Sew Everything Workshop Book Review

[Photo from Workman publishing]

A few weeks ago we took a family trip to the library. Originally it was to use the internet since ours was out but since I was there I thought I would look for a book on sewing, since I have a machine and only really know the basics of sewing straight lines. Our library didn’t have a wide selection of craft books published in this decade but I did find a book called Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp. Let me start off by saying I love this book. I really need to buy my own copy so that I can stop renewing this one.

Like all my other books this book has a very fun to read, down to earth tone to it. I like craft books that I can sit and read like a novel, not just like a boring step by step instructional. It starts off with an introduction of the author of the book Diana Rupp. She owns a craft school in New York called Make Workshop, where I definitely have to go and check out sometime soon. It also gives you tips and pointers on setting up your sewing area and supplying your sewing box with all the necessities and fun luxuries.

One of my favorite parts is that it explains exactly how a sewing machine works, and the difference between machines and how to pick one that is right for your needs. Not only does it have everything you need to know to get started sewing but an overview of different types of fabrics and notions, and how to use them.

At the end of this book it has 25 patterns to get you started sewing. It has a little bit of everything, a jacket, dresses, stuff for your home, for your guy (boxers, and a tie), even something for your pet, or baby. Out of the 25 patterns 10 have actual paper patterns to follow. Don’t know how to use a paper pattern? That’s ok, in the chapters beforehand it gives you very detailed instructions on how to do so.

I followed the instructions on how to make a sewing machine cover. It said to use oil cloth, but I just used an old curtain I had on hand and it came out great. I plan to jazz it up later with some decorations, maybe something to make it a little sturdier.

Excuse the photo; I’m not in my normal element so I had to work with what I had.

Here is the detail of the stitching at the bottom. It was my first use of a decorative stitch!



The last chapter of the book is titled “hand sewing 101” which gives you a little insight on the basics. A short resources guide lists all the different places handy for a new sewer to know. It even lists a few good blogs, and we all know how much I love a good crafty blog.

Oh, and yes I do realize all the books I have reviewed come from Workman Publishing, that wasn’t on purpose, I realized that after I finished reading this one, but hey, they know a good thing.

Happy National Pink Day!

Today is National Pink Day!

Go Celebrate.

Eat a strawberry cupcake with pink sprinkles, blow up some pink balloons, wear a pink outfit, drink some pink lemonade, paint your toes a glittery pink, whatever you do, enjoy the day!

Jewelry Box Makeover

I found this cute jewelry box for a dollar at a yard sale. Seeing as all my jewelry is currently kept in a crayon box, I had to have it. The only bad thing was that the top fabric was hideous; well I guess you could say it was a good thing because now it looks fabulous! 

Before

After

TaDaa! What a difference. This project was originally supposed to be a tutorial but things didn’t go as planned. I got so excited to have a project because I haven’t had one in so long, I dove right in unprepared and when I tried to remove the mirror it broke in three pieces. Using what I had on hand, a box cutter and a butter knife, I should have expected it. For a while I was mad because buying a new mirror would defeat my purpose of a cheap project so to be on the positive side I just scraped it and made it work.  The rest of the project went well, sanding, painting, and a little bit of glossy Mod Podge, and a hot pink zebra fat quarter for a dollar at Wal-Mart. That’s all it took, it was a real easy project, which is good because I haven’t figured out how to balance a project, a now 3 year old, and a 4 month old.

Wine Bottle Cozy for Grads

Recently my cousin graduated from college and although it wasn’t to her, it was a big deal to me so I wanted to give her something nice, and hand made. Looking into my trusty little book, Generation T, I made this little number called “stocked up” which is project number 32 in the book. Since the outer shirt I used was a summer tube top that was pretty thin, and I figured a glass bottle needs a little more support, I made an inside layer with a yellow polo, which also added a little more color. Add a bottle of Wild Vines blackberry merlot, and Voila! A great, handmade gift fit for any occasion. Then after looking at it for a day, I thought it looked too plain to give just like that so I made a “Congrats” tag out of a two toned index card and letter punches, added some curling ribbon, and then it was complete.

Cutie Pie Flower Headband



 Another project from Generation T. I love this book! Since I previously made something for my little guy, I thought it was only fair that my next project be something for my little princess. Project number 29 called “Flur-de-tee” is now one of my favorite things. It’s the most simple little flower applique ever. Cut a circle, hand sew around the edge, pull together, and sew in place. I used a 2 and 3 inch circle and layered them together. For the headband I used a scrap from yesterday’s project that was already the perfect size for her little head, sewed it together and attached the flower to the sewn edge to hide the seam. This all took under 10 minutes total, would have probably been less, but cutting perfectly is a little tricky with a little toddler in the room who wants to check out all the new stuff.


Oh, and I hate to state the obvious, but doesn’t she just look so precious sleeping totally unaware of her of her new accessory I put on her while she was asleep. hehe

Laptop Case

Today I finished my first real sewing project and I’m highly excited about it. It is project number 37 “major sleevage”, from the book Generation T: Beyond Fashion (check out my review here). This is the first thing that I have sewn in years, and the first thing I’ve actually had a chance to sew on my sewing machine. It was a pretty easy pattern and in general didn’t take that long to complete. The hard part was rotary cutting. I came to the conclusion that I need to take a class on rotary cutting because for some reason it just wasn’t one of those easy peasy, common sense kind of things I thought it would be. I think the problem for me was the knit fabric. The only other time I’ve sewn anything or used a rotary cutter was a quilt I made in high school which of course used regular quilting fabric. Other than that everything went ok and it felt absolutely amazing to have a project completed and to get to sit back and look at it finished, I haven’t had the chance to do that in forever. I didn’t follow the instructions exact; it called for putting a strip on the front flap to tie around to close it. Instead a put a cute glittery button, I thought it looked nicer that way.

Super Hero To The Rescue!

For my birthday the hubs got me the book Generation T: Beyond Fashion. As I was looking through it for the first time and got to the “kid rock” chapter with all the stuff for kids we came across a super hero cape, my son immediately goes I WANT THAT. Since he was being good that day, I went ahead and made it for him as my first project from the book. Who would have thought that  one big cut in an old t shirt would bring hours of entertainment. I wanted to embellish it some and sew on a big letter N for his name but I didn’t get the chance to. As soon as I held it up he was so excited and wanted to put it on and play with it. He pretended he was a wonder pet and ran around to go save the animals in trouble. I don’t know how boxing and super heroes go together, but in the mind of a toddler, who knows.

Generation T: Beyond Fashion {Review}

For my birthday my husband got me the book I have been wanting for some time. Generation T: Beyond Fashion 120 new ways to fashion a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay. I subscribe to the Threadbanger podcast on iTunes and a few episodes talked about this book, after checking it out online, I knew I wanted it.


The first chapter of the book titled “getting technical” gives you a short and sweet overview of all the techniques used in the book such as different knots, hand sewing stitches and even a little how to on resizing a t shirt to fit, which was my favorite part of this chapter.

If you are visual and need lots of pictures this is a good book for you. All the patterns have an illustration for each step in the process and an actual picture (B&W) of the finished project. Speaking of pictures, in the center of the book there are color photos of all the projects being modeled off. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the book because it totally helps to see the finished product in use.

The projects have a little bit of everything: redesigned clothing, accessories, stuff for your house (and car), baby things, even stuff for the guy in your life. One thing I thought when flipping through this book was that I got it too late; it even had two designs on how to turn a regular oversized t-shirt into a nice looking maternity top.

This is the second book by Megan Nicolay. Her first, Generation T: 108 Ways to Refashion a T-Shirt, is now on my wish list after seeing how fun this book is. [Yes I know I’m backwards, getting the second book first] You can even try before you buy, the Generation T website has some of the projects from the books and a few that are not.



Photo coutresy of Generation T

My Valspar Sample

Thursday was a good day for me, not only did my birthday present from the hubs come in the mail( a book, I will post about that later) my free Valspar paint sample came in. If you missed me post about crafting freebies, see it here. When I got the box in the mail I was so excited, This is all that it came with

The sample, mini paint tray and rollers, a chip of the color, an envelope of coordinating colors and a $5 off coupon for a gallon of paint.

Then I opened the can, it was the wrong color. All my inial excitement went out the window. I ordered a pink, and the sample that I received was yellow, a very pretty yellow though.

 

I called the Valspar customer service number that was on the back of the coordinating colors envelope. The customer service rep was very nice and took all of my info and said she would get the right color to me very soon. That was it. Although I received a color other than the one I ordered, I saw it as a plus. Now I get two free samples and both of the colors coordinate nicely together so I think i might use them together in a project. Maybe something for my little princess, who knows.
The only downside was that I took pix and pix of the tutorial I was workinng on and the SD card I was using stoped working when I put it in the computer and I lost ALL my pictures. That is also why this post was not posted on thursday as planned.

Happy (belated) Birthday to ME!!!!

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday and it was wonderful! I got to spend time with my family which was much needed. I pre-wrote a post to put up yesterday but with everything I totally forgot. Even though I forgot I still wanted to post because the Etsy find that I found was extremely adorable! 



See, I told 'ya. Don't you feel like you have to have it now? I know I do.You can find it at MissRuby's Etsy shop here.