Alice Caroline - Sew Pretty for Little Girls: Over 20 Simple Sewing Projects in Timeless Floral Prints

www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk

This book is packed with totally straight-forward yet beautiful projects, with every step carefully explained. Youll find all the guidance you need to support you through the process, particularly if you are a newcomer to the wonderful world of sewing! Ive heard many people say that they cant sew its not their thing but if you have even a vague desire to have a go, there is still time, you can learn. Sometimes past or school experiences can be off-putting, but the joy of trying as an adult is that no-one is there to grade you; youre free to enjoy the process and start at a level you feel comfortable with. Youre doing it for you. Youll be surprised at how quickly your sewing skills build and how you can reconnect with your creativity to produce a project to be proud of. Or if youre already one of the converted, a confirmed sewing addict, I hope that the projects, fabrics and colour combinations in this book will provide fresh inspiration.

The projects in this book are arranged in three sections, but you can dive in wherever you like. The easiest projects are the Holly scatter cushions, the Gwen belt, the Fleur embellished party skirt and the Sara drawstring bag; all fun makes with beautiful, individual results.

Theres nothing quite like the zen feeling of flow that can come from working with your hands, doing a grounded task; the sensation of working with beautiful colours and textures; or the relaxation that comes from focusing on enjoyable work. Admittedly, its not always like this sometimes it can be so frustrating when youre unpicking what feels like miles of stitching! But theres a certain sense of triumph when you overcome a particular problem or keep persevering and it comes right in the end. Ive also discovered a new awareness of what it takes to make something an awareness that makes me appreciate the time and effort thats gone into making the shirt Im wearing or the bedding I sleep in.

Not so long ago clothes and fashion items were not as abundant as they are now. Nowadays so many things are readily available, that it makes it all the more special to make something individual. You have the choice of which colours and patterns to pair, so you can create something uniquely you.

Equally, bought gifts are lovely, but a unique handmade gift is a precious, appreciated thing indeed. Sometimes a project may be inspired by a friend: you might see a fabric and think ooh, she would love that, or perhaps the project item will be the starting point.

Seeing children playing with or wearing something that you made with your own hands can give you such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction. Your gift, whether it is a dress, a toy, a cushion or a quilt, becomes woven into their childhood. I love being able to create the same kinds of memories Ive had for my kids, a new generation.

If your granny didnt teach you to sew, be not downhearted. There is an army of YouTube teachers out there, ready to give you all the tips and tricks you might need.

I was one of the lucky ones, coming to sewing through my grandma, and my mum. My grandma kept any clothing that was too worn to wear any more, and cut it up to use for the quilts she made. She hardly ever bought fabric because it was a dark era before quilting shops, and why would she when my grandfathers shirts did such a good job? My understanding of the importance and pleasure of making by hand came, foremost, from her because she was always quilting. It was a constant dawn-to-dusk activity that produced epic quilts, often given away as gifts. Not to mention the hand-crocheted tablecloth that took her 40 years to make, one tiny square a day. I must admit that although my grandmother did all of her quilting by hand, I prefer to use a machine for speed.

However, it was my mum who actually taught me to sew and took the time to teach me to patchwork, to cut out patterns and how to use a sewing machine. And it was my mum who inspired my love of bright colours. I then began to have an inkling of the satisfaction a creative life could bring.

After an eight-year adventure in scientific research, I rediscovered my maker side, and started making bags, dresses and quilts, moving into designing patterns for bags and quilts, always with a mission to support new crafters through clear, detailed instructions. I have always admired Japanese sewing books, with step-by-step pictures that are so clear Im able to follow the instructions without understanding a word of Japanese. Alongside designing, I started my business Alice Caroline, selling the patterns and an ever-growing curated range of Liberty Art Fabrics. I had always loved Liberty fabrics but they were hard to source, and I imagined that there must be others out there who shared my love.

I tend towards the fly-by-night sewing after the kids have gone to bed, and the house is quiet, I will head to my studio. It is also fun to attempt some simpler projects when the kids are around. They love being involved, and I like to think that even if they are just throwing fabric everywhere, they are beginning to learn a wonderful skill.

My sister laughs at my solution to the perennial I have nothing to wear dilemma I have been known to run up a dress the night before a wedding or party, on more than one occasion. Sometimes its not quite finished on the inside but no one will know! Im not saying I dont have a long-term, on-the-go project pile, but most appealing to me are the kind of simple projects Ive shared with you in this book. I am always on the look-out for great projects that do not take up too much time its really satisfying to have beautiful results from one or two evenings work. The longer projects dont have to be done in one go a couple of hours an evening will add up over a week or two.