Betz White - Present Perfect

This book is lovingly dedicated to my mom, Janice, who has given me so many gifts. Its my hope that I can be the inspiration to my family that shes been to me.

When I was a child, my mother sewed many of my clothes, from tops and shorts to matching dresses for me and my doll to Halloween costumes. While at the time I never considered any of these items to be gifts, being sewn for by my mother made me feel special and cared for. She took the time to consider my tastes and to find fabrics and styles that I would love to wear. She showed me that beautiful things can be made rather than bought. Not only that, they were unique and unlike what my friends were wearing. When I became interested in sewing, she taught me how to use her old featherweight machine. Her eagerness to create, be resourceful, and help me learn to sew became a part of who I am.

Betz wears her guitar recital dress made for her by her mother in 1974.

These lessons were her gift to me, one that Im honored to share. And what better way to share the gift of sewing than to create a collection of sewing projects for you to stitch and give to those you love? This was my intention behind writing this book, Present Perfect.

When designing the projects for Present Perfect, I strove for a balance between beauty and usefulness. Pretty things are so much more appreciated when they serve a purpose and fit into our lives with style and function.

The twenty-five projects in Present Perfect are divided into three collections that cover a wide range of gift-giving situations. Handmade personal accessories are great projects to sew and give for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations. The Memorable Milestones chapter has got you covered for those celebrations and virtually any other gift-giving event. From the , youll find something to make for everyone in your life. Maybe along the way youll even be inspired to sew one of these projects for yourself. You deserve a gift too, dont you?

The New and Little chapter focuses on babies and kids, offering simple projects for a last-minute shower present, such as the . Kids are always enjoyable to sew for because there are so many soft fabrics and playful prints available today. Whether you have kids or not, theres a perpetual need for baby gifts.

In the Happy Home chapter youll find a collection of projects to celebrate a move into a new home and to share with a host or hostess. Settling into a new place can be an exciting yet daunting time. A thoughtful gift such as the . Either may soon become your go-to hostess gift.

Sewing gifts lets you create something truly one of a kind. But making the perfect gift takes careful thought and consideration. While your creation can and should be a reflection of your own personality, take a moment to think about the recipients preferences. Envision his or her personal style, taste, and needs when choosing a project to sew. You can customize a gift by your choice of color and materials. Does the recipient like bold colors or neutral palettes? Does his or her lifestyle require practical fabrics, such as a washable cotton? Or would a fancier silk or wool suit the recipient?

It takes a little bit of matchmaking to combine the personality of the receiver with the perfect gift in the right fabric. For each project Ive suggested a material, but feel free to substitute with fabrics that have a similar weight and feel. Throughout this book youll also find hints for using alternative materials and ideas for upcycling. Reusing a fabric with a history, such as outgrown baby clothing, a grandfathers necktie, or a vintage sheet, can add an additional layer of meaning for a truly memorable gift.

Receiving a handmade gift feels incredibly special, knowing that it was made with love and care just for you. Ive witnessed my own childrens excitement build as theyve secretly made gifts for one another. Its a joy to see them find such pleasure in creating something that they know their sibling will love.

My hope is that you will thoroughly enjoy making and giving the projects in this book. Think of the recipients and what they mean to you while youre making their gifts. If you have fun with the process, it will most certainly show. And please dont worry about perfection. We are much harder on ourselves than we need to be. Your thoughtful, handmade gift will be received with all of the love and intention that you put into it.

In this book, theres an achievable gift for all levels of sewers, from the Confident Beginner, who has successfully sewn a few basic projects, to the Eager Intermediate, whos ready for a challenge, to the Seasoned Seamstress, who has seen and sewn it all. With a certain amount of sewing skills, a Confident Beginner can create a gift shes proud to give.

While I advocate letting go of perfection, I also believe in honing our skills to create things that are well crafted with lasting quality. Good craftsmanship is so important, especially for gift giving. It requires patience, practice, and a degree of confidence. Regardless of your experience, as you work through the projects, youll pick up a few tips, learn some new techniques, and get lots of good old-fashioned practice. The best part is, the more you sew, the more your confidence will grow!

From choosing the perfect fabric to trimming away the last stray threads, making a gift is deeply gratifying. My goal is for Present Perfect to provide you with ideas, inspiration, and information to help you create beautiful, useful things to give your family and loved ones. Sewing itself is a wonderful gift, one that allows you to express your style, creativity, and love through the things you make and give.