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{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

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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

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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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Sharing a closer look at the Handy Drawstring Pouc Sharing a closer look at the Handy Drawstring Pouch today — a sweet little project that’s as practical as it is pretty. I stitched this one in the blue and gold colourway of the Tilda Songbird collection and love how the soft watercolour florals shine in a small make. The pouch features cleverly shaped panels (with no boxed corners), stands tall when in use, and folds completely flat for storage. It’s also reversible, which makes it such a fun and versatile sew.   These little pouches are perfect for organising your sewing room, gifting to a friend, or popping into a project bag.The pattern includes three sizes, and you can find it in both my Pattern Store and Etsy shop. Comment HANDY and I’ll send the link straight to your inbox.A big thank you to @tilda_australia for gifting the beautiful fabric.#tildasongbird #drawstringbagpattern #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #tildafabrics #sewingproject
Why sewists love the Baker’s Buddy… Smooth curves, Why sewists love the Baker’s Buddy… Smooth curves, no fiddly binding, and a beginner‑friendly construction that comes together fast. It’s practical, gift‑friendly, and one of my most popular patterns because it actually gets used in the kitchen.If you’re looking for a quick win that looks impressive and is useful, this is the one. Comment BAKER and I’ll send you the link to the pattern (available in our Pattern Store and Etsy shop).#sewinggifts #beginnerfriendlysewing #smallquiltedgift #quicksewing #sewingcommunity
I’ve had so much fun sewing with the beautiful new I’ve had so much fun sewing with the beautiful new Tilda Songbird collection — soft pastels, tiny motifs, and so many sweet details. Here’s a look at the beginner‑friendly projects I’ve made so far, perfect for gifting or using up your favourite scraps.You’ll find the paid patterns in my shop, and both free patterns (Love Tag + Threaded Tokens) are linked in my profile. What project is your favourite?Thanks for following along with my Songbird projects this month. I can’t wait to share more. Thanks to @Tilda_Australia for the fabric.#tildasongbird #iloveTilda #smallsewingprojects #makersgonnamake #sewingpatterns
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
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