Sew Liberated [Paperback]

Meg McElwee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

Resurrecting the art of appliqué—a technique in which pieces of fabric are sewn onto clothing, bags, quilts, and other creations—this enlightening resource provides today’s generation of “sewists” with a technique that can be combined with embroidery, beadwork, buttons, ribbons, and more to imbue works with a creative and personal style. Ideal for those with some sewing experience looking to break away from the restrictions of traditional patterns, this guide offers the details for both hand and machine appliqué techniques, as well as a history of appliqué and how it was rediscovered in the fiber arts. Featured are 20 modern, stylish sewing projects ranging from aprons, skirts, pillows, and totes to a duvet cover, wall clock, blouse, baby quilt, and scarf. With step-by-step instructions, color photographs, and comprehensive how-to embroidery instructions, this is an all-in-one resource and guide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681616
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681613
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Who it’s for: Sewists who want to take their basic garments to a quirky, unique level . . . This book encourages creativity and teaches readers the skills they need to make it happen."  —Austin American-Statesman

"A beautifully designed and photographed collection of useful projects . . . If you're looking for new embellishment and applique ideas, pick this one up."  —TrueUp.net

"A fantastic sewing book."  —Cate Prato, editor, Studios magazine

"Tons of great ideas for moms."  —Grosgrain Fabulous

"I love the book."  —Living Life as Art

"A fun collection of mostly applique projects, with a few other embellishment techniques in the mix . . . Nice inspiration book for intermediate sewists and beyond."  —Diane Gilleland, Craftypod.com, and author, Kanzashi in Bloom

"Packed with fun projects that highlight the fantastic possibilities that come with incorporating easy applique techniques."  —craftsanity.com

"Modern sewing allows for much more creativity and personal style as pattern designer Meg McElwee demonstrates . . . She shows a number of ways to have fun making personal statements simply by adding interesting appliques."  —The Detroit News

About the Author

Meg McElwee is an internationally certified Montessori teacher, a successful sewing pattern designer, and the author of the blog Sew Liberated. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596681616
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681613
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An internationally certified Montessori teacher and successful sewing pattern designer, author Meg McElwee writes about her adventures with fabric, thread, and motherhood at SewLiberated.typepad.com. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and son.

Please join in the discussion about sewing projects from Sew Liberated at the Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sewliberatedbook/ There you will find photos of completed projects, links to any corrections/errata, and useful tips from other sewists.

Happy Sewing!

From Meg: "Sew Liberated" is a name that I chose because of its many layers of meaning and many possibilities of interpretation. For me, Sew Liberated is a way of looking at craft that is, at once, traditional and completely modern. Depending on who you are and your own preferences, you can find solace in the "traditional crafts" either as a return to a slower lifestyle, or as a fist-held-high statement of non-conformism with today's commercial culture. Personally? I identify with both reasons and don't see them as mutually exclusive. In addition, Sew Liberated touches on the personal fulfillment we experience when we create. I know that I get such a rush when I conceive of and bring to life a project, and I'm sure you feel the same.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars modern projects with a traditional twist December 31, 2009

By Susan Bleiweiss VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The author says that for her "Sew Liberated is a way of looking at craft that is, at once, traditional and completely modern". Certainly that is a perfect way to describe the projects that you'll find in this book.

The 20 projects in this book are divided into three sections; domestic art, pampered artist and small stitches and all are relatively straightforward and easy to create. The author clearly has a fondness for appliqué and most of the projects include either turned, raw edge or reverse techniques. For those not familiar with these techniques
have no fear because the authors step by step directions are clearly written and illustrated making them easy to follow for even a novice sewer.

Projects in this book include household items such as patchwork place mats, aprons, a quilt and a pillow cover along with personal accessories that include bags, a blouse and a jersey garden skirt that features reverse appliqué. Things to sew for children include a baby's first book, an petit artiste smock and a tote bag and chefs hat and apron. You'll also find a clever clock project in this book. A working wall clock worthy of being the
centerpiece in any room of the house.

Along with the step by step directions for each project that are accompanied by full color photographs and clear and easy to understand diagrams you'll also find full sized pull out pattern sheets.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sew Liberated is a steal! January 1, 2010

By Book Mama VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This beautiful sewing book is one that you will surely treasure and actually use! Meg McElwee is the author of the popular blog "Sew Liberated" where she sells her simple yet stylish clothing (for women and children) and accessory patterns (I love her reading pillow!) starting at $11.95 ~~ which are definitely worth the money with their ease of use, full sized patterns and clear diagrammed instructions. As a beginner sewer I have used several of her "shop" patterns without problem and they have turned out beautifully. What a steal this book is! She carries those clear detailed instructions and full sized patterns as well as helpful hints, techniques, a glossary of terms, and a resource guide into this book and you get 20 projects for almost the price of one pattern. I can't wait to make the stunning "Dapper Day Bag" and the adorable "Mother/Daughter Blossom Blouse"as well as several of the "small stitches: projects for babies and children". Happy sewing!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, useful and thoughtful projects! December 23, 2009

By Jacob's Mama

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just received this and can see that I will be learning a lot from this book. The projects are things that I actually want to make! You can clearly see that the author put a lot of thought into this book and this one really stands out from a few of the craft/sewings books that I recently bought. I really like the detailed, whimsical and natural way that shines through in her sewing. I can't wait to make the camera bag...very cool! Looking forward to really sitting down and reading this :)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Many kid-oriented patterns April 2, 2010

By Lunamoth42

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I didn't get from the book description that there would in fact be 6 out of the 20 projects geared toward small children, of which I have none. If you have kids in your life, this book will be good for you. I still like the other patterns and will get some use out of it, but may end up passing it along to one of the moms I know.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value if you enjoy the author's style February 3, 2010

By Cotyledon C.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you like Sew Liberated patterns, this book is a great value. It also provides lots of ideas and information re: applique. Instructions are clear and photography is lovely.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to delve in! January 31, 2010

By E. Thilges

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have only been sewing for a year, but have been itching to try applique. . . And this book is full of applique projects! There are some ho-hum projects but there are also some really great ideas and projects in here. I'm really glad I bought this book and I'm excited to try my first project.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Uninspiring and "seen before" items May 1, 2010

By M. Luns

Format:Paperback

I had high hopes for this book after reading the reviews. When I got it I was so disappointed. The projects are mainly home decor items and the book was very similar to other books I already have. The kids section did not have much clothes (which I like making for my kids) but instead had boring items like a chef/apron hat (I have tons of apron patterns already), babys first book, and a smock. One of the bags was mildly interesting, but not enough so to keep this book. I was uninspired and I returned it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars pretty but not very original August 13, 2011

By liberal sprinkles

Format:Paperback

I like the book but I have to say I was a bit disappointed after finally getting hold of it. The projects are not very original although many come with a twist, mostly appliques. If you would like to learn how to applique, this may be an interesting book for you although the patterns, like the projects, are again not terribly imaginative. However, I do like several projects, notably the wall clock (very nice design), the garden skirt (cover photo) and baby's first book (very cute, very adaptable for other crafts - and non-sewing - projects).

The instructions are very clear although very long and intimidating at first glance as most project steps are not accompanied by illustrations. I would have preferred more diagrams to accompany all those words.

Overall, a good book with some pretty projects but not very special if you're familiar with sewing books and blogs.