Stitch It Simple: 25 hand-sewn projects to make and share
By: Beth Sheard
Rating: 4 of 5
“Stitch It Simple” by Beth Sheard is a cute book of 25 fairly simple projects which can be hand sewn or by machine. The emphasis of the book is on hand sewing, which is great, as it teaches a hand art that doesn’t rely on an expensive machine or electricity to accomplish. I first learned to sew in elementary school using some of the same stitches that are illustrated in this book and to this day, many years later, I am as likely to pick up a needle and thread to repair a seam as I am to pull out one of my sewing machines.
The projects in the book are all fairly simple and have a modern flair to them. The models are done in Kaffe Fassett fabrics, which, if you are familiar with them, are very bright, colorful, and modern in their themes and patterns. The interesting things about this fabric is that, while modern, it can be used in traditional designs to bring a fresh look to your projects. The projects will build your sewing skills as you progress from one to another. I especially like the totes, the apron, the runner, the doorstop, and the standing stuffed cats. There are many more but those are the ones that I personally would start with. If you are a beginner, these particular projects may be a little advanced and I would suggest starting with an easier to accomplish project, such as one of the cushions.
Unfortunately, the copy I was provided by the publisher was an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) and did not contain the templates. I can’t speak for how well those are done or, in fact, attempt a project without them. Something I found different in this book is that rather than take photographs of the projects step-by-step, the book has hand drawings of each step. I am glad there are step-by-step instructions but I would rather have seen the real thing in progress than an artist’s rendering. On the other hand, I thought the drawings of the hand stitch techniques needed were excellent and it actually helped to have drawings which could emphasis by making certain parts of the process larger than life. There are many lovely photographs of each finished project, so it is not simply a book of hand-drawings. You can see how each project will look and be inspired by it.
I would certainly love to have attempted one or two of the projects in order to comment on the quality of the templates, etc. but as that was not possible, I will say that the projects look quite doable for a beginner, if you take your time, and that an intermediate or advanced sewist might find a couple of ideas that would be fun projects. I like the book and can recommend it on that basis.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, Taunton Press, via Netgalley,
“Stitch It Simple” by Beth Sheard is a cute book of 25 fairly simple projects which can be hand sewn or by machine. The emphasis of the book is on hand sewing, which is great, as it teaches a hand art that doesn’t rely on an expensive machine or electricity to accomplish. I first learned to sew in elementary school using some of the same stitches that are illustrated in this book and to this day, many years later, I am as likely to pick up a needle and thread to repair a seam as I am to pull out one of my sewing machines.