Customer Reviews

Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really impressed by the photographs and fabrics used in the book. It is a very stylish book that inspires you to make things and get creative with what you already have. However, I think this book is best used for inspiration and generating ideas instead of being used as a guide.

Some of the projects depend on finding a particular kind of fabric she used (or something very similar). For instance, the boulevard butterfly trench project doesn't show you how to make a trench coat. Instead it shows you how you can cut out a butterfly from a fabric with a printed butterfly motif and attach it to the coat and switch up something of the buttons. And the Saturday Market Caddy requires that you first find an old caddy and its bag so you can recreate a new bag. Lots of projects in this book focus on how you can revamp thrift store finds.

I thought I would use this book more, but so far it is gathering dust on my shelf.

If you do not like patterns, have basic sewing knowledge, or are used to using Japanese craft sewing books, this is a great book. If you are new to sewing this may not be the book for you. The directions are clear and the projects lovely. The basic instructions at the start are also handy. I love this book!

I enjoyed the patterns in this book. Contrary to an earlier review, their are patterns in the appendix, however they require an enlargement with the assistance of a computer/scanner/etc. I enjoy the variety of crafts. They are organized in to sections. Some include: romance (chamise, bed covers, bath robes, slippers), household (apron, refurbished umbrella, hammock), bedroom (drapes, ottmans). To be honest, I haven't sewn anything yet, I just enjoy reading craft books. But it seems straight forward. They also have conversions in cm and inches for those of you who care. I recommend this book.

Great book - lovely to look at, simple patterns for quick sewing with good results. BUT.....it should have had a user-friendly spiral binding!!!! If I'm going to put this book to use, I want it to be flat on my work surface.

This book is SO pretty and is FULL of cute projects. I cannot give it 5 stars, though I want to. Why? There are a few projects, trench coat, bathrobe, etc where you don't learn how to make the project, you learn how to embellish it. Trench coat and bathrobe are in the materials list! Also, the photos (though gorgeous) sometimes show only a fraction of the finished piece. And there aren't always finished dimensions for the projects. There is a definate learning curve.

That's all I can complain about... It is otherwise lovely. I am off to sew a cute wool beret!

I absolutely adore this book. The projects are lovely and useful. All of her descriptions are easy and done in full. I especially enjoy the different ways to hem. Excellent projects for family gifts or things to make you and your home more beautiful. I look forward to more books from this author.

I adore making things for my home myself, and this book has many projects I have done, albeit in my own way. What I also enjoy about this is the clear explanations of how-to. I also enjoy pictures in rooms that are not so perfect, but the charm of "un-perfection" is appealing! I believe novice and experienced alike will enjoy this book

This book is very pretty and a nice addition to a collection of sewing books. Although, there are many things I probably will not be making in this book, it is chock full of idea I may want to come back to later.

This is a charming book and its great if you want simple projects but I wasn't impressed by much of the book. There were some cute projects but overall, I think this book trails Lotta Jansdotter, Amy Butler and even Denyse Schmidt wrt usefulness. The photography for the book had lots of style but seriously, think twice before buying this book.

This is a beautiful book, full of super-chic projects. It includes very simple patterns, and some that are very advanced. It will not teach a novice how to use a sewing machine, but does illustrate simple hand-stitches if you are a beginner. The pictures are lovely to look at, and the variety of ideas are sure to inspire.