Product Description
Whether уου јυѕt bουght уουr first sewing machine οr hаνе bееn sewing fοr years, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia οf Sewing аnd Fabric Crafts wіll open уουr eyes tο аn irresistible range οf thουghtѕ. A comprehensive visual reference, thе book covers аll a home sewer craves: thе basics οf sewing bу hand οr machine, along wіth five οthеr time-honored crafts techniques, аnd step-bу-step instructions fοr more thаn 150 projects thаt reflect nοt οnlу Martha Stewart’s… More >>
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When the first Encyclopedia of Crafts was published a few years ago I, like many others, was disappointed because textiles were conspicuously lacking. This book begins to remedy the problem by addressing sewing and fabric crafts.
The book has three sections. The first discusses in detail techniques, materials and tools. While it is a good introduction and is close to encyclopedic when it comes to machine sewing, it is only an introduction, not comprehensive, when it comes to any of the other techniques (embroidery, patchwork, applique, dyeing, and printing) it describes. There is enough there to get you started and to do the projects, but if you know or are interested in the technique, you will want more.
The second part of the book has the projects. Fabric projects from many years of Martha Stewart Living are grouped together by type, so coasters, for example, has oilcloth coasters, machine embroidery coasters, and ones made from bleached and overdyed fabric.
The final section gives additional details on materials needed and the resources in the included CD (not in the review copy).
This is a Martha Stewart book and has all the virutes and vices that go along with that. The projects are stylish, inventive, and beautiful. But if you read her magazine, you have seen them before. The technique information is accurate but not complete. For example in the dyeing section it doesn’t bother to say that you should NEVER use pots you cook in to dye in because these chemicals are quite toxic. To my mind this is a glaring omission.
I always feel when reading one of her books that doing any of these projects or techniques is just so easy that I can whip it up in an afternoon and get lovely results without any prior experience. But the world isn’t like that. It bothers me, as a fiber artist, that she doesn’t take the trouble to rate the projects so that I can figure out which ones are accessible to me.
Ultimately, I think this is a useful book as far as it goes. The information is sound, if incomplete, the projects are nicely explained and beautifully illustrated. But encyclopedic — NO.
Now I need to wait until she has done enough fiber projects to do that volume, but that will be awhile.
Rating: 4 / 5
Let me start by saying I am reviewing a black and white copy without the CD. This is important because I have the Martha Stewar’s Encyclopedia of Crafts and color is very important. Just like the magazine,the presentation is a large part of why you want the book. You really can’t get the full impact without color. Without the color and CD what am I reviewing? What I can see from the black and white version. So what do you get?
What you will get is a beautiful bound copy of sewing information that is readily available on her website and in many cases in her magazines. But here is the selling point, you get all in one place, in an easy to browse and use format. Everything is here – from the directions, tools to use to additional techniques and suppliers. So the second positive is you can recycle all those magazines you have laying around gathering dust because there is one project in each magazine you know you will get to one day. You can also stop searching the web for that project you remember from some show you saw long ago on cat play toys. It’s all here in the book. To me, that alone might be the best reason to buy it.
Let me warn you this is more a crafter’s book than a sewing book. It is not for the serious sewer who want to turn out Chanel inspired garments and probably a little boring for the experienced sewer. So why should you buy it? It depends on what you are looking for. I found the Encyclopedia of Crafts a great way to plan projects with my granddaughters who loved looking through the book at all the different projects. I’m planning to use the sewing book the same way. Seeing two little heads going throught a book and planning projects to do with Grandma, priceless.
Rating: 3 / 5
As someone who has owned a sewing machine for years but has neglected to do anything with it, this book serves as a step by step guide full of encouragement.
The most basic projects include felt purses, handkerchiefs and potholders to more challenging projects such as dog jackets, patchwork/quilting and stuffed animals. Also of interest are projects that, as someone new to sewing, I never even thought of, such as notebooks and checkbook covers. For the most part the book is full of domestically useful projects: curtains, bed linens, napkins, placemats and upholstery. There are even several basic clothing projects: seersucker pants, wrap skirt, tube dress, sarong, etc.
It is a misnomer to lump this into Martha’s “Encyclopedia of” series, as it’s more of a basic sewing techniques coursebook with cd of templates and patterns (reviewers did not receive this cd).
This would be wasted on those advanced in the craft, but it would make a great gift for the beginner.
Rating: 4 / 5
Referring to this book as an encyclopedia is incredibly misleading. The instructional part of this book only takes up 90 of the almost 400 pages, and there are a LOT of pictures. VERY basic introductions to each of the six subjects are given, making this book, as far as a reference, suitable to one who has never sewn before or only done very small bits of handwork. I found the inclusion of the dyeing and printing sections to be interesting, yet somewhat ill-fitted, selections to accompany the other subjects and feel that the instructions aren’t very in-depth. There are pictures of everything in this book, which I find to be a detriment. I mean, seriously, there is a photographic index of tools in the back, including pictures of items such as pins, needles, measuring tape, bottles of adhesives and an iron. That should be an indicator that this book is very clearly designed for the very beginner. On top of that, while my copy an advance black and white, I am sure the finished version will be in color and having all those pretty pictures will certainly contribute to the cost. To touch on the projects, these are definitely for beginners; basic stuffed animals, pillow covers galore, very, very simple projects that I think one could find instructions for with a quick internet search. My copy did not include the CD with patterns and templates so I cannot remark on that aspect of this book.
I can see this book making a nice little gift for someone who is just learning to sew but for any stitcher wanting to progress beyond the basics, this isn’t the book for you. I am giving this book two stars from an experienced crafter’s point of view, but would rate it closer to a three for someone who is a beginner.
Rating: 2 / 5
Beginning with the basics of sewing by hand and machine, _Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts_ progresses into an alphabetically organized how-to project book.
The beginning information on sewing techniques is intended for beginners through experts, and explains thread, fabrics, how to set up a sewing area, and important supplies to have (there are also recommended supplies in the back). As an experienced sewer, I found this information to be a bit basic, and also perhaps a little too authoritative at times. For example, the book advises to pre-wash fabric. However, there are plenty of quilters out there like me who prefer to wash cotton fabric after quilting to get even more of the puckering effect some of us prefer (quilters could debate this for years and still not reach a consensus). But even though some of the information is basic, it’s nice to know there’s a place to turn to when you forget that stitch you were an expert on the day before!
The projects in the volume include clothing, stuffed animals, a basic Waldorf doll with no face shaping, and even a few for the four-legged members of the family. A project that would no doubt become a beloved keepsake is how to turn children’s drawings into three-dimensional stuffed animals. My favorite project is one for use with vintage handkerchiefs, and since there are reproduction hankies available, this is possible to do without ruining heirlooms. Some of the projects require printing out templates or patterns. I personally would prefer them to be separate and bound into the book.
As a _Martha Stewart Living_ reader, I have to admit to recognizing a lot of these projects from the pages of the magazine (and the website). I don’t know how many were gleaned from its pages, but certainly at least a significant number of them were. Some people may find it nice discovering all of their favorite projects in one spot, but it may be a disappointment to people like me who have already seen these before and already used the ones we were interested in. It’s a bit odd to open up a brand new book, as I did, and find out it contains more than one project in it that you have already made, and plenty you have rejected for one reason or another!
I would mostly recommend this volume to people who are new to sewing and aren’t subscribed to _Martha Stewart Living_ magazine. It contains a lot of projects to get people started and practicing, and enough of a selection that most people should be able to find just what they want or need.
Rating: 3 / 5