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Fun and easy ways to make some unique gifts
https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/Easy-to-make-Handmade-Gifts

#nonfiction
#crafts

4/5⭐ As a reference it's wonderfully informative with tons of illustrations and photos. The author uses muslin to demonstrate so many variations of gathering, shirring, ruffles, flounces, godets, pleating, smocking, tucking, cording, quilting, stuffing, and darts. She also shows how combinations of these methods can be used to produce beautiful patterns in creative projects. I can see why this book is recommended in crafting circles so often.

4/5⭐ Even though there are only 12 projects, it's the ideas for mixing and matching techniques that really make this book so useful. The steps and images are clear, and the projects range from beginner to advanced.

I created my own #readingbracket2024, and my January pick is The Hero's Closet!

3/5⭐ While the projects, primarily folios and pouches, are useful, there are few illustrations compared to steps involved. Considering how complex some of the projects are, it just gets confusing.

4/5⭐ I love anything to do with organizing, and this book hit the spot. These projects offer lots of variety for storage, containers, and organizers for the home. Some are more complex than others, but the photographs make the instructions easier to follow. Most of the projects are likely for sewists who have some experience already.

3/5⭐ The projects are divided into various Christmas styles (rustic, Scandinavian, traditional, monochrome, kids, and contemporary). There's some repetition of project ideas, like stockings and wreaths, but if you're really into Christmas decorations this book will be great for you.

2/5⭐ Specific styles aside (1997 was A Time), the projects in this book are good if you're looking for various types of caddies especially. Unfortunately there are almost no step-by-step images and the instructions are hard to follow. The book also doesn't explain important sewing terms/processes.

4.5/5⭐ I'm impressed by how thorough this book is on how to make costumes; the instructions can also be used for making clothing in general. I'll probably still need to watch videos on some of the techniques, but overall the descriptions and images are clear. The book provides patterns and instructions for basic pieces that can be combined and altered to create the most common costumes/cosplays, along with details for making those alterations.

Points for presentation. These kinds of books always have amazing photographs. I think my recent marathon of mending books is skewing my perspective. There are helpful nuggets but it's the disconnect between the title and subtitle: there are visible mending techniques and projects introduced, but there are also a number that are just creation/decoration. Lovely making by hand, but not my first choice as a mending reference.