Book Review Corner

Hi all,
It's time again for Book Review Corner!
Today my subject is Sew Liberated by Meg McElwee.
In this time of books by bloggers there can be a gap between the excitement of the projects and the quality of the instructions.

This, however, is not the case with Ms. McElwee's new book.

First of all, the projects in this book are delightful.
The book is divided into 3 chapters -

Domestic Art :Projects for Making a House a Home Pampered Artist: Projects for Spoiling Yourself and Small Stitches: Projects for Babies and Children.
Ms. McElwee is a genius with applique of all kinds.
There are projects here for hand-applique, machine applique and reverse applique.
Each project has style and whimsy, it's difficult to decide which project is the first one to make and enjoy.

Now here is the best part of this book.
The directions are wonderful.
Beyond being a sewist, Ms. McElwee is an educator.
She spent years as a Montessori teacher before she turned to writing patterns and eventually this book.
Ms. McElwee's skills as a teacher shine through here in her directions. Every technique is clearly described and there are step-by-step photos to guide you through the process.
I, for one, am quite excited to try her technique for reverse applique on knit fabric.

Lastly, as we love the quilts from silk around here, I wanted to highlight one more project.The Silken Circles Lap Quilt would be a perfect project to try Ms. McElwee's directions for applique circles, along with some basic quilting and embroidery skills.
Come by and check out our selection of silk douppioni and add this to your list of gifts to make for others, or yourself.

As always, please keep adding your photos to our flickr group and if you would like to see a book reviewed here on our blog please leave a comment.

Yours in Stitches,
The Treadlettes.