Hooks, Needles and Brushes: storey

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Monday, February 7, 2011

Review and Giveaway: "Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders" Edited by Judith Durant.

" Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders " is a knitting/crochet book with 101 patterns that go way beyond socks. This book is amazing in form of ideas, projects included in it. This book will tempt to you to knit all the projects be it a child's sweater, a shawl or scarf for special event , bags to tote, Fingerless gloves to snuggly to keep coffee warm and if that's not enough , check out socks, baby clothes, lampshades, ornaments, laptop and eyeglass cover's and many more.This book has variety and fantastic ideas to work on. I haven't tried any projects however will do 1 soon once I am finished with one's I am working on.
There are some fantastic, some simple and some tempting projects everything in one book. I think this is a great buy especially for knitter's/crocheter's of any level as there is something that everyone can work on.

Pros: A book with great collection of patterns from easy and simple to advanced and classy.
Cons: I haven't tried any project however have read the book and no issues
Overall: Good Book.

About the Author: Judith Durant is one of the founding editors of Interweave Knits magazine, author of Never Knit Your Man a Sweater* (*unless you've got the ring!), and editor of One-Skein Wonders. Her designs and articles have appeared in Interweave Knits, Beadwork, and Piecework magazines. She lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, and can be found at http://www.judithdurant.com/.

Giveaway: Storey Publishing has agreed to giveaway "Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders" 101 Patterns That Go Way beyond Socks book to 1 of our lucky readers. See below details how you can be the lucky winner.
Contest open to U.S Residents only.

GIVEAWAY RULES!

Leave an e-mail addrs at every comment so I can contact you.

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment below and tell us what project would you like to start if you win this book?

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3.Blog about this giveaway. '(3 separate entries pls)

4.Subscribe to one of our blogs.( 1 entry for each blog)

The winner will be chosen by Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway ends 2/28/2011 at 11:59 PM Central.

ISBN:978-1-60342-579-7
Books can also be purchased at Amazon and Storey Direct
Pattern correction in the book are here.
Special Thanks to Storey Publishing for the review and giveaway copies
Picture and Author's bio copyright storey publishing.

xoxo,

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Monday, January 24, 2011

The Sewing Answer Book by Barbara Weiland Talbert

The Sewing Answer book by Barbara Weiland Talbert is a boon to sewer's especially to beginner's and to sewer's who even though sew for sometime and are looking for answer's to various q's coming to their mind while sewing. This book has most of the solutions to questions that crop up in your mind while sewing, atleast it did to all the questions i had or been asked while teaching. The book is divided in 11 chapters:
1. Setting up your Sewing Room: Where the author had answered on some questions about Sewing Machine Primer, Cutting tools, Pressing Equipments and Sewing Room Ergonomics.
2. Needles and Threads:What & How to select the thread, What needles to be used and answers on Hand sewing.
3. Stitching Basics: This section she answers on q's about how to set the machine stitch, how to get proper tension and know-how on machine stitching and hand-sewing.
4. Working with Patterns: How to read pattern and select the right pattern for your project, how to work on fitting adjustments , laying out and cutting the pattern pieces. These are some of the topics covered in this section.
5. All about Fabrics: Selecting, Preparing and Cutting the fabric and how to understand the facts of the fabrics like how to prevent puckering in fabrics like knit.
6. Interfacing and linings: Where and How Interfacing is used, What kind of Interfacing such as sew-in or fusible interfacing is better and many more such questions have been answered.
7 & 8. Seam and Seam finishes & Hem and Hem-Edge Finishes: In this 2 chapter the author had tried answering most of the questions like Bind it, Collar, Selecting the Right finishing method and solving them.
9. Shaping to Fit: The most essential part atleast i always have questions on such as ease and gathers, Tucks and pleats, how to properly insert elastic etc.
10. Waistlines, Pockets and Sleeves: How and what q's on waistbands, casings, pockets and flaps, cuffs etc.
11. Fasteners and Closures: Basics on Buttonholes, Button facts, Hook closures, and most importantly on lapped ,centered and invisible zippers.
In the book while answering some of the q's a small picture explaining diagram is shown as and where necessary. The book may have 1-2 questions that you have in mind which you may not find answer however it will atleast answer other 20-30 questions you have in mind that you will find answer's too. I think this book is worth having in your sewing library and it is so handy you may want to carry it in your sewing kit wherever you go.

About the author: Barbara Weiland Talbert is a nationally known sewing freelance writer and quilt book editor. Hers is a well-known name to home sewers and quilters. She has edited over 100 quilting books and designs her own lines of quilt and tote bags. Over the past twenty-plus years, Barbara has written over a thousand magazine articles on sewing and quilting subjects. Her byline has appeared in several sewing publications, including Sew News, Sewing Savvy, and Creative Machine Embroidery. Barbara has spent her career focusing on educating, supporting, and encouraging her readers to develop their skills and enjoy the fruits of their love for sewing and quilting.

Pros: Amazing book with great amount of knowledge for sewers

Con's: None found.
Overall: Great Book
Correction: You may find a correction for this book here.

Books can be purchased at B&N, Amazon and StoreyDirect.com
ISBN: 978-1-60342-543-8

Author Bio & Pic copyright by Storey Publishing
Thanks to Storey for sending this copy for review.

xoxo,

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Friday, January 14, 2011

Book review: Sewing School

Sewing School, 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make by Amie Petronis Plumley, Andria Lisle is a good book to introduce your child to the world of crafts, especially sewing.As mentioned the book author's both Amie Plumley and Andria Lisle teach a children’s sewing camp that delights kids and parents every year. This book feature's projects which will surely make your kids proud. I did some projects from this book with kids and they were extremely delighted with results.The book has "An Introduction to adults" where the author's have explained how to get started, encouraging your kids, how-to teach in groups and much more. I personally believe in teaching kids handmade items and like this book as it would motivate parents to help their kids become creative and would be a great book for them. This book will also be favorite's to teachers.
The book focuses on 12 Chapter's with 21 project's for kids such as Pillow, Blankets, Wallet, Tote, Apron, Pouch, Coaster's. It also includes projects such as how to stitch doll skirt as well as their own and also focuses on recycling and repairing their clothes and toys.The book also has pattern pieces in a envelope. The book has wonderful pictures of kids sewing each project with notes. Step by step projects have been explained for easy understanding.

About the Author's: Amie Petronis Plumley teaches kindergarten at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Memphis, where she utilizes her creative background and her Masters Degree in Education to inspire students to sew in the classroom, in an after-school Sewing Club, and at a summer camp. She is the mother of two small children and lives in Tennessee.
Andria Lisle, freelance journalist and author of Waking Up in Memphis, writes about music, food, and pop culture for The Commercial Appeal newspaper and the Memphis Flyer alt-weekly, as well as for myriad magazines including Paste, MOJO, and Garden and Gun. When not at her laptop, she loves to sew. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Pro's: Good book with clear instruction and the plus is it develops ypur child creativity.

Con's: 5 to 7 year's old kid's with needles may need to be kept checking constantly and can get tiring well not that it's not worth the effort however with 7+ you can work on these projects with minimal supervision.
Overall: Great Book

Books can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Storey Direct.

ISBN: 9781603425780

Pic and Author Bio text :Copyright of Storey Publishing.
A special thanks to Storey Publishing for sending this book for review.

xoxo,

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Book review: One Yard Wonders

The One Yard Wonders, By Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, offers 101 sewing projects with a punch line as "Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yared of Fabric".There are 101 projects from home to craft, Babies to toys and from Bags to dresses actually to work with One Yard of fabric or rather less.The spiral bound book had a pocket with pattern pieces in it.The author's have nicely described this book breaking it down into in 11 chapters:
1.Sewing fundamantals: which can be helpful for sewer's especially new to sewing.It explains about fabric, Making and using patterns, Sewing-Machine help, Stitch Terminology and much more.
2.Dwell Redux: If you have been looking for projects to orgabising your dresser or lined book case then this section will definately be of your interest with projects like Framed Tack Board, Ruffled Cafe Curtain to Organizers.
3.Household affairs: Everything you need for your house and kitchen such as Oven Mitt & Hotpads,Obi inspired Hot & cold packs and many more
4.Craft Organistaion: This will definately interest all sewers and crafter's as it had some amazing projects such as All-You-Need Sewing Kit, Artist Brushes Case to Craft/Garden Apron and other projects.
5.On the Go: Cover's topics for projects that you would use such as a laptop sleeve, Quilted Lunch Bags, Car Trash Bags to Yoga Mat all that you need while you are out.
6.From Head to Toe: Women who love to dress and make their own especially will enjoy this section which has Pin-tucked top, Bias Skirt , Sundress to hat and many more neat projects.
7.Carry it All: Do we ladies have enought bag's not me so here is the section to make a bag for every occassion from Market Tote to Petite Diaper Tote.
8.Outfit for Your Small Wonder:Dress up your precious little one in some great projects like Jacket, Pinafore,
Jumper, dresses to cute pleated skirt.
9. Accessorize Your Little Ones: Another beauiful collection of Baby Apron, Firefighter hat, Toddle Art Smock, Pirate Growwth Chart to Banners along with few other.
10.Playtime: CUte Teddy bear cushion, Lapdog, Checkers,Pull along Dino, Elephant, Go fly a Kite and much more cute toys for kids that they would love.
11.Your Furry Friends: Now how can we forget our four legged companions.There are projects that they will like too such as Pooch Walking Set (Includes leash, collar, Bandana and Walk Bag),Cozy Dog Bed, Milo's feline friendly Tepee to Better-then-a box Pet bed
Plus at the end there is also Applique designs to finish your project.

Pro's: A good book and sewer's would love to have it in their collection. Great collection of projects to make for everyone at home.Loved the fact that bio's of all pattern contributor's was mentioned in the book in the end which generally is not seen much in other book's.

Con's: Only thing could have been worked on was giving some more diagrams even it means less projects.As some sewer's especially new or self-taught learn visually and that aspect is missing in the book.Intermediate's will enjoy the book thoroughly while experienced sewer's would not find much challenging projects however there is always something to keep them busy too.

Overall: Great Book

About the Author's:Rebecca Yaker began sewing at age five. After eight years of designing apparel for two of
America’s largest retailers, Rebecca started her own design business, creating one-of-a-kind baby bedding and apparel in her Minneapolis design studio. She is a hand- and machine-knitter, crochets, weaves, does fabric printing, and consults on design. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Moscow State Linguistics University, doing work in Russian Languages and Literature.

Patricia Hoskins:is the co-founder of Crafty Planet, a retail fabric and needlework store and craft workshop located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has designed several of the patterns used in Crafty Planet classes. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, spinning, sewing, quilting, embroidery, and cross-stitching. She is a graduate of American University and the University of Oregon, concentrating in Russian Studies.

Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60342-449-3
Books available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Storey Direct

Picture and Author Bio: Copyright of Storey Publishing

Imp: There are some pattern corrections which are available at Storey.com website

xoxo,