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Books for Craft Lovers

December 16, 2013 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 2 Comments

Last week, we reviewed 6 titles for Bakers and Cooks. This week we are reviewing a selection of new titles that would make great gifts for sewers, quilters, knitters, and paper crafters. Nothing beats a lovely book for Christmas! If you are taking time off over summer, these books will provide plenty of inspiration for craft projects.

A Sewn Vintage Lifestyle, 20 pieced and appliquéd projects for quilts, bags, and more by Verna Mosquera, is full of pretty projects that you can make for your home or to give as gifts. What we love about this book, is the varied range of projects included. Some of our favourites are Mini Appliquéd Vignette, Laundry Bag, and the Appliquéd Dish Towels. The projects include a range of techniques including: patchwork, appliqué, and embroidery. Some of the projects are quick to construct, and others are more challenging. Full sized templates are included. Instructions are clear and there are many photographs and diagrams to guide you in the construction.

We recommend this book to anyone who loves to make a range of sewn items for their home and who love pretty floral fabrics.

Book Details:
Publisher:       David & Charles
ISBN:            9781440230424
Format:          Paperback, 144 pages
RRP:              $39.99
A Sewn Vintage Lifestyle is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia.
Origami for Her by Didier Boursin is a creative book that includes patterns to make 40 fun origami projects. The book includes pull out patterned origami papers and stickers to embellish the creations. Projects are divided into Earrings and Necklaces; Brooches and Bracelets; Boxes and Decorations; and Gifts and Messages. Projects are rated in complexity from Very Easy through to Detailed . Origami for Her has a modern take on an old craft. We especially love the range of origami boxes and envelopes included. This book would make a great gift for a pre-teen or teenage girl who loves to craft.
Book Details:
Publisher:       David & Charles
ISBN:            9781446303528
Format:          Paperback, 344 pages (including origami papers and stickers)
RRP:              $24.99
Origami for Her is available from Booktopia. 
Great Little Gifts to Knit, by Jean Moss, is a colourful collection of 30 knitting projects. Projects are modern and on trend and are suited to all skill levels. Most projects can be completed in a day or a weekend. Projects are divided into Baby (e.g.Cuddle Cocoon, Baby Love Blanket); Hers (e.g: Deco Backpack; Galaxy Beret); His (e.g. Hugs Socks, Tutti-Frutti Smartphone Sleeve); and Home (e.g. Wensleydale Tea Cozy, McDougal Dog Jacket).  See all the projects in the book over here. If you are passionate about knitting, you are sure to find a project to inspire in this delightful volume.
Book Details:
Publisher:       Taunton Press
ISBN:            9781600858475
Format:          Paperback, 136 pages
RRP:              $29.99
Great Little Gifts to Knit is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia.
Baby Booties and Slippers, 30 designs to stitch, knit, and crochet, by Susie Johns is a delightful book that showcases 30 creative designs for baby booties. Great book for crafters who love to knit, crochet, and sew. All the patterns would make great gifts for a baby shower to welcome a new baby. The patterns include designs which are pretty. practical, whimsical, and fun. Designs include: Ballet Slippers, Elfin Boots, Puppy Dog, and Colourful Cupcakes. You are sure to find a design that you love in this cute collection. The book is beautifully photographed and includes a handy full sized, pull out pattern sheet.
We recommend this book for anyone who loves to create one of a kind footwear for babies and toddlers.
Book Details:
Publisher:      GMC Books
ISBN:           9781861089601
Format:         Paperback, 160 pages
RRP:             $24.99
Baby Booties and Slippers is available from Can Do Books and Booktopia
25 Ways to Sew Jelly Rolls Layer Cakes & Charm packs,by Brioni Greenberg, showcases modern quilts from contemporary pre-cuts. Pre-Cut fabric is becoming very popular and this book provides plenty of inspiration on how to use your fabric stash in the construction of fresh modern quilts. A lot of quilters buy the latest fabric range and built up a collection of pretty pre-cuts. This book has 12 Quilt Designs and 13 sewn projects that will motivate you to unravel those jelly rolls and get sewing. Beautifully photographed and with full sized templates included, this book is a great book for quilters who love making stunning quilts and other sewn items with precut fabric.
Book Details

Publisher:    David & Charles

ISBN:         9781446302934
Format:       Paperback, 128 Pages
RRP:          $29.99
25 Ways to Sew Jelly Rolls Layer Cakes and Charm Packs is available from Booktopia and Can Do Books. 
Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from publishers/distributors. All opinions are our own.

Filed Under: Knitting, Paper Crafts, Quilting, Sewing Tagged With: baby, gifts, origami

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Comments

  1. handmadeby EvaRose says

    December 16, 2013 at 5:53 am

    Thank you for taking the time to write these reviews. I wanted to get a couple of new books and you have helped me choose. “The Sewn Vintage Lifestyle” and “25 Ways to Sew Jelly Rolls” would be my favourites.

    I would like also see a book where the patterns are in actual size for a change. Surely it will not costs that much more to add the extra pages!

    Reply
  2. Melanie says

    December 16, 2013 at 11:31 am

    Oh, I’ve had A Sewn Vintage Lifestyle on my wish list for a while now. I’m so happy to know a bit more, I might just go for it now. Thanks for sharing these reviews!

    Reply

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Colour Crush: Green 💚 A fresh little collection of Colour Crush: Green 💚 A fresh little collection of green makes — soft mint, leafy tones, cool blue‑greens, and those pretty mid‑greens that always feel calm and uplifting. Green is one of my favourite colours to sew with… it’s soothing, versatile, and works beautifully across so many projects.Swipe through and tell me which shade of green you’re loving right now.If you’d like the pattern links, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send yoy a link to my pattern store straight to your inbox. All patterns are available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#colourcrushseries #greeninspiration #sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingcommunity
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
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