Two Book Reviews

I have been reading a lot lately and these two books are ones I find myself picking up and reading over and over. They are my two latest inspirations. I hope you will think about them for your Holiday wish list perhaps.

I ran across this book on the author's blog one day. She was all excited about it coming out and I decided to preorder it from Amazon. It was edited and put out my the same people who did Sally Jean's Pretty Little Things. The author's name is Julie Collings. I had a feeling it would be pretty good. Plus I have been getting into felt in a fairly serious way, so.......it seemed like there were not many good books out there. Well....let's just say there are now.

After breaking my foot I have had some time to devote to reading while propping my foot up or waiting at the doctor's office, etc... I have read this book cover to cover several times. There are some great projects, the projects are detailed and well photographed, the instructions are great, and everything is beautifully done.

One of the things I like about this book is that a beginner sewer will be inspired as will a more experienced sewer. There are projects you could do with a daughter or granddaughter, young or teen. There are several really nice gift projects also. If you like felt you will love this book. That is pretty much all I can say about it. Except I am working on one of the little felt book projects....

This is an incredible book. Rayna Gillman goes through every thing you need to know - from start to finish, tools and supplies, the whole scha- scham. I have read the book at least three times and I cannot find anything that she left out. It is well written, beautifully illustrated, and full of money saving tips. This book is for the novice and the experienced.

Since I have been sewing a lot the past two years - finally have a designated space - the idea of painting and dying my own fabric is something I want to become a reality. This book has shown me I can do it, and cheaper than I thought. I might not ever be an expert or do it to the extent that the author does, but it is something that I will spend some time at. I am recommending this book to anybody who paints or dyes fabric to use in their art work. You can also see Rayna Gillman's studio in the new Paper Cloth and Scissors Studio magazine.