Wednesday 22 October 2008

Sew Fabulous Fabric

A few weeks ago I received this gorgeous book I won from http://theflourloft.blogspot.com/ the girls had recently had this book published and were giving away 3 books to celebrate their book being hot off the press which they co wrote together. Ginny and Alice had their own company making all sorts of items using vintage and found fabrics they were approached at the Country Living Fair and asked if they would like to write a book and that's how Fabulous Fabric came about. Guess who was the lucky winner of one of their books? Me that's who!! It felt like winning Willy Wonka's golden ticket out of over 50 comments I was one of the lucky 3! Yes I am feeling very smug about it how lucky I am I? I was completely delighted and could not wait for it to arrive. When it did land on my doorstep I was not disappointed not only did they send me their book I got a beautifully wrapped parcel which inside contained this starter kit containing 8 different beautifully patterned fabrics, felt, denim, some tweedy woolly type fabric, some cards and envelopes for making handmade cards and some corsage pins.

They have written a little message inside the book for me and also sent a stunning handmade card sorry there's no photo I have misplaced where I have put it this morning (what a narna!) I've put it a little too safely away as I want to frame it for my summerhouse, den, studio, office oh dear I don't know what to call it now autumns here summerhouse just doesn't sound right!


The book is separated into 4 sections Home Making, Out and About, Let's Celebrate and Lasting Memories at the back of the book there are patterns for the 20 projects in the book. It also has a fabric focus tip for each project recommending what fabrics work well .

What I love about the book is that it focuses on using recycled fabrics it has a really good section of sourcing fabrics. I love the idea of reusing fabric I have saved a lot of Emily and Elliotts baby clothes so that I can use the pretty patterns again in a cushion or picture so that I can keep them and enjoy them everyday. I now have something new to hunt for in the charity shops usually I head straight for the bric a brac but reading this book has inspired me to take a closer look at the clothes so I can add to my growing collection of fabrics.
The 20 projects in the book are all ones I'd like to have a go at, there are ideas for using every last scrap of fabric and scope for putting your own personal take on each project. Here are a few of the pages I have photographed. The photographs really are beautiful it is a really pretty book that would make a lovely gift for someone who is creative or maybe a treat for one self ?

Above a cosy draft excluder using found tweed, woollens and boucles.


A patchwork floral fairy cushion

Child's artwork made into a picture

Flower Corsages


Handmade Cards

I'm really looking forward to rummaging through my fabrics and having ago at one of the projects but what to start first I like them all? I have some nice tweedy fabric in my stash from a pair of Emily's old trousers think I'm going to have a go at a winter style corsage for myself. A special thankyou goes out to Ginny and Alice for sending me your book I am going to get lot's of enjoyment from it and it's just the inspiration I need to get sewing again.

11 comments:

Faye 'Country Chic' said...

Hi,
Oh you lucky thing, the book looks lovely. I too have saved lots of Ella clothes for the fabric... just need some time to do something with them (not much chance of that at the moment, business is going mad).
xFaye

Summer by the sea said...

Thank you for showing us inside the book, it definitely looks like my kind of book - its going on my christmas list - lucky you for winning one! - Natalie x

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah,
I am so pleased that you like the book and are hoping to try many of the projects. Thank you for the great write up too... you really got what the book is about and i shall be watching out for your 'charity' shop finds and your own creative interpretations.
Have a great weekend.
warm wishes
Ginny x

Simone said...

Thanks for blogging about this and giving an insight into the book. It is on my Christmas wish list!

Anonymous said...

what a lovely book - congratulations. I could do with a draught excluder...
lisa x

Petticoat Lane said...

Congrats on winning the book, it's so lovely isn't it?
What a great idea about using the childrens old clothes, I hadn't thought about doing that, but will now.
Jane. x

The Fairy Glade said...

Hi there, you lucky so and so. The book looks like it's right up my street. I have been mooning over the books on Amazon and have a list as long as my arm..but hey ho...sigh. Rejoined the library yesterday and had forgotten how nice it is to browse for books. Found some really nice craft books and that will have to do for now. dev X

Garden Girl said...

The girls who wrote the book are legends- I cheated and bought one of their corsages as cannot sew to save my life, and I am so pleased with it. I have worn it twice and had loads of compliments on it.
Lucky you to win their book, have fun with all the projects x

Anonymous said...

How lucky are you?! What a gorgeous package to receive.

Carol said...

I have it too ! it is a very inspiring book I cannot wait to get making. These days I seem to be having a blip...I look at all the lovely things and then never actually start anything.
Carol x

Lina said...

Oh lucky you! I'm coming back to the UK for Christmas and planning on buying this book when I get there. I'm your swap partner by the way for Lisa's magazine swap and I suddenly realised that I'd forgotten all about it! If you reply with your address, I can send you mine! Thanks

Lina x