Loading...
1st out of 19 books
—
11 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew
by
Amy Karol
Author Amy Karol, whose Angry Chicken is one of the best-loved craft blogs on the Web, brings stitchers everywhere a down-to-earth introduction to sewing, including thirty projects so adorable and cool they’ll inspire anyone to pick up a needle and thread.
Written with Amy’s characteristic warmth and flair, you’ll find information on basic equipment and supplies, advice on...more
Written with Amy’s characteristic warmth and flair, you’ll find information on basic equipment and supplies, advice on...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
June 19th 2007
by Potter Craft
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,187)
A wonderful resource for those that have just discovered the joy of sewing. It's filled with simple projects for beginners, and takes the pressure off following strict directions.
I've checked this book out from the library about 4 times thinking it's either Amy Butler's In Stitches or Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing both of which have projects more geared toward someone like myself: Happily childfree. Pretty pictures, though, and some beautiful fabric options.
I am a total novice and this book was easy enough to understand, fun to read, and the patterns are very cute. I hate paper patterns so I appreciate that they aren't necessary for many of the projects. I do think that Aimee Ray's Doodle Stitching book does a better job at describing how to do some of the hand stitches, but the bottom line is that that kind of stuff is hard to describe and illustrate so it might be necessary to find a video on youtube. I see that some people felt like there wer...more
Fun ideas for beginning-to-intermediate sewers (seamstresses?). Some of the instructions were a little lacking--I had to figure out a few missing steps on my own--but I liked the variety of projects included.
I've had this book on my radar for some time. I love the title and the idea of bending sewing rules and doing it differently. The photographs are lovely, the tone of writing friendly and approachable. The intro & basics section is thorough & helpful for beginners. There are no patterns which is rule bending of a sort and liberating for those allergic to patterns. The book is a bit of a let down in the instructive department with minimal written and as for the diagrams...I think they would endles...more
I've yet to complete a project from the book, I bought the book for the kids hat pattern specifically. It is a well done book, the projects would be great for an actual novice.
A pretty good, simple introduction to the basics of sewing. I'm excited to try some of these projects once I get over my fear of my sewing machine, and in the meantime I may even sew some of the simpler ones by hand. My biggest problem with this book is that the projects are not photographed well - in many cases the one small photo doesn't even show the entire item. Also, the author's explanations of the steps involved to make each project seem sparse. I'll update my rating though, if necess...more
This is the first book I got when I bought my new sewing machine. I've done a few projects out of it (bib and soft turtle buddy). The pictures and ideas are great. Instructions are simple and easy for a return sewer. There are lots of helpful information at the beginning like supplies (with descriptions), fabric tips, sewing definitions and basic sewing techniques. There are a variety of projects that can fit most people's lives from bags to childrens wear to placemats to aprons. Definately...more
Lots of basic sewing tips (yes, even I learned something from them and I don't normally peruse those parts of the sewing books) and projects. Cute pillows, placemats, bags, aprons and yes, blankets. Once again I am hampered by my lack-of-time problem.
Bend-the-rules Sewing
Bend-the-rules Sewing
This book is a simple overview of sewing for beginners. The projects are cutesy but not for me. It would be great for homemakers, parents and grandparents.
For those who want a good "beginner" sewing book that mostly deals with making clothing (for adults) should check out Sew Everything Workshop.
For those who want a good "beginner" sewing book that mostly deals with making clothing (for adults) should check out Sew Everything Workshop.
Jaimee
added it
So far, I've made the bibs, the charming handbag, the pleated beauty handbag, and the no-cash wallet.... and they've all been relatively easy and fun to do. Amy Karol has written this in a generally clear way (although the hand-drawn diagrams could sometimes be clearer) and the projects are fun to do.
I really like that everything takes only a little bit of time and fabric to accomplish- it really is encouraging to have finished projects to spur you onto trying something new. It's ve...more
I really like that everything takes only a little bit of time and fabric to accomplish- it really is encouraging to have finished projects to spur you onto trying something new. It's ve...more
This is a good sewing primer. It describes a few sewing techniques and starter tips. The book is fun and has a few small projects that can be sewn up quickly. However, those who absolutely need exact measurements and patterns will not like this book. Since sewing is a lot of trial and error anyway, I don't think that it matters.
Amy Karol makes me laugh. I've read her blog for the last few years and I love that her personality really comes out as you read. I learned so much from this book that I never expected...little tricks and how-tos. I haven't made many of the actual projects but I refer to it often as a resource (her instructions on how to make bias tape, for example).
I really, really wanted to like this book more. The projects are adorable but yet again, as with many craft how-to books, the instructions are really not clear for many of the projects. It seems to be a theme with these "hipster" craft books - clear instruction are sacrificed to make the design of the book layout look pretty.
Meh. I wasn't super impressed by the techniques or the patterns included, though I'm about to start sewing some of the cute little headbands...I guess I had really high expectations for Amy since I love her blog. I'd skip buying the book, rent if from the library, or better yet, just go to her Angry Chicken blog.
I'd heard lots of great things about this book, and now that I've tried one project, I understand why. Amy Karol really knows what she is doing, she really cares about teaching others, and she's really good at it. Miles away from the average dry/boring/tedious sewing book. Get it!
High hopes for this book as well, that kinda let me down. The projects are a bit more "homegrown" for my tastes, and while cute, are not things I'd ever use. One girl from my sewing class made the purse on the front in a silver evening gown material that turned out really cute.
Another great sewing book, this one focusing on accessories (and a couple of pieces of kids' clothing) for those who aren't interesting in sewing clothes just yet. Karol goes over some basics of sewing and fabric, and then jumps into her patterns. They include the clutch shown on the cover, some great tote bags, and several other projects for your home. All of them are very cute, and I really enjoyed the chatty style of the pattern descriptions. The patterns themselves are presented at the back ...more
A nice little book. I got a couple of good tips that I will use in the future. Overall there wasn't much that I haven't seen or done already, but the baby smock pattern is sweet and fast. An easy walk through on how to make bias tape two ways was good.
I recently discovered the new book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing, by Amy Karol. I am most definitely a "bend-the-rules" kind of gal when it comes to crafting. If there's a shortcut that won't ruin the integrity of my work then I'll take it!
If the name Amy Karol sounds familiar, it's probably because you've seen her blogs, Angry Chicken and Tie One On (about all things aprony). Speaking of aprons, there's some great ones in this book!
In fact, there are 30 great designs ...more
If the name Amy Karol sounds familiar, it's probably because you've seen her blogs, Angry Chicken and Tie One On (about all things aprony). Speaking of aprons, there's some great ones in this book!
In fact, there are 30 great designs ...more
I must be cynical and jaded, because I'm just not feeling inspired by this book. I love the author's blog, but the projects in her book were just... So-so. There were one or two I'd probably add to my "future projects" file, but nothing very original. Sigh. I'll just keep looking and hoping...
This book is a great book if you're a beginning sewer. It has fun, cute projects with instructions that are mostly easy to understand. Some of the projects are not to my taste, but I am glad I have this book in my sewing library.
I changed my review of this book after trying a few of the projects. The book is full of lovely photographs & cute fabrics & is written in a fun way. There are some great tips for a beginner (including not using vintage sheets for fabric, as they are fabric blends that will not press well). However, the project instructions are very unclear. Some of the measurements are incorrect, which could lead to a lot of frustration for a beginning sewer. The ideas are good as jumping off points, but h...more
There are a few fun ideas in here and it sparked some other ideas. There is a bag in here that I might make. It's nice to read how others put things together and finish them, just to see if I can improve what I do.
I've made two projects from this book (but used both patterns multiple times). While there are several kid projects as others have said, I found it to be a great beginner's book with straight-forward instructions.
Checked this out from the library but now I think I have to buy it and keep it around. I want to get started on 4 or 5 projects in it right away! It also goes about teaching you to improvise in the right way.
Meh. This is an OK book, but there are many better. The projects are simplistic and if you are a beginner, the instruction is terse. Love Amy Karol's blog though, and her fun personality does come through.
Had a blast making the adorable little projects in this quirky, easy-to-follow, alterna-sewing book.
See my version of the "Woodland Elf Hat" at http://missingthemuse.blogspot.com/2011/...
See my version of the "Woodland Elf Hat" at http://missingthemuse.blogspot.com/2011/...
Cute projects and patterns. I've already made the headbands, baby quilt, and strip quilt. The instructions could be a BIT more clear, but I guess the idea behind it is that you learn as you go...which I did!
Great for beginners, easy but cute projects. As the title suggests this book helps you know when you can bend the rules and when you should stick to them in sewing. I love this authors blog as well.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
