Improv Sewing: A Freeform Approach to Creative Techniques is a new book from Storey Publishing filled with “101 fast, fun and fearless projects” to sew and love. The sheer number of projects is enough to get excited over, but the variety of techniques (from upcycling to reverse applique) is a huge bonus.
Authors Nicole Blum and Debra Immergut show off 101 sewing projects in the same style of those on their blog that are suited for beginners and intermediate sewists. The freestyle approach to sewing includes appliqued and stitched motifs, based on simple designs, several of which require no pattern pieces. Many also feature recycled and upcycled materials. Projects in the book include embellished dresses, tunics, scarves, skirts, accessories, pillows, curtains and more.
The “Ruffled Dressy Dress” is a cute and comfy dress pattern embellished with texture, but there are several variations on this concept, including a simple two-piece shift dress. With clothing for women, men and kids, the book offers a diverse variety of patterns.
Feeling the need for some home decor? The “All-Weather Applique Mobile” pairs bright fabrics with whimsical shapes and machine embroidery, for a darling project that would suit a nursery or creative space.
The authors of Improv Sewing have a definite bent toward upcycling, and many of their projects show how to use free or inexpensive materials in a new way. This “Fused Plastic Wallet” has decorative stitching and is sized perfectly to slip your cash and a few credit cards inside.
This men’s reverse-applique tee is simple and stylish, with an organic design embellished on the lower front of the shirt. Kids and beginning sewists can learn this technique of reverse applique and hand-stitching to make clothing, accessories and home decor.
Free Projects
Storey Publishing was gracious to share two free projects from the book, including the:
Reverse applique ottoman cover
Giveaway!
Would you like to win a copy of Improv Sewing? Just leave a comment on this post to be entered to win. We’ll choose one random winner on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Check out the rest of the Improv Sewing blog tour at:
June 29: https://unanimouscraft.com/
July 10: https://www.craftfoxes.com/
Congrats to our giveaway winner, commenter #52 Fenna, who said: “Cool book! I like upcycling stuff–it’s a great way to re-use!”
60 comments
Just what I need to start me off on my sewing career!
This book looks like fun!
Looks like a great book!
This book is on my wish list! It looks like it has so many fun projects!
Looks like a great book.Thanks for the giveaway.
The all weather mobile is such a great project – such a cute rainbow!
This book looks like just what I have been looking for. I teach a class to a group of ladies at my church crafting and sewing and I am always looking for easy inexpensive things to do. Thanks for a chance to win.
I love to sew all the gifts I give and this book would be a fabulous pattern resource.
Looks like lots of fun projects to try out.
I like the Ruffled Dressy Dress.
It would be a great fun to sew it.
The fusible plastic wallet looks fun!
Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!
would love to have this book!!! always looking for fun new sewing ideas!!!!
Looks like a fantastic book, would be perfect to kickstart my Summer sewing.
xx
What a great book! Thanks!
Oh I would LOVE to have this book! It would so help my grandaughter and i get started on our Christmas gifts together!!
This looks like an amazing book that would be great for my daughter and I. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book. It contains so many fun projects.
I love upcycling projects! Thanks for the giveaway
I borrowed this book from the library and love it! It would be great to win it! Thanks for the give away.
This book looks like a lot of fun. I know my little 8yr. old daughter and I would get a lot of sewing out of it. Thanks for a chance to win it!
aliben7 (at) gmail (dot) com
this book looks like fun fun fun
OOOOOOOOhhhhhh! I so want this book – great giveaway – thank you so much!
This book looks like oodles of fun
I would LOVE a copy of this book! I love the ideas you show here from the book. I ofyen sew things w/o a pattern and think this book would help me improve my improv skills. Thanks!
looks like a fun book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
This book looks great, thanks for the chance to win it.
I can’t wait to check out the free projects! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds really cool. I would love some guidance.
Thank you for the chance to win.
Why, yes I WOULD like to win this book. In fact, I’d LOVE it! Thanks for the chance…Cheers!
That looks like a really fun book! Thanks for the chance to win it.
How cool! I would love this book! I often improv when I sew, but I know my technique isn’t all that great. This would be a great resource. Thanks for the review and opportunity to win.
This looks like a wonderful book. I love to repurpose and am always looking forinspiration as well as quick fun projects.
I think there are some great ideas just waiting to be uncovered in this book! Thanks for sharing!
Ooo!! I would LOVE to win this book!! It has so many neat ideas in it….would love to win it! Thanks!!
The projects lokk just great! Thanks for the chance to win- I’d sure would love to win this book!!!!
Love to win this great book!
This book looks super sweet! Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi there, I would love to win this book. Looks like a lot of inspiration . Great giveaway!
Janelle
Emmaline Bags & Sewing Patterns
the stacked rock tshirt alone is worth the book. so many more inspiring projects!
I love a bit of upcycling -looks like a really useful book, thanks for the review and giveaway
I’ve been in the book publishing business for a long time, and have worked with Storey in the past. They take a lot of pride in their books, and their designs are creative. This is a great combination of a creative approach to sewing with a creative publisher.
This book looks great!
cool book! I like upcycling stuff–it’s a great way to re-use!
Thanks for this review! The book looks awesome. Would love to add it to my crafty library:)
WOW!! This looks like a great book, so many different and varied projects in it. Thanks for the wonderful review.
Looks like great inspiration for some fun summer projects!
this is my kind of book. I love it! I hope I win
Looks like a great book! thanks for the review and giveaway.
I am a new sewer and I think this would be a book for me! thank you!
Looks like an interesting book full of great ideas!
Deborah
homemakerhoney @gmail .com
Love what I see in this book. I could always use a new book.
😉
Have a WHIMSICAL day!
Love this book. I have recently returned to sewing after a very long absence. Now I’m hooked on this blog too. THANKS, ‘Buds!
I love the idea of free form sewing. Thanks for the giveaway!
Looks like it has a lot of fun, cool projects. Thanks for the giveaway!
my book just came in the mail, can’t wait to play!! I would still be ok winning, also.
ooh i was just pondering this book the other day. I would love to extend my skill and get a bit of inspiration. thank you ofr the give away
looks like a fun book!
This book is sweet! I would love to win.
This is the kind of book I love to get!