Amy Butler's Little Stitches (Spiral-bound)

~ (Author), Colin McGuire (Photographer)
Key Phrases: bolster panel, seam along the pinned edge, lining main panel, Coats Dual Duty Plus, Fusible Thermolam Plus, General Notes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Expectant mothers everywhere will breathe a collective sigh of relief when they see how wonderfully and seamlessly Amy has translated her sophisticated style for their young one's new world.' Djerba Goldfinger, Repro Depot Fabrics

Product Description

In this lavishly illustrated collection designer Amy Butler presents 20 charming contemporary projects for the nursery and beyond. There's a snuggly wrap blanket imaginative plush toys bright diaper bags handy travel bibs and much more. Our innovative packaging makes for easy useó7 pattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder on the inside cover while lay-flat spiral binding makes for easy reference while sewing. Beautiful photos inspire while illustrations and simple instructions explain the techniques. Amy also shares tips on choosing baby-friendly fabrics and includes a comprehensive techniques section glossary and resource guide. With her eye for detail and her signature fine craftsmanship Amy has created a delightful offering of handcrafted keepsakes sure to be cherished by generations to come.

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Spi edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811861287
• ISBN-13: 978-0811861281
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,254 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like In Stitches, you'll like this one too, August 22, 2008

By	JBK - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing designs but not enough diagrams, August 29, 2008

By	sewing mum - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars beautiful pictures, but lacking instructions, March 17, 2009

By	M. Klink "black belt in shopping" (michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.