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Book Review- Simple Hand Sewing: 35 slow stitching and mindful mending projects

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As someone who loves to craft and work with my hands, I was intrigued by the idea of “simple hand sewing” and its potential benefits for both my wellbeing and the planet. I was not disappointed by this book by Laura Strutt! With 35 different projects to choose from, I was able to learn a variety of new hand-sewing techniques such as visible mending, sashiko, embroidery, thread doodling, boro, and abstract embroidery.

Each project is beautifully illustrated and described in detail, making it easy to follow along. Whether I was working on a boro bowl, a cushion cover with an embroidered mandala, or a beanie hat with floral embroidery, I was able to slow down and enjoy the process of creating something beautiful and sustainable.

Laura’s book encourages us to upcycle and revive old clothes and items, rather than buying new ones, which I think is a wonderful message for our times. I especially loved the projects that involved repairing and fixing clothing, as it felt like I was giving a second life to something that would have otherwise been discarded.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their hand-sewing skills and create mindful and sustainable projects. The benefits of hand-sewing are truly abundant, and this book provides the perfect introduction to the world of slow stitching.

 

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Have you read?

Perfect Pattern Matching: Plaids, Stripes And Beyond

In this class, popular sewing instructor Amy Alan is here to help you create garments that look better than anything you’ll find on the rack. She starts by showing you how to choose the right sewing pattern for plaids, stripes, or prints and how to estimate the yardage you’ll need. From there, she guides you through the process of tracing your pattern pieces to ensure that your patterns match across seams.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Amy takes you beyond the basics of pattern matching and shows you how to identify the type of stripes or plaids you’re working with, and how to create pattern layouts for matching these and other patterns with confidence. And for those who want to go the extra mile, Amy even shows you how to use the bias grain of your fabric to create pockets, plackets, and cuffs.

With step-by-step guidance on how to match patterns as you sew straight seams, curved seams, and even invisible zipper seams, this class is the ultimate guide to perfect pattern matching. So, whether you’re an experienced sewer or just starting out, this tutorial will help you take your skills to the next level.

Amy Alan is a talented instructor who teaches sewing at Modern Domestic in Portland, Ore., and blogs at Really Handmade. She’s been crafting since she was a child and has always had a passion for turning the everyday into art. So, what are you waiting for? Join Amy in the “Perfect Pattern Matching: Plaids, Stripes & Beyond” video tutorial and start creating garments that are truly one-of-a-kind! 

 

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