Sunday Book Review - Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts

Not a very catchy title for our 2nd Sunday book review book, but let's not judge a book by it's cover and take a look inside.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts has 150 (yes 150 - count them!) crafty projects. This book includes a CD packed with patterns and templates for you to print at home. I find this very handy and quite a bit easier than re-sizing patterns that are printed in some craft books (the books spine always gets in the way and messes up the pattern - ggggrh). 

The book includes a good "getting started" section which covers types of fabrics and threads and their uses, information for setting up a sewing area and some sewing organising tips. The book goes on to give advise on basic sewing techniques include hand sewing and machine sewing. There are also "technique" sections covering applique, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting and patchwork, dyeing, printing and bleaching.  

We then move into the "projects" (which is far and away the largest section of the book). Well, it is impressive and inspiring. I think there must be about 100 projects that I desperately want to start making NOW!!!

How about these...

I love a pretty pin cushion - don't you?

This is also on my "to do list"...

Silhouette tote bag - would be fab with your own silhouette (or you kids/loved one/dog's).

My current favourite has to be the "State Birds" embroidery templates (the patterns are included on the accompanying CD). There are 28 (some states chose the same "state bird" so only 28 are included).

These lovely embroidery patterns are definitely my next project.

All in all - I would highly recommend this book. A varied mix of projects from ideas to prettify your home to clothes to prettify you. There are so many good projects, this book should keep you crafting for a good long time.