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Book Review: Sew Darn Cute!

comments (2) March 17th, 2009

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Susan Beal, contributor

4 users recommend

Jenny Ryan's beautiful new book, Sew Darn Cute, is such a sweet collection of projects!

Photo: Courtesy of Jenny Ryan

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We're so excited to offer up a copy of Jenny Ryan's Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish for our third book giveaway this month! Enter to win by midnight next Tuesday, March 24th, and you could win your own copy of the book!

Jenny is one of those crafters who does it all, and does it beautifully: She organizes the popular Los Angeles craft fair Felt Club; teaches classes at her lovely new Home Ec studio; contributes to CRAFT and Apartment Therapy; and wrote this absolutely gorgeous new sewing book! She offers a comprehensive and nicely done guide to getting started with all things sewing: the best tools and materials to use, basic techniques for everything from inserting a zipper to adding a charm, and tricks of the trade to keep you sewing smoothly!

Then there are the projects: Each one is charmingly designed and beautifully finished with the kinds of pretty details that set handmade apart—plus themes and variations to try for a different take on the same great idea. There are 30 how-tos in all, divided into Pretties, Totables, Nest, Kid Stuff, and Crafties.

I've spotlighted my favorites from the collection above with snapshots of the project pages. Stitch up something lovely to wear in your hair like the 4-Way Reversible Headband, or how about making an ultra-practical-meets-super-cute Eyeglasses Case? The Square Bear is simply adorable, head to toe, and the Pockets Aplenty Apron is perfect for making for yourself—or for your crafty girlfriend with a birthday on the horizon. But my favorite project of all is the Monogrammed Baby Onesie. It's a perfect baby gift, which I can personally attest to: Jenny surprised me with one for my baby, Pearl, and it's an instant favorite! It's so cute and so thoughtfully personalized, and it's been on heavy rotation ever since she grew into it.

Sew Darn Cute is rounded out with templates for making your projects plus a bonus section listing fabric shops and sources for charms, trims, notions, and patterns. Jenny does a fantastic job of introducing you to the world of sewing and handing you a collection of lovely and charming things to try your hand at. The book is beautifully photographed and laid out, and her already amazing projects shine in such a sweet setting. And once you've made something from the book yourself, be sure to add your photos to the Sew Darn Cute flickr pool!

Enter to win by next Tuesday, March 24th, and you could win your own copy of the book!

posted in: embellishment, book, book giveaway, jenny ryan, sew darn cute, craft book

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Comments (2)

cateryan writes: Oh this book looks so wonderful. I can't wait to get a copy, curl up on my favourite chair and have "Mummy Time".
Posted: 8:58 pm on March 23rd