Book Review – The Colette Sewing Handbook

The Colette Sewing Handbook

I have just read The Colette Sewing Handbook and I must say it’s a fantastic guide for anyone looking to perfect their sewing projects. The book emphasizes on five simple fundamentals which are essential for any sewing project to be successful: a thoughtful plan, a precise pattern, a fantastic fit, a beautiful fabric, and a fine finish. The author, Sarai Mitnick, who is known for her timeless design and clear instructions, guides the reader gradually and effortlessly to becoming a better seamstress.

The book includes five beautiful patterns for modern classic pieces such as a scalloped-hem skirt, flutter-sleeve blouse, sweetheart neck sheath dress, asymmetrical flounce dress, and a lined dress with gathered sleeves. These projects help you put the fundamentals into practice as you sew, and you can start improving your skills right away.

What I like most about this book is that it is approachable and easy to follow. Instead of a big, confusing catalog of sewing techniques, you build your knowledge gradually around the five simple fundamentals, and there’s even a section of basic sewing lessons so you never feel lost.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to feed their creativity and have more fun designing sewing projects for their personal style. It helps you become more confident in your sewing abilities and gives you the know-how to work with any sewing pattern out there. You can even become your own custom seamstress and hand-tailor clothes that fit you the way you want.

The book also inspires you to expand your creative palette and get the look you want by choosing the best fabrics for your projects. And finally, it teaches you beautiful finishing techniques so that you can make clothes you can be proud of.

The Colette Sewing Handbook is a must-have for anyone who wants to improve their sewing skills and make beautiful clothing they’ll be proud to wear.

Next Pattern:

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

Next Pattern:

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