Containing a range of inspirational projects teaching customers how to create everything from home accessories and clothes, to toys and bags, this is an ideal book for anyone with an interest in sewing. Featuring simple, easy to follow instructions and 35 different projects, it comes with clearly laid out diagrams and an array of full-size patterns for crafters to experiment with. Suitable for both beginners and those with a little more experience alike, its beautiful photographs and pretty designs are guaranteed to make people stop and stare, and are likely to appeal to a broad range of customers, from hobbyists to those with an interest in other crafts.-Craft Business Here's a beautiful book that's ideal for the modern homemaker, containing stylishly feminine contemporary designs for home accessories, toys, bags and clothes. It includes 35 projects for making beautiful items including instructions for soft furnishings, bags, toys, and clothes for children and adults, plus full-sized patterns supplied on a fold-out sheet at the back of the book. You'll love it for sewing, but it's equally good for machine knitting. The patterns can be copied onto a charting device for knitting items to shape on the machine.-Machine Knitting Monthly If you think that sewing is a difficult, complicated business then this book might make you think again. Ideal for beginners who want to make modern, attractive items as quickly as possible the patterns are even enclosed for you at the back of the book. Choose from clothes, home accessories and soft toys to enhance your home. There are 35 patterns in all and they are presented in a fun, bright and contemporary way that cuts through the mystery and complexity that surrounds a lot of sewing projects. To get you in the mood at the beginning of the book there are several pages of design sketches that show how simple the items are. They look fun too, with their jolly floral or striped patterns, and are sure to appeal particularly to the young and young-at-heart. A few diagrams might have made the instructions more accessible to beginners, who might well find the amount of small type daunting if they haven't had enough experience to envisage it all. I would not therefore suggest that beginners obtain this book unless they have enough sewing savvy under their belts to tackle at least the basics without any visual references. If you can do this then a world of fast and fairly straightforward sewing fun awaits, with simple garments for women and children, accessories such as bags and belts, cushions, decorated bed linens and toy town.A" This I imagined to be a town's worth of toys but actually consists of fabric buildings in a fun fantasy style complete with open doors to pop toys inside. I love this; far more imaginative than yet more patterns for dolls and bears! At the reverse of the book there are a few pages of basic instructions for doing things like putting in a zipper, darts, gathering, stuffing etc but again these could do with a few more helpful diagrams and are more reminders than instructions for total tyros. If you know the basics however this gets high marks for an imaginative and enjoyable book.-Myshelf.com In her introduction, freelance fashion and textile designer Wilhelm promises a chic collection of patterns that are accessible to beginning sewers. Her book delivers, with a diverse gathering of house wares, children's and women's garments and accessories, and soft toys. The finished articles shown in the book are cheerful and colorful, sewn in vintage-reproduction fabrics that suit the designs well. The directions, while clear, are presented in paragraph form rather than as a numbered or bulleted list, and knowledge of basic sewing techniques is assumed, so this may not be the best choice for absolute beginners.-Library Journal USA This is a book of patterns and projects for clothes and accessories for personal use and for around the house. The fabrics used are colourful and prints and plain are used with good effect on each project. I particularly like the fun pyjama bottoms for youngsters, and the hats. There are projects for all the family and all patterns are included in a folder on the back cover. Levels of difficulty are on a 1 to 3 scale from little bags to playhouses through to bed linen and t-shirts. A section at the back gives helpful tips on sewing in zips to coping with gathers etc. Basic applique and simple embroidery complement the designs and instructions are given. A lovely book for beginners to plain sewing, or for someone who wishes to air their sewing machine again.-West Country Embroiderers This ia a really useful book for anyone who needs a bit of confidence in starting to stitch. There are 35 patterns and instructions for clothes, toys and accessories, all with a stylish twist. At the end of the book, there is a easy to follow full size printed pattern sheet with all the information needed for the projects. Designs range from pretty childrens clothes, interesting bags and cushions, to some very sweet playhouses for toys and dolls. Good photographs and clear text make following instructions straightforward. This is a useful book containing lots of creative ideas for all family members.-megonline.co.uk Do you want to do some sewing, maybe make a few gifts but are sadly lacking in inspiration? Then this just maybe the book to get you started. Filled with lots of fun projects and simple clothing items plus great ideas for embellishing the pieces to personalise them. Included are full size patterns for each project. You could make a pretty summer skirt for yourself or some comfy pyjama pants for a special littlie. If it is practical items you want to sew there are pretty totes, cosy cushions, a bread basket, coasters or serviettes to name just a few. So no more excuses, grab a copy and get sewing.-Innovative Machine Embroidery & Textile Art Stylish Sewing by Laura Wilhelm is a pretty alternative to the Cath Kidston craft books. It's more practical, containing patterns for pyjamas as well as skirts, and it delves into sewing for men, still a niche area for sewing books. What I love about this book is that there are basic projects to adapt to your style, such as a skirt and pyjamas, but there are also new styles I have never seen before in a pattern book, such as a dress designed to go over jeans which I am thinking of making, and the apron, which is unusually designed too. Sylish Sewing is beautifully shot, simply presented and very accessible to both the novice and experienced sewer. The fashionable and trendy clothes are very up-to-date and you will want to make them all. If you have never sewn before buy a sewing machine and buy this book. I can't think of a better place to begin.-sewingisforgirls.blogspot.com
