Customer Reviews

Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you're sewing for baby boys, don't despair there is only one dress pattern and one girly shirt (a super cute one actually) in here. Most of the projects are nursery decor (bedding and more), toys, or things for mama. The 2 diaper bags in here are both great looking patterns - nice and roomy with lots of pockets. I'm having a hard time choosing which to make and I think those 2 patterns alone make the book worth the cost (but I am a bag junkie!)
Be aware that the clothing for babies have 4 sizes: 0-3 months through 9-12 months, so not for older babies.
My only complaints:
- a lack of diagrams in the instructions. They are wordy as usual, but sometimes it's easier to just glance at a picture of the next step. There are a few diagrams sprinkled throughout, but it seems like many projects don't have any.
- the photography is gorgeous but doesn't show the details of the projects always. The modern diaper bag has no shot that shows the interior at all or even the cell phone pocket on the exterior. You need to read well into the instructions to see what kind of pockets it will have.

first let me say this is a beautiful book with artistic photographs, showing most of the products in use and being worn by attractive moms and very cute children. the spiral binding and the convenient folder to hold the patterns is a practical bonus. if that were all I expected this would rate 5 starts.

the problems with the book are as follows: there are NO clear or concise diagrams or photos of the finished products.

the instructions are at times vague, incomplete or all together lacking as in not there at all.

not all projects in the book have patterns, this can be most vexing if you have never made your own patterns before.

I am an experienced sewer, I can complete and alter vogue patterns, so when I say this is not a book for beginners I have an understanding of difficulty. some of the projects are simple and very easy to sew if you know how and do not require clear concise diagrams and instructions. if you are new to sewing, or unable to sew on the fly, this is not a book for you.

The designs were amazing and just made her fabrics even more gorgeous. Loved the bags and the baby clothes, but the sizes were only from birth to a year, so I can't make matching sets for my two daughters.

My main gripe was that the instructions were too wordy and there were too few diagrams. I made a pair of cutie booties as they looked easy and just what my 3month old needed right now. There was only a simple diagram at the end of the instructions, so I had to read and re-read everything at least 3 times before stitching so that i will not have to end up unpicking. A diagram could be more self explanatory and cut out the wordiness which is pretty intimidating. I'm still trying to decide which project to start on next since trying to figure out the instructions take quite a while.

This book is probably not for the novice sewer as it refers to sewing terms that are sometimes explained in the appendix but without diagrams as well.

I LOVE the look of this book, and immediately wanted to make almost all of the projects included. I bought fabric for the Everything Bag, Kimono-Style pajamas, Empire Waist Top, Jumper Dress and bloomers, with enough to make the adorable shoes. I made the Everything Bag last night, and the pants for the Kimono-Style pajamas this afternoon, and I am SO DISAPPOINTED.

I found that both patterns were flawed - the divider for the Everything Bag is too big and distorts the bag, and the pajama pants are oddly-shaped and the elastic is way too big. In addition, I found that the design of both patterns was just not up-to-par. Additionally, the instructions are not clear and there are too few diagrams and/or photos that show crucial parts of what you're making. I've been sewing since I was a young girl, and have successfully made everything from clothes to custom-fitted slipcovers with piping, pleats, etc. Unfortunately, I would be very cautious about buying this book for anything but beautiful photography and inspiration. I know that I will not be making anything else from this book. Now I need to decide if I want to keep the book around for inspiration, or just get rid of it.

I really like In Stitches but I'm disappointed with this book.

I've made two projects from it that were very time consuming and the end results were disappointing. The Comfy Jumper Dress was just too intense...i.e bodice, lining and band as well as a skirt lining. It seemed like way too much fabric on an 18 month old. I followed the directions to the letter and the bodice was tight and constricting especially with a tee shirt underneath. The booties are cute but when sewn in the smallest size were bulky and not so flexible due to the many layers of fabric, lining, interfacing and fusible fleece. I felt as though both projects were more "constructed" then sewn.

My biggest problem with the book, however, is the clarity of directions. The content is very wordy but more frustrating is the visual quality. The typeface is small and light and printed on green, blue, pink and yellow backgrounds. This makes for a visually appealing book but reading instructions is frustrating.

Amy Butler is such an amazing designer. I would have liked her to include some simpler ideas that in the end would have been more comfortable and practical for both sewer and baby.

I love amy's fabric, but geesh in these patterns she calls for so much fabric and interfacing it is ridiculous. The patterns take the long way to finish and rarely come out right in the end if you follow her directions. I think it is overpriced and is better as a look book for ideas and then go for it via common sense! Sorry Amy this one is a bust!

I am an avid fan of Amy Butler - I love making her bags, but anyone who has sewn them knows that her patterns are not always easy to follow. This book is the same - there are so many great and cute ideas, but not enough instruction. I also tried the Cutie Booties - somewhat simple until I got to the end of the instructions and it simply says "sew from the bottom left corner to the top right" of the main panel. Well, since it is oval in shape, do I follow along the bottom or the top?? You just have to test it out on your own and figure it out. Overall, I really like the book as the pictures are adorable but I agree with other reviewers that there could be a lot more diagram and carefully worded instruction. I would say this book is more geared to a mid to more experienced sewer.

This book has beautiful photos but I found the instructions hard to follow. I made the kimono pj's for my daughter and they fit perfectly, I just used my own exprience in sewing rather than try to wade through her written instructions. Like others said, more diagrams and less words would be helpful. Next, I tried the booties. I ended up with a leg opening that wouldn't fit a newborn although I made the 9-12 month size. They will fit my daughter but not when closed unless I change the angle of the closure. I am going to try the jumper next, it looks pretty simple. Hopefully it will be straightforward.

This is a wonderful book - lots of great ideas, the pictures are beautiful, and the patterns are clear and easy to use. My warning - when I made the kimono pj's, I found that the pants pattern did not allow enough room for a diaper. I have substituted another pattern I had on hand for the bottoms, and just love it now. Everything else I've made up has been just great. I can't wait to make the cheeky monkey bag!!

Beautiful book and patterns, but I was disappointed that none of the patterns were for over 12 months. My daughter is only 8 months, but wears a 12-18 size, so she has already outgrown every clothing pattern in the book.