Quick-Sew Denim [Paperback]

Barb Chauncey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

Denim stands the rest of time, and people are always looking for fresh ideas on how to transform denim into decorative items. Now, they can learn how to create unique home and fashion accessories from new and used denim with this resourceful book. It begins with an overview of denim and jean styles and then reveals all the basic techniques for glueing and sewing. Whether using new denim or revamping old jeans, readers are shown how to utilize every square inch to create useful and fun designs. Contains step-by-step instructions, with photos, for a wide variety of projects such as purses, pillows, frames, gift bags, storage containers and desk accessories.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barb Chauncy has been crafting for 30 years and learned to sew when she was 12 years old. She is a member of the US Society of Craft Designers and has authored more than a dozen articles about arts and crafts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873496027
• ISBN-13: 978-0873496025
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #484,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, January 26, 2005

By 

AJ (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quick-Sew Denim (Paperback)

This book should have been called "Quick Glue Gun Denim." I love to sew but don't do any other crafts. If you are the same, do not buy this book. Since I don't own or intend to buy a glue gun, there are very few projects I can do. This is the first time I've purchased a "sewing" book without looking over the projects first. I won't make that mistake again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Ideas, February 27, 2006

By 

Erika Mitchell (E. Calais, VT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Quick-Sew Denim (Paperback)

This book contains many ideas for reusing denim jeans as raw material for sewing projects. Chauncey provides an interesting short history of denim and jeans in the introduction to the book. Then she describes how to select denim for craft projects and some basic techniques for using denim. The main part of the book is divided into chapters containing directions for craft projects. These chapters include: around the house (pillows, bulletin boards, and organizers), handbags and totes, school stuff (scrap books, pencil case), denim Christmas (gift bags, Christmas tree skirt, ornaments), and gifts and things (picture frames, shaving tote, covered tin, basket). Each project starts with lists of required materials and supplies. The instructions for the projects are illustrated with high-quality color photographs. For most of the projects, Chauncey provides instructions for either sewing or gluing, so even non-sewers can try their hand. In order to undertake the projects in this book, a glue gun is practically indispensable, and a sewing machine highly recommended.

Many of the projects seem geared to young teenagers, and the sewing skills required are minimal. As a beginning sewer myself, I found the projects were well within my capabilities (yes, I still sit with the sewing machine manual on my lap when I sew so that I can quickly look up how to thread the machine). One of the strongest features of the book is the ideas that Chauncey provides for using every scrap of jeans. She shows how seams can be made into handles for bags or baskets, and how belt loops can have innumerable uses. I've only followed one of the projects in the book exactly (the shaving tote), but I have borrowed many of the ideas and techniques from the other projects in my own creations. This book is ideal for crafters who are just getting started in reusing denim.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recycling Old Denims, March 14, 2006

By 

Jan Brown "Bookworm" (IL, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Quick-Sew Denim (Paperback)

This book has a great assortment of ideas for using old jeans, from pillows and other household items to personal and gift items. All the projects are illustrated showing different steps in making the item.