Cheryl Owen - Love... Sewing: 25 Simple Step-by-step Projects to Sew

The craft of sewing has been hugely popular for centuries, for both pleasure and practical purposes and with the fabulous choice of inexpensive fabrics that are widely available today, sewing has not lost its appeal. All the ideas in this book are not only beautiful to look at and fun to make but are useful too. Be inspired to make soft furnishings for the home and lifestyle accessories for yourself. Many of the projects would make lovely gifts for family and friends if you can bear to part with them!

Those who love fabric will probably have a glorious stash of fabrics and trimmings waiting to be dipped into and turned into innovative creations. Large quantities of materials are not required so you may find inspiration for a favourite fabric you have been waiting to use. Most of the projects featured are quick to make so are ideal for a novice and those with little spare time. All the essential sewing techniques you need are explained in detail at the beginning of the book and each project has concise instructions and step-by-step photographs to guide you through.

Whether you are a complete beginner or are already a keen needleworker, you will soon be learning new skills or embarking on a new hobby such as patchwork or quilting. And, more importantly, you will have a collection of beautiful handmade items to add style and individuality to your home!

Most of the projects in this book are made from cotton and linen, which are natural fibres that are easy to work with, so are ideal for beginners. Fabrics made from natural fibres are prone to shrink so it is advisable to wash fabrics before cutting out.

Cotton There is an enormous range of printed cotton fabrics available to buy online or from fabric and craft stores. Many are produced for patchwork and quilting purposes and are complemented by co-coordinating plain coloured cottons. Also consider cotton lace such as cutwork and broderie anglaise, which lend themselves to creating feminine gifts.

Linen This strong, natural fabric is available in different weights. Linen is expensive and creases easily but feels luxurious.

Furnishing fabric These durable fabrics are used to make soft furnishings. They come in lots of finishes and printed patterns and are usually 137 cm (54 in) wide.

Fleece and felt Fleece is also known as polar fleece. It has a combed nap which makes it warm and cosy. Iron fleece with a cool iron. Felt is a non-woven material, it is inexpensive and comes in a large range of colours. Fleece and felt dont fray so they are ideal to cut motifs from to add as decoration to your creations.

Interfacing Stiffen fabric with interfacing. Non-woven and woven varieties come in different weights to suit their purpose. They are sold in packs or by the metre. Press iron-on (fusible) interfacing or tack sew-in interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.

Wadding Layer wadding between fabrics to pad them to make quilts. Cotton and eco-friendly bamboo wadding is available although polyester wadding is most commonly used. Wadding comes in different weights.

Tear-away stabilizer Place this non-woven material under fabric to be machine embroidered. It adds body and supports the fabric. Gently tear away the excess stabilizer after stitching.

Most of the items mentioned here can be found in good department stores or specialist sewing shops. Its always a good idea to keep a collection of buttons, ribbons and other trimmings as you come across them you will soon find a use for them!