Colin - Sew creative: 13 projects to make your own - tons of techniques

Publisher: Amy Marson

Creative Director: Gailen Runge

Editors: Karla Menaugh and Liz Aneloski

Technical Editor: Linda Johnson

Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek

Production Coordinator: Tim Manibusan

Production Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi

Illustrator: Linda Johnson

Photo Assistant: Mai Yong Vang

Photography by Jennifer Pol Colin, unless otherwise noted

Published by FunStitch Studio, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

dedication

To Marlne, Louisa, and Marilou

acknowledgments

I feel so grateful for the people who have believed in me and supported me throughout my sewing journey.

First, I would like to thank my students. Without you, I wouldnt have learned how to sew and design so playfully. Many thanks are due to their parents who had confidence in me.

And because we all have to start somewhere, I will always feel very thankful for these people who gave me the first chance to teach what I love. Catherine and Gloria from the International School of Boston and Valrie from the San Diego French-American School, thank you.

Thank you to my friends, old and new, close and far, but most of all to my friend Barbara for supporting me when I opened my studio in San Diego; I didnt know a lot of people and I barely spoke English. Thanks to her daughter Ava too; I could not have hoped for a better student!

Of course, I would like to thank my dear family, who supports me all the time. First, to my husband and best friend, Olivierthank you for being so positive, optimistic, and encouraging. Thank you for being who you are.

Thank you to my three sweet daughterssewists and little artists who are so spontaneous and involved in my work. You are my muses, my models, and this entire book is designed for and with you!

Thank you, Mom, for your unfailing support of all my entrepreneurial endeavors. Thank you for truly believing in me. I love you.

Finally, thank you to my two grandmothers, who are both so talented and have such generous hearts. I always think of you in your sewing rooms as Im sewing.

Thank you to all the contributors without whom the projects wouldnt look so nice: Dear Stella Fabrics, National Nonwovens, DMC Threads, and Coats & Clark. I appreciate the generous donations of great, high-quality fabrics and supplies.

Introduction

Sew Creative offers quick and simple projects, but also more sophisticated ones. You will find awesome projects for traveling, trendy clothing for everyday style, cool decor for your room, and useful accessories.

THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Are you growing up and you want to affirm your own style?

Do you love to sew unique things and are you eager to discover new techniques?

Do you love arts and crafts?

Are you already a sewist with basic sewing skills?

If you have already gained confidence sewing by yourself this book is for you too!

Youll develop your sewing skills through very useful techniques and explore all the ways to personalize your sewing projects by using art supplies for modern sewists and crafters. Each project includes step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow as you create your own design.

For most of the projects, you have the choice of several designs so you can make a version that matches your personality. Look at the gallery photos at the end of each project to explore or find inspiration to create your very own version. If you want to make your project simple and plainno worries; customization is just an option. But I will always encourage you to make your creation special and unique, because you are special and unique.

Are you ready to come along with me on a sewing journey?

Lets be creative and have fun!

Jennifer

Fabrics and Supplies

get to know the fabrics

Most of the projects in this book are based on fabrics you could easily find in any fabric store. They are chosen for their neutral look, which makes them easy to customize.

Wovens

These come in millions of prints and solid colors and are made from threads going in two directions. The main direction is called the grainline or the length of grain, which is parallel to the selvage (the tightly woven edges where the manufacturer prints their brand name and the name of the designer). The other threads are woven crosswise, perpendicular to the selvage. Woven fabrics usually fray, so you may need to zigzag, baste or pink the edges.

QUILTING COTTON Quilting-quality cotton is light- or medium-weight and is easy to use and sew. It is available in a huge variety of prints, usually 4244 wide.

DECORATOR-WEIGHT COTTON This cotton is much heavier than quilting cotton. Decorator cottons are usually 54 wide, which can be helpful for large projects. But the choice of prints is not as varied as quilting cotton, and the fabric can be a bit pricey.

CANVAS Unbleached cotton cloth (cotton canvas) is my favorite heavyweight fabric. Its ideal to paint on and use for lining. I love its neutral look. It comes in a 45 width and there is no real difference between the right or wrong side.

Knits

Although I use a nonstretchy sweater-knit fabric for the Dolman T-Shirt and Raglan Sweatshirt, most knit fabrics are stretchy. Often, you have to use a zigzag stitch at the seams to keep the elasticity of the fiber. Before you cut any knit fabric, check to see which direction has the most stretch and make sure the length of the garment does not run parallel to this direction.

Felt

Felt is ideal for crafting and sewing; its sturdy and its edges do not fray. Synthetic felt, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, can be found everywhere and in a variety of colors. Or you can choose felt in natural fibers such as wool and bamboo (my fave!). Felt can be found in the craft section sold by the sheet (letter size), or in the yardage department sold on 72-wide bolts.

Keep in mind synthetic felt melts, so always cover it with a cloth if you need to iron it.

Oilcloth

Oilcloth is regular cotton fabric fused with a thin layer of vinyl. Its perfect for making water-resistant, easy-wash items. The selection in fabric stores is generally limited, but you can find more online. Theres also the option of making your own by ironing fusible vinyl to fabric, or asking a parent for a tablecloth made from oilcloth that you can cut! You can also use a solid-color vinyl totally made from plastic.

sewing supplies and tools

Basic Sewing Kit

1. Pins and pincushion

2. Fabric scissors

3. Thread snipers

4. Measuring tape

5. Flat ruler and/or regular ruler

6. Erasable fabric-marking pen (My favorite: FriXion pens by Pilot!)

7. Chalk marker

8. Seam ripper

9. Tracing wheel

10. Point turner and presser

11. Hand sewing needles

12. Sewing machine needles

13. Safety pins

14. Awl

Hot Tools!

IRON AND HOT GLUE GUN Be super careful when you are using a tool that gets hot. Make sure you tell an adult that you are using it, and ask for help if you need it.

Optional Tools

EMBROIDERY NEEDLE A little thicker than regular hand sewing needle; you need it to sew with embroidery floss or perle cotton on the Dolman T-Shirt and the Couching Stitch Pillow.