Sewing is as easy as 1-2-3! In this creative teaching book, craft blogger Ellen Luckett Baker offers a wholly unique approach to sewing: she presents projects in groups of three, each building on the techniques used in the project before. Baker shows, for example, how to sew a glasses case, then build on those skills to create a zippered pouch, and from there, make a more advanced cosmetics bag. There are 33 delightful projects in all, ranging from clothing to dcor and accessories. With easy-to-follow instructions, how-to illustrations, and 12 patterns tucked into an enclosed envelope, 1, 2, 3 Sew is an essential resource for beginning and intermediate sewers alike.
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Book Description
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About the Author
Ellen Luckett Baker is the founder of Thelongthread.com, which receives 75,000 unique visitors monthly. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Laura Malek is a photographer and artist living in Atlanta, Georgia.
Laura Malek is a photographer and artist living in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
204 of 215 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound
I do like this book for several reasons. First of all, I bought it because it contains projects for things I want to make! I just completed a bag that is called a Craft Caddy. I also want to make a storage cube or two, a boxed-end zipper pouch, a lunch sack, and a change-your-mind skirt.
I love the pictures, colors, and diagrams.
I love that the full-size patterns are included in a pouch and that the patterns are on NOT a giant sheet of paper, but on their own pieces of paper!
I found a little mistake (that wasn't major) in the instructions and posted a question on the author's blog and she got back to me very quickly. The patterns and instructions have been tested and the mistake that gave me pause was just one of those things that can happen in spite of tender loving care! But if you did find a glitch that stopped you, isn't it nice to know that the author is responsive?
Projects in this book include several bags, toys and clothing for children, and basic household items with creative touches.
The bag I made had me do something new--putting dividers in the lining of a bag.
Even though I have hundreds of craft books, I don't buy every book I flip through. I am happy I bought this one...and happy with my very useful, new Craft Caddy bag!
I love the pictures, colors, and diagrams.
I love that the full-size patterns are included in a pouch and that the patterns are on NOT a giant sheet of paper, but on their own pieces of paper!
I found a little mistake (that wasn't major) in the instructions and posted a question on the author's blog and she got back to me very quickly. The patterns and instructions have been tested and the mistake that gave me pause was just one of those things that can happen in spite of tender loving care! But if you did find a glitch that stopped you, isn't it nice to know that the author is responsive?
Projects in this book include several bags, toys and clothing for children, and basic household items with creative touches.
The bag I made had me do something new--putting dividers in the lining of a bag.
Even though I have hundreds of craft books, I don't buy every book I flip through. I am happy I bought this one...and happy with my very useful, new Craft Caddy bag!
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By J. M. Smith
Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let me start by saying I am a novice machine sewer at the age of 28. I certainly have background in crafting/embroidery etc but the machine really intimidated me and I have no one (grandmother etc) to teach me. I really love this book and think it has made me a more confident sewer. It will NOT teach you how to use your machine. It won't teach you basic techniques like pressing, cutting/measuring fabric, using a rotary cutter etc. There are plenty of blogs and youtube that helped me with that. She does include an introduction with the kinds of tools you will need and/or are helpful as well as a basic introduction which is nice but you may need to do some research about your machine or consult a more comprehensive guide like Vogue for the details on the most basic techniques. What it does have are cute and useful projects I actually liked (as opposed to other "beginner books" filled with ugly and/or dated things I would never want to purchase let alone make) Each chapter is divided into 3 projects, with each project building on the skills learned in the previous. So, for example, the first chapter is themed around dining/kitchen. First you make simple dishcloth (learning to sew in a straight line, folded corners, making a basic hem, pressing fabric etc), then the next project is a set of cloth napkins (still sewing/cutting in a straight line, but now we add in "fancy" mitered corners, and finishing edge stiching), finally a table runner with pockets for flatware (add seamless pockets). By the end of the chapter you've really mastered the basics (straight line sewing/hemming, mitered corners) and are also comfortable with a more advanced skill (seamless pockets). Each chapter builds on the previous, though the author maintains you do not have to work the chapters in order. I am about halfway through and just chose to go in order because I want to build my skills.
Each project includes a high quality color photographic image of the final product. The actual directions include text and black and white drawings. At times I had to go back and reread a step several times because the picture isn't as detailed as I might like, but overall everything is simple to follow even for a beginner.
I have a friend who borrowed the book and is a very advanced sewer. She ended up getting her own copy because she likes it too. The projects are simple but also interesting enough for an accomplished seamstress. I think one thing that helps with this is for each project she suggests ways to alter the directions to make the project your own. For someone starting out the plain cloth napkins might be challenge enough but for a more accomplished sewer she suggests adding decorative trim or embroidery, or to use a higher quality fabric to make heirloom quality table linens.
I would have given this book 5 stars but I took one away because I think there should have been more pictures/detailed diagrams for the more complicated projects and basic instruction for things like cutting or tracing a pattern onto fabric. For a true beginner this would have been helpful. Overall I highly recommend it!
Each project includes a high quality color photographic image of the final product. The actual directions include text and black and white drawings. At times I had to go back and reread a step several times because the picture isn't as detailed as I might like, but overall everything is simple to follow even for a beginner.
I have a friend who borrowed the book and is a very advanced sewer. She ended up getting her own copy because she likes it too. The projects are simple but also interesting enough for an accomplished seamstress. I think one thing that helps with this is for each project she suggests ways to alter the directions to make the project your own. For someone starting out the plain cloth napkins might be challenge enough but for a more accomplished sewer she suggests adding decorative trim or embroidery, or to use a higher quality fabric to make heirloom quality table linens.
I would have given this book 5 stars but I took one away because I think there should have been more pictures/detailed diagrams for the more complicated projects and basic instruction for things like cutting or tracing a pattern onto fabric. For a true beginner this would have been helpful. Overall I highly recommend it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent projects!
This book does an okay job on explaining the basics.
But it makes up for it extensively by having really amazing projects! Read more
But it makes up for it extensively by having really amazing projects! Read more
Published 1 month ago by The Philosophical Swimmer
3.0 out of 5 stars
A variety of projects but maybe not for complete beginner
Firstly I will address the issues I had with this book, and then I'll discuss what I liked. Let's get the unpleasant out of the way first. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Pam Mapuin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great So Far!
First off, the reason I gave it 4 stars is simply because I only recently got the book, so I haven't made any of the projects, however, I can tell that I love it because as a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Star Queen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommend!
I am very new at sewing, but have taken several classes and know the basics. I was looking for a book which would help build my skills but still be very easy to understand. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rosie
4.0 out of 5 stars
review
It was just as it was described. I would recommend to all my friends. It came on time and in good shape.
Published 4 months ago by Susan K Hillmer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent skill-builder book
I got this book because it was recommended as a good way to build sewing skills. Through the process of completing small projects, you learn specific skills that build on each... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jamie Snyder
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Beginner Pace - Maddeningly Frustrating Details
Just so you know where I'm coming from, my girlfriend and I are absolute beginners to sewing. We bought a sewing machine and realized we had absolutely no idea what to do with it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brandon Lindsey
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's a cute book but....
If you say look for the pattern included in the book and don't include the pattern for the mouse pin cushion how are we supposed to make it? Read more
Published 5 months ago by GiggleGoddess
5.0 out of 5 stars
1,2,3 sew
I loved this book. I want to teach some of my grand daughters to sew and the items in this book will be perfect. Diana Kramer
Published 6 months ago by Wndrgmom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
The book was just as it was advertised. It will definitely help with confidence and skill building or just simple projects to whipe up in a day.
Published 6 months ago by Katrina
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