Inspired to Sew [Paperback]

Bari J. Ackerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2011

Popular designer Bari J. brings her bright and feminine signature style to 15 new projects-ruffled quilts, a unique tunic and bag, plus sweet decorations and accessories for every room in the house. Readers will appreciate the book's luscious photography, as well as Bari's in-depth advice on fabric collage, free-motion stitching, machine applique, patchwork piecing, and simple garment techniques.

 

Includes a total of 18 projects including special little bonus projects within the main 15 projects... such as a felt flower brooch.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Known for her ability to source and artfully combine fabrics into colorful, one-of-a-kind creations...Bari J. shares 15 projects in this joyful book. With everything from exquisitely detailed...garments,to crazy-quilted lampshades...Bari shares...sewing secrets, design processes, and tricks.International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene,Winter 2011/2012

Probably one of the prettiest sewing project books you'll add to your library this year! That's my personal opinion of course speaking, but Inspired to Sew by Bari J. Ackerman (Stash Books/C&T Publishing 2011) is one of the prettiest sewing books I have seen in a while. Starting with a simply beautiful cover that depicts vintage thread spools, you'll be drawn in to the pages of the book to discover that the beauty of what you can create is awe inspiring. and eager to create you will be ..after you see the 15 pretty projects included throughout. I loved the Garden Tunic with the rose design neckline, so very feminine and comfy looking. I also found myself drawn to the items like the Sweet Home Chicago Pillow and Quilt, and the Little Cabin Pincushion as well as the Tea Party Accessories (Teapot Trivet and Tea Cozy and Lavender Sachet Place Card Tea Bags) All of the designs have a sophisticated, modern, and yet unique vintage romantic look to them. You'll enjoy learning how to mix and match beautiful fabrics together to create special home accents and gifts. Each of the designs have thorough instructions and supply lists included as well as patterns at the back of the book. Throughout the book Bari includes her sewing tips for Keeping It Real. These are tried and true tips for sewing each of the projects, methods that have been proven to make the creative process run a bit smoother. Wonderful ideas that you'll want to add to your sewing knowledge. With springtime right around the corner I know that you'll want to get your hands on this book so that you can start creating items like the Flowering Container Garden Pillow and the Seasonal Wreath to add a bit of garden cheer to your home. The Tea Party Accessories will be perfect to have on hand for inviting your girlfriends over for a tea party or luncheon on the patio or in the garden, and they'll be amazed that you created the items yourself. This book truly is a treasure and one that you'll enjoy turning to time and again for beautiful projects to decorate your home with.--Small Town Living (2/1/11)

Probably one of the prettiest sewing project books you'll add to your library this year! That's my personal opinion of course speaking, but Inspired to Sew by Bari J. Ackerman (Stash Books/C&T Publishing 2011) is one of the prettiest sewing books I have seen in a while. Starting with a simply beautiful cover that depicts vintage thread spools, you'll be drawn in to the pages of the book to discover that the beauty of what you can create is awe inspiring. and eager to create you will be ..after you see the 15 pretty projects included throughout. I loved the Garden Tunic with the rose design neckline, so very feminine and comfy looking. I also found myself drawn to the items like the Sweet Home Chicago Pillow and Quilt, and the Little Cabin Pincushion as well as the Tea Party Accessories (Teapot Trivet and Tea Cozy and Lavender Sachet Place Card Tea Bags) All of the designs have a sophisticated, modern, and yet unique vintage romantic look to them. You'll enjoy learning how to mix and match beautiful fabrics together to create special home accents and gifts. Each of the designs have thorough instructions and supply lists included as well as patterns at the back of the book. Throughout the book Bari includes her sewing tips for Keeping It Real. These are tried and true tips for sewing each of the projects, methods that have been proven to make the creative process run a bit smoother. Wonderful ideas that you'll want to add to your sewing knowledge. With springtime right around the corner I know that you'll want to get your hands on this book so that you can start creating items like the Flowering Container Garden Pillow and the Seasonal Wreath to add a bit of garden cheer to your home. The Tea Party Accessories will be perfect to have on hand for inviting your girlfriends over for a tea party or luncheon on the patio or in the garden, and they'll be amazed that you created the items yourself. This book truly is a treasure and one that you'll enjoy turning to time and again for beautiful projects to decorate your home with. --Small Town Living (2/1/11)

I have really enjoyed the few Stash books I have read. They are a new line of how-to books that celebrate fabric art. As the inside cover of the books says they offer fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle. Bari J. Ackerman is a product and textile designer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. In Inspired to Sew by Bari J. you will find projects for all aspects of your life. Bari uses bright colors and textures and lets the fabric do the work. Her collage technique is very easy to understand and the small collage projects in the book, along with the easy to understand instructions, will give you confidence you need to create your own collage piece. Bari also includes a section on must have tools and sewing habits. I think the look of this book leans toward cottage chic and I know everyone will enjoy and learn from working on these 15 pretty projects.

Bari is a textile artist. What this woman can do with fabric is amazing. She has such an eclectic style it's really hard to just sum it up in a few sentences. Bari is such a creative lady and she has her elegant fingers in so many pies you just have to go and discover it all.Inspired to Sew has so many funky, modern, elegant, and just down right beautiful projects, everything from purses, to pillows, to a gorgeous garden tunic... This book is so full of eye candy, incredibly gorgeous project ideas and absolutely wonderful, keeping it realtips you will read it cover to cover, at least twice. And everything is explain in a way that demystifies so many of sewing's great mysteries. Then you will be inspired to go to your stash, the local quilt/sewing shop and online. Then you will be absolutely on edge to make some of these gorgeous projects... Review Source: Cara Quilts Review Date: 2/6/11

About the Author

Bari J. Ackerman is a product and textile designer known for her vintage-inspired accessories and signature-style of mixing fabric prints.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: C&T Publishing; Large type edition edition (February 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1607050110
• ISBN-13: 978-1607050117
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #500,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a textile, surface and sewing pattern designer. I'm a wife and the mother of two teen girls. My business, Bari J. was started in 2004 designing and selling handbags and accessories.

I have three lines of fabric with Windham Fabrics and a fourth due out Spring 2011 with Lecien. Currently I am working on custom applique shapes for Making Memories Slice Fabrique digital fabric cutter.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing knowledge & tips packed into this visually fantastic book March 7, 2011

By Rebecca M. Makas

Format:Paperback

I have an almost obscene number of sewing and quilting books. I buy them because a project inside catches my eye, or one of the patterns (especially quilts) looks like something I've been wanting to try. Bari's book is no different. The cover literally makes you want to reach out and touch it.

Oftentimes, once I buy the book, I read through the directions for the project I'm interested in, and get either discouraged, or honestly, confused. This is not the case with Bari's book. Her instructions are extremely well written, the steps are logical, and best of all, the small inset pictures she includes are VERY helpful when used with the written directions.

Take the Patchwork Rose Zipper Bag for example...I had wanted to try to make a box shaped bag with zipper top, and while I was intimidated by the potential complexity of the project, I dove in. This was the first challenging bag I ever made, and by following Bari's directions, I made it through the project, increased my confidence to tackle harder projects, and ended up with a fantastic bag that I am really proud of having made myself. I also learned some fun techniques, like how to make the velvet ribbon roses on the front of the bag.

Also, Bari includes lots of "keeping it real" tips, which I LOVE. Many of them are common mistakes or challenges she's come across that she has also found solutions to. Very useful.

There is an outstanding variety of projects in terms of skill level, and purpose, everything from a pincusion to full quilt patterns. I'll be making more projects from this book for sure.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration abounds with color, projects and textures March 19, 2011

By Patti Ives VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I have really enjoyed the few Stash books I have read. They are a new line of how-to books that celebrate fabric art. As the inside cover of the books says they offer "fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle". Bari J. Ackerman is a product and textile designer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. In "Inspired to Sew by Bari J." you will find projects for all aspects of your life. Bari uses bright colors and textures and lets the fabric do the work. Her collage technique is very easy to understand and the small collage projects in the book, along with the easy to understand instructions, will give you confidence you need to create your own collage piece. Bari also includes a section on "must have" tools and sewing habits. I think the look of this book leans toward "cottage chic" and I know everyone will enjoy and learn from working on these 15 pretty projects.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired to Sew March 13, 2011

By Love to read

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Inspired to Sew is a fantastic book! It's not only informative with instructions for 15 projects, it's just a beautiful book! Bari J Ackerman has a wonderful gift and I thank her for sharing it! I highly recommend this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired is right! March 7, 2011

By blueeyedcharlie

Format:Paperback

First off, I love books that are beautiful to start with...even before I look at directions...the more colorful the better for me. And this book is all that, beautifully styled photos and spots of color throughout, plus it has great instructions with both clearly drawn diagrams and photographs of some handwork that is best shown by a photo. There are quite a few different type projects, and if you only did 4 of them, you still would have spent less for the book than buying the patterns individually.

I have been quilting for quite some time, and I didn't imagine that this book would "teach" me a lot per se, but I am intrigued with Bari's binding method and can say I don't think I have ever seen this method before. I think I might really like it. I haven't tried it yet, but I do think it might be an improvement on how I am doing them now. Being primarily a quilter, all the projects in the book weren't my thing, but they are definitely many creative ideas here that the average DIY sewist will love, I am sure.

Bari's collage concepts and Fabric Mixology method and encouraging words to just do "what looks good to you" are very liberating. Throughout the book, it reads like she is just there in the room with you cheering you on. There are lots of "keeping it real" notes where she gives realistic advice based on what she has learned on various projects. All of that is to help the reader feel comfortable to go for it every time.

I have not had a chance to MAKE anything yet out of "Inspired to Sew" yet, but I have no doubt the directions will be clear and manageable. I tend to not buy a lot of books to keep my own ideas fresh, but I would say this one is definitely a keeper!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Every Sewing Enthusiast Should Own April 19, 2011

By JC82

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I waited not so patiently for my birthday to come around so I could finally purchase this book and when it showed up on my doorstep it did not disappoint!

The first thing to grab my attention was how lovely it is! The book is a nice design and very eye-pleasing. I don't mind leaving it out and about in the house.

The projects in this book are so inspiring! The ones pictured are beautiful but I love how Bari pushes you to find the fabric choices and styles that YOU like not just copy what she has done. I've just completed making my first Crazyquilted Lampshade Cover and I'm looking forward to making more! I think my next project might be the Jean Jacket Revision using a white shirt instead of the jacket.

The icing on the cake with this book are the Keeping It Real Tips! Wow, the little light bulb kept going "ding!" in my head as I read through them.

The title of this book really says it all. If you don't find yourself "Inspired to Sew" something, anything after you read through it then there must be something wrong with your "Inspiration-O-Matic".

Very highly recommend it!