Sew What You Love: The Easiest, Prettiest Projects Ever

I am relatively new to the sewing book world - I've been picking things up mostly by instinct and looking at reviews from other sewists. This book was mentioned by several folks on blogs and sewing sites so despite it looking very "cutesy" to me on the cover, I decided to give it a try. The book is thoughtfully put together (even spiral bound so you can have it open on your project table as you sew (OTHER PUBLISHERS OF SEWING BOOKS TAKE NOTE - THIS IS SOOOOOOOO CONVENIENT), the photographs are lovely and the instructions incredibly easy to follow. There are many ways to alter the simple patterns to create lots of diversity in the wardrobe, and the fabrics used in examples in the book are gorgeous. I've made several projects from the book already, many of which introduced me to shirring with elastic tape. I must agree with the author that whoever invented elastic thread deserves an award!! I've taken this technique and tried it on all sorts of garments that need close shaping - eliminating darting in some cases in favor of shirred areas. Must say, this revelation ALONE was worth the cost of the book - the fact that I have new skirts, dresses, blouses and purses that are beautiful and absolutely to my taste is like a gift with purchase... :) I'll be looking for more books by this author, to be sure!!

I love a good sewing book & this is certainly one of my new favorites! I purchased this book thru Amazon without looking at it first & was afraid I would be disappointed - but I wasn't! It has full sized patterns included which is always nice. The photos are great and her instructions are clearly worded - not over done like some other designers books I have seen. There is a wide variety of projects included as well so if you want to make a purse, baby gift or a dress for yourself you can do it all with this book! Overall this is one of my top 3 sewing books I have seen - I get motivated just looking thru it.

I love Tanya Whelan. I fell in love with her fabrics and they remain my favorite patterns and I'm guilty of hoarding them so I was so excited to see a book of her charming designs coming out. I received it today with much fanfare and almost assault of the UPS man. I opened the book with bated breath. The bags are lovely and instructions very clear and gentle coaching through the scarier steps. Then I excitedly get to the clothes which is honestly the part I was most anticipating having seen the illustrations in the Amazon preview BUT the patterns only go up to a size 14. So sad. I understand that only so many sizes can be covered but I really was hoping I could make something I could wear. Oh well, I guess that just another incentive to try to learn how to either enlarge patterns or stop having babies and lose a few inches. I may give the Go-To top/ dress a shot and SEE if it might fit. Maybe in a knit? I still love you Tanya and look forward to making the other super cute projects like the soft shade for my vintage laundry room door window. This book really is like my Pinterest board in hardback spiral bound.

Wonderful, Beautiful Book!!!!!!!! This book is beautiful and well written. The patterns and directions are easy to understand. The illustrations are simply breathtaking and bring Spring into you home in this dismal Winter weather. I would recommend this book to anyone whether you are an accomplished sewer or a beginner. There are several projects here so that you get several patterns for several occasions in one spot. The fabric used in the projects is also readily available if not in a fabric store near you, it is available in several wonderful online fabric stores. I also recommend the fabric that is used in the projects. I highly recommend it and would purchase two - one for yourself and one for a gift!!!!!

I wish I would have previewed this book more before I ordered it. There is fantastic sewing advice and information (especially for beginning sewers, such as myself) in the beginning of the book. I just found that there was not a lot of variety in the projects. There are six projects for the home, but of the six there is one for a pincushion and one for an apron. There are some clothing projects (8, including two accessories). Of the five bag projects, two of them, in my opinion are different than others out there. The other bags, however, have that homemade look to me. I know this is a matter of opinion, but the main reason I bought this book was for bag patterns (the Zoe pattern, especially). I have made the Zoe bag, and it is fantastic and the pattern was easy to follow. What makes it have little variety is the amount of projects for children. The majority of the book has projects for toys and clothing for little girls. The projects are adorable, but I do not have children, so it makes most of this book a waste for me. Also, I found the patterns in the back of the book to be a little confusing and not user friendly for a beginning sewer. Overall, I think it is an okay book, but there are plenty of other books out there with more variety and more interesting projects.

I just love this book. Yes, a lot of the projects are for kids or babies. Haven't got those. But they've given me great ideas for baby shower gifts. Plus, I'm pretty sure I can use the instructions to make the girls' skirts for myself. I've only been able to make one of the projects, but it went together really easily. I made the Big Easy Sling Bag. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. In reading over the other patterns, I'm pretty sure they will be the same. My particular book was missing one of the pattern sheets, but Amazon is sending me a new book, so I can finally get around to making the women's clothing. I also really love the tips in the beginning of the book. I never would have thought of using shower curtains for patterns, but it works fabulous!

I have been sewing a long time and was lukewarm about getting this book. Boy, was I ever in for a treat! I have made six projects from the book so far and really just getting started! The instructions are good and the pattern envelope on the back of the book is so handy for storing the pieces so I don't lose them! This book is great for all types of sewers: home decor projects, fun things for babies and kids, and snappy purses, totes and accessories. I've got a post-it notes sticking up for new things to try next - the ideas just keep flowing!

The content is wonderful, and already has hundreds of great reviews. I wanted to add that (I couldn't find this info elsewhere) there are links to patterns for printing and taping together, which is easy really if you are patient. Also, her instructions are good, but these skills are also popular on YouTube videos. I love the go-to dress. So easy!

Inspirational projects, straightforward instructions, great photography - all contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I have made the posy pincushion and next up is the apple pie ottoman - I'm planning to make 3 of those.

Livre au contenu diversifié: sacs, jupes, petits hauts, jouets pour bébés etc... Les objets sont regroupés par chapitres (sacs/jupes/jouets etc...). Les patrons sont fournis (dans une enveloppe en fin de livre). Les explications sont claires, même si l'on ne parle pas couramment anglais! Accessible aux débutantes en couture. Le seul petit bémol est que les détails (par exemple les mesures entre chaque pli) ne sont pas donnés en système métrique. Cependant, les mesures du métrage de tissu sont données en système métrique et britannique. Il existe de bons convertisseurs sur internet pour celles et ceux qui auraient peur de commettre une erreur (dont je suis...!). Bref, un livre contenant de bonnes idées simples à réaliser sans réelles difficultés. Un bon basique pour s'amuser, débuter, progresser et se faire plaisir.

Just love this book. So many easy things to make with either very good instructions or patterns for them.

I just received this 3 days ago and have now completed my first project - the Amelie bag. My first thought was how beautiful this book was with visually stimulating images so characteristic of Tanya Whelan! However when i finally got down to it I realised that the patterns and instructions were written as though some measure of prior sewing knowledge was assumed. I do not fault the writer of this book since they never said this was one for a beginner but i feel this point should be made clear in my comment. The bag I made turned out beautifully and in my opinion should be easy to modify should i want to make more in future as I thought the pattern was otherwise pretty easy. A nice to have on an avid sewer's bookshelf as a designer collection piece. Recommend.

Brilliant book with patterns can't wait to get making once I get better. Excellent diagrams and instructions.