Customer Reviews

Sew Beautiful

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sew Beautiful magazine is one of the few American magazines devoted to heirloom sewing, smocking and the fine needle arts. Without a doubt, SB boasts the most attractively photographed articles, projects and layouts. Each issue features exquisite examples of heirloom-quality garments, pillows, notions, etc. - all lavishly displayed in charming settings. This publication is a visual pleasure to leaf through.

So what's the problem - why not the full five stars? Well...

Since I took up smocking and needle arts in 1997 I have subscribed to SB for one year and bought issues off the stand intermittently since. As a beginner and an intermediate level sew-er, I rarely find anything do-able in the pages of SB. The projects, patterns and features are really geared toward quite advanced heirloom sewers/needleworkers. It can be quite overwhelming, even intimidating, to admire for instance a lovely christening gown ensemble that requires high-level handstitching skills, and several tricks on the sewing machine that I can't begin to fathom without hours of instruction. Often, obscure specialized tools and machine feet are required. And how many beginners want to practice on the hard-to-find and pricey fabrics and trims so casually recommended, like swiss nelona and dupioni silk? Alternatives like plain old imperial batiste and cotton floss are so seldom mentioned as to give the reader the impression that they just aren't suitable for heirloom sewing. After my subscription ran out I was left with the feeling that I may never "catch up" enough (or be wealthy enough) to attempt most of the gorgeous items in SB.

I have seen a few other magazines that address this problem by providing illustrated, step-by-step guides in the back sections to the handwork stitches that are required for the projects. This is very practical and reassuring for newbies. One Australian magazine even has kits available by mail order or internet for all their charming projects. It would be great to see more of that in SB, as well as more projects that you don't have to have advanced skills to attempt.

On the whole, SB is nicely done and I could recommend it for the more advanced level smockers and needleworkers.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle.

Okay, I will agree with the previous two reviews about both the elitist attitude (extremely expensive materials, not for beginners) and that the clothes are pretty out of date and in most of the country your daughter would be snickered at for wearing a lace tea-gown outside the house. But I still love this magazine.

There are beginner's projects that come along every once and a while: there was a multi-issue album quilt last year that explained all of the techniques perfectly (it would be great if they could sell that as a stand-alone pattern, it was a wonderful introduction). It's true that not every issue has them, but if you look on the newsstand you can usually find if the new issue has one. The thing is that it's a magazine for people who enjoy heirloom sewing: knitting magazines don't have explicit instructions on how to purl, quilting magazines don't show you how to use a rotary cutter. Sew Beautiful just assumes that you have a working knowledge of heirloom sewing: and they do have a very quick primer on lace sewing techniques in the center pullout.

If you're interested in learning heirloom techniques, I still recommend purchasing this magazine, even if only a few issues at a newstand. You'll be introduced to a lot of the most popular designers and their techniques, and you'll find out the best resources (shops, classes, books) to learn. It's also a great aspirational magazine, and though I would never dress my kids in most of the clothes that grace their pages, a lot of the details can easily be adapted to more play-friendly clothes.

One tip: if you buy the magazine and use the pull-out card to buy a subscription, it only costs $25 a year, as opposed to Amazon's $35 a year.

IMHO, the biggest flaw in SB is that it focuses too tightly on children's clothing. Otherwise I enjoy it immensely. I often look to it for inspiration when I'm planning a new garment for myself. If your mind is open to possibilities there is plenty here to give you ideas and new techniques. My suggestion is not to take this as a project magazine to be interpreted literally. I always see the projects as examples of ways you can use the techniques in your own sewing.

I would have to disagree with previous reviewers who complain the materials are "extremely " expensive. They are not *cheap*, but they certainly are not the most expensive of fabrics. If you know fabric you will realize that the materials are in the lower middle of the road... not the cheapest junk available but nowhere near the price of couture quality yard goods. Most of what's needed can be found at your local big box fabric store, and if you use the 50% off coupon wisely you can get your silk dupioni and handkerchief linen for less than you'd pay for cotton at a local quilt shop.

The styles in SB reflect a cultural difference between the Old South and trendy new fashion. It might look odd to some but people in Martha's culture actually dress themselves and their children in this way. It can either be viewed as "timeless" or "out-of-date", but your carefully wrought heirlooms won't look passe in 5 years either. That's the main problem with current style... too much of it and it's dated in a few years. It seems to me that rather than "elitist", SB leans more towards old school conservative. If you are looking for fashion, then Threads should be your go-to magazine. If you are looking for classic "heirloom sewing", SB is it.

I am enjoying my subscription to this magazine. I love looking at others creativity and getting inspiration from it to sew something I am proud of. The magazine is well put together and not overly full of advertising. I always look forward to getting it in the mail.

I absolutely love Sew Beautiful. But, it's cheaper if you do a 2 year subscription through the company.... it's only about 3.50 and issue if you do the 2 years through sewbeautifulmag.com

Also, I don't agree with people saying it has outdated clothes. They have a lot of fun modern ideas for girls dresses, and yes, some with an antique feel-- but I think it's well suited to the personality of those that love heirloom sewing. I use it to get inspiration for blessing dresses, baptism dresses, and even costumes I make!

The pictures are astounding. Full color and very detailed. Also embroidery ideas and techniques will wow you! If you love sewing, and love new ideas...get this magazing. Also, it's true, laces can be very expensive, but you can get polyester laces that do the job nicely, even if they aren't quite as nice as the cotton laces, ... people will still be amazed.

This magazine is great in the fact it has free patterns, if you want to stay out of date. I was a subscriber for 2 years, wanting heirloom tips, patterns, etc. Most of the free patterns are out of style, puffed sleeves, odd waistlines. If you wait 15 or so years they will be back in style. Some of the tips are good, great color pictures, many of Martha Pullen's extended family, but out of date and out of touch with current styling trends. Not many people wear leg-of-mutton puff sleeves in today's society.

The magazine opens with a letter from the publisher and a Bible verse. If that's going to bother you, find another magazine.

This magazine has some nice techniques--smocking, heirloom sewing--but if you aren't sewing for children, then this IS NOT be the magazine for you. In the magazine in front of me, ONE article isn't about sewing for children or children's toys. The other issues have been the same. I'm cancelling my subscription today. It's not a bad magazine--it just isn't at all what I ws looking for.

If you are a Christian and want to sew heirloom stuff for your children or grandchildren, I would highly recommend it. The kids' clothes are cute if sometimes old-fashioned or impractical. The instructions are clear and well-illustrated. There is a free pattern in every issue--for children.

When I first ordered this magazine I was told my subscription would start in 8 weeks so I bought magazines for the first 2 months. 8 weeks later I received 3 older issues, two of which I already owned. So in other words I paid for a year's subscription and only received 3 new magazines. This magazine is geared toward sewing old fashioned, heirloom type garments for babies and young children. It is not for the beginning sewing enthusiast. The techniques include smocking, madera and lots of lace. If this magazine was anything like the "Martha's Sewing Room" show it would be great. But alas, the old fashioned garments and patterns that only fit babies and young children are not enough to keep me as a subscriber. Also it is full of pictures of patterns that you have to pay for on Martha's website, a lot of advertisements for stuff you have to pay for, not enough stuff for you to make. Save your money and buy a different sewing magazine!

I can hardly wait for each issue of Sew Beautiful. The techniques shown in the magazine can be used in so many articles of clothing. It is a wonderful teaching magazine. The designs that are shown are timeless and classic. In some parts of the country, children are dressed so casually that they never really know what it is to be elegantly dressed, ever. You might never see smocked dresses on some children but when my granddaughter wears her smocked dresses and those with heirloom accents, they never fail to elicit compliments....like "where did you buy that dress....it is beautiful". So many of the retail establishments cater to the "sexy" look for little girls....lots of glitz and glitter, one strap dresses or tops, two piece bikini type bathing suits that it is no wonder that when the girls get bigger that they look more like ads for porn magazines. Sew Beautiful is such a refreshing change and the dresses and outfits that are shown in their pages sure make little girls look like precious little dolls. Keep up the good work, Sew Beautiful! Martha started a good work in you! I love you!

Very boring magazine. The "free" patterns is a joke. Try Burda or Ottobre and you won't be disappointed!