With the end of summer looming, I'm tempted to start thinking about the myriad of projects that I fully intended to finish while on the much needed break... the curtains that were going to be made, the dog bed cover that frankly is MOST necessary... ah, there I go. Instead, I think a little taking stock is in order... Ideas seem like a natural place to start... Sewing project books filled with little gems of inspiration have become a life-blood in my attempts to learn to sew. Here are just a few that I own, and the little bits I've found inside... mixed with some sewing that was actually accomplished this summer...
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::Starting from the bottom::
Amy Butler has been a huge inspiration, her amazing design and color sense has caught my eye as I looked for modern fabric and textiles that would allow me to love the things that I was making. The company also sent almost all of her patterns when I sent them a shocked email after seeing the Birdie Sling mass produced in Target. In Stiches has been a fantastic resource - the patterns are relatively easy to follow and are meticulous, which is much appreciated by this newbie sewer. I always learn a great deal while making Amy's things, sometimes Rob does too, ahem... My first attempts at an Amy Butler pattern came with the Birdie Sling, a Mother's Day gift for my Mom. The bag had way too much interfacing, so much so that it didn't necessarily feel like fabric anymore. I'm also certain the front bands were put in upside down but like a wonderful mother, she loves it anyway. My second attempt, made as a carry-on for vacation was much, much better:
I added a snap and the pockets were so nice and roomy that my lap top fit inside one of them - a bonus indeed! Really great bag, and I love the color combinations. I'm so looking forward to trying some other Amy Butler patterns, especially these:
::A clutch that was almost made for Mom's Birthday, but scared the heck out of me::
::This lovely apron::
::These comfy pants::
I also used one of the patterns to make a sun hat. Though fully functional and very practical when picking blueberries on a summer's day, the hat looks a little ridiculous on as I was once again bit by the interface bug and the pattern calls for too much, in my opinion. I like a floppy hat to flop. Actually it feels more like a sombrero... and not good for hearing things going on around you, though Rob liked that idea - not enough to wear the hat. Anyway, though I loved the fabric (Amy Butler again) when I bought it, I dislike it on the hat... ah well, lessons learned:
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Next up, Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. I should preface this by saying, I love, love, love Heather Ross fabrics. They're whimsical and sometimes funny. I so wanted to love this book, however some of the projects in Weekend Sewing are just not up to standard - missing panel pieces, missing instructions, incorrect fabric requirements on many, many projects. The list of errata for this book is incredibly long and what's worse - it is not kept up to date. I have made a tote bag, drawstring bags and most recently a cosmetic bag (again for vacation) using patterns from the book, and remain a fan of Heather Ross fabrics. I can't say I am a fan of this book, sadly. The cosmetic bag wasn't difficult to make, just not as precise as I'd like. Fabric by Heather Ross:
I'm not exactly sure what my next project will be from this book, I think as confidence in my sewing ability grows, I might tackle the fine tuning of some of the projects I'd love to make. Until then...
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Seams to Me, Anna Maria Horner's book is filled with fantastic yet practical ideas and is most notable this summer for inspiring my love of patchwork. Her book includes lots of little bits of wisdom about sewing, quilting and really great color. I tried the "I'll Take One of Everything Tote" and loved it so much I made two... so I guess I'll take two of everything...
On deck for sewing projects from this book (there are many!)
::the aforementioned curtains and dog bed::
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Patchwork projects were completely new to me and after I made the bag, I decided to get this book:
there are many, many projects I'm looking forward to starting but the quilt, ah the quilt!:
::this beautiful quilt::
My first patchwork project though was a little tutorial I happened upon while looking at this blog... The fabric basket was incredibly easy to make and the inspiration behind a much larger version that was made for my Mother's birthday gift.
I have this fabric in mind for my next patchwork gift...
And am looking forward to my first quilt which will be made out of this fabric...
More to come on quilting and patchwork later...
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And last, but by no means least, the book that was actually my first and given with my sewing machine by a man who loves a practical gift and always gets it right...
Lotta Jandotter's Simple Sewing. I've made so many of the projects that are in this book, and keep coming back to it. The instructions are very well detailed and I never have to question a missing panel or misplaced diagram. I've made napkins, aprons, totes and more from this book, and it really is my favorite - my calm in the sewing storm - very fitting that it should have come from Rob... Next in line (immediately next, I'm working on it as you read this) is a new tote bag for school, which should make going back the tiniest bit easier, right? I thought so...
So as the end of my beloved summer approaches and the new "year" begins, I look forward to the changes that will inevitably come, the projects that will be started, completed (hopefully!) and shared here, and all that is just around the corner...
