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{Book Reviews} Patchwork Gifts, and Stitch Savvy

June 13, 2013 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 3 Comments

We are reviewing a couple of titles today that will interest sewists and quilters. If you love to sew small projects for gifts, home decor, clothing etc, then you will find plenty of inspiration in these two new titles.

Pretty Patchwork Gifts by Helen Philipps is aptly titled, as it contains over 25 sweet projects made from pretty fabrics. The projects range from quick projects suitable for beginners to more challenging projects for intermediate sewers. Projects include: doll quilts, toy rabbits, pillows, bags, and more.

Helen Philipps has a great eye for colour. All the designs have been constructed in pretty florals, polka dots, and modern prints, which give the book a colourful, fresh look. Many techniques/materials have been used to embellish the projects, including patchwork, appliqué, embroidery, yoyo’s, buttons and more. Throughout the book there are helpful tips and creative ideas on how to make the projects your own.

Pretty Patchwork Gifts includes plenty of inspiring photos, step-by-step diagrams and templates, to guide you through the process. Most templates need to be enlarged.

If you enjoy making sweet gifts out of fabric, Pretty Patchwork Gifts is bound to provide plenty of inspiration. Pretty Patchwork Gifts is available from Booktopia.

Book Details:
Publisher:    David and Charles
Format:       Paperback, 128 Pages
ISBN:         9781446302132
RRP:          $29.99

Stitch Savvy by Deborah Moebes is a great resource for sewers who want to build their skills. It includes 25 Skill building projects to take your sewing technique to the next level. The book is divided into 5 tracks – home décor, handbags, kids’ items, quilting and clothing. Each track include 5 projects that start simple and then build on your skills. Cross referenced techniques allow you to move from project to project to explore and use different skills.

Stitch Savvy includes a very helpful Sewing Basics section when reviews supplies, techniques, terminology, and includes some mini warm up projects to get you started. Then it is time to start the major projects, which are graded in difficulty so you can find projects suitable to your skill level and then build on those skills. Some of the techniques covered include: piping, covering buttons, chain stitching, using fusible batting, stitching darts and more.

The book is beautifully photographed and styled, with modern fabrics used throughout. It includes clear step by step photographs, tutorial style, to explain each step of the way. A CD is included at the back of the spiral bound, hardcover book, which includes pdf patterns for 13 of the projects.

Stitch Savvy is a great book for any sewer who would love to build on their skills and learn new techniques.
A Google Preview is available over at Booktopia if you would like to see more of the inside pages. Stitch Savvy is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia

Book Details:
Publisher:   Krause Publications
Format:      Hardcover, 224 pages, Bonus CD includes 13 pdf patterns
ISBN:        9781440229473
RRP:         $29.99

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

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Comments

  1. Andréa says

    June 13, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Quanta coisa linda!!!
    Passa lá no meu blog tem sorteio!
    bjs
    Andréa

    Reply
  2. Anita says

    June 14, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Hi Lisa and Sarah,
    Love those gorgeous little houses, so cute. The book would be something special to have in the book case!!
    Cheers, Anita.

    Reply
  3. Jane Green says

    June 29, 2013 at 8:32 am

    Oh my goodness – pages of eye candy – Makes for much motivation – Thanks for sharing the info.

    Reply

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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.

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Quick, Cute, & So Useful ✂️🎀 The Handy Drawstring Quick, Cute, & So Useful ✂️🎀 The Handy Drawstring Pouch is one of those little projects that always earns its place on the sewing table. It stitches up fast, uses small cuts of fabric, and opens into the sweetest shape — perfect for treats, tiny gifts, travel notions, or organising your sewing space.It’s simple, satisfying, and endlessly useful… the kind of make you’ll sew more than once.Comment HANDY and I’ll send you the pattern link. Pattern: Handy Drawstring Bag (3 Sizes) — available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#handydrawstringbag #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingcommunity #sewingpatterns #giftableprojects
Fruity & Floral Favourites 🍓🌼 A cheerful little co Fruity & Floral Favourites 🍓🌼 A cheerful little collection of projects featuring sweet fruity shapes and pretty floral motifs — pineapples, apples, blossoms, flower buds and more. These designs are fun to sew, beginner‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or adding a pop of colour to your sewing space.Swipe through and tell me in the comments: Which fruity or floral project is your favourite?If you’d like the pattern links, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you a link to my Pattern Store. All patterns are available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#scrapfriendlysewing #giftableprojects #sewingcommunity #makersgonnamake #pdfsewingpattern
Which Dresden Needlebook style are you? ✂️ 💙 This Which Dresden Needlebook style are you? ✂️💙 This little project is one of my favourite ways to play with colour, prints, and tiny details — each style has its own personality, from soft florals to bold geometrics to sweet vintage tones. They’re quick to sew, beautifully giftable, and perfect for keeping needles, pins, and small notions organised.Swipe through the carousel and tell me in the comments: Which Dresden Needlebook style is your favourite?If you’d like the pattern link, comment NEEDLEBOOK and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. The Dresden Needlebook PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#dresdenneedlebook #sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #beginnerfriendlysewing #giftableprojects
The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Bu The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Buddy Mitt is one of those projects I reach for again and again — quick to sew, beautifully shaped, and genuinely useful in the kitchen. It’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and makes the sweetest handmade gift.Here’s why it’s always on my sewing table:
• No binding, which means fast, frustration‑free construction
• Insul‑Brite + batting layers to protect your hand
• A modern silhouette that looks gorgeous in any stash fabricIf you’d like the pattern link, comment BAKER and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. The Bakers Buddy Mitt PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#quicksewingproject #beginnersewing #scrapfriendlysewing #giftableprojects #sewingcommunity
Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺 The Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺The Bitsy Basket is one of my favourite ways to turn the smallest offcuts into something useful and adorable. It’s quick to sew, beginner‑friendly, and just the right size for clips, threads, treats, or tiny treasures on your sewing table.If you’ve got a growing pile of scraps, this is the perfect project to turn them into something sweet — and it’s a lovely little gift idea too.Comment BASKET and I’ll send you the pattern link.The Bitsy Basket PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#bitsybasket #scrapfriendlysewing #scrapbustingideas #sewingreels #sewingcommunity
10 Giftable Projects to Sew 🎁✨ A little collecti 10 Giftable Projects to Sew 🎁✨A little collection of handmade favourites you can stitch now and tuck away for later — perfect for birthdays, holidays, teacher gifts, or those “I need something cute, quick, and thoughtful” moments.From pouches to needlebooks and tiny organisers, these projects are beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and endlessly giftable. They’re the kind of makes that bring joy both to sew and to give.If you’d like the patterns for any of the projects featured in this carousel, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you the link to my Pattern Store.#sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #beginnerfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #sewingcommunity
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