A great place to start, but... | The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style (That Patchwork...

So-so | The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style (That Patchwork Place) | Cassie Barden

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	• The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style (That Patchwork Place) Cassie Barden That Patchwork Place, 2008 - 112 pages average customer review:based on 28 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

projects that are actually useful

I really like "The New Handmade". The directions are very clear and well written, like you have a friend sitting beside you. The projects are also actually useful. So many times I find books like these contain things that are of no use for me. Not this book! I'll be making quite a few of the projects. I've already made the laptop sleeve, it turned out great.

A great place to start, but...

I adore the projects listed in this book. A notebook cover with a place to put all of my pens and scrap pieces of paper? I'm sold! Only... this and Barden's other projects are at their best after a bit of tweaking. Her ideas are fabulous, but (like many craft books, I suppose) I've found that the projects really do take a bit of re-designing to make practical.

Take the composition notebook cover I mentioned before (and pictured above): great idea and a fantastic way to make use of lots of different pieces of fabric, but have you ever tried to close a notebook with pens tucked inside? Yeah, not so great. Re-design and put the pens and pockets on the outside cover and.. voila! Truly useful.

The bird-watcher messenger bag was another project that inspired this purchase. I love messenger bags and have always wanted to make one. But in reality? EVERYTHING falls out of the enormous main pocket! I'm not exactly swinging this around my head either. I was horrified to find that on a typical day out-and-about, my wallet fell out twice. And the strap is ridiculously long, but doesn't call for a notion to correct this.

Now, I'm being a bit harsh, especially having rated the book four stars, but I mention these things because I wasn't an experienced sewer when I bought the book so re-designing a project was a bit intimidating for me. That said, her reading list tote and grocery bag are fabulous. I've made several. The zippered kit bags.. I've made dozens as gifts of all sizes. I've made the iPod case and pretty crafty apron as gifts as well. As the sewing has proven, the projects are incredibly useful and invite your good taste in fabrics to help them shine. I could make her projects over and over again and, unlike other craft books, I've made nearly all of the projects in this book. (How many craft books can you say that about?) The book is well worth the price in terms of usability and lasting appeal. I've returned to it many many times over. From beginner to intermediate sewer, this book should satisfy!

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So-so

I haven't done any of the projects yet, but I'm not super excited about them in general. The bag on the front cover is probably the thing that I would be most likely to make. There is also a composition book cover which is neat. There are too many "pouches" in general. I mean, when you understand how to make one rectangular pouch with a zipper, do you need any more guidance on other types of pouches? Pretty good...not great...i can't comment on her instructions, as i've yet to make one of the projects.

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Fun projects!

I just finished making the bird watcher's messenger bag, and I love the final product! The instructions were easy to follow and very concise. I'm enjoying walking around with my "sassy" new bag, made from my favorite fabrics. I think I'll make the laptop cover next, and I need to whip up some shopping bags to take to the grocery store. I highly recommend this book if you love to sew like I do, and you're looking for some contemporary, straight forward projects.

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Fabulous, one of my favorites

This book is a very close second to "Sew What! Bags" for me. This one is a bit more involved and complex, but NOT overly so. I have not made any of the projects yet, nor purchased the book (having checked it out from the library first), but am anxious to do so very soon. I'd totally reccommend this one to beginners and more experienced sewers alike. It's been very inspirational and motivational to me, a "rusty" seamstress. :-)

In an age of mass-produced fashion, express your individual style! Create handmade projects for your wardrobe and home with only a small time commitment and basic sewing skills. Now you can make fun, useful accessories and gifts with the contemporary fabrics you love.

* Choose from totes and bags, cases and covers, fashion accents, and home decor projects

* Learn techniques you'll use again and again, such as installing zippers, using fusible applique, and basic machine quilting

* Mix and match the elements to make each design a one-of-a-kind masterpiece

It's fresh. It's unique. It's handmade!

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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