Jane Austen's Sewing Box: Craft Projects and Stories from Jane Austen's Novels [Paperback]

Jennifer Forest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2009

"Jane Austen's Sewing Box opens a window into the lives of Regency women during a beautiful period in arts, crafts and design. Jennifer Forest examines Jane Austen's novels and letters to reveal a world where women are gripped by crazes for painting on glass and for netting purses, economise by trimming an old bonnet, or eagerly turn to their sewing to avoid an uncomfortable conversation. Based on Jane Austen's novels and with illustrated step-by-step instructions for eighteen craft projects, this beautifully presented book will delight Jane Austen fans, lovers of history and literature and craft enthusiasts alike."

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Murdoch Books (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781741963748
• ISBN-13: 978-1741963748
• ASIN: 1741963745
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After the birth of my daughter, I kept meeting other mothers who wanted to work at home. They were asking the same questions I had. How can I be there for my children and still make decent money? How can I work at home or go part-time? Which one is right for me? In Work Women Want I set out to find them an answer.

Jennifer Forest is an author and heritage consultant. She has written four other books, traded shares and run a small business. Jennifer is on a quest chasing the promise made to her as a teenager: that women can have it all. Why can't mothers have time to take their children to the playground and still make decent money?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jane Austen novel lovers will love this book August 6, 2009

By Kelly's Kart

Format:Paperback

This book focuses on sewing and craft projects, which Jane Austen's characters were busy working on within the storylines of her novels. The Regency period crafts and needlework that are described in this book include: A fabric letter case, a linen pillowcase, a Cravet (a man's necktie-scarf), an embroidered workbag, paper flowers, a small coin purse, a knitted miser's purse, a huswife (fabric case for thread, scissors, and needles), a carpet-work pillow, a muff and tippet (neck wrap), a pin cushion, a thread case, a transparency (small painted glass decoration), a bonnet, a reticule (a drawstring purse), a knitted rug, and a muslin cap.

Instructions for each project include a photo of the finished item, drawn illustrations, and a supply list. Note: the fabric measurements in the instructions are all in centimeters since this book was published in the United Kingdom. Each project also suggests whether it is for beginners, intermediate crafters, or for the advanced.

The book is like a picture book; almost every page has some sort of illustration. It includes period paintings and drawings that help illuminate how women lived and dressed during Jane Austen's day, and has photographs of Regency period fabrics and furnishings. Even if you do not plan to recreate one of these period crafts, it is a colorful book that gives a visual presentation of the home decor, crafts, and dress styles during the period in which Jane Austen's novels take place.

I purchased my book from Amazon UK.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars `Craft Projects and stories from Jane Austen's novels' August 13, 2009

By J. Cameron-Smith TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

So, Gentle Reader, you are interested in the crafts practised in Miss Austen's novels? Perhaps you wondered about all of that stitching that genteel women pursued while discussing life and marriage? How did they do it and what materials were used?

In this beautifully illustrated book, Ms Forest provides a social history of the late 18th century as viewed by Miss Austen and her characters. She includes snippets of the novels relevant to the craft projects described and illustrated.
Which crafts? Mainly fancywork: the type of decorative work undertaken by ladies while visiting. There are eighteen projects in this book: each illustrated and with clear directions so that you, Gentle reader, can also make pieces familiar to Miss Austen and her characters. You can make a muslin cap; a reticule; a workbag and linen pillowcases. You could even make a man's cravat, and diagrams show the many different ways in which a cravat can be tied.

Perhaps you chose instead not to make any of these projects but instead to enjoy a link with Regency women during what was a beautiful period in arts, craft and design. Many of the projects in this book (particularly the workbag and the huswife) would be useful to women who enjoy similar handcrafts today. These two projects in particular are ones I intend to undertake.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book January 18, 2010

By Alice Anjo

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book not only has wonderful projects and great historical notes, it is also beautifully illustrated. If you are even a little interested in Jane Austen and/or the regency period, this is a must have for all needlework enthusiasts.