Make It Sew Modern: Gather, Twist, Pleat, Texture [Paperback]

Vanessa Christenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2012

Now you can add new dimension and texture to your life, even if you're just learning to sew. This exciting collection of sewing ideas from Vanessa Christenson, owner of V and Co., shows how. Vanessa presents current, fresh home decor and fashion patterns that demonstrate her great design sense.

* Discover more than 20 simple sewing ideas, including eye-catching quilts, pillows, scarves, purses, and an assortment of clever embellishments

* Create three-dimensional flowers, raw-edge ruffles, tasteful tucks and pleats, and more

* Sew easy patterns and express yourself with unique designs that are just your style

Editorial Reviews

Review

In her fun new book, author Vanessa Christenson demonstrates how to "create beautiful things" the quick, easy and inexpensive way! Making things more appealing and treasured is a passion of Vanessa's. Whether starting from scratch or giving new life to found objects, she manipulates fabric in exciting ways. Adding texture and color--a ruffle here, a gather there, clever embellishments--to plain home decor and/or personal items reflects a personal touch. Best of all, these techniques can be achieved within the boundaries of a busy schedule and tight budget.


Vanessa's designs are part of an emerging modern quilt aesthetic. Her fresh, improvisational approach to a traditional craft is apparent in the creative and functional handbags, quilts, fabric jewelry, scarves and home accessories made for this book. She shares a variety of projects with readers--from the 1" "Flower Ring" to a two-toned, monogrammed "Everyday Quilt" with pleated edges--in this "fun to sew, and sew easy" book. The simplicity of the frilly "Picture-Perfect Dress" and embellished "Market/Beach Tote" can be made just in time for spring and summer. Attach one of Vanessa's favorite accessories, the "Satin-Ribbon Flower," to any project for even more color and character. With over twenty simple sewing ideas, Make it Sew Modern inspires creativity using fabric--even if you are just learning to sew! --Quilt Trends Magazine

Vanessa Christenson of V and Co. has successfully written a book that will please her blog followers--and new readers as well. Make it Sew Modern echoes her fun and quirky blog style and is full of great projects ranging from totes to fabric wreaths. Christenson has a knack for adding embellishments like flowers and ruffles to ordinary pieces to make them modern looking. With about 21 projects, this book is well worth the price. --Modern Patchwork Magazine

About the Author

Home: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Vanessa Christenson, known for her eye-catching patterns on Etsy and The Big Cartel, is a highly creative stay-at-home mom. She enjoys designing unique items for quilting, sewing, and home decor and writes a popular blog, V and Co.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Martingale & Co Inc (January 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604680598
• ISBN-13: 978-1604680591
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #662,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars love it January 24, 2012

By mom

Format:Paperback

The projects in this book are gorgeous. If you follow Vanessa's blog, you may be familiar with a few of them.
Usually, with books like this, I'll get sucked in, buy it and then only want to make one or two projects. I would like to make all of the projects in this book, and they are all simple. I can actually do it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Projects February 29, 2012

By Books and Chocolate TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

This is another great book from Martingale & Company, with 20 projects that focus on adding texture and dimension to bags, clothing, pillows, and more. The book chapters include Ruffles, Twisting, Gathering, and Pleats with 5-6 projects in each one. I especially like the blue pillow with a gathered center and look forward to making one.

The color photographs are beautiful. Although I haven't made any of the projects yet, I did read through the instructions for each one and felt they were clear and that I could make anything in the book. The projects are not what I would call advanced, but knowledge of basic sewing and sewing machine techniques is assumed. Full size patterns for some of the projects are included for photocopying or tracing, but most only require measuring and cutting fabric according to the dimensions given.

I do like this book and the creativity it inspires. The ideas would make lovely gifts or additions to any home decor or wardrobe.

I received a copy of this book for review but the opinion of it is my own and was not solicited, nor was a positive review required.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful projects February 9, 2012

By Kiera Vanella

Format:Paperback

I really like this book. The projects are all beautiful and the instructions are well written. So many projects that I want to make, that I don't know where to start. None of the projects are too hard or too time consuming and many would make great gifts. From tote bags, to scarves, to fabric flowers and bracelets...so much creativity to choose from. I highly recommend this book!