Customer review
Beautiful illustrations, clear instructions and helpful tips. Templates in the book for all projects. Plenty of projects that can use your stock pile of small pieces of material. My daughter loves this book. She enjoys sewing and will use this book to create and craft for gifts etc.
This book would be a great gift, for your friends and family who like to sew. Some knowledge of sewing will be useful and it can be for a beginner, as there are many small projects to set you off and get you going.
Customer review
I loved this book, it's colourful and the projects are so pretty with beautiful illustrations, clear instructions and helpful tips. Some of the projects have a bit of a vintage look, but brought up-to-date which I really liked. I am having a go at the vintage lovers phone case but there are quite a few other projects I would like to progress to. It isn't what I would call a beginner's book but start off on the smaller things and then maybe tackle a beautiful quilt! I really like the dancing dresses quilt, the author's ideas are fresh and she explains how to complete your project. I like that the patterns are folded in the back of the book and the embroidery stitches are fully illustrated and explained too, lots of help along the way, it's good value for money too being quite a thick book.
Customer review
The Japanese, like many countries, have a very different take on quilting and sewing - this book certainly reflects this young bright and pretty trend.
I love the front cover, it is bright and eye catching with a real taster of really pretty things to sew and craft using a variety of techniques. The featured projects on the cover are delightful and on opening and reading the book the additional patterns do not disappoint.
The contents are neatly arranged into two clear sections: bags and pouches and the quilted home, with a 'how to' section at the back and folded full size patterns.
Overall the patterns are clearly laid out, easy to follow, and importantly all the patterns are life size, clearly printed (not overlaid), in fold outs in the back, which are easily traced for use. I so hate up-scaling patterns!
The patterns are a very pleasing mix of applique, piecework and quilting with embroidery touches, suitable from beginner projects to those more accomplished.
The author takes traditional patterns such as Sue Bonnet Sue and Suffolk Puffs, and gives them a fresh pretty and modern interpretation.
The bags and pouches are all very pretty and I can see myself making several of them. The Dancing Flowers Purse, Phone Case and Best Dressed Bag are really fun and are already on my 'to do' list!
The Home section has the Strawberry Blossom Wreath involving lots of pretty handwork, or if that is too intimidating you can start with the simpler corsages.
There are several quilt patterns from mini quilts to a bigger quilt. The simplest using vintage printed squares, to more complicated quilts using piecing and applique with some embroidery. I love the Dancing Dresses quilt (on the cover) - pieced dresses surrounded by applique ribbons and flowers. The Sunbonnet Sue quilt features four different Sue's encircled with a fun applique circle of flowers and ric-rac braid, these both could easily be reworked into a bigger quilt by just making more squares, or into a matching cushion.
Many of the projects involve hand work (piecing or embroidery) so ideal projects for taking to craft or sewing groups.
The overall impression is that of the modern Japanese trend of really pretty projects in fresh bright young colours. However these could easily be translated into more adult tones if you wish... so lots of food for thought. I really like the projects and some present a real challenge.
Customer review
There is nothing I dislike about this book. It is packed with delightful designs for bags and quilts that could be easily adapted for other things such as cushions, table mats etc. The designs are pretty; the instructions are detailed and there are templates enclosed toward the back of the book. It has sections describing basic quilting techniques, basic applique, binding and a stitch guide at the end of the book. Besides the photos of the items to make there are diagrams outlining the stages of the make that are clear and easy to follow.
Customer review
This is a perfectly-titled book as the projects are really cute. So many different things to work on. Very well-illustrated and I love the full-size patterns at the back. My only problem is - which one to do first?
Customer review
This is a really lovely book with so many pretty and useful projects.There are a whole range of things to make and it is easy to see how you could customise these projects. The book is really good value as there are thirty different items to make which are all beautifully photographed.
Customer review
Oh my goodness!
What a fabulously delicious craft book and one I would recommend to anyone who has a little experience of patchwork and with using templates that you need to add the extra 1/4" to.
In saying that, the templates are full size no scratching about trying to remember how to set the copier up or worse, paying for enlargements so well done for that.
There are projects for everyone's time allowances from beautiful pieced and appliqued quilts (and mini ones) to quick and easy zipper pouches.
I have decided to make a wreath ready for Christmas by swopping strawberries to holly berries and I'm looking forward to showing it off to all my friends and family.
Bags, purses, phone cases and even gorgeous corsages to sew, the choice is quite incredible.
I can thoroughly recommend this wonderful book to all crafters!
I was lucky enough to win my copy in a draw with SearchPress and I'm grateful for that chance to own this book and review it.
Simply Sewing
Step into designer Atsuko Matsuyama's colourful, quirky world and create over 20 projects using patchwork, applique, embroidery, beading and other crafts. The book's scrap-friendly makes include the Dancing Flowers Purse, Yoyo Bucket Bag, Blooming Flowers Quilt, Strawberry Blossom Wreath and Pastel Hexagon Purse. Make them in a palette of pinks, blues and reds to match Atsuko's fun retro aesthetic.
