Book Review – Sewing Happiness: A Year of Simple Projects for Living Well

A how-to guide and personal memoir full of sewing projects and inspiring stories that promote creativity, happiness, and fulfillment

When Sanae Ishida was diagnosed with a chronic illness and lost her corporate job, she thought her life was over. Suddenly faced with unexpected challenges, she was forced to take stock of her life. What was most important to her? What brought her joy? These reflections led her to rediscover her true passion: sewing.

Inspired to succeed at just one thing, Ishida vowed to sew all of her daughter’s clothes—and most of her own—for one full year. In Sewing Happiness, Ishida recounts her incredible journey, reflecting on how sewing helped her survive such a difficult time in her life. Part memoir, part how-to guide, it features twenty sewing projects and variations (including Japanese-inspired home goods, children’s and women’s clothing), all organized by season and stitched together with Ishida’s charming anecdotes. Complete with photos and easy-to-follow steps, Sewing Happiness is at once a guide to the craft and a guide to enjoying life in all its beautiful imperfections.

Next Pattern:

Welcome spring into your home with a fresh new tea towel for your kitchen! We’ve rounded up 12 pretty tea towels you can sew for spring. Tea towels (or dishtowels or kitchen towels) are easy to sew and can give an instant spring update for your kitchen. All you have to do is hang a bright tea towel on your oven door handle and you’ve brought a bit of spring into your home. Tea towels are always appreciated so they make great gifts, too!

Some of the projects in our roundup have you sew the towel from scratch, while others are as simple as embellishing a store bought towel. They’re all are made in happy, bright colors perfect for spring!