Made to Measure by Elisalex Jewell

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
From that first crooked apron made in HomeEc class to quilting, home decor, and costumes, I've sewed it all. I confess that I tried Simplicity, McCalls, NewLook, and other patterns. So did my mom, except that she customized them to her shape and mine like a dressmaker.

I wish I'd had this book instead. What if I could draft and customize clothing to my mood and figure without patterns? 

Well I can - and so can you with the help of this book. Have fun with it. Buy wild fabrics, leave your sewing machine out, and open to the one of sixteen projects that gets your mind buzzing.

Recommended for beginner and advancing creators.

Quilter's Scrap Pantry by SusanClaire Mayfield

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Oh my. You have as many scraps as I do, after a few years of sewing? Do you have a hard time tossing a perfectly good strip or squares? What to do? 

Mayfield comes to the rescue, demonstrating how to organize and use those offcuts. There are block patterns, quilt layouts, measurements, and more. You even get templates to label your scrap drawers or boxes. 

It's short. It's concise and practical. I liked it. And I'll use it. I'm looking forward to making some exciting quilts with my memory fabrics. 

Sustainable Wardrobe by Sophie Benson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

I learned to sew by watching my mother. Then I learned how to use patterns and fancy stitches in junior high. (The alternative class was woodworking, which didn't appeal to me.)

But I learned some tricks and tips from Benson on what kind of clothing to keep and discard. I skimmed through information on where and how fabric and clothing is made before plunging into ideas for reworking and updating my closet with simple DIYs. From sorting and repairing, from acquiring to maintaining, there's a lesson here for everyone.

You'll find out how to replace a button. How to tackle holes and tears. And you'll be surprised at how easy it is because of the many clear photos. Recommended for the beginning and intermediate sewer - or those teaching classes on sustainable fashion and sewing.

First Time Sewing with a Serger by Becky Hanson, Beth Ann Baumgartel

★★★★★ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
You bought a machine because it's cool, looks easy, and you thought you knew what to do. Now that it's home, you have no idea where to start. Okay, here you go!

This little volume will introduce you to the purposes, parts, and processes of sergers. The clear pictures and detailed text will help you get started. And from there, you'll have lots of ideas on what your serger is designed for. Have fun - opens the world of clip and sew beyond the sewing store classroom!

Highly recommended. Your #1 go-to once you get that serger out of the box.