I own a lot of sewing/craft books, A LOT, and I am good at giving decent critiques...well at least I think I am, so I decided to review some of the books that I own in hopes of helping other sewing enthusiasts and or crafters in deciding whether or not it should belong in their own collections. Today is the first review in a series of reviews to come, and first up is "One Yard Wonders" by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins.
The tag line of this book is "Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!" and honestly that about sums it up, there are a ton of projects in this book. You may not like them all, but there is bound to be something in the book that you would actually make and love. I am going to break it down by chapter:
Sewing Fundamentals - The first chapter deals with all the fundamentals (duh) and does a really good job of covering everything and has great diagrams, honestly one of the best set of basic instructions I have seen in a while.
Dwell Redux - Basically a collections of items for your home, from curtains, pillows, bathroom items and to me one of the neatest a filing cabinet cover (hide that ugly thing!) A well rounded collection, a little something for everyone.
Household Affairs - Think of the chores in your life, now think of the items that make chores better! Quite a few apron patterns in this book, which is really cool, and the highlight of this chapter to me is a hot dish caddy or casserole caddy that makes transporting that hot dish oh so fabulous!
Craft Organization - Features a sewing kit, sewing machine cover, an organizer and a really cute smock, among quite a few other things, a nice collection.
On the Go - This chapter features all the bags that you use to haul stuff when you leave the house, like a laptop sleeve, quilted lunch box (which is a really great project,) and four larger bag patterns. This chapter is great because a lot of the bags can be used for other things, you can easily take "Matt's Map Bag" and convert it into your everyday handbag. The jewelry roll is also a very nice project in this book.
From Head to Toe - Clothing for women. Honestly this is my least favorite chapter in this book, think about it though, in order to make women's clothing with one yard of fabric, you have to be a size 2 or wear skimpy clothing, this chapter has patterns for halter tops, short shorts, and a summer nightie that is really cute, but also pretty skimpy...good thing you are only wearing it to bed! One side comment, I honestly did not get the "Spats" project at all, which is a fabric thing you wrap around your leg to turn your shoes into "boots." Maybe I haven't been hanging with the "cool kids" lately, but I have no idea as to whom would actually wear this item?
Carry It All - My favorite chapter (but I am biased since I am a handbag designer.) It has nine great handbags, all of which I would make in a heartbeat, and I especially love the "Flouncy Bag," "Folklore Bag," and "Scrunchie Bag." I would buy this book based on this chapter alone.
Outfit Your Small Wonder - Clothing for children or should I say girls...would have loved to see a project or two for little boys!
Accessorize Your Little One - Cute selection of items for children, a baby gift set, smock, apron, growth chart, mobile, and a great firefighters hat. A great selection of projects (there are a lot more that I didn't list.)
Playtime - A bunch of stuffed animals, a cute doll play set, and a kite. The "Peg Bear" is so cute and I can't wait to make one as a baby shower gift.
Your Furry Friends - Gee I wonder what this chapter is about? A collection of items for the dog or cat in your life I'm not the type of person who would sew for my pet, so this chapter held no interest for me, but if you would sew for your pet, then you would love this chapter. The two dog/cat beds in this chapter are very nice...and ok, I admit, I might make them...
Sewing Fundamentals - The first chapter deals with all the fundamentals (duh) and does a really good job of covering everything and has great diagrams, honestly one of the best set of basic instructions I have seen in a while.
Dwell Redux - Basically a collections of items for your home, from curtains, pillows, bathroom items and to me one of the neatest a filing cabinet cover (hide that ugly thing!) A well rounded collection, a little something for everyone.
Household Affairs - Think of the chores in your life, now think of the items that make chores better! Quite a few apron patterns in this book, which is really cool, and the highlight of this chapter to me is a hot dish caddy or casserole caddy that makes transporting that hot dish oh so fabulous!
Craft Organization - Features a sewing kit, sewing machine cover, an organizer and a really cute smock, among quite a few other things, a nice collection.
On the Go - This chapter features all the bags that you use to haul stuff when you leave the house, like a laptop sleeve, quilted lunch box (which is a really great project,) and four larger bag patterns. This chapter is great because a lot of the bags can be used for other things, you can easily take "Matt's Map Bag" and convert it into your everyday handbag. The jewelry roll is also a very nice project in this book.
From Head to Toe - Clothing for women. Honestly this is my least favorite chapter in this book, think about it though, in order to make women's clothing with one yard of fabric, you have to be a size 2 or wear skimpy clothing, this chapter has patterns for halter tops, short shorts, and a summer nightie that is really cute, but also pretty skimpy...good thing you are only wearing it to bed! One side comment, I honestly did not get the "Spats" project at all, which is a fabric thing you wrap around your leg to turn your shoes into "boots." Maybe I haven't been hanging with the "cool kids" lately, but I have no idea as to whom would actually wear this item?
Carry It All - My favorite chapter (but I am biased since I am a handbag designer.) It has nine great handbags, all of which I would make in a heartbeat, and I especially love the "Flouncy Bag," "Folklore Bag," and "Scrunchie Bag." I would buy this book based on this chapter alone.
Outfit Your Small Wonder - Clothing for children or should I say girls...would have loved to see a project or two for little boys!
Accessorize Your Little One - Cute selection of items for children, a baby gift set, smock, apron, growth chart, mobile, and a great firefighters hat. A great selection of projects (there are a lot more that I didn't list.)
Playtime - A bunch of stuffed animals, a cute doll play set, and a kite. The "Peg Bear" is so cute and I can't wait to make one as a baby shower gift.
Your Furry Friends - Gee I wonder what this chapter is about? A collection of items for the dog or cat in your life I'm not the type of person who would sew for my pet, so this chapter held no interest for me, but if you would sew for your pet, then you would love this chapter. The two dog/cat beds in this chapter are very nice...and ok, I admit, I might make them...
Page 157 'One Yard Wonders' the Flouncy Bag designed by Nina Perkins - My personal favorite project in the book!
Now that I have gone through each chapter, I have a few more things to say, first off the patterns are in a neat envelope attached to the inside cover of this book, this is awesome, and keeps them all together in one place. The general layout and design of this book is quite stunning, great photography, awesome page layouts, and a great spiral binding allows the book to lay flat. Only two complaints, I do find the "directions" for each project to be really short, and you almost need to have sewing experience to tackle these projects with confidence. I like diagrams, and there aren't that many in this book, I'm not saying that a newbie can't create these projects, because they probably can, I just think they would need a little more direction or help. My other complaint is a trifle one, though the two authors of the book did create a great many projects for this book, (and did a lot of other work, I know) a majority of the other projects are submitted from other people (credit is given to them) which is actually a plus because you get such diversity and range of projects from so many "authors" or "contributors." I guess I just wish these contributors had received more credit or a mention on the front cover.
Overall, I would definitely say that this is a "must have" in your collection of sewing/craft books, and it would truly make a great gift for that crafter in your life. Heck, buy it for yourself, I love it, and think it is great...that means a lot, right? Five out of five stars or 10 out of 10 yards of fabric, or whatever method you would choose to judge a sewing book!
Overall, I would definitely say that this is a "must have" in your collection of sewing/craft books, and it would truly make a great gift for that crafter in your life. Heck, buy it for yourself, I love it, and think it is great...that means a lot, right? Five out of five stars or 10 out of 10 yards of fabric, or whatever method you would choose to judge a sewing book!
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