Customer Reviews

Sew Liberated

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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 :)

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.

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.

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.

this is a beautifully creative sewing/craft book. amazing that it is her first book. great ideas, and her eco-values so clearly expressed through this work.

I got this book to make the Jersey Garden Skirt because I like stretchy waistlines that don't involve elastic. I just recently learned how to sew and I was able to easily figure out the pattern, it even fits just right! I will be making more of this skirt. I did not add the embellishments, but the book does include a whole section on making embellishments.

[...]

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.

Contemporary, chic sewing for today's sewer. I love the skirt on the front cover, the quilts, apron, cushions and placemats for the home. The wall clock is a novel idea that works. The camera and other bags are good as is the sleeping mask. The rest of the book is given over to children and teenage patterns - but you'd be missing out if you dismiss this book for that or any other reason. Some of these patterns can easily be adapted - for example the baby book could become an art journal type book. The children's totes would be lovingly carried and admired by many an adult. This book uses a variety of sewing techniques such as applique, reverse applique, embroidery and more. The ideas are fresh, modern and I think Meg has her own style. The instructions are clear, the photography is great and this book also includes pattern pieces. I would happily recommend this book. This review first appeared on Karen Platt's book review website.