A remedy for a creative block?

I do this all the time. I feel stumped--stuck, unable to come up with an idea. For days I will doodle and sketch in a vain attempt to produce my next project.

Silly me, I have a nice little library of sewing books to inspire me! When I cannot come up with something on my own, there is always the trusty bookshelf to get me all warmed up.  A simple apron here, a book bag there and I am all revved up and ready to sew!  In browsing Amazon.ca, I came across some newer titles that I'm very excited to get my hands on.

Of course, there's Amy Butler's Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags.  On principal alone, I must add this to my library, having collected all of her other books...  But then there's The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags.  A companion guide perhaps?  Oh, and then there's Joel Dewberry's Sewn Spaces: Fresh and Modern Projects For Your Life and Home.

There are actually a great many titles that I want to check out. I will share them with you in the coming months, and review them as I acquire each book. It's been a very long time and I think my library (as well as my creative soul) needs a bit of refreshing. Part of me wants to just put them on the old birthday wish list, but I am not sure if I can wait that long.

This is good... I am starting to feel like my old self.

Now Read This: One Yard Wonders

One-Yard Wonders, by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, contains 101 sewing projects that can be made with just ONE yard of fabric! This is the perfect book for a young or new sewer, wanting to experiment and build up confidence. No project is so advanced that she would get discouraged (or lost). At the same time, a seasoned sewer would find this to be an excellent resource for when you hit a creative block or just feel like playing around with your fabrics.  Best of all, no fear of wasting large quantities of fabric (you are only using 1 yard, after all).  Just about any project in this book is quick and easy and would make for some affordable last minute gifts.

 Full-sized pattern pieces are included. There are 300+ pages of projects, tips, and resource guides. This book was a steal at a mere $18! I've paid a great deal more for other books that were not nearly as fun and inspirational, and with only 20 or so projects at that.  I was lucky if I ever produced more than 3 projects.  I purchased this book for my very lucky niece (who received a sewing machine for Christmas from yours truly). I thought it would be perfect for her. I quickly fell in love with this book for me that I came incredibly close to buying myself a copy. Lucky for me, my wonderful husband-to-be had it under the Christmas tree for me.  =)

Yes, there are projects of incredible simplicity (really, does one need a pattern for a pot holder or place mat?  Do I need another apron, wall organizer, or laundry bag?), but the fabric choices and wonderful photography are so cheery that they encouraged even this seasoned sewer to whip up a few quick projects (once my machine is fixed). Why not? I already know that I will be pulling this book from my sewing library often. I must have revisited this book twice a week since the holidays. I may just leave it next to my machine for easy access.

There are 11 chapters that cover everything from Craft Organization and Household items to Playtime and Furry Friends. I love that not only can I make a handbag or smock, I can also find instruction on creating a cuddly turtle or baby elephant. Really, they have thought of everything.  The cute factor that is present on most photos helps as well. How could one resist?!


I give One Yard Wonders 4.5 pink buttons out of 5!

photos c/o storey.com

Pretty Pages... Part 2

But wait, there's more!  I gushed about how in love I am with my collection of clothbound classic books a few months back. Well, Coralie Bickford-Smith has done it again! She has designed beautiful covers for 10 more literary classics.  

These were available to order in Canada just this past October. It seems that Chapters only has 6 of the 10 titles available... so I will have to keep an close eye out for the remaining 4. Not only are these books that everyone should have in their library (and read at least once), they are also just gorgeous little works of art to have on display in your home.

So pretty...

Now Read This: Sew & Stow

This is a book that I have borrowed from the library approximately 3 times! Why, you ask? When I had initially borrowed it, I flipped through it the same day, saw a few neat, common-sense ideas and I was really happy to have the book. However, I then set it down somewhere only to inadvertently neglect it for several weeks. Before I knew it, the book was due back... 

The second time that I had borrowed it, I took a very close look at the contents. I saw very cute projects, all around the theme of storage and organization. This time, I earmarked a few pages, but failed to begin any projects.

By the third time, it was just getting ridiculous! I borrowed it, again, and this time vowed to either use the book to it's full potential or be done with it for once and for all.  Something kept drawing me back to this book everytime I perused the stacks of hobby, craft and sewing books. Was it the fancy cover and the fact that this book stood out more than most?  (I have been known to be a sucker for packaging). Not sure why the reason, but I am pleased to have given this book another chance.

Sew & Stow: 31 Fun Sewing Project to Carry, Hold and Organize your Stuff, Your Home and Yourself, by Betty Oppenheimer is a book that really grew on me. As the title indicates, this book revolves around projects that produce practical everyday items to aid you in organizing your home, your belongings and yourself.  From a sewing caddy, to a wall organizer, or a lunch tote to a laundry bag, this book offers projects that are appropriate for sewers of all skill levels.  Though do I feel that the average novice can tackle the vast majority of these projects with little to no difficulty.  No new inventions here, just simple, useful items that can be created by most anyone. There are plenty of sidebar tips and information is frequent throught this book. Instructions are clear and well written and the projects are nicely photographed.  This is a book that I turned to constantly when my fingers itched and I felt compelled to make something, but my brain was lacking any concrete ideas at the moment.

My only caveat (and it may seem trivial to some), is that all of the lovely photographs of each project were grouped together in the first section of the book. Instructions for each followed in the later pages. This meant for quite a bit of flipping back and forth. No, not the end of the world, but I tend to want to have a constant visual along side my instructions (like when you are following a recipe). I had successfully completed a handful of projects, taking inspiration from this book, but adding my own additions or adjustments.  I often refer back to my teenaged niece (as she is a relatively new sewer), and this would be an excellent addition to her personal library. This is a great book if you are keen on making handmade gifts that are practical as well as appreciated.

I give this book 4 pink buttons out of 5!

Now Read This: Weekend Sewing

Another book borrowed from the local library...  Weekend Sewing , More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching, by Heather Ross.

I have to say that I somewhat am on the fence about this one. This is actually a very nice little book.  The projects are quite lovely and can satisfy the novice as well as an advanced sewer. It offers a little bit of everything from sewing for the home, accessories, as well as apparel.  The projects range from very simple (drawstring travel bags, aprons and dish towels), to slightly more complex projects (pajama pants, shirt dress...).  The book offers inspiration on setting up a sewing space in your home, which I enjoyed thoroughly.  You will find basic sewing terminology and techniques as well as some recipes. It's a neat little mixed bag of everything. If you wish to live creatively and aspire to make something, this book would definitely appeal to you.  The projects are nicely photographed, have clear illustrations and instructions and are very pleasant to look at.

So, why am I on the fence about this one? The sizing of the patterns are quite limited. Yes, you are offered a generic S/M/L range, but even for the large sizes, they seem a tad small, so you have to be adept in re-sizing to fit correctly . I was also able to catch several errors with regards to required yardage. This I realized when attempting to lay out pattern pieces on my fabric for more than one project. Thankfully, Heather has posted some errata pages on her blog.  I highly recommend that you print out and refer to this information before attempting some of the projects. But, like any sewing book I suppose this is par for the course.

My final caveat, the pattern pieces themselves...they come on 2 large sheets of paper, tucked into the dust jacket of the book. The thing is, they are printed on both sides of these sheets and they all overlap. That said, if you want to attempt more than one project you cannot simply cut away. I feel that you really only have 2 options... Get your hands on a tracing wheel and transfer these pattern pieces onto some manila paper, or go to your local print shop and ask them to make several copies of the pattern sheets.

All in all, I do feel that this book is a great first attempt and at the very least is certainly inspiring.

I give this book 3 1/2 pink buttons out of 5.

Amy Butler Sew-it Kit

I made this fabric cover for a tissue box today.  I have actually been meaning to get around to it for over 2 years now. It is quite sad really that it has taken this long. I was itching to make something the other day, but was not fully committed to pulling out any bolts of fabric and pattern drafting paper just yet. The edge of the Sew-it Kit caught my eye and provided me with a good enough morsel to tranquilize my urge long enough.


I had ordered the Amy Butler Sew-it Kit at least 2 years ago when I was trying to refresh my sewing library.  It is a neat little box that houses 15 simple sewing projects for your home. It contains pattern pieces, a reference booklet as well as individual instruction cards for each project. And, as a cherry on top, you have the added bonus of  a small sample of Amy Butler fabric and matching thread to create your very own tissue box cover, the very cover that I have successfully created and photographed here.  Note that it is fully reversible (the other side is solid brown in colour).

I like it and I think it turned out pretty well... Personally, I would have gone about the construction a tad differently, as there were corners that gave me grief. I also would omit the reversible feature all together.  In spite of this, it all worked out in the end. Yes, the tissue boxes available today are very funky and brightly coloured or patterned so you may feel that there is no need for this effort. Some even have unusual shapes...but I like this option far better.  You will definitely have the most unique tissue box on your desk at the office.

It was fast and easy enough to do that I was able to whip up a few more (using my own modifications). I will just swap them out with the seasonal changes, or when I grow tired of  a particular colour or print.

As far as the kit itself goes, I was a bit dissapointed. Most of  the projects overlap from Amy's In Stitches book from 2006 and I was expecting a bit more variety. I do like the portability of the project cards however, as it is nice alternative to having to tote around a large book.  The projects are beautifully photographed and the packaging is rather cute.  I think it would make a very nice gift for a novice sewer or anyone that likes to dabble in home decor as a hobby.  I think this is something that my teen-aged niece would find quite appealing.  The fact that you do receive the materials to create the tissue box cover perhaps saves this kit from being a total loss. All in all, I really cannot find anymore fault with the fabulous Amy Butler, as I do love her fabrics!   

I give this Sew-It Kit 3 pink buttons out of 5.

Now, I feel compelled to cover things with fabric. I spent a good 30 minutes staring at boxes, bins and just about any vessel to see what I could cover next.  Come to think of it, I really do need a proper sewing machine cover. I don't like my options out in the stores.  No, the task of making one is not nearly as fun or easy as sewing up bottomless cubes to cover tissue boxes, but it really should be done for once and for all. Perhaps I will finally settle down and make it.

Now Read This: Sewing Green

I am building quite the collection of sewing and craft books in my personal library. For the most part, I am thoroughly pleased with my choices.  The odd time however, I am drawn in and tricked by a pretty cover and a few projects with lovely photographs, only to be disappointed by the lack of  originality or skill required in the remaining pages of the book. 

I have taken to the habit of borrowing from the local library if I see that they carry a book of my interest. A 'try before you buy' method, if you will. In some cases, I've been known to borrow the same book several times because of just how great it was, only to just cave in and purchase it out-right. Sewing Green by Betz White will be one of those books.

Released in April of 2009, Sewing Green is a fantastic book chock full of 25 projects that utilize repurposed and organic materials. Betz provides easy instruction for each project, handy resource listings, as well as tips and techniques for living a greener lifestyle. (I loved the powdered laundry detergent recipe provided). You will also find interesting fast facts about repurposing efforts throughout.

The projects are beautifully photographed and clearly outlined. A novice sewer will be excited and capable of any project, while an intermediate sewer will still be challenged and inspired.  The cute cafe aprons made from men's dress shirts as well as the natural produce bags will be the first projects that I take on.  Though the felted foliage scarf appearing on the books front cover may materialize just in time for the Autumn weather.

Sewing Green will be the newest addition to my sewing reference libary in the very near future.  Lovely book!

I give this book 4 1/2 pink buttons out of 5.

Pretty Pages

This past winter I came across a gorgeous set of Penguin Classics books at my local Chapters Indigo bookstore. I was actually looking for an add-on to a Valentine's Day gift, and these caught my eye. I was spellbound by the beautifully designed book covers. They were so prettily merchandised on a table top, looking like little jewels. I could not stop looking at them and wanted to snap up the whole set then and there. I must have spent a good 10 minutes peering at each book cover. Unfortunately, funds were severely limited and I had to take in last glances and walk on by.

These were designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, a book cover designer at Penguin UK. The titles included in this beautifully designed series include:

Madame Bovary

Great Expectations

Wuthering Heights

Sense and Sensibility

Cranford

Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Pride and Prejudice

Crime and Punishment

Jane Eyre

The Picture of Dorian Gray

My train ride home was interesting. I attempted to get on with my day and began thinking of the usual chores and errands for the week; laundry, dishes, ironing...books. Groceries, dentist, dry cleaner...BOOKS! By they time I had arrived home, I found myself still enamoured (more like obsessed) with these books. Sure, I already own several of the titles, but I just had to have these. This set had to grace the shelves of my library. I had enough will power to delay the purchase for a while. However, about a month later, I had searched online and was pleased to see that Chapters still had all but one title in stock. I happily ordered the lot and simply picked up the the outstanding title at a later date. I am now on the hunt for bookplates worthy enough to ahere to the inside cover of each book

Lovely, aren't they? I am happy to have made this purchase when I did, as these have been sold out for a while now. Is it a tad excessive to now own multiple copies of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility? I think not.