Mar 13
(Love to Sew: Patchwork Bags; Love to Sew: Mug Rugs)
Talk about double the fun! The 40 projects in [these two books] provide so many fast and fabulous ways to get creative with fabric. What's a mug rug? It's the latest trend in sewing and quilting, that's what! Part placemat, part coaster, it's the perfect size for a cup of coffee and a few cookies and a cute way to add a bit of personality to an afternoon break. Dress up your kitchen table with a variety of mug rugs: everything from a mug rug shaped like a giant cupcake to one with a pocket for your spoon! And if you love making bags, you're in for a treat. These 20 speedy projects come in a wide range of head-turning styles - retro, urban, playful, romantic, modern... you name it!
* Crafter's Choice *
Mar/Apr 13
This is a delightful collection of 18 bags for all abilities using straightforward patchwork and quilting techniques with the full-size pattern sheet provided. Designs include holdalls, handbags and phone cases, each of which can be modified to suit. Step-by-step instructions and detailed coloured photographs make this a perfect book for anyone wishing to make their own unique accessory. Excellent value for money.
* East Kent Embroiderer's Guild *
Mar 13
Every girl has more than a few bags of all shape and sizes. Add to your collection by using this lovely book with 18 bags to choose from. There's everything from shoppers, purses, shoulders bags, mobile devices covers and travel bags. Lovely ideas in quilting, patchwork and applique. Fresh and modern, you are bound to find several ideas you like. Easy to follow instructions are provided with step by step guidance. Basic techniques are clearly explained. There is also a fold out pattern sheet with all the templates. Get sewing.
* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *
May 2013
We love this book! It demonstrates how to make 20 fun and unique patchwork bags, with simple step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs. It's packed with information and includes full size pattern sheets, so all the ideas can first inspire and then be interpreted in machine knitting.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
Apr/May
No one can resist a beautiful hand stitched bag and here are 18 of them, all using simple patchwork and quilting techniques, from a variety of bags to purses, make-up bags, roomy holdalls and eye-catching shopping bags. We all use bags; they are not only useful, but those you make yourself can be real head-turners and are an outward display of your love of craft and your expertise and individuality. This book contains a wide range of patchwork designs to choose from, many of which are suitable for beginners or those with limited sewing experience, so there is something for everyone to have a go at.
* Fabrications *
June 13
If you love bags, or need plenty of ideas for bags and pouches to use as storage or for protecting gadgets and travelling, then this is the title for you! With designs for purses, wash bags, shoulder bags, travel bags, clutch bags and mobile phone and laptop holders and advice on how to applique and embellish these designs, Search Press' latest title is a whistle-stop tour of techniques and designs that will make life more convenient and more fashionable. With difficulty levels ranging from beginner to advanced this book has something for everyone.
* SEWING WORLD *
Sept 13
There are eighteen fun bags to make inside this book, all using the patchwork method. This is a great way of enjoying this popular needlecraft and using up lots of scraps in the process. Basic knowledge of sewing and patchwork is assumed here; it's love to sew, not learn to sew, but this is a book of projects that make up fast, so it's suitable for improvers. It helpfully includes a short section on sewing basics at the beginning, so you can brush up on things like finishing seams, putting in a zipper as well as learning bag-making techniques such as making straps and rosettes. There is a separate section that teaches machine applique with fusible webbing that comes in handy later on; then it is on with the bags. There are lots of different styles to choose from including a makeup purse, wash bag, tote bag, clutch purse, hold-all and shoulder bag. Each project has a page-sized photograph of the finished item, plus materials and instructions. These are in word form only making it, as I said earlier, a book for those au fait with the patchwork method. At the back tucked into a pocket are the paper patterns for the projects, a nice touch that frees up the pages for more projects. It is printed on both sides so you will need to trace off the parts you want, but it still eliminates having to deal with scale drawings. The bags are all in bright, modern styles that ought to have a lot of appeal as presents. If you want to obtain the actual materials there is a list of websites at the back although as this book was originally published in Germany that is where they are all based. I plan to use up the scraps I have from other projects, so I imagine other people will do the same. A fun way of recycling and making a lot of useful items.
* Myshelf.com *
