Feb 13
Most people who sew use a pincushion, and it has long been an item that is often very decorated. In here are twenty fancy pincushions, complete with decorative pins that will make great gifts for anybody who sews if you can bear to part with them! These are the type of small projects that make up quickly but can easily be tailored to suit individual tastes. Stocking fillers, secret Santa, party favors, prizes, under the Christmas tree or by the recipient's plate are all uses that come to mind. You don't need much to make any of the patterns and all are a great way of using up oddments of fabric, fancy threads and even leftover stuffing from toy making endeavors. The basic techniques are just that, basic, and anybody who can do a bit of hand sewing (all projects do not even use a machine) can have a go. This is just the sort of thing for dark autumn evenings. I was impressed by the imaginative themes for the pincushions. There is the now inevitable cupcake, but there is also a Christmas pudding, Halloween pumpkin, wedge of cheese, flat out cat, union jack, radio and my own favorite the voodoo doll. Adorning each pincushion are several cleverly adapted pins with novelty heads. These are simply made using shrink plastic, and the subjects chosen will raise a smile. The sunflower is decked with butterflies, the hedgehog with autumn leaves, the fried egg with wee rashers etc. All the patterns for the pincushions are given, but you will have to source the clipart for the pins yourself. A great book with a lot of easy but effective projects I can imagine children having fun with as well as adults.
* Myshelf.com *
Sept 12
This book is certainly not what I was expecting! I was expecting some traditional pincushions with a few variations on the style. Instead this book is full of quirky fun pincushions for all occasions (including a Halloween pumpkin & Christmas pud) and all tastes from the fairly traditional union jack pillow or the cutesy cupcake to the eccentric flat cat or voodoo doll pincushion! The instructions are simple and easy to follow with big colourful photos alongside them. The good thing with pincushions being fairly small projects is that the templates at the back of the book are the right size, no need to enlarge. A very fun book, now I've just got to decide which pincushion to make first...
* Sewing Directory, The *
Oct 12
A lovely book full of fun and quirky pincushions (20 projects in all) which would be perfect to make for yourself or to give as presents. It has great ideas to make decorative pins to put in the pincushions made out of shrink plastic. This is such a sweet idea and really makes the pincushions special. All patterns and templates are included in the book.-sewscrumptious.blogspot.co.uk
* makeandcraft.com *
OCT/NOV 12
Great for sewers looking for gorgeous gifts to make, this books features 20 fun projects, with some step-by-step pictures. All the techniques needed are shown in a mini-project and include transferring the design, using fusible web, cutting out, applying decorative effects, sewing together, stuffing and closing. Projects include a mini monster, Union Jack pillow, cup cake, Christmas pudding, Halloween pumpkin, fried egg, voodoo doll, flat cat, wrist watch, magician's hat and a heart. These brilliant pincushions will brighten up any sewing box or bag. All patterns and templates are included.
* Craft Focus *
