Textile designer Jayne Emerson provides 20 easy-to-follow and beautiful patchwork sewing projects in her book The Impatient Patchworker, (Retail Price: $22.99). As the title indicates, all of the projects in this book can be completed in a matter of a few hours, so they are great for those who are new to sewing, or for advanced sewers looking to create a project in a short amount of time. Whether sewers are looking for a few handmade projects to spruce up the decor of their homes, or they want to make heartfelt, hand-sewn gifts for family members or friends, The Impatient Patchworker has something for everyone.
Projects
The 20 patchwork projects included in the book consist of small items requiring only bits of fabric, such as the patched and padded hanger and the lavender bags. Other patterns create larger projects, such as the checkered cushion, striped place mats, and the padded shoulder bag. Within the book, readers will also find patterns for a clothespin bag, tablecloth, notebook cover and makeup bag, among others.
Each project includes a brief introduction to the project explaining things such as how in-depth the project will be and how it can be used. A materials list is included, which specifies the fabric and notions needed to complete the item. Step-by-step instructions are given, often with accompanying illustrations to help readers along the way. Lastly, color photos are provided so readers can see what the finished product will look like.
Additional Features
For those that are new to sewing and patchwork, this book provides a lot of help to get you started. The book includes a section on fabrics, providing tips on color choices, understanding color values and mixing prints. There is a section on equipment, providing an overview of the necessary tools needed to successfully make the projects within the book and there is a basic skills chapter to help readers learn the sewing techniques needed for these projects.
The basic skills chapter is helpful, with information such as using patchwork templates, cutting patches, rotary cutting, machine stitching, and finishing projects. However, new sewers might find the hand stitching section a bit simplistic. While there are illustrations, there are not step-by-step instructions for how to complete the hand stitches, so it may be difficult for some to replicate the stitches in their projects.
Overall, this book is a great collection of patterns that can be made quickly. Brand new sewers may need supplemental instructions for hand stitching, but those can easily be found on the Internet. This book is worth trying out, especially for those that like to see quick results from their sewing.
Source:
- Jayne Emerson. The Impatient Patchworker: 20 Great Projects You Can Make in a Hurry.New York: Potter Craft, 2006. ISBN: 0-307-33657-3
Jeris Swanhorst - After earning a Bachelor's degree in English, Literature from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2005, Jeris Swanhorst went on to earn ...
Join the Conversation