I didn’t know how much I’d love to sew. I had been at home raising my kids. Crafting was a pastime. I made jewelry from found items, collage art, and little hand-embroidered pieces, and I even sold some of these things to local boutiques.
Then I decided to give the sewing machine a whirl. It was love at first stitch.
The first thing I made was a little clutch bag with a giant felt flower brooch on it. Apparently it wasn’t the prettiest sewing job on earth, but the feeling of accomplishment I had made me think it was fantastic. And I was hooked.
I kept making bag after bag, and eventually I turned all of that bag making into a successful business. I learned new techniques, experimented with beautiful fabrics, and immersed myself in this new and wonderful world of sewing I’d found.
Looking back, I realize I started sewing for the same reason I started crafting: to make interesting and original things for myself and my home. When designing, I focus on making stylish items that are artful and unique.
So when I started to write this book, I knew that would be my focus. Here you’ll find projects that help you to take the reins and make your art unique—to find your own look, your own style. At the same time, complete patterns and directions allow you to get the results you want.
They allow you to be creative and individual without adding “eccentric” to the mix.
Also included in this book are features I call Keeping It Real Sewing, which are tips and mini tutorials. When I first began sewing, I was frustrated every time I made a mistake. It seemed like I never saw it coming. And I thought, “If only someone had told me that.” So much was left out of some sewing patterns I was using. The pictures showed a neat and tidy ruffle being sewn on, but my ruffles were messy-looking. No one tells you that when you pull the gathering threads, the fabric frays on the edges. I thought I’d made a grievous mistake. So when I started writing my own patterns and instructions, I made up my mind to include the good, the bad, and the ugly. For that reason, throughout this book, you’ll find Keeping It Real Sewing tips. I’ll even throw in some embarrassing mistakes I’ve made. It’ll make you feel really good, I promise.
The projects are made using a variety of my favorite sewing and quilting techniques. Each one is explained in a Keeping It Real Sewing mini tutorial that guides you through the steps and gives you advice. From piecing and binding to quilting, appliqué, and embroidery, these are techniques I love and skills I found I had to have.
I am so excited to be able to share with you, through this book, the joy I have found in sewing. I can’t wait to see what your creativity brings to these projects. I hope you will enjoy making them your own just as much as I enjoyed creating them!
Happy sewing!
