Sew It Up, a modern manual of practical and decorative sewing techniques is out now.
The book covers everything you need to start sewing, from threading a needle, setting up a sewing space and choosing fabric to how to use commercial dress patterns. For those with more experience there are over 150 decorative and practical techniques to incorporate into your repertoire, including 20 masterclasses which cover useful and fascinating techniques such as trapunto quilting and couture hemming. It also includes 20 original project designs including handbags, clothes, accessories and soft furnishings.
My aim when writing this book was to create the sewing book I wanted to read; one that is well-illustrated so the techniques are really clear and has inspiring and contemporary projects for things I would want to make.
I had a great time making, writing and researching the material for this book, which I hope will inspire both new and experienced fabric-lovers to make and create and enjoy.
Wednesday
Sunday
Kits now on sale!
Pinstripe Pincushion kit £8 / $11. Wool and vintage ribbon
As promised, I'm delighted to be able to offer kits for making several of the projects in Sew It Up. The kits are now available online here.
Please drop me a line if you have any queries.
Thursday
Reviews
Nice reviews are appearing on Amazon!
Please add one if you already have the book. It all helps!
If you click through on this image and buy this book (and anything else at the same time) from Amazon, I get a smidgen of Amazon's mighty profits! So go ahead - click and buy - even if its just your other Christmas presents.
Please add one if you already have the book. It all helps!
If you click through on this image and buy this book (and anything else at the same time) from Amazon, I get a smidgen of Amazon's mighty profits! So go ahead - click and buy - even if its just your other Christmas presents.
Wednesday
Kits- advance notice!
I'm working on kits for a number of the projects in the book. What I'm doing is preparing packages of the same (or very similar) fabrics to those which I used, along with any other bits and pieces you need to make the item. Some of these are vintage or recycled fabrics, so rather hard to match otherwise. The kits wont contain instructions, as they are all in the book. Some of these will be very limited edition, while some (mainly the small ones) should be available in reasonable quantity.
They will make fantastic gifts along with a copy of the book, or you could buy them yourself to make projects pretty much the same as the ones in the book. Prices will vary and I'll have that sorted out and online by 1st December. I will also offer a discount on the book to anyone buying a kit. If you are itching to make one for a Christmas present and would like it pronto then email me (ruth@ruthsinger.com) and I'll see what I can do.
The kits will be:
Vintage / new fabrics, binding, recycled wool felt pages and organic quilt wadding.
Various striped fabrics (not exactly the same) and the same vintage silk ribbon, plus stuffing.
I'll list a selection of striped wools to make mice with,
and the kit will include the threads needed to embroider his face,
including hard to get hessian-type yarn.
There isn't enough of this pink and green left to make another one though.
Silk and contrast red fabric. The buttons will be different as I don't have any more of these.
The one from the cover. I've also got the fabric in a green colourway.
The vintage mother of pearl button will vary.
Organic hemp-silk fabric, backing and merino roving included.
Cushion pad can be included on request.
Vintage pink velvet and a selection of coloured wool felt scraps to make the design, plus some co-ordinating backing fabric.
Enough fabric scraps and the threads and hoop required.
I will also do these in different colours.
Enough fabric for 4 placemats, plus quilting thread and organic quilt wadding.
Recycled blue gingham, vintage orange trimming, orange zip and ribbon to finish.
Enough of the 1950s vintage fabric to make this jacket along with green organic cotton for the lining. I've probably only got enough for ONE of these kits.
Red organic cotton, zip, vintage button and interfacing for the waistband.
This is a very simple one - T-shirt not included!
I'll prepare some small pieces of wool felt in various colours
so you can decorate a T without having to find and felt a whole sweater.
They will make fantastic gifts along with a copy of the book, or you could buy them yourself to make projects pretty much the same as the ones in the book. Prices will vary and I'll have that sorted out and online by 1st December. I will also offer a discount on the book to anyone buying a kit. If you are itching to make one for a Christmas present and would like it pronto then email me (ruth@ruthsinger.com) and I'll see what I can do.
The kits will be:
Needlebook
Vintage / new fabrics, binding, recycled wool felt pages and organic quilt wadding.Pinstripe Pincushion
Various striped fabrics (not exactly the same) and the same vintage silk ribbon, plus stuffing.Mr Mouse
I'll list a selection of striped wools to make mice with,and the kit will include the threads needed to embroider his face,
including hard to get hessian-type yarn.
There isn't enough of this pink and green left to make another one though.
Silk cuff
Silk and contrast red fabric. The buttons will be different as I don't have any more of these.Pleated corsage
The one from the cover. I've also got the fabric in a green colourway.
The vintage mother of pearl button will vary.
Trapunto Cushion
Organic hemp-silk fabric, backing and merino roving included.Cushion pad can be included on request.
Pebble Cushion
Vintage pink velvet and a selection of coloured wool felt scraps to make the design, plus some co-ordinating backing fabric.Falling Blossom
Enough fabric scraps and the threads and hoop required.I will also do these in different colours.
Quilted placemats
Enough fabric for 4 placemats, plus quilting thread and organic quilt wadding.Gingham Purse
Recycled blue gingham, vintage orange trimming, orange zip and ribbon to finish.Vintage Jacket
Enough of the 1950s vintage fabric to make this jacket along with green organic cotton for the lining. I've probably only got enough for ONE of these kits.Circular Skirt
Red organic cotton, zip, vintage button and interfacing for the waistband.Customised t-shirt
This is a very simple one - T-shirt not included!I'll prepare some small pieces of wool felt in various colours
so you can decorate a T without having to find and felt a whole sweater.
Friday
Sunday
Photoshoot location
I was pleased to find that the location used to shoot some of the finished projects in the book was recently featured on a couple of design blogs. The picture of the red skirt on the previous post was shot there, as was this stunning picture (another project preview for you!).
Photo by Jan Baldwin
Photo of a detail in the house, by me
The photography locations were all organised by my editor, Kate Haxell. She did an amazing job, as did the photographer Jan Baldwin. I went on one of the shoots in that lovely grey-white house and it was fascinating to see how people really live in a house like that. Though it is used for photoshoots a lot, and I think the owner is a stylist, not surprisingly. Its also just around the corner from where I used to live! Jan's photography is stunning, do have a look at her website.
The more colourful backdrop rooms you will see in the book are Kate's own house, which is equally amazing but totally different.
There's a lot of stunning photography in this book, I'm delighted with how well its been produced.
Photo by Jan BaldwinPhoto by me
Photo of a detail in the house, by meThe photography locations were all organised by my editor, Kate Haxell. She did an amazing job, as did the photographer Jan Baldwin. I went on one of the shoots in that lovely grey-white house and it was fascinating to see how people really live in a house like that. Though it is used for photoshoots a lot, and I think the owner is a stylist, not surprisingly. Its also just around the corner from where I used to live! Jan's photography is stunning, do have a look at her website.
The more colourful backdrop rooms you will see in the book are Kate's own house, which is equally amazing but totally different.
There's a lot of stunning photography in this book, I'm delighted with how well its been produced.
Saturday
Project preview: Autumn Wardrobe.
Apologies for this having taken so long. Here's two project previews from the book, to make up for the long absence...
Circle Skirt
The instructions are for drafting your own personalised pattern for a circular skirt.
Handbag
Large wool handbag with outside and inside pockets. I've used the sample bag so much. I love it!
Note on fabrics:
I'll be stocking some of the fabrics used in the book projects and some kits for the smaller pieces. I'll post more about that when the book is published, but drop me a line at info@ruthsinger.com and I'll put you on the mailing list to let you know when that happens.
Circle Skirt
The instructions are for drafting your own personalised pattern for a circular skirt.
Handbag
Large wool handbag with outside and inside pockets. I've used the sample bag so much. I love it!
Note on fabrics:
I'll be stocking some of the fabrics used in the book projects and some kits for the smaller pieces. I'll post more about that when the book is published, but drop me a line at info@ruthsinger.com and I'll put you on the mailing list to let you know when that happens.
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