Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter

by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Needles.
Thread.
Drama!

Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica, is not a seamstress. She is a thread artist. And in Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing , she'll show how to harness the power of her fearless kamikaze sewing style–just dive in and give it 100 percent. Here you'll not only find out the nuts and bolts of sewing, but learn to have confidence to blaze your own sewing trail with confidence and flair. (And sprinkle of glitter!) The Crafty Chica is here to bring out the thread artist in you.

Whether you can hardly sew on a button or are already threading bobbins like a champ, Kathy's got a project just for you. From place mat totes to embellished skirts, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing proves that you're in charge of your sewing machine, not the other way around. With these 30 fun fabu-low-sew projects to carry, wear, and use around the home, you can leave the ordinary behind and channel your own Crafty Chica within.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction, How To

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2009

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't crazy about the projects in the book, but I love the author's mentality and her free-spirit about sewing. It empowered me.

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author certainly has quite a bright personality, and it shows in the book's finished projects. She had some interesting ideas for reusing or embellishing store-bought items.

There were only three project chapters (bags, clothes, and household items), and the projects seemed to be just very slight modifications on the exact same instructions so there wasn't much variety. The frequent quote blocks from random people didn't fit, especially since several were negative about sewing.

I think this book would be fine for an absolute beginner with a sewing machine.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if you don't share author Kathy Cano-Murillo's loud taste in clothing and decor, the projects in this (largely project-based) book can be adapted to quieter fabrics and more serene fabrics. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and the book is filled with fun stories, anecdotes, and sewing related lists and trivia. The book's major shortcoming is its lack of photographs or diagrams in the instructions; some steps suffered from lack of clarity without them.

[Ender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cano-Murillo has a very lovely and fun voice in this book that made me feel excited for crafting, even if none of the projects in particular were for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great source for inspiration.

[Ryan Juno · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what, do I like all of her designs? No. Am I going to make any of this? No. But she owns who she is and she’s so cool.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crafty Chica’s Guide To Artful Sewing: by Kathy Cano-Murillo gets an A for A-mazing. I’m not a seamstress, but I often times find myself dreaming of days when I might make a quilt, sew my own skirt or handcraft my own bag. Having read Cathy’s book, I now feel like I understand the fundamentals of sewing and am confident that I could tackle any of the projects with no experience.

From the introduction: “Sewing is like anything else that starts out rough - riding a bike, roller skating, skateboarding, singing in public, writing an essay. At first, it’s tricky. Your palms will sweat, but once you get the hang of it, appreciate - and celebrate - what artful sewing is all about!” She talks about how starting out can be daunting with a cease the day vigor that made me smile. This is so me. I’ve always wanted to give sewing a try, but when I look at a sewing machine I feel a little overwhelmed. With the help of Cathy, maybe it is time for me to buy my first mechanical sewing machine and get started.

Cathy infused so much of her personality into this book. With personal stories from her life, it is almost impossible to not fall in love with both her and her work.

What you will learn in this book:

Types of fabric
Design patterns on material
Image transfers
Choose a machine & the basics of most sewing machines
Must have list of sewing supplies
Basics of how to sew
Stitches
Threads
Sewing by hand & hand sewn stitches
Using a seam ripper
10 purse/bag project ideas
10 wearables – including a dress, jacket, belt, etc.
10 home décor & craft projects – including place mats, a bed cover, a fabric collage, etc.

You can buy this book here: http://www.artfulsewing.com/

You can keep up with Cathy Cano-Murillo on a regular basis by checking out her blog “Diary of a Crafty Chica”: http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love! I am buying this book and I'm not a big craft book purchaser. Normally there's only one or two things I want to make, so I just check it out from the library. I want to try it all in this book, I love it. I want a scarf dress, a quilt made from wall hangings, and a cool patchwork oilcloth tote bag. This book is written and put together in such a fashion, that is seems to encourage you to make mistakes on purpose, just to see what you come up with and to have a totally one of a kind item.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endorsed by Amy Sedaris, how could I resist?
A delightful book with lots of bright projects. It includes info on stitches, fabric, sewing machines, websites and more but the author is not a seamstress, she's an artist. She and my sister, Joan, also an artist, need to talk.
Meanwhile, I'm feeling inspired to make the family collage. :-)

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The projects weren't my style, but I think they would appeal to teens and may inspire them to get sewing. Most require little or very simple sewing, so they are perfect for beginners. The projects also reuse old clothes or repurpose items which is so popular today. A bright and colorful inspiration for the young seamstress.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a neat book, I admire her approach to tackling things without a pattern or anything. But I found a lot of the stuff to be a bit too wild for my tastes or required you to already have things to sew onto (a dress, bag, etc.). Nothing wrong with that, but not what I am looking for personally.

[Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the "Low-Sew" part of the title isn't totally accurate, this book still has a lot of cool projects and ideas. I'm reviving my sewing machine, so I'm planning on doing a couple of her projects -- I'll let you know...

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to give someone who just got their first sewing machine. There are too many sewing-machine tips and tricks to make it a worthwhile read for someone who doesn't have one yet....Glossy and pretty, it'd make a good gift-book.

[Marjanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some fun ideas here, but it is all pretty basic. I like that the author shows how to improve things you already have and how to think about various items in a different light (i.e. turning placemats into purses). This book would be excellent for anyone learning how to sew.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally cute ideas... although some of them aren't really my style, I found myself thinking "oh.... so and so would love this and it would be really easy to make it for them." Only basic sewing skills required.

[Lizzyh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It has been my favorite crafting book by Kathy Cano Murillo. Wonderful projects that you think are difficult made so easy for you. I love it! I am currently finishing my embellished crafty jacket!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Exactly what I was looking for. Not the average sewing manual by any means. Very imaginative and well-directed path to many creations. I was bored with"straight sewing", and though I am not an advanced skills sewer, I can grasp the techniques in this book. Hoorah!

[Krissi]

Just got my copy of this highly anticipated book of sewing projects by Kathy Cano-Murillo - stay tuned for my reviews!

[Kathy]

My new book that comes out Feb 17th!

[Susan]

Someday I will make the "I will never part with this t-shirt" glitter tote. Good ol' Crafty Chica has some fun ideas, as always.

[Tara Carpenter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm rating this book low because the projects were not to my taste, nor did they look adaptable. Others might like the style and really enjoy this book. I didn't read it much, just thumbed through.

[Jennifer Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book of some great, off-beat low-sew ideas!

[Amanda Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this!!! i am all for up-cycling and being crafty...loved how she gives you tips and hints for sewing.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of multi-media art projects along with embellishing and up-cycling. There are some techniques and projects that I'd like to try.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the instructional info at beginning of book and the colorful sewing projects were so cute! Most items seem simple enough for a novice to complete.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots and lots of ideas to jump start a creative venture. Makes me want to cut up a t-shirt or some old curtains.

[B]

I would not exactly call this low-sew as a complete beginner. The projects are well laid out but I wasn't excited to try any of them in particular so I'll be looking for a different beginner guide!

[Jessietaylortanner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Nada. Nothing.