Sew Illustrated , 35 Fabric and Thread Designs is the newly released and much anticipated book by the talented duo Minki Kim and Kristin Esser. It is bursting with gorgeous and colourful designs using the Sewing Illustration techniques that Minki has become renowned for. What I love most about this book, is that the projects have that wonderful Zakka aesthethic that you find in Japanese craft books. Using natural linen and colourful printed cottons, Minki and Kristin have designed a range of sweet and useful items to use around your home or to give as gifts. Sew Illustrated includes instructions for making 16 Zakka projects and you have the option of customising the items with the sewing illustrations of your choice. So many inspiring designs and projects to choose from.
Although I have dabbled in raw edge applique, I have never made such small applique projects before. Minki and Krstin have included a helpful chapter that shows you all the techniques and tips you will need to create successful sewing illustrations. I couldn’t wait to get started! I couldn’t resist the sewing and baking themed pincushions that I have long been admiring on Minki’s instagram feed. They were so much fun to make. I especially loved choosing just the right fabric scraps for each project and fussy cutting the design to make an original sewing illustration.
Who can resist a gingham sewing machine?
These pincushions were such a quick and fun little project. It is hard to stop at one …. All the projects in the book are beautifully photographed and styled. The book includes full sized patterns, and the illustrations are printed on iron-on transfer paper so they are easy to transfer to your project.
I also made the Tea Mat which features a stack of tea cups. I loved adding the embroidery detail around the outside edge.
C & T Publishing are generously giving away a copy of Sew Illustrated at every stop on the blog tour. If the winner is in the USA, they will receive a hard copy of the book. If the winner is International, they will win an eBook. To enter, simply log into the rafflecopter giveaway box below with your email address or facebook account. Complete as many of the giveaway options as you wish – if you already follow A Spoonful of Sugar or Minki Kim and Kristin Esser on instagram etc, just click the button below for an automatic entry. Giveaway is open World Wide until September 3, 2016 . The winner will be notified by email and announced here on this post. Good Luck!
Sew Illustrated is available from Amazon. Fabric I used in these projects is Old New 30’s 2016 by Lecien Fabrics (available from Ministry of Fabric and Sew Stitching Happy), and Retro 30’s Child Smile 2016 (available from Sew Stitching Happy).
We hope you will follow along on the Blog Tour. Check out the stops below to see what these talented designer are making from Sew Illustrated.
August 15: C&T Publications
August 16: nanaCompany
August 17: zakkaArt
August 18: Down Grapevine Lane
August 19: A Spoonful of Sugar
August 20: chick chick sewing
August 21: Stacy Olson
August 22: happy little cottage
August 23: GenerationQ Magazine
August 24: Sarana Ave
August 25: cafenohut
August 26: Oh,how sweet
August 27: Tied with a Ribbon
August 28: VividFelicity
August 29: Lilabelle Lane Creations
August 30: ellis & higgs
August 31: pretty by hand
September 1: Elnora Chambers on Instagram
September 2: Cloverand Violet
September 3: Auribuzz
Oh, that book looks amazing! I would love to win a copy.
Greetings Rike
Yes,, I’ve tried this technique but mine looked a little sloppy – thank for inspiring me to try again!! Looks to be a great book!
I love applique so yes I have tried raw edge applique. thanks for the chance to win this cute book.
Just love this book idea! Can’t wait to see a copy!
What fun little project, super cute! Thanks for the chance.
I have never tried raw edge applique – must give it a try!
I would love to win this, I’ve got a thing going on at the moment for appliqué sewing, and embellishing on them also , so this book would be great to get more tips and plus do the wonderful projects in this book ?? and your version is really cute also ??
I am in love w/ the sweet mug rug!
I’ve done a bit of raw edge applique – always used a glue-based product to adhere them to the project. I love the sweetness of these projects and YES, I can’t resist the gingham sewing machine – I really do want one that looks just like the one you made except I want it to sew. lol
Beautiful work! Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the look of raw edge applique but I am not sure I would beany good at it, the book is very encouraging
I don’t think I have , it’s darling! Would love to try it.
This book looks adorable, I love how your tea tray turned out. So sweet.
The gingham sewing machine is definitely the cutest! Thanks for the chance!
I love appliqué but have never tried raw edge appliqué, and I’d love to! Thanks for the chance to win!
Haven’t tried sewing illustration–but would love to try it.
Yes, I have tried raw edge applique. Definitley needs more work though! Thanks for the chance to win:)
I have not! And just this morning, while having my first cup of coffee, I was searching sites for pictures because it’s next on my list of things to try! How timely!
I have not but would enjoy the challenge of yrting some of these gorgeous designs.
The book is adorable and I love the adorable projects! Applique is my go to 🙂 Thank You!!!
Cute projects!!! Yes, I’ve tried raw appliqué and have put this book on my must have list!
Your projects are awesome! I haven’t done anything that small, but it is appealing to me for Christmas gifts.
I tried it once – not too successfully. But I love the look, so this book may help!
I’d love to try this method! The items look so sweet!!!
I haven’t tried it yet. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have not. But I tempted to try.
Love her work,,, and yours too!! I have done raw edge applique with blanket stitch but not with a machine, love learning new things! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
I have never tried sewing illustration, but would love to. The projects you made from this book are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of this book.
I haven’t tried raw edge applique yet…I was always a little nervous about it. But these projects are so amazingly beautiful and I’m dying to give it a try! Love your fabric choices as well! Beautiful eye candy!
I have tried raw edge applique…I like the look of the black outline!
I’ve done raw edge and I love it
I have tried raw edge stitching on larger items, would love to get all the tips and patterns for these small sweet designs!
The designs and projects are so cute I can’t wait to see the book!
This looks fun!
I haven’t tried this method, but would like to. I have been waiting for this book to come out!
I have done it but it was a long time ago.
No I haven’t tried it yet 🙂
Yes! I’ve made pincushions with it!!! Super fun!!!! Love Minki’s work!!!
These are all so cute! And I love your frame with the little clothes line – what a sweet way to display things!
I just adore these cute little applique designs and especially all of the wonderful and creative ways that you’ve all used them! I would love to win your book, but if I don’t, it will be on my wishlist for sure!
I haven’t tried raw edge appliqué. The gingham sewing machine is so cute. Beautiful giveaway
I have never tried the edge to edge technique. I am very new to applique. 🙂 Thanks for the chance
Love the applique designs included in this book. Yes, I have tried this sketching applique style and it is very freeing. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it! Thank you for the chance at this great giveaway!
Raw edge applique and sewing illustration are both new to me…the projects from the book look great! thanks
I love doodling and FMQ so I think I’ll really enjoy this sketching applique style. I love your pin cushions and the tea mat.
Love those little designs. Thanks for the giveaway.
Yes, I have tried raw edge appliqué, but nothing this small. I love the pin cushions!
No, I have not tried this type of appliqué, but I see that I must. The mug rug and pincushions are absolutely adorable. Clearly, I need this book in my life!
Darling book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I haven’t tried this method yet.
Yes! Have tried Raw-Edge Applique..was fun! Just getting ready to start another project, on a Baby Quilt 🙂
Thank you for chance to win this Awesome Book!! 😀
I may have done this as a child. I know my girls have made things this way.
Yes i’ve tried it. I’m a self taught and would love the book to improve my work. There are many adorable projects in it!!
I am working on my first raw edge appliqué at this moment and learning how to do a tidy satin stitch! Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I have done raw edge applique before not knowing what it was called. It was a lot of fun. This book looks so sweet and amazing.
I tried it with a free motion foot once – it didn’t turn out too badly !!
I HAVE tried, the results were nothing like the beautiful projects in the book! Super cute!
Raw edge is all I know how to do. This book looks like fun.
I absolutely adore these projects. I have had a go but need bit more practice, but so enjoy it. Love the colourful applique against the muslin background.
My friend has this book and I am quite envious of her because I can’t afford it right now. It’s a brilliant, I don’t think there is anything in the book that I don’t want to make. I would be totally delighted to win this book please. Thank you so much for the chance.
I am really looking forward to learning about your raw edge appliqué technique. Your pin cushions are so adorable.
So adorable! I love all these cute little projects and I’ve been wanting to try the raw edge applique. It would be wonderful to win such a lovely book – thanks so much for the chance to win and for inspiring us too!
I have done a bit of raw edge applique, but nothing as sweet as these! I would love to do more experimenting with this technique!
I love raw edge appliqué but haven’t tried illustration in my sewing. Looking forward to making projects from this book for my daughter.
I’ve done a little – but not very successfully!
Your gingham sewing machine is very cute. I would love to win this great book.
I have tried it…just a few times because I didn’t have such cute figures to applique and sew! Thanks for the chance to win.
I haven’t tried it but I am eager to acquire this book and learn!
Amazing projects, I definitely want to try this, need to find out more! Super cute! Great giveaway!
I have not tried “raw edge appliqué”, but I really want to! This book looks absolutely charming.
Thank you!
I have done only a little bit of REA and enjoyed it a lot.
It looks beautiful. Ive never tried the free edging design before. Im inspired to try it!!!
I haven’t tried sewing illustration/raw edge applique yet. This terrific book would certainly help me learn the technique!
I have tried this technique a few times and it always turns out so cute! I can’t wait to try the projects within Minki’s book.
I haven’t tried raw edge applique but it looks so adorable!!!
I haven’t tried raw edge appliqué but this looks like fun.
Never 🙂
I love the placemats!
I made one of Minki’s rabbit designs from a magazine article. I’d love to learn how to transfer my drawings to stitches.
Great review! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. The sweet photos made me put this book on my “wish list”. To answer your question, I have never done raw edge applique. I have done turned edge hand applique and machine applique with the blanket stitch, but I really love the raw edge look. I have read a few on-line tutorials and the bloggers really make it sound easy…I just need to sit down one day and give it a try!
I haven’t tried this technique, it’s on my list of must do’s 🙂
Haven’t tried this technique yet, excited to try
Not yet but I would love a new hobby!
I have not tried it but would love to. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have not tried this type of applique but am interested in doing so.
Já fiz alguns trabalhos, mas ainda tenho que melhorar!
E pelas fotos terei muitos projetos neste livro para fazer!
Parabéns pelos magnificos trabalhos!
What a great way to add to designs. Thanks for the opportunity to try to win a copy of the book.
Never tried it! I need a good tutorial.
This applique is so darling! I love how small it is! really cute projects that would make cute gifts!
I have tried it but I definately need practice! I love yourpin cushions. They look so neat
I would like to try this method. Looks so neat. Thanks for the chance to win.
joyecox@yahoo.com
I would love to win a copy! Thank you for giveaway.
Yes I have done a few Sew Illustrated projects, would love to learn Minki’s technique and how she does everything.
Love the little projects!
Cute as cute can be! Have never tried this but sure want to. The book looks so neat. Would love to win a copy. love your projects too!
No, I’ve never tried this technique. It adds a creative touch. Thanks for the giveaway.
Love your work. I have done raw edge applique but have never used the sewn line in a framing or illustrative way. Always have used thread that blends with the fabric. I like the contrast your work has with the darker thread.
Such sweet sewing illustrations. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I might win this book
I love the pincushions! They’re so cute.
My fingers have been itching to do free stitching but I never have tried. Want to ever so much!
I really want to try this!
Those pin cushions are lovely. I’ve tried raw edge applique once a few years ago. Will have to give it another go. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Thanks for the giveaway. I like to do raw edge piecing and applique.
I have never tried raw edge appliqué, but the results are quite lovely.
Your mug rugs are adorable!
Love your “goodies” they are so cute. Would love to have this book to use all its wonderful ideas to decorate my sewing room.
I watched how to make this kind of sewing alive for few minutes and I loved it immediately but never had the courage to try by my self! I would love to win this amazing book ^_^
I have tried some raw edge but would love “professional” instructions. 🙂
Your pincushions are so cute! I really like the twill tape with the tape measurement marks on them. I have never seen that before. Where did you get it? You tea mat is cute too!
Thanks Patty – if you search for zakka tape on Etsy you should be able to find some tape measure ribbon.
I have done very little sewing illustration, that’s why I definitely want to read this book! Thanks for the give away!
I made a ‘fly away’ block for the quilt for Merel from the Netherlands with 5 little birds. I’m interested to learn any tips or tricks that would improve my stitching.
Lovely book! Wish I can buy it!
Just found your
blog today! So
many wonderful
projects in this
book. I haven’t
tried this technique
but it looks fun!
Carla from Utah
I never have even wanted to try this technique…until now. Everything I’ve seen from this book is adorable!
I made placemats years ago for Christmas gifts and plan to repeat them this year. The book will be a great help! Thanks for the giveaway!
What a nice collection of pincushions. The place mat is also so beautiful
Love all the projects from this book! Thank you for this giveaway!!
I’ve never tried it before but it sounds fun!!
I’ve done raw edged applique before, even on a small scale, and I am dying to get this book and try out their designs.
No not tried but will be on my list of things to try for sure