Book Review: Sew Classic Clothes for Girls

My teeny tiny newborn baby girl graduates from kindergarten in three weeks. How is that possible? It seems like her first day of kindergarten was either three days or three years ago! 

{first day of kindergarten}

On Friday, May 8, she has a graduates party to attend. A parents-drop-your-kid-and-run type of thing. It's at her school, they have a party instead of a graduation ceremony. The thing is, my husband works every night but Monday so it'll just be me at home. All by myself. From 7:00-10:00 in the evening. 

What the heck am I going to do with myself?

I guess I better sew the little graduate a new dress for her last day of school, right? How perfect that another book should land in my mailbox, especially since that new book is The Cottage Mama's new one, Sew Classic Clothes for Girls.

{Sew Classic Clothes for Girls 

by Lindsay Wilkes}

There are 20 different things to make in this book and six adorable chapters full of all the details and tricks on how to do it. 

{how cute is that outfit?}

I want to make just about everything in this book, starting with this:

{pocket smock top}

Roo loves pockets, she's always putting something in her pockets (flowers, bark mulch from the playground, empty balloons). When she doesn't have pockets, she sticks these things-even the bark mulch-in her shoes. That little smock top practically has her name all over it! 

{vintage ruffle capris & shorts}

I'm not sure if she would wear those pants, but oh my heck aren't they cute? 

{dainty darling dress}

I do know that she would wear the Dainty Darling Dress, and that may be the one I end up making. Isn't it precious with its puff sleeves, buttons and big old-timey bow? I love all of Lindsay's designs. She really knows how to keep a little girl modest yet modern! 

{size chart-a nice variety!}

I also appreciate that she has included ideas and tricks for making your handmade garments look professionally handmade (not homemade) with the use of trims and buttons. There are lots of little tips and ideas found in the pages of this book. She's even got a few tips on how to finish your seams, which is extra handy for me because I won't have my serger until July. (It's still in that storage unit in Seattle.)

{little lady coat}

Maybe when Roo starts back up in school as a first grader I'll make the above outfit, isn't it adorable? 

If you have a little girl in your life, you should consider purchasing this book. All of the designs are so sweet, and so precious, just the way we think of our little girls, right? 

Sew Classic Clothes for Girls: 20 Girls' Dresses, Outfits and Accessories from the Cottage Mama

By Lindsay Wilkes
KP Craft/F+W; $27.99
http://amzn.to/1J9tKzn

Happy sewing!

-Kristi

Review: BurdaStyle modern sewing Wardrobe Essentials

Congrats to "PurduePam" for being drawn as the winner! Send me an email with your address so I can ship your book. Schnitzelboo@yahoo.com

*****UPDATE*****
I need to draw a name for the book still, I have had some unexpected things happen and I just haven't had the time to do it.  Hang tight!  I thin I'm doing it tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience!

-Kristi
*****

If you are a seamstress, you probably know about Burda, makers of sewing patterns for the non-conformist, host of an amazing online sewing community, producers of a gorgeous magazine, and recently...books! Let's take a look at the newest one, shall we?

{BurdaStyle Modern Sewing: Wardrobe Essentials (Interweave/F+W; $29.99; On sale now!)}

The thing I LOVE about Burda is that their sewing patterns are designed for what's on trend today and they're always up-to-date. You're not going to flip through this book and see yet another "same ol' same ol', I've seen this a thousand times" kind of sewing pattern. Even the fabrics they use are different. I love that. I LOVE finding an unique brand out there. 

Inside this book, you'll find several beautiful projects from skirts to dresses:

{I can't wait for summer! Look at those!}

Pants:

{I want pants that make my legs look this long!}

Blouses:

{and another cute skirt to go with it!}

Wardrobe Essentials is full of helpful hints and tips so you can get the fit just right. 

They've even got three sizing charts for regular, petite and tall sizes. They really are trying to help you create a beautiful custom, properly fitted wardrobe.

All of the patterns are printed on a nice, heavy-weight paper (way better than tissue paper patterns, and so much easier to fold and put back!) and have their own little envelope in the back of the book. Organization is the key to a successful project, right?

If I had my serger here (and not in my storage unit in Seattle, sigh!) I would totally hog this book all to my selfish self. But, my sob story is your gain and I'm going to give this copy away! If you'd like to win, simply leave a comment here, telling me what one garment sewing skill you'd let to learn or enhance. Bonus entry if you follow my blog via Bloglovin' (clickable sidebar ad on the right). Just let me know, in your comment, that you've followed. 

I will do a good, old-fashioned drawing on March 12. Winner to be announced right here so stay tuned!

Happy reading!

-Kristi

Book Review: present perfect: 25 Gifts to Sew & Bestow

Did you know that there's only six weekends left before Christmas?? SIX!

...........................thud............................

Ok, let me just pick myself up off the floor, brush myself off. I will not panic, I WILL NOT PANIC! Know why? 'Cause I have a new book and six weekends to sew. Six weekends is really twelve days, and just think of all the days between those weekends, really there's PLENTY of time, right? Right?? Work with me, k? I'm about to save your hidey ho on the holiday gifts.

{present perfect: 25 Gifts to Sew & Bestow by betz white}

This is such a cute book! Betz has obviously put her best work into it and has given us a project for just about anyone on your list. Inside the pages are full of tips on how to make your gift one of a kind and how to make the most of what you might already have around the house. Each project is defined by skill level with a cute little pincushion illustration to help guide you in the right direction.

The book is broken up into three chapters/sections: Memorable Milestones (gifts for special occasions), New and Little (things to make for the little ones) and Happy Home (gifts to celebrate the home). 

Some of my favorite projects, and the ones you'll find under the tree from me, are The Gentleman's Travel Case:

Surely that beats a gallon size zip-top plastic baggie, right? 

The Sweet Life Pillow

I was surprised to see that this project only has two pins in the pin cushion illustration! It's so detailed, I thought for sure it was going to be hard! (Mom gift, check!)

The casserole carrier on page 131:

{at first glance, I thought it said "It's Your Lucky Day casserole daddy-o" but no, it doesn't! Ha!}

Hopefully my sister isn't reading this blog post because the Casserole Daddy-O has her name all over it! She has a crazy huge vintage Pyrex collection! 

And, oh my gosh look at this! Forest Friends Finger Puppets:

How cute is that?? My two year old nephew would love it!

I'm definitely making this for him! Even that worm on top of the stump is cute and that's saying A LOT considering I have a worm phobia (ridiculous, but true.)

Honorable mentions, and not pictured, go to the Market Shopper (mother-in-law gift for sure!), Hexie the Turtle Floor Pillow (Roo), Tagalong Teddy (no one in particular, maybe I'll just make them for the satisfaction of creating such a darn cute toy!) and Color-Blocked Felt Bins (maybe my friend Katy could use them in her kitchen? She could store her dry goods like pasta or dried beans?)

I have flipped through the pages of this book so many times and each time it's like looking at it for the first time. Something catches my eye and I think "That turtle is so cute!" Or "Oh my gosh, how did she make that bear quilt?" I think you're going to love this book. 

Pick it up at the Interweave online store. It's on sale for $19.88, how great is that? (It was $26.99.) AND!! You don't even have to wait for it to be shipped to you because it's also a digital download. Awesome!

Happy Crafting!

-Kristi-

Book Review: Mollie Makes "Weddings"

Wanna know what happened on March 11, 2008? Here's a hint:

Yep. We got married. On a Tuesday evening in downtown Seattle in March and it was the best day of my life (you know, until our daughter was born the following year.) I knew even before he got down on one knee (and never really asked the question) that our wedding was going to be unique. We didn't want any of our guests to feel like they were attending yet another same ol' wedding/different couple kind of shindig, so we set out to make lots of personalized touches and unusual choices. I wish I had photos to show you, but I'm limited to what I've got here (remember that our belongings are still I storage in Seattle and we're in Atlanta). 

{this is the groomscake that my sister made! Isn't it the coolest?}

Anyway, since then, I've discovered Etsy and have noticed that more and more couples who are getting married have also chosen the stand out route. No more homogenized weddings! 

{http://www.interweavestore.com/mollie-makes-weddings}

Mollie Makes has come up with a very useful, totally adorable book on exactly that: making your wedding as stylish and creative as you are whether you are good at paper crafts, sewing, stitching or stamping. 

Inside, you will find 95 pages of inspiration and good ideas separated into four categories.

 Handmade Invites (which is something we did):

{stitched paper save-the-day garland}

 Bouquets and Flowers (holy cow-instructions on how to make a button stem bridal bouquet):

{painted glass flower display}

Wedding Favors:

{felt appliqué ring pillow}

 and Table Decorations:

{felt cutwork lantern wraps}

Even if you're not getting married or you're long past the I-Do's and honeymoon, I think this book is essential for any crafters library. Just because it says "Weddings" doesn't mean you can't adapt it to any other life event. How about those felt cutwork lanterns? Perfect for a birthday party or Independence Day BBQ, right? 

I kinda wish this book was out on March 18, 2007 (you know, the day after we got engaged/the day I started planning our wedding haha). Hey-maybe you know a crafty bride-to-be? I bet she'd love to receive a copy of this book!

And now, one last picture of our wedding day 'cause I'm feeling all nostalgic...

Happy crafting!

-Kristi-

Book Review: Mollie Makes Embroidery

{Mollie Makes: Embroidery

By the Editors of Mollie Makes

Interweave/F+W; $19.99

bit.ly/1iEETKT}

I do love a good craft book. One that I can keep going back to flip through the pages and see something new every time, no matter how many times I've looked. This book is definitely one of those. And it's only $20, which is a small price to pay for such inspiration! I LOVE Mollie Makes!

{How cute is that cloud/kitty pillow? I want to make it for my daughter; maybe for Christmas?}

Mollie Makes Embroidery has sixteen (!!) projects and twelve different techniques. This is definitely a well-rounded book. Each project is organized, beautifully photographed, inspiring to look at and features the artist/designer's bio. I especially love that. I'm always interested in who is behind the scenes. (Maybe that's why I love Instagram so much?) 

For this book review, I decided to try out a project. I chose the Bargello Cuff Bracelet on page 80. I'm a sucker for a bracelet, and the colors in this one drew me in. Of course, that didn't stop me from making my own color choices, right?

{cute little pouch by Instagram user @sewfairyface, isn't it divine?}

I thought I would stitch in the evenings, when I'm usually too tired to be at my machine. I found myself stitching at night, in the morning, in my car, at Starbucks...just about anywhere!

{I made a mistake right where the needle is. Oops!}

I haven't finished it yet because I made a second, MUCH bigger mistake and I haven't the energy or the heart to fix it. So, I'm letting it be for now. I'll probably finish it, let the mistake take over as a design. For now, it's happily living in the pouch with the book and floss.

This is what the pattern should look like:

{can you see the difference?}

{Every project has helpful, easy-to-read diagrams and instructions.}

I'm pretty excited about this book. If you're interested in hand sewing, embroidery, cross stitch...anything with a hand needle and thread, this book is for you. From basic embroidery stitches to the more complicated, plus crewelwork, silk ribbon embroidery, counted cross stitch, canvaswork, Bargello and free-motion machine embroidery, I think it's safe to say that there's something for everyone and a project for just about any occasion.

That's the end! No really, that ^ is the end of the book. Just as cute as the rest of the book! Teehee. 

Next Wednesday I'll be reviewing another Mollie Makes book, the second review in a month long series. I hope you come back because at the end of the series, I'll have a drawing for a copy of today's book. Hooray!

Happy crafting!

-Kristi