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30/10/2008


my photos

so, so fabulous ...

Since I started my home blog just over a year ago, I have been the lucky winner of not one, not two but three giveaways! Look at the latest, a copy of Ginny and Alice's recently published book Sew Fabulous Fabric, twenty charming ways to sew fabrics into your life. Ginny has been a dedicated follower of my blog since the start and her blog is over at The Flour Loft, which is a great mix of garden, home and family, and of course needlecraft.

At the time of winning I did feel rather a fraud, you see I cannot use a sewing machine and struggle to even thread a needle these days! I did wonder whether I should not have entered the competition in the first place and to have given the great seamstresses, of which many of you are, the chance to win the prize, even though Ginny and Alice were giving away more than one copy of the book.

As it turns out, I needn't have worried, yes the book has lots of projects and handy templates/patterns for the experienced needlewomen out there, but also basic techniques of the art of sewing and less complicated projects for beginners, of which category I most definitely fall into!




Ginny and Alice kindly included some very handy fabric swatches, tied up with a lovely mother of pearl button. I do have a collection of these, so this will be a lovely addition. One chapter which I particularly like is Scent with Love, scented decorations which I must say do look quite easy to make (famous last words), which would make good use of these pieces of material.



What about these cards? I could make a simpler version of these, which includes less stitching! The chapter Creative Cards shows you how.

Also included in the book are ideas for Christmas stockings, and lots of different makes for presents, which include pictures, peg bags, aprons, purses and bags. Projects for the home include curtains, cushions and bunting. Not forgetting the very pretty applique flowers and make do and mend patches for kids clothes too. I do like the draught excluder on page 37, and Silas the Dog who features on page 103, would be a lovely companion to me on the arm of the sofa!

Don't just think of Sew Fabulous Fabric being solely for experienced needlecrafters. If you like me like bright colours and great photography, and enjoy skimming through the pages just looking at the pictures, then this book is for you too.

The last word - an excerpt from my third year report at secondary for needlework. More work in her own time would have improved her standard! Maybe if I had this book at the time, I would not have gained the dizzy mark of C4!

29 comments:

Sal said...

It's a wonderful book!
Very inspiring too.
I live right near the publishers, so bought mine from there a few weeks ago.
So glad you won such a lovely prize! ;-)

méri said...

It looks fabulous!!!And you are a lucky girl, indeed! Winner of three giveaways???!!!
:) I'm glad for you!

ginny said...

Hi Louise,
you always make me smile. my P.E. report read, 'Viginia (my real name) often looks apathetic in PE'!
So pleased you like the book and thank you for such a terrific write up. Our hope was to inspire anyone to 'have a go' and some of the projects are very straight forward, so should be perfect for beginners. Also although we recommend using a sewing machine most can be adapted for hand sewing too. You have no excuse now ( apart from your busy new job... hope it is going well), so look forward to seeing some sewing posts from you soon.... in your own time. hee hee
Lots of love to you Louise
Ginny xx

Simone said...

Thanks for doing the book review Louise. It is on my Christmas present list. I really want to buy it now though and not have to wait for Christmas!

Country Bliss said...

I got my copy yesterday, from Amazon. It does have some lovely things in it just need the time to make some of them!
Good luck with your sewing.
Yvonne x

Nicola said...

That book looks like it could inspire some sewing, and even get you learning to use a sewing machine!

Glo said...

A perfect book for this time, or any time, of year! I love curling up with books like this to get inspired and hopefully get on with some projects. Adding little touches, such as the button on your swatches, make gifts and projects extra special. It's wonderful that Ginny and her friend have published such a lovely book, and your review is so thoughtful and speaks highly of it. I wish them much success, and so nice that you have won a copy.

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Congratulations! I could never learn sewing properly either. My poor Mom tried so hard to teach me. But if I get anywhere near thread, it all knots up, sort of like the kite in Charlie Brown's kite-eating tree! I am afraid it is hopeless for me. So show us what you make and I can experience success vicariously through you!

LizzieJane said...

Lucky you, that looks like a wonderful book, I am sure you will be making lots from it.

life in red shoes said...

Lucky you, I'm not much of a winner.

Funkymonkey said...

I'm sure you'll find plenty of things you can make - all of them successfully.

Poppy said...

You will have to let me know how you get on with the book, as my sewing is not to good. lou x

Ragged Roses said...

Hi Louise, that book looks lovely, it's been on my wish list for a while now!! I'm sure you'll be making up lots of great things from it too. I missed most of the sewing lessons in my school in the first year as I had bronchitis and I don't think the teacher even noticed, she just said I was very slow on my report ...!
Kimx
Just catching up on your posts, so lovely to see photos of the Algarve, I haven't been there for years, I remember really loving Silves

Ally Jay said...

Well done on winning. So long as the book gives you pleasure and joy it doesn't matter if you never actually make stuff, although as a budding sewer it's not as hard as it looks, mostly.

kari and kijsa said...

Have a safe and happy Halloween!
smiles,
kari & kijsa

Anonymous said...

congrats on your win - now we'll all be looking to see what you do make :-)
lisa x

Carol said...

It is a very lovely book and I like you love all the pictures.
Can't believe that a year has passed since we started blogging!
Gosh that is scary!
Carol xxx

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely, I love the star cards.

Carol said...

I am a bit like you Louise...not always got the time to read everything but love the pictures always.
I have nearly bought the whole set of Agatha Raisin books on ebay...I have finished one ! and that is only because I have to sit on the sofa most of the day! can't complain..infact I could get used to this.xx

Poppy said...

They are gourd's, mine did not grow as well this year, due to the lack of sun. the pumkin was done with a stencil. I hope to put some photos of my garden on the blog, so you can have a look around. lou x

Country Cottage Chic said...

Lucky you! What a super book.

Selfsewn said...

hi Louise sounds like you have lots to read now. Now I have the Sarah Raven book I want it to be spring already!!
Glad to know I'm not the only one who enjoys a good dig!
Clare

Kris said...

Hey! That looks like a beautiful book! I have lots of "pattern" books that I have never used a pattern from, but I love to look at them. Great inspiration!!!

Twiggy said...

will have to have a look at that book it looks great. I have a bit of a fear of my sewing machine, if you'd seen the hour I spent swearing at it last weekend - a problem my Mum rectified within 2 minutes, you would have thought I was crazy!!! keep up the good work and big well done on winning the giveaways.
Twiggy x

Unknown said...

That looks like a fab book to win! I think I might have to 'accidentally' buy that books next time I 'bump' into a book store.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Well done Louise..!
This book is sure to inspire you!
I look forward to seeing what creations you choose to make..
I am also looking forward to seeing the book when Ginny comes to the fair...
Your school report reminded me of my own pathetic attempts at needlework.. I have a lasting memory of needlework project that involved making a skirt... needless to say.. it was unwearable!
Michele xx

Linda said...

Hi Louise,
Sounds like a great book, I don't sew I really don't like it, the sewing machine and I just don't get along at all, but may if they are simple even I could have a go.
Cheers Linda

Anonymous said...

Hi Louise,

I bought a copy of this book and I think that it is fabulous! I love Silas the Dog and the scent with love section too.

It is so inspirational that I just hope that I have time to get down to some serious sewing...

Marie x

Indigo Blue said...

Congrats on the giveaway win. I also got this book recently. It was the flowers on the front that really caught my eye. There are lots of projects in that book that could be tackled with needle and thread as well as a sewing machine. great photos, Bramber looks like a lovely place to visit/live. Are you feeling any better?