Popular Patchwork
October 2017
Jennifer Heynen has a lovely blog, jenniferjangles.blogspot.co.uk and her mission is to make the world a happier place. This great little book taps into her talent for making cute, colourful objects that make you just want to smile! These are all mini-bag projects designed to organise the little things in your life and include: a Whale Coin Purse, a Flip Flop Travel bag, a Log Jewellery Roll and a Key-ring Coin Purse. Jennifer says in her intro that little bags are one of her favourite things to sew because in an afternoon, Youll have something useful to keep your things where they need to be. As somebody that regularly buys chargers, combs and holiday Euros having been unable to locate the originals, this book certainly appeals. There are masses of great gift ideas and a whole host of ways to use up your scraps in this beautifully illustrated book.
To start with there are pages on fabrics, trims and embellishments as well as advice on hand stitching and embroidery techniques. All the projects include three or four pages of easy-to-follow instructions, and pullout templates are included for some of the designs. Many of the projects include zips so if this is not your forte, be prepared to give them a go. I rather fell in love with the Ladybug Bag, a tiny clip on bag for loose change or receipts that will become an indispensible add on to my everyday shoulder bag. Sew small yet sew good!
Sew
September 2017
It is really is true that you can never have too many bags, so here are 19 more to add to your collection immediately. From handy wallets and ladybug coin purses to clutches and log-shaped jewellery roll, there's something for everyone here.
myshelf.com
You can have a place for everything when you make the bags in this book. As the subtitle says you can stash your coins, keys, earbuds, jewelry and more in the pretty wee bags which are not only fairly simple to make but are a great way of using up oddments left over from larger projects.
All the bags in here are rather special and many do not even look very bag like. There is one shaped like a house, another like an ice cream cone, a ladybug, whale, flower and even my own favorite a log. As well as plain machine and hand sewing you can have a go at appliqué, patchwork and embroidery plus enjoy working with lots of fun trims. This book is aimed at improvers and up; anybody who knows their way around a sewing machine and has done some sewing ought to be able to make these projects. At the beginning there are instructions on how to add trims, topstitch to make appliqué and so a few embroidery stitches namely running stitch, backstitch and French knots. It does help to have another embroidery book handy however (check out the Search Press catalog) as in the second project you will need to know a couple more. Each project has a large photograph of the finished item plus a list of what you need and a cutting list with sizes in imperial. The instructions have plenty of diagrams showing what to do and everything is laid out with double spacing giving it an airy, easy to read appearance. All the projects have quite a number of steps too which is ideal for anybody who has not done much in this line before. The bags would make excellent gifts, and show well how things that are practical can also be very pretty.
Janet Granger
Ive recently come across this book, called Sew Small: 19 little bags by Jennifer Heynen, so I thought Id review it for you. Anyone who has been following my blog for a while will know that I love making bags of various kinds (usually bags for keeping sewing tools in), so when I saw this book, I thought Id give it a go to see if it might have some different kinds of projects for me to make, and I wasnt disappointed!
The book is more of a sewing projects book than an embroidery one, as the title suggests, but if you havent ever done much sewing, thats OK, as the projects are clearly explained, with lots of diagrams for each one. Its got a modern look to the projects, too not always my thing (Im an old-fashioned kind of person!), but I did like the innovative projects in this book enough to want to make some of them for friends who really love the contemporary style. And I can see myself adapting some of them, too just by changing the fabric, a project could easily have a more retro feel to it.
The nineteen projects for the little bags cover all kinds of things small wallets, a coin purse, a bag to keep your ear buds in, and several bags that are just.well.bags!
I like the way that the contents page lists the projects in a visual format, as well as the more normal text version it makes it so much easier to find what youre looking for.
The book starts by covering the basics fabrics to use, threads and trims such as ric-rac braid that can be applied, beads and buttons, and basic embroidery stitches. These are VERY basic stitches Jennifer suggests people find online tutorials if they want to use stitches other than these really basic ones of running stitch, backstitch and French knots. But thats great if youre a beginner, or want a project finished quickly. She also covers how to assemble the projects both using a sewing machine or by hand stitching.
Then on to the projects themselves each one has a materials list, a cutting list, and instructions with colour diagrams. There arent any photos of the projects themselves during assembly just the finished item but the process diagrams make it very clear what you need to do. I should think each one could be completed in a day even the more complicated projects, if you gather all your materials together first.
Theres a lift-out sheet at the back of the book with all the pattern pieces shown at full size, which I think is a real bonus for a project book. It annoys me when patterns are shown in other books with a tiny note that says enlarge by 150% or something. How frustrating, when you just want to get started and make something! So, this is one of the biggest pluses of the book, for me. Theres also a note inside the front cover which gives permission to photocopy the lift-out sheet (but not the text of the main part of the book).
There are a couple of projects which really caught my eye:
This one is a jewellery roll in the shape of a log. I love jewellery rolls, and actually have several, which I do use when Im travelling. I need my jewellery to be protected, and this one would do that.
This second project REALLY got me! A little drawstring bag, only five inches high. Simple shapes are appliqued to the walls for the doors, windows and plants. A cord goes around the top, pulling the roof sides together. I think this is the one Ill make first. It would be good to put more embroidery on it, I think, in the Carolyn Pearce style, but thats just me,
Full review and Images: https://janetgranger.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/book-review-sew-small-heynen/
yarnsandfabrics.co.uk
19 little bags to organize your life. From make-up to money, brushes and charge holders and more. Being organized need not be boring - take a look at the fun wallets, bags and purses. What could be cuter than the whale coin purse or the birdcage bag. Or the fab drawstring birdhouse bag. These tiny treasures are ideal to carry your essentials. You can use small scraps to create useful gifts. Book contents include fabrics, threads and trims, embellishments plus 19 great projects. Instructions include a full-size colour photo of the finished item, materials, cutting and written instructions with colour line drawings. Measurements for cutting fabrics are given and there is a pull out template section included. I enjoyed this book.
Tracy Shephard - Postcard Reviews
Sew 19 simply embellished projects (with full-size patterns), including a card holder, coin purses, earbud holder, small wallets, pouches and organisers. These cute and useful bags are perfect for holding and organising all of your little things. Personalise the organisers with adorable embellishments and appliqués and use up your scraps, trims and other odds and ends in the process. Whip one up in an afternoon or bring your handwork with you small pieces make these projects fun and easy to work on anywhere. Great to give as gifts or keep for yourself, these tiny bags will bring a smile to anyones face.
This is fabulous glossy book with 19 projects to make.
With colorful illustrations, ideas and advice on fabric, embellishments and stitching, Jennifer Heynens Sew Small is an ideal book to work from.
Sew Small comes with a double sided pattern sheet that has all you need for each of the items.
Full review and images: https://tracyshephard.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/sew-small-19-little-bags-jennifer-heynen/
