Two For One: Book Review + a Tutorial!

I'm hard at work, these days, catching up on my to-do list. One of the things at the top of my list has been my Blend Fabrics tutorials and Mollie Makes book reviews. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to combine the two.

Blend sent a bundle of Good Company by Cori Dantini. Isn't it cute?

I love this one, it's so full of color and original artwork! 

As I was flipping through the pages of Mollie Makes Crochet

 I instantly zeroed in on the Baby Blankets on page 24.

I don't crochet, I never could quite get the hang of it. But, my sister does (and she is mind-blowingly talented at it!) and she doesn't sew but she's learning. I figured I could do the same with her craft of choice. So, I made a blanket (easy peasy).

**You will need seven different fabrics, at least 5" wide by the width of the fold and one yard of flannel for the back. For the crocheted bit, grab a skein of not-too-thick yarn, a tapestry needle and a crochet hook. (Check the label on the yarn for size recommendation.)**

First, I cut 5"x31" strips of five fabrics and cut around the design of two others for a total of seven fabrics. (Your fabric may not need to be "fussy cut".)

I arranged the strips;

then sewed them down the 31" length, right sides together:

Keep sewing the strips together, pressing seams to the side as you go.

When you have the last seam sewn and pressed, lay it right side up on the floor, or your table. Lay the flannel right side down on top of it, having raw edges matched; trim edges as necessary.

Pin all the way around the blanket, leaving an opening for turning:

I pin with balls in, not balls out like Angela, here. See? I'm making her turn them all around. The reason is because a lot of sewing machines have screw holes in the throat plate, and if you sew over pins like I do (Sh! Don't tell on me!) then you don't want the balls to get stuck in the holes. It's frustrating and makes for wonky seams.

Sew all the way around the blanket using a 1/2" seam allowance. Be sure to back stitch on each side of the opening! 

Trim the corners using pinking shears, or clip v notches if you don't have any.

Turn the blanket right side out, press and then top stitch all the way around with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Next, using your yarn and tapestry needle, blanket stitch all the way around the blanket, using the 1/4" top stitch as a guide. 

This is where the book comes in handy. The directions are clearly illustrated and easy to follow. Trust me on this one, before I made this blanket I could t crochet to save my life!

{the puppies love their new blanket!}

Once you have completed the blanket stitch, you can choose a decorative edge to add to it. In this book, there are three options: shell edging, lattice edging and picot edging. I chose the lattice edging because it looked the easiest. My friend Angela showed me how-even though I yelled at her for pinning balls out-and off I went! 

{taking corners like a sports car!}

This book features 20+ projects, I'm confident that even if you've never picked up a crochet hook in all your life you could make something from it. 

Here's a peek inside, some of my favorite things in the book:

{granny square blanket}

{Brightly colored chevron throw-next on my wish list!}

{Nesting Matroyshka dolls, so cute!}

{Flowers! Imagine a bridal bouquet of crocheted flowers!}

I think Mollie Makes always does such a beautiful job of inspiring the creative soul. I've always admired and loved the look of crochet but never thought it could be done by me. I've looked at several tutorials and have tried reading patterns. This book was the first thing I've looked at that really clicked and everything made sense. Even if you're a seasoned pro, this is a must-have book for your library. Every single thing in it is so cute. Total eye candy! 

What's even better is that it is on sale at the publisher's website. Totally worth the $19.95 price tag, but s completely unbelievable deal at $9.98! Ten bucks?? Yes! 

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

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