FABRIC BY FABRIC ONE YARD WONDERS introduces a fabric type,
then highlights how a yard or less of it can be used to
create practical clothing, accessories (everything from
scarves to diaper bags), and home decor items. Some
projects allow you to get multiple pieces of a set of
matching items out of one yard. The instructions are clear
and outlined step-by-step. Occasionally, knowledge is
assumed of a basic sewing technique, such as when an
instruction will simply say, "create buttonhole." Patterns
are included for some projects, whereas others require
measuring and cutting basic shapes, and a few recommend
measuring the wearer for a custom fit.
This is an excellent resource for beginning sewers, with
information on reading and using patterns and making
friends with your sewing machine. Even more advanced
sewers will find the "Fabric Type Cheat Sheet" and
information at the beginning of each section on best
practices for each type of fabric valuable.
Projects vary in difficulty, for a variety of skill levels,
and are fresh and modern. Many of them teach different
sewing techniques (such as gathering, smocking, tufting and
quilting). The apparel designs are decidedly young in
feel. Some of the clothes are intended for adults, but the
majority are sized for children. Some of the patterns
encourage making the project your own, such as the option
of adding extra embellishments to the "Flirty Skirty," or
adding numbers to the "Kansachi Clock." A number of the
home decor patterns involve gluing the cut fabric to other
objects.
The one-yard of fabric parameter makes a few of the
projects feel limited in scale. Overall, though, the
attractive photographs make the projects appealing, and
their variety and whimsy ensures there is something
everyone will want to try.
This book is a follow-up to ONE YARD WONDERS, and the
editors chose the best entries from an open call for fabric
designers to submit designs highlighting their favorite
fabrics.
Note: I reviewed a digital edition of this book, and thus
did not have access to the packet of patterns.
The best-selling authors of One-Yard Wonders are back with
another all-new amazing collection of 101 sewing projects.
Responding to the increasingly diverse range of fabric
weights and types now available, Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard
Wonders is organized by fabric type. From home dec to knits,
wool to flannels, corduroy to cottons, these patterns show
how to make the most of each fabric’s unique characteristics.
Sewers will love the affordability and ease of these
patterns, each requiring just one yard of fabric. There’s
something for every skill level and interest. Waterproof
coated cotton fabrics are perfect for a gym bag or set of
bicycle panniers, wool makes a warm cap for the outdoor
enthusiast, knit jersey whips up quickly into a ruffle scarf
or sassy dress, corduroy makes a sturdy farmers’ market
tote, lightweight cotton voile is perfect for a little
girl’s smocked sundress, and cozy pink fleece makes an
irresistible mother pig and piglets stuffed toy set. The
perfect blend of fabric and function is evident throughout
this wide-ranging collection.
Every project is shown in a full-color photograph,
accompanied by detailed step-by-step instructions and
illustrations and a complete cutting layout. All required
pattern pieces are included in a secure envelope inside the
book. As with the original One-Yard Wonders, the
contributors to this volume include popular sewing bloggers
and designers from all over North America. This blockbuster
collection of projects is sure to be enthusiastically
embraced by the ever-growing number of fans of one-yard sewing.