Southern Rambles™: sewing

Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Book Review: Sew Serendipity Sewing Workbook; D&C Publishing

Sew Serendipity Sewing Workbook makes a handy companion for trips to the fabric store, and is a convenient source of easy-to-follow sewing advice.

This workbook offers resources and ideas you'll love:

*8 quick, seasonal projects that you try out techniques and create fun accessories.

*Notions and fabric charts, project planning calendars, worksheets, checklists and more.

*Sewing tips and tricks from Kay Whitt, author of Sew Serendipity and Sew Serendipity Bags

*Note-taking space to keep track of projects, techniques, and inspiration

MY REVIEW

This book is set up as a question/answer book as well as a journal. Not only does it answer questions that most seamstresses (sewing hobbyists) want to know about (ex. Sewing in a zipper) but it gives you room to get a feel for what you would like to sew, purchase for your sewing projects, and goals you would like to set for yourself.

I have been sewing (really sewing) for about 3 years now. When I first began my journey down the oh-so-frightening (so I thought) sewing path, I had a ton of questions. The problem with my questions was I didn't have anybody to answer them. SO because it's the 21st century, I googled them. YES- I got about 1,000 different answers and techniques to the questions I asked, which only confused me even more.

I so wish I had had this book. When you are starting out, not only do you have questions but you definitely need to get a feel for what YOU like to sew. It's not going to be any fun if you are scared of certain techniques or have to skip over a certain project you want to tackle so badly because you don't know how to do something.

This book starts out with the Spring. They ask what goals you'd like to set for yourself for the Spring, what you would like to purchase for your projects, and Gifts you would like to sew for the season. This is in the notebook type, so it gives you room to write in what you actually want. I don't write in my books, so I photocopied each page like this and stuck them together. I put them in a book labeled what year (Spring 2013?) so that I could add more as time went on!

The sewing advice in this book is what tackles the everlasting questions of the beginner. The first advice is on the always dreaded zipper. I've broken MANY sewing needles trying to figure this out by myself back in 2009. Really the only thing freaking me out was myself, once I got the hang of sewing in zippers it was a breeze! This book has amazing illustrations to go with the step-by-step instructions so that you can see what you're doing while doing it.. Makes it 10x easier!

Fusibles? No sew or sew? Have you had questions pertaining as to what is right to use when? This book tells all about everything you need to know about Machine applique and the fusibles that go along with it. You don't want to use NO-sew fusible web when appliqueing! You'll mess up your machine because the stickiness of the fusible web will go through your machine via your machine!

Then it's time to tackle a project. The first project is a wristlet with cute bird applique. This is so you can practice with the zipper and applique (that was in the question section).. Again there are amazing illustrations to go with the step-by-step instructions to guide you in the right direction as you go along with your project.

Then after finishing the project there is a space for "reflection." This is about what you liked best about the project, what you would do differently next time, and what new skill you learned and what other projects you could use it on! This is a "notebook" section of course. I really like that they included this! This gives time to reflect on what types of techniques you learned and what you would like to create with them in the future! Brilliant! Keeps it fun!

I love that the book tackles stabilizers. When I was a beginner that was something else that had me puzzled. I didn't understand the difference of one stabilizer from another and ended up more confused then helped when I searched what I was looking for. This book breaks down the names of the stabilizer, the width, whether it's fusible or not, and the uses for that particular stabilizer (ex. Pellon 911FF is a versatile stabilizer and is perfect for linings of a bag, interlining of handles, facings on skirts and dresses.) Makes it a ton easier to decipher what you need and how much you should buy (if it's versatile you should buy more because more projects can be used with it).

The book tackles quilting your own fabric (mostly for bags and wallets), polar fleece, and laminated fabric. This makes it easier to know what you're getting into before you start to tackle a project. I love the way the book is written-- it's like you've got a best friend (who knows all there is to know about sewing) sitting there guiding you on your way!!

BUY IT:

Sew Serendipity Sewing Workbook: Tips, Tricks and Projects for Those Who Love Sewing

$15.60 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25.

Jessica Renee

Monday, January 21, 2013

Book Review: Singer Simple Sewing by Beth Baumgartel; Creative Publishing

This comprehensive at-your-fingertips reference is an essential addition to every sewer’s library. With more than 1,000 detailed illustrations, SINGER Simple Sewing covers all the need-to-know basics for garment construction and home décor. There’s also an entire section on mending and repair to help you recycle your favorite items with quick and reliable fixes.

No matter what type of sewing project you’re working on, SINGER Simple Sewing will help you sharpen your skills and find smart solutions to make each of your projects the very best.

I began learning to sew in high school home economics class. I learned how to make pillows, blankets, and even a pair of pajamas. I didn’t own my own sewing machine back then though, so when I finally did get mine I was a little rusty.

Being able to review the Singer Simple Sewing Reference book has been amazing. Even though I’ve been sewing (with my own machine) for close to 4 years now, there were still parts of sewing that had me stuck in a rut.

Mostly I just made whatever came into mind when I pulled out the fabric. I was very limited in selection though. I could only make small items such as purses, laptop bags, and random items.

I couldn’t put a piece of clothing together or do anything hard because following patterns was difficult for me. There were other things such as the different machine feet ((I wasn’t sure what was necessary to buy and what I could wait to purchase later).

I love that this book comes with it’s own DVD. You can insert it into your computer or DVD player and see the video’s that accompany the chapters in this book. It shows how to start with your machine, getting ready to start sewing, how to change presser feet, and more. It makes it a lot easier to understand (especially if you’re a beginner.)

Looking through the book was amazing.. they cover anything and everything that has to do with sewing. This is the perfect book for a beginner, but even if you aren’t *like me* there is something to be learned.

The beginning of the book consists of everything there is to know about different parts of the sewing machine and the tools that are needed to begin sewing. The tools contain everything from machine & hand needles, interfacing fusibles, pressing, cutting, & marking tools, to lining.

The detailed illustrations that come with each page make it that much easier to see what you need to do or what is what in sewing tools. The best thing about it that it doesn’t just describe what these things are, it actually tells you how to use the items.

There when I began sewing the differences between fusibles, interfacing, and stabilizers had me confused. This book is amazing because it breaks down what each one is, what they are used best with (i.e. heavyweight interfacing is best for toys, crafts, and accessories), and how to apply them.

The part that helped me best was the “Working with Patterns” part. Taking a pattern and making it your own is quite difficult to begin if you don’t understand HOW to work with the pattern. This part of the book breaks down why there are different sizes on the pattern and how to make sure that you cut and sew them so that they fit YOU. They even show you how to measure yourself so that you know WHICH of the several patterns is more to your body type.

It breaks down each and every notch, dotted line, solid lines, and everything in between. This made me feel more confident just looking at a pattern. It helps to feel like you can accomplish and tackle something before you ever even try. If you’re frazzled before you begin, it won’t take long for something to go wrong.

No matter what you’re trying to accomplish or learn, you can do it with this book. Making ribbons & tassels & bias binding, forming gathers & adding darts, inserting elastic into a casing, pleats, ruffles, and hems.

If you look at a piece and think you might skip it overall because it tells you that you have to do something that you’re scared of, be scared no more my friend! I used to think that shortening a zipper would break my machine needles, so I didn’t even give it a try. This book firmly and efficiently shows how to shorten a zipper so that it functions after you’ve shortened it to size! And it even shows how to insert it if you are stuck on that part too. Amazing!

There is a whole chapter dedicated to showing how to sew up home décor items. This shows how to choose the right fabric and go about sewing shower curtains, bedding, napkins, regular curtains, tablecloths, placemats, and so much more! You’ll be sewing you’re heart away in no time!

The last part of the book is completely about mending and repair. This shows you how to examine a piece and thoroughly decide whether it’s able to be mended or thrown out. Whether it be stressed seams, holes in clothing, patching pockets, adding decorative trim, adding buttons/snaps/zippers that have popped off, repairing lining, or adding extra fabric to clothing that’s gotten too tight- this book nails it right on the head.

Whether you’re a beginner, want to become handy around the house, start your own seamstress business, or know someone who does—this is the perfect book for them or you!! If you buy it for someone else, they will thank you until the end of their days! It is a very helpful book! I love it!

BUY IT: You can buy Singer Simple Sewing: The Complete Illustrated Machine-side Reference of Tips and Techniques for $18.97

Jessica Renee

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Diaper Clutch {Tutorial}

Vanilla Joy has a great tutorial for a diaper clutch that you can access {here}..

Supplies

1/3 yard each of 2 coordinating fabrics (if either of the prints is directional, you’ll need 5/8 and you’ll have tons of fabric left over. Non-directional fabric is best for this project.)
1″ wide velcro
rotary mat, ruler, and cutter

diaper bag pattern