Customer Reviews

Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am loving this book - its definitely one of my favorite sewing books on the market right now. First of all, the title doesn't lie, these are some seriously cute projects, folks. Almost a lethal dose of cute. Not in a bad way. The book is beautifully laid out - love the gingham and polka dots! Jenny's fabric choices are brilliant - I especially love the fact that she used vintage fabrics and pillowcases, with a little bit of cute Japanese fabric thrown in.

The book begins with a bio/ introduction as most craft books do, then goes into tools and techniques. I'm excited to find that I have a lot of these tools already (bias tape maker and yo-yo maker) - but I don't know how to use them so I'm excited to learn. Next there's a bit on free-motion quilting and some other "basics" like sewing a zippered pocket. Jenny promises it's not as hard as it looks and I believe her, which is half the battle, I think. If you are a more advanced seamstress, you might skip this part. If you are a more advanced seamstress, you might skip this part.

Most of the projects seem easy enough for a beginner so I'm excited to try them. The instructions and patterns are clear and easy to follow. I am loving the necklace tank, fabric button necklace, and reversible headband in the Pretties section. The eyeglasses cozy and appliqued tote are also a couple of my favorites, as is the merit badge wristlet (genius!), in the Totables section. In the Nest section, I am eager to make the Happy Hostess Dishtowels. Another section for Kid's Stuff includes instructions for a Silly Snake that reminds me of a puzzle my dad made me when I was younger. It also gives you a new use for shrunken sweaters. The Square Bear is also adorable and I love the fact that Jenny incorporates embroidery and vintage buttons. One last section called Crafties includes a crochet hook cozy that makes me want to learn to crochet and a Nifty Needle Book that I really need for my embroidery needles. I love how the projects are not only cute but practical.

I read another review that accused this book of being un-hip and to that I say "un-true!" Ok, so I'm not the coolest kid on the block but I do keep up with the latest handmade fashions and as far as I can tell, cute is definitely "in." Besides, if you don't like Jenny's use of mellow fabrics, you can always substitute color combos like black and hot pink or skull prints. Plus the cover gives a good indication of whether the projects will fit your personal style. Personally, I love them.

Jenny's Ryan's new sewing book certainly lives up to the title! The projects are absolutely adorable, classic, and hip all rolled into one! Not only does she offer 30 patterns of perfection, she also demonstrates how to use contrasting textures to add even more personality to the projects. Each page is loaded with tips in a super-friendly tone. I'm excited to share this book with my teen daughter to make some fabulous new accessories!!! Way to go, Jenny!

I was really disappointed with this book.

Although it was filled with beautiful photographs, the designs and patterns themselves were so totally elementary that I am pretty sure you could google and find a free pattern for everything featured. For example, sewing coasters? It's 2 pieces of square fabric sewn together and then top-stitched.

Perhaps a VERY new and beginner level seamstress might like this, or a very young teenager, but to have an entire page dedicated to cutting a letter out of fabric and sewing it onto a white tee shirt seemed like a cop out.

This book was on my wishlist for quite awhile-sew happy I finally have it! It is one of my top 3 sewing books-and believe me, I have a LOT of sewing books. The projects are fun and fresh. I am going to try the Necklace Tank, the Square Bear, the cuff, and appliqued cupcake tote! (Comes with the patterns for you to copy!) It really is a terrific book with some cute ideas.

Great book! Lots of really cute ideas, can't wait to try them out. She gives out lots of tips in the beginning of the book and what supplies would be useful to buy and some that you dont' need to buy right away which is nice. Would definatly recommend!

This book has some cute and VERY simple projects. I would recomend it for beginners. I am a little more advanced than the level used in this book, but I still enjoyed leafing through it, and the beautiful pictures have inspired a few creative ideas in the old noggin.

I could see this book as a way to get a younger person involved in learning sewing, as the projects are cute, and the simple skills they teach could easily be used to create something that harmonizes with personal taste. The author herself offers a few suggestions for variations on the projects.

On a personal note, as an embroiderer, I do cringe that the author suggests cutting up vintage embroidery to make some of the projects. It cost her a star...Because, while it may not bother her (or you), to me it is like cutting up the Mona Lisa! When I look at the book, I just have to tell myself that the other parts of the pieces she cut up were burned in a fire and that she was saving the good...not destroying the whole. ...But if you are not a whackadoo like me, you will probably not have a problem with this practice.

The projects in this book are cute and simple. This is probably a great starter book for a teenager. I love the simplicity of the projects but they are simple. This book is would also be great for busy crafters.

Beautifully photographed and written. Projects are geared for a younger and more modern generation than I am. Easy enough for beginners and will hold your interest long enough to teach you to sew painlessly, creatively and with great enjoyment for those who missed home ec classes. I probably will make only a few projects in this book, but only because my interests lie elsewhere. Many of you will make everything in the book.

This is a great book for those of us who love crafting but aren't that creative on our own and need ideas to get us going. Some of her projects are a little too 'cutsy' for my decorating style, but I've taken the idea and made it my own. Great book with intermediate project goers (I don't think I'd rate this a beginner book). I will say it has a little too much embroidery for me (since I'm not interested in it) but I've just skipped that or improvised where I needed to.

Beautiful pictures and fun inspiration for crafter/sewers.

There are some cute ideas in this book. However, most of them are impractical for what I like to do sewing wise. There is quite a bit of handwork ideas in here, which I'm not into.