Review
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If you sew, you probably have a scrap bin full of odd-sized
pieces of fabric that you don’t know what to do with. Avid sewist
Shore provides 26 small projects designed to use these
small-to-medium scraps. Despite the book’s title, a half yard
isn’t needed for most of the projects, which focus on cute,
feminine accessories for women and girls. Highlights include the
craft caddy, with numerous pockets to hold various bits and bobs
of crafty stuff (and a convenient handle for portablility), a
zippered makeup bag, and an easily customizable pair of house
slippers with soft fleece soles. The projects are easy to sew and
require basic sewing machine skills (straight and zigzag stitch,
topst, and zipper installation), and key steps are
illustrated with photographs. VERDICT This pretty collection will
appeal to sewists looking for simple, quick projects to make as
gifts.
Source: Fibre Crafts
We all have scraps of fabric that we never end up using, so this
bestselling book by Debbie Shore for 26 projects to make with
less than half a yard of fabric is ideal. There are lots of
different ideas in here, some you will have undoubtedly seen
before, but lots of other new ones too. They range from tissue
box covers, to slippers, glasses cases and placemats. The images,
as you would expect, are very clear and bright and the
instructions are perfect for sewers of all abilities. Some of my
favourite inclusions are for a sewing machine cover, neck
cushions (which annoyingly I'd just bought for my girls but will
be using the pattern from this once they split) and a gorgeous
chicken doorstop - who could resist?! I think that there are lots
of useful projects to get your teeth into, and to use up those
scraps of left-over fabric!
Source: craftingnotcleaning.blogspot.co.uk
Simple, quick and easy – these projects can be made in a jiffy
using small as of fabric. Easy to understand instructions
and clear photographs show these projects off to advantage.
There’s something for everyone and this is a great beginners
book. Good range of simple to sew projects for the home and
family. Nothing new but a good collection of standby items from
aprons and oven gloves to owls and hens, tissue box and sewing
machine covers. 26 beautiful projects to make or give as gifts
and the book would make a beautiful gift too.
Source: Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts
As someone who tends to buy fabric in small lengths ( quarters
or half metres) I was very excited when I saw this book was
coming out. I’m always on the lookout for projects to make with
small as of fabric and this book has 26 different projects
in it which use either quarters or half metres. The projects
are a mix between things for your home like a tea cosy, pan
holder and peg bag, things to wear such as slippers, children’s
apron and rosette head band to useful things like a craft caddy,
glasses case, tote bag and table mat. There are big bright photos
for every stage of the sewing process, making it easy to follow.
There are also step by step written instructions plus useful tips
scattered throughout the book. What’s clever is there are no
templates in the book, instead Debbie tells you how to create the
templates yourself using common household objects like plates or
lids. This means no faffing around with photocopiers trying to
templates (yay!). This book is ideal if you have lots of
smaller pieces of fabric you want to use up.
Source: Sewing Directory, The
I don't know about you, but I have a lot of rather beautiful half
yard and quarter pieces of fabrics in my stash, so it's
always useful to find a title that focuses on these. This is
really a book ed at beginners or novices, so whilst the
projects are very sweet and creative, it may not be challenging
enough for some of our more advanced readers. It is however a
lovely book of ideas to introduce youngsters to sewing, and it
includes a detailed preparation section before it embarks on the
26 projects within. The projects are mainly generally sewing
based but some do incorporate basic patchwork, applique and
quilting. Large step-by-step instruction photos make it very easy
to follow and increase the production values of the book.
Favourite projects for me include the chicken doorstop, the oven
gloves and the sewing machine dust cover.
Source: Popular Patchwork
This is a delightful book. The basic techniques you need to know
are explained at the beginning of the book, and every
step-by-step project is accompanied by a fabulous photograph of
the finished piece, including beautiful bags, aprons, a craft
caddy for storing your making kit, a handy wash bag, a notice
board and numerous other gifts and accessories for you, your
family and your home.
Source: Hot Brands, Cool Places
Many, many months ago I was sent three books of my choice to
review from Search Press, and I have finally gotten around to
posting a review of the first book: ‘Half Yard Heaven’ by Debbie
Shore, which I am told has been one of Search Press’s best
sellers of 2014.As its title suggests, the principle of the book
is putting to good use leftover scraps of fabric, or, as the
author points out, ‘the fabric could equally as well come from an
old tshirt, duvet cover or tablecloth as from a fabric store’.
Using up left-over pieces of fabric is a very appealing prospect,
as I’m sure it would be to lots of you who also sew and often
find yourselves with the odd half metre left over – too pretty to
throw away, but too small to use.
The visual style of the book is very Cath Kidston inspired –
florals, polka dots and stripes abound in pretty pastel colours.
The photography is good. Step by step instructions are
accompanied by clear photographs, and the layout is well designed
and not too fussy or overcrowded.
The projects vary in appeal, at least to me! I really liked the
Sewing Machine Dust Cover, so I made it, and found it was easy to
make, with good, clear, customisable instructions. There are
other projects that I could see myself making as gifts for other
people. The projects that stand out to me are the slippers, the
child’s apron, the owl and the pussycat stuffed toys, the chicken
doorstop and the padded coat hanger.
If you would like to read more of this review click here for the
link to threadcarefully.com:
http://threadcarefully.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/half-yard-heaven-by-debbie-shore-review-giveaway-and-soup-discussion/
Source: threadcarefully.com
From the Author
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Debbie Shore started her career as a children's television
presenter and since then has appeared regularly on television
both as an actress and selling products on a shopping channel.
Debbie has also hosted live fashion shows with a major fashion
store, produces her own range of instructional DVDs and writes
for several popular sewing magazines. She is now a bestselling
author and has written over 18 books for Search Press, with
several more underway. Debbie was voted Sewing Designer of the
Year in the Immediate Media British Craft Awards 2017. She lives
in Lincolnshire. Visit her website at: www.debbieshoresewing.com.