Sew, So Cute (Leisure Arts #4809) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a beginner sewer--not having sewn in 35 years (since early teens) and just re-entering about 3-4 months ago.
I just ordered this book and received it on 3/25. The reason for the 3 is that I commend the publishers for putting it in a spiral form--which makes it easer for us to use it while we are sewing. I even looked at the image before purchasing.
Although there are some useful patterns (diaper bags, baby bibs, some aprons), many in my opinion, I could have (and seen) pulled off of the internet for free. For instance: pincushions, potholder and mit, bunny rabbit(?). I can't use any of those.
Also, and again, for the beginner, the instructions just tell you what to get, whot to cut out. There's not step-by-step guidelines on ANY of the patterns.
I don't blame Leasuire Arts because I ordered their Home Decor book the same time I ordered this (only directly from Leisure Arts) and it's very clear and has useful patterns.
So, today I made arrangements for a refund because it wasn't what the descriptions cracked it up to be. Also, my book came damaged. The box was damaged. I had several other books from KWIK SEW in the same box that were not damaged. The KWIK SEW books were wrapped in plastic, this book was not.
I would not recommend this book for any level. If I am disappointed as a true novice, I'd hate to hear what an intermediate, let alone an advanced sewer might think!
You may get some delight again from the fact that it is spiral, the pics are all color, and the sizes of the pics are OK. The print is readable--not small like some sewing books. That's my 2 cents.

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Whatever your skill level, these Mary Engelbreit designs to sew will bring out the best in your creative spirit. Choose your favorite fabrics and start stitching aprons, baby bibs, place mats, and sewing accessories, just to name a few! Enclosed spiral hardcover binding makes the book easy to use, and there's a Sewing Primer to help you gather your supplies and sew every stitch, whether by hand or machine. And when a project calls for a pattern, you ll find it in the beautiful envelope on the inside cover. We like this idea of keeping the full-size patterns tidy and close-at-hand so you can reuse them as many times as you wish. These 26 designs are more than just exciting items to sew; they're also gifts you'll be proud to make for everyone you know.

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Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is fantastic! Just what you expect from Joelle Hoverson and Stewart, Taboori, and Chang. The pictures are beautiful and the projects are varied and interesting. Like her Last Minute Knitted Gifts, this book is broken down by estimated time to make the project. The first projects are simple and take only and hour or two. The projects are all very original, and go from the simplicity of little quilted coasters to an heirloom-worthy log cabin quilt. There are gifts you could make for many different people, from babies to your grandma!
The instructions are very clear, and even if you have been sewing for years you will learn new techniques. I cannot wait to try out the technique for applique- much easier than the needles turned and stitched method! I cannot wait to make the wonderful quilt with the birds in the tree. If you enjoy sewing, and making handmade gifts for people, then you will definitely get your money's worth from this book!

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More than half of the projects in this book can be completed in less than 8 hoursIn an age of mass-produced, look-alike merchandise, there's no greater pleasure than to receive—or to give—a handmade gift. To make gifts for family and friends testifies to your esteem for them and to your loving dedication of precious energy and time.And there's the rub. These days, few people have time to create elaborate hand-fashioned gifts. Understanding the demands on contemporary crafters' schedules—but understanding, too, their wish to express their love and care in this very personal way—led Joelle Hoverson to write Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Now, in the follow-up to that extremely successful 2004 volume—with nearly 80,000 copies in print—Hoverson and photographer Anna Williams present Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts.The book—designed for use by both first-time and longtime quilters—features 30 patchwork and quilted projects organized according to the amount of time it takes to complete them: less than 2 hours, 2 to 4 hours, 4 to 8 hours, 8 to 12 hours, and 12 hours or more. The gifts are inspired by Amish, Appalachian, and Japanese quilting traditions, among others, and range from easy pillowcases and covered scrapbooks to simplified (but heirloom-worthy) log cabin and crazy quilts. Hoverson also shares an overview of her approach to color as well as the tools and techniques she used to complete the projects in the book.

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