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Art & Craft, DIY ideas and Tutorials – Craftbuds
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Review: Improv Sewing + Giveaway

  • Lindsay
  • June 27, 2012
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Improv Sewing book cover

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.

Improv Sewing book table of contents

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.

Improv Sewing ruffled dress

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.

Improv Sewing rainbow mobile

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.

Improv Sewing fused plastic wallet

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.

Improv Sewing Reverse Applique Tee

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 t-shirt

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!”

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  • accessories
  • book review
  • craft book
  • improv diary
  • sew clothing
  • sewing accessories
  • sewing basics
  • sewing book
  • storey publishing
Lindsay

Hi, I’m Lindsay Conner, an author, modern quilter, editor, and founder of the Lindsay Sews blog. I’m a Baby Lock ambassador and Stash Books author who loves writing modern sewing and quilt patterns for beginners and weekend sewists! I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband, son, and two loveable cats, Murph and Chloe. I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I saved my dollar bills for trips with my mom to Jo-Ann Fabrics, where I’d find new floss for friendship bracelets or mini cross-stitch kits. Because my mom has always shared my love for crafting, she bought me my first sewing machine, a Hello Kitty Janome.

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60 comments
  1. Lisa McAllister says:
    June 27, 2012 at 2:36 am

    Just what I need to start me off on my sewing career!

    Reply
  2. Christy says:
    June 27, 2012 at 6:50 am

    This book looks like fun!

    Reply
  3. Brie says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Looks like a great book!

    Reply
  4. Andrea says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:23 am

    This book is on my wish list! It looks like it has so many fun projects!

    Reply
  5. Lynda says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:26 am

    Looks like a great book.Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  6. Hilary says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:27 am

    The all weather mobile is such a great project – such a cute rainbow!

    Reply
  7. Margaret R says:
    June 27, 2012 at 7:48 am

    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.

    Reply
  8. DianeH says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:07 am

    I love to sew all the gifts I give and this book would be a fabulous pattern resource.

    Reply
  9. Carrie P. says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:26 am

    Looks like lots of fun projects to try out.

    Reply
  10. yogiela says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:37 am

    I like the Ruffled Dressy Dress.
    It would be a great fun to sew it.

    Reply
  11. Baye says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:45 am

    The fusible plastic wallet looks fun!

    Reply
  12. Courtney Elwell says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:59 am

    Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  13. Tara B says:
    June 27, 2012 at 9:15 am

    would love to have this book!!! always looking for fun new sewing ideas!!!!

    Reply
  14. Sarah says:
    June 27, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Looks like a fantastic book, would be perfect to kickstart my Summer sewing.
    xx

    Reply
  15. LauraH says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:12 am

    What a great book! Thanks!

    Reply
  16. Deborah says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Oh I would LOVE to have this book! It would so help my grandaughter and i get started on our Christmas gifts together!!

    Reply
  17. Jen E says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:20 am

    This looks like an amazing book that would be great for my daughter and I. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  18. Brenda says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book. It contains so many fun projects.

    Reply
  19. Kandra says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:59 am

    I love upcycling projects! Thanks for the giveaway

    Reply
  20. Kathy says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:04 am

    I borrowed this book from the library and love it! It would be great to win it! Thanks for the give away.

    Reply
  21. Alison says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:13 am

    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

    Reply
  22. natasha j says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:31 am

    this book looks like fun fun fun

    Reply
  23. Donna M Davis says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:39 am

    OOOOOOOOhhhhhh! I so want this book – great giveaway – thank you so much!

    Reply
  24. Jessie H says:
    June 27, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    This book looks like oodles of fun

    Reply
  25. Dawn says:
    June 27, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
  26. nicole says:
    June 27, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    looks like a fun book!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  27. Kathrynn says:
    June 27, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    This book looks great, thanks for the chance to win it.

    Reply
  28. Elizabeth says:
    June 27, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    I can’t wait to check out the free projects! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  29. Lori Smanski says:
    June 27, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    This sounds really cool. I would love some guidance.
    Thank you for the chance to win.

    Reply
  30. Jeannie D says:
    June 27, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    Why, yes I WOULD like to win this book. In fact, I’d LOVE it! Thanks for the chance…Cheers!

    Reply
  31. Ella says:
    June 27, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    That looks like a really fun book! Thanks for the chance to win it.

    Reply
  32. Mollyp says:
    June 27, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    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.

    Reply
  33. Ramona says:
    June 27, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    This looks like a wonderful book. I love to repurpose and am always looking forinspiration as well as quick fun projects.

    Reply
  34. Jennyroo says:
    June 27, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    I think there are some great ideas just waiting to be uncovered in this book! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  35. Marie P says:
    June 28, 2012 at 12:07 am

    Ooo!! I would LOVE to win this book!! It has so many neat ideas in it….would love to win it! Thanks!!

    Reply
  36. Gunilla says:
    June 28, 2012 at 1:25 am

    The projects lokk just great! Thanks for the chance to win- I’d sure would love to win this book!!!!

    Reply
  37. Hueisei says:
    June 28, 2012 at 3:05 am

    Love to win this great book!

    Reply
  38. Karrie Smith says:
    June 28, 2012 at 4:04 am

    This book looks super sweet! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  39. Janelle says:
    June 28, 2012 at 5:47 am

    Hi there, I would love to win this book. Looks like a lot of inspiration . Great giveaway!
    Janelle
    Emmaline Bags & Sewing Patterns

    Reply
  40. amy castillo says:
    June 28, 2012 at 10:00 am

    the stacked rock tshirt alone is worth the book. so many more inspiring projects!

    Reply
  41. mary says:
    June 28, 2012 at 11:04 am

    I love a bit of upcycling -looks like a really useful book, thanks for the review and giveaway

    Reply
  42. Sonja says:
    June 28, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    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.

    Reply
  43. AnnaKul says:
    June 28, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    This book looks great!

    Reply
  44. fenna says:
    June 28, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    cool book! I like upcycling stuff–it’s a great way to re-use!

    Reply
  45. Tracie says:
    June 28, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    Thanks for this review! The book looks awesome. Would love to add it to my crafty library:)

    Reply
  46. Mhairi says:
    June 29, 2012 at 8:31 am

    WOW!! This looks like a great book, so many different and varied projects in it. Thanks for the wonderful review.

    Reply
  47. Megan says:
    June 29, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Looks like great inspiration for some fun summer projects!

    Reply
  48. lynaeve says:
    June 30, 2012 at 12:37 am

    this is my kind of book. I love it! I hope I win

    Reply
  49. Lee says:
    July 1, 2012 at 8:31 am

    Looks like a great book! thanks for the review and giveaway.

    Reply
  50. Chris says:
    July 1, 2012 at 8:32 am

    I am a new sewer and I think this would be a book for me! thank you!

    Reply
  51. Deborah says:
    July 2, 2012 at 1:39 am

    Looks like an interesting book full of great ideas!

    Deborah
    homemakerhoney @gmail .com

    Reply
  52. Jenn says:
    July 2, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Love what I see in this book. I could always use a new book.
    😉

    Have a WHIMSICAL day!

    Reply
  53. AnnieDee says:
    July 3, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Love this book. I have recently returned to sewing after a very long absence. Now I’m hooked on this blog too. THANKS, ‘Buds!

    Reply
  54. Sandy says:
    July 3, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I love the idea of free form sewing. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  55. Erin B says:
    July 3, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    Looks like it has a lot of fun, cool projects. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  56. emme says:
    July 3, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    my book just came in the mail, can’t wait to play!! I would still be ok winning, also.

    Reply
  57. Adrienne R says:
    July 3, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    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

    Reply
  58. steph says:
    July 4, 2012 at 10:42 am

    looks like a fun book!

    Reply
  59. PegK says:
    July 4, 2012 at 11:42 am

    This book is sweet! I would love to win.

    Reply
  60. shirley says:
    July 4, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    This is the kind of book I love to get!

    Reply

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