a treasure.They’re quick to sew, endlessly useful, and such a lovely way to use every last scrap. I’ve paired today’s tokens with the Pocketful of Sunshine Bag, which shows just how beautifully they coordinate.Comment TOKEN for the free, beginner friendly, Threaded Tokens sewing pattern.The Pocketful of Sunshine Bag is available in our pattern store and Etsy shop — store links are in our profile, or comment SUNSHINE and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you.Shown in the gorgeous Tilda Songbird collection. Thanks to @Tilda_Australia for the fabric.#tildasongbird #ilovetilda #freepattern #scrapsewing #beginnersewing
Meet your new favourite. The Pocketful of Sunshine Meet your new favourite. The Pocketful of Sunshine Bag is one of those small, joyful makes that feels good from the moment you choose your fabrics. I’ve sewn two versions in the gorgeous new Tilda Songbird collection—released worldwide on 1 February—and the soft, watercolour pastels are just perfect for this sweet little project.This bag features a patchwork pocket on the front (ideal for showcasing tiny prints), a simple drawstring closure, and plenty of room for small essentials or thoughtful gifting. It’s quick to sew, scrap‑friendly, and such a satisfying weekend make.Comment SUNSHINE and I’ll send you the link to the pattern. It is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.    Featuring the beautiful Songbird range—thank you to @tilda_australia for the gorgeous Tilda fabric.#tildasongbird #tildaaustralia #tildalovers  #sewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing
Bag strapping is one of the simplest ways to eleva Bag strapping is one of the simplest ways to elevate your handmade bags — it adds structure, comfort, personality, and a polished finish to even the quickest make. In this week’s Elevate Series, I’m sharing my favourite types of bag strapping, how to choose the right width and material, and a few easy ways to add colour and texture for a more professional look.There are so many lovely places to buy bag strapping, from Japanese craft stores to online quilt shops and everyday budget finds. I’ve collected mine over the years from a mix of travel stops and online favourites — each one adds its own charm to totes, pouches, crossbody bags, and other beginner‑friendly sewing projects.If you’re a shop that stocks bag strapping, feel free to comment below so makers can discover you. And I’d love to know — where do you buy yours? I’m always discovering new favourites.Some of my go‑to places for strapping: @yuzawaya (online Japanese craft shop); @okadaya, Shinjuku (Tokyo); @nomuratailor (Kyoto); @daiso_official (100‑yen shop — stock varies); @missouriquiltco (online)Save this post for the next time you want to elevate your bag‑making ✨#sewingtips #bagmaking #bagstrapping #handmadegiftsideas #beginnersewingprojects elevateseries
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