January Book Reviews

 The Fabric Selector by Dana Willard

This book is a brilliant reference guide for any sewist, covering hundreds of different types of fabric.  It gives a general introduction to each fabric covering the origins and where you are likely to find it.  It then describes the fabric properties, along with any special considerations you need to be aware of before using that fabric. Then you get advice on how to handle and use the fabric along with care tips (washing/drying/ironing).

The fabrics are split into 5 sections: Woven, Knits, Speciality, Blended & Patterned.  What’s more there is also a guide to trimmings, fastenings, tools, sewing machine feet, using patterns & indentifying fabrics.  This book is a very useful guide to keep beside your machine and consult when you are planning new projects.

This book is published by Search Press and you can look inside it here, and purchase it here.

We have a couple excerpts from this book on our How to Guides section of the site.

Sew Serendipity Bags by Katy Whitt

When I opened this book I found a 2 page spread of images of bags that are in the book and fell in love!  Fresh modern designer fabrics are used and the image showed several bags I would love to own.  There are 12 bag projects in the book with full size pattern pieces provided for each.  You also get several pages of instructions and colourful hand drawn diagrams plus photos to guide you to make each bag.   I like the hand drawn sketches, they bring a unique style to the book.

The projects are categorised by difficulty so that if you are new to bag making you can work your way through from the start and gain skills & confidence as you progress.  The instructions are very detailed and the steps split down for making each section of the bag, making this book ideal for beginners as well as more experienced sewists.

As well as your standard handbags and day to day bags you also have a nappy bag, a laptop bag plus a backpack included in the book.  Enough projects to keep you busy for quite some time.

This book is published by Krause Publications and you can buy it in the UK on the RUCraft website here.

The Colette Sewing Handbook by Sarai Mitnick

This is a long awaited sewing guide from the designer behind Colette Patterns, Sarai Mitnick.  Aimed at beginner to intermediate sewing this book covers the basics of dressmaking, from choosing fabrics and following a pattern to fitting tips & techniques and a guide to alterations.    

The book is broken down into 7 chapters: Getting started, A thoughtful plan, A precise pattern, A fantastic fit, A beautiful fabric, a fine finish and Keep learning. 

The book has a lot of step by step guides with photos and diagrams to guide you.  You also get 5 exclusive patterns from Colette in the back of the book.  The book is spiral bound too which means it is easier to keep it open on the page you are working from.

This guide would be a very useful guide for someone new to dressmaking, or an intermediate sewer looking to pick up some additional skills and tips.

This book is published by Krause Publications and you can buy it in the UK on the RUCraft website here.

Hardanger for the Horrified by Jane Greenoff.

This book is a pdf e-book which you buy on cd.   Written by popular cross stitch author Jane Greenoff it introduces the reader to the Hardanger embroidery technique.    The book starts by explaining what Hardanger is and covering the history of the technique.

Next there is a chapter on the basics with useful diagrams and integrated video.  You are then encouraged to try one of the projects to help you master the technique.  The projects have step by step instructions, diagrams, video guides, photos and stitch charts – more than enough to guide you even if you have never tried Hardanger before.   There is a stitch library at the end of the book.

Projects include a pretty needlecase, a  scissor keeper, a needle roll , some samplers and a book cover.   They have really made the most of the e-book format with lots of integrated links to you can easily get back to the techniques section, or the relevant video clip if you need help with any of the projects.   

This book is ideal for beginners; the video clips really help to show you what you should be doing it’s the next best thing to having someone in the room teaching you.

This book is published by Rainbow Disks and can be purchased here.

Stitched Whimsy by Heidi Boyd

This book is full of cute colourful makes which would delight adults and children alike.   The majority of the projects are made with felt so it cuts down on the amount of sewing needed as the edges won’t fray.  All the projects are designed to be hand stitched.

The projects are divided into 4 main chapters:  Needle Felt Fun, Whimsy for the Home, Loveable Plushies and Felt & Fabric.  There’s also an introductory section covering materials, tools and basic stitches as well as patterns at the back of the book (not full size).

The thing I love the most is the hand drawn diagrams which accompany the step by step instructions, they are painstakingly detailed and beautifully drawn.  The majority of the projects are adorable animals, gnomes and fairies, I love the woodland animals.  If cutesy creatures and softies are your thing then this is the book for you.  

This book is published by North Light Books and sold in the UK on the RUCraft website here.