Sewing Books

This past week I got two great sewing books from the library.

Beginning to Intermediate sewers. 

I like this book because it encourages everyone to sew and emphasizes trying and "bending the rules". It also has all of the basic information you would need to sew most projects (terms, techniques, etc). 

Includes many projects and instructions.

If you have a bit of sewing experience, nothing will be "new" information for you, but it has good instructions and is good to remember techniques.

This one says beginning to intermediate sewers as well, but it doesn't give the basic sewing information like the other book (at least not at the beginning. I believe there are instructions throughout for some things), so I would suggest having another instruction book if you're not familiar with sewing. However, the patterns are cuter and the instructions are great. There is a pocket in the front with patterns. She does have a section on selecting and caring for fabrics - especially vintage fabrics. I love Amy Butler fabrics so I thought this book/photos were nicely done.

All this said, I have yet to make a project from either book...I didn't think it would be a good idea to start more things when we're supposed to be moving in a matter of weeks.

The Creative Family

I've wanted to do a post on this since I started reading it. The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule is a fun and inspiring book in which she shares a variety of ideas that she has used to bring creativity into her home. The best thing is that they are all simple. Many of the activities she has done remind me of things I did when I was younger. It was refreshing to read and got my creative juices flowing for things to begin doing in our home.

Made From Scratch

I've debated whether or not to post a review for this book because as Randy Jackson would say, "It was just okay for me, dawg", but since I read it I thought I'd at least share a few thoughts.

The book is written by a "city" girl who takes a job in Idaho and while there she decides she wants to return to a simpler life. She shares her stories and pointers on raising chickens, angora rabbits, and bees; training a dog sled team; growing a garden; sewing clothes, cooking bread and other foods, etc. Basically she raves about the joys of farm living. There are some fun ideas and it almost inspired me to get bees or chickens if I had a place to put them.

Really the book wasn't bad but since I consider myself a country girl at heart, some of these "revolutionary" ideas that she had discovered herself have always been a part of my family, so I had to chuckle occassionally as I read. It isn't hard to read and she lists many good resources if you're interested in any of the subjects listed above.