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Blog tour & review: Sewing with Oilcloth by Kelly McCants

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I’ll admit it.  I’m a sucker for shiny fabric. I’m also a sucker for bright, happy prints.

So when I got a chance to be part of a blog tour for Sewing With Oilcloth by Kelly McCants, (you may know her as Oilcloth Addictor Modern June), I was sooo excited!

The book did not disappoint.

Sewing With Oilcloth begins with a section of tips and tricks for sewing on oilcloth.  Oilcloth’s slick surface requires some special handling when sewing or ironing, so this section is really helpful if you haven’t sewn on oilcloth before.

After she gives the low-down on handling the oilcloth, she shares detailed instructions for 20 different projects that are well suited for oilcloth’s unique characteristics.  Types of projects range from bags to baby items to home decor.  The instructions are clearly written, with plenty of illustrations to guide the way.  The fabrics she uses in her examples are nothing short of delicious – the color, the pattern, the shine!

Favorite projects include:

Messenger Bag – I LOVE the faux bois (woodgrain) oilcloth they used on the example!  A woodgrain messenger bag!  **sigh…**  Rows of pockets on the inside, as well as on the outer side panels, keep your small items organized.  The handle is made from sturdy webbing.

Baby Bib – It’s been a while since I’ve had to snap one of these around a baby’s neck, but the practicality of a wipe-clean baby bib still thrills.  A pocket at the bottom catches food spills.  They look quick and easy to make, and would be awesome baby gifts.

Wallet – How could you NOT love an oilcloth wallet??  The waterproof surface is a good choice for something that holds paper money, and the sturdy fabric is a good pairing for the heavy use it will get.  A couple of pearl snaps serve as the closure.

Party Banners – I’m not sure which I like more, the riot of color and pattern on the printed banners, or the chalkcloth banners that allow you to write a new message each time you hang it.  A banner like this would add colorful, vintage charm to any party set-up.  Festive, colorful, fun!

Nested Storage Bins – I love pretty storage. And I love pretty fabric.  And I love shiny fabric.  So when pretty, shiny fabric gets used to make nested storage baskets , I’m in love.    There are so many practical uses for these, and they’re so pretty, too!

Want to read what others have to say about this book?  Here’s a schedule of the rest of the Sewing With Oilcloth blog tour:

 

Next Pattern:

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Have you read?

Learn All About Sewing Velvet Fabric

 

I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store.  So much texture!  And the way the fibers catch the light!  But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think.  That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl.  That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction.  That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared.  And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet. 

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects.  Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter.  Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long. 

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success.  There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid.  She describes the different types of velvet available.  And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric.  Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric.  There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric. 

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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