Stash Happy: Patchwork: 25 Sewing Projects for Fabric Lovers [Paperback]

Cynthia Shaffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2011 | Series: Stash Happy

Lark's new Stash Happy series is the cure for the crafter's dilemma: what to do with all those scraps and leftover fabric, felt, and yarn, beads! Each book is full of know-how, fun ideas, and super-cute projects-and the series kicks off with Patchwork, one of today's hottest sewing and quilting trends. The collection offers inspiring twists on classic favorites plus practical items for the home, including a patchy panda doll, pieced cactus pincushion, or a set of nesting patchwork bowls.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CYNTHIA SHAFFER currently lives in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA, with her husband, two sons, and dogs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600596126
• ISBN-13: 978-1600596124
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Shaffer is a quilter and creative sewer whose love for fabric can be traced back to her childhood. At the age of 6, she learned to sew and in no time was designing and sewing clothing for herself and others. After earning a degree in textiles from California State University, Long Beach, Cynthia traveled for a few years, working for Club Med, designing and building costumes for the evening entertainmant. With the travel bug somewhat satisfied, Cynthia returned home and started her own company. For 10 years she was the president and designer of her company that specialized in the design and manufacture of sportswear.

Numerous mixed media, quilting and paper craft books and magazines have featured Cynthia's work. In her free time she enjoys knitting, crocheting and photography. Cynthia lives with her husband Scott, sons Corry and Cameron, and beloved boston terriers, Harper and Berklee in Southern California.

For more information visit her online at www.cynthiashaffer.com or www.cynthiashaffer.typepad.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Video Review June 21, 2011

By BeachBrights TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Length: 3:08 Mins

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun projects! May 7, 2011

By CuteEverythingcom TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Stash Happy Patchwork is the first book in a new series by Lark Crafts, which offers wonderful ways to use up our stashes of scraps and those other lovely materials that we haven't yet found the perfect use for (but couldn't pass up on buying anyway!). With her first book, author Cynthia Shaffer, features twenty five patchwork projects of all types to utilize our stashes of fabric.

There is a Pretty Petite Dress to make out of your favorite fabrics that will add a darling decorative element to any room in your house! The sweetest cylindrical shaped panda pillow would be so fun to place on a couch or chair and delight your guests! I was excited to see the Log Cabin design with four pockets surrounding a bucket to fill with toys and other items to keep the kids occupied when out. One helpful extra is the strap attached to the bucket that hangs over the seat in the car -- great for long car trips!

The cute two-sided Patchy Wrap Skirt with the scalloped bottom edge would match with many different types and colors of shirts. I love reusable items, so I thought the easy patchwork Nesting Bowls would be nice to fill with sweet treats for a friend or neighbor, who could then refill it with trinkets or treasures after the treats are all gone.

Making tiny flags for cupcakes in fitting shapes for holidays and other celebrations is a simple way to use up even your tiniest scraps. So, if you are looking for ideas to use up your fabric remnants, Stash Happy Patchwork is a great place to start!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Unique Projects! June 3, 2011

By The Sometimes Crafter

Format:Paperback

I think perhaps the best thing about this book is that the projects themselves are so unique. There are so many ideas that I have never seen before in a sewing project book, and I love knowing there is another book on my shelf full of new projects. Just about every project in this book has me saying "I want to make that!" There is a little bit of everything for everyone - quilt, wrap skirt, kids vest, girls dress, log cabin bucket, ... of course the list goes on.

The photography is beautifully done and the book itself is laid out well. The instructions are easy to understand and broken down into step-by-step instruction (as opposed to trying to cram in three parts of instruction into one). The "basics" chapter is short and sweet, giving you just the bit of information you need without lengthy explanations, making it the perfect book for someone that has at least a very basic knowledge of sewing. There are plenty of photos to help illustrate the steps.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves patchwork and sewing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars nice for using up the stash July 18, 2011

By liberal sprinkles

Format:Paperback

I found some of the projects in this book rather common (example: pillow, clothespin caddy) or things I'm unlikely to ever make (pretty petite dress, little sweetheart dress). But I do like several of the ideas, some of which are really cute and unique. My favorites are the cozy cones, bento box, patchy wrap skirt and the cupcake flags.

Many of the projects look pretty easy and quick, good for using some of the scraps in the stash. I like that there is a mix of simple and more difficult projects. Some of the more demanding ones, like the houses lap quilt, Dresden plate rug and honeycomb sheet set, can be good practice for more elaborate piecing and quilting.

The step-by-step instructions are not hard to follow and the ideas for variations on the projects are a nice plus.

Overall, a good book for using up some remnants, although I wouldn't say this is a have-to-have sewing book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Scraptastic! June 28, 2011

By Terri G.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been looking for books and patterns that will help me reduce the fabric stash that is threatening to take over my sewing room. This book has so many wonderful projects that will help me use up my smaller bits and bobs. I can't wait to start working on some of the smaller projects. These seem to be just right for an afternoon of sewing. There are also practical projects that may take a little longer, but look to be well worth the time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stash Happy Happiness... December 29, 2011

By Gina J. Koston

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this book. Great projects and easy to read and understand instructions. I highly recommend this sewing project book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas in this book! November 25, 2011

By Kiera Vanella

Format:Paperback

Stash Happy Patchwork is another great book by Lark Crafts. As an avid quilter and sewer, I appreciate all the ideas that this book presents for me to dig into my stash, or use up some scraps. I've already made the pillowcases in the Honeycomb Sheet set and the Cozy Cones are going to be perfect to present some small treats in this Christmas. The projects in this book will satisfy and inspire the novice sewer to the more advanced sewer. Patterns and templates are conveniently located in the back of the book. Great book, I highly recommend it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Keeper June 24, 2011

By soulatpeace

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I own a ton of sewing books and not all of the one i buy make the cut.
This one did!! I love this book and most of the project which is rare.

Some of the project that stand out are: The most adorable pattern for a petite dress,
really like the honeycomb sheet set which is a clever way to revive a plain sheet set.

It would also add some life a set of towels (just a thought)!

A bento box pattern is a very practical way packing a dry lunch for a picnic.

The cupcake flags a convenient way to decorate!

A lovely vest for boys.

This is a great book at a great price for all the projects.

Sew happy!