Made at Home [Illustrated] [Paperback]

As a novice sewer, I cannot appreciate the wonderfully set-out diagrams and instructions more. One feature I really like is the cute little iron symbol throughout telling you when to iron. This may seem obvious to the more experienced, but to me it was really useful! Of my "How-to-sew" books, this one by far has the best description of different stitches and the only one that shows how to finish a zip off nicely and how to make a buttonhole by hand.

The projects in this book are lovely and I can't wait to decorate my home: foot-pouffe, suit carrier and cafe curtains? Yes please! Some patterns come with templates, some with instructions on how to make one out of newspaper (great idea!) and others use the size of the fabric itself. There is no rating system (i.e. easy/medium/challenging) used for the projects which I think is positive feature as I often hold myself back from anything that isn't absolute beginner. The instructions are so well written that anyone really could make anything they wanted.

My only problem now is to decide on my perfect fabric.

I love sewing books and adore fabric so was thrilled to learn that Lisa Stickley had written a book about both. With a rising trend towards people sewing items for their homes Made at Home is ideal, even if you have never sewn before in your life.

In the front pages of the book Lisa explains different sewing terms, stitches and the importance of choosing the right fabric, just as you would choose ingredients for a recipe. This is a great guide for beginners and even accomplished seamstresses.

The projects in Made at Home are clearly set out by the room you would chose to use them, with ideas for cushions, napkins, table runners, teacosies and many more. All the projects are shown as a finished item in Lisa Stickleys gorgeous fabrics.

Throughout Made at Home you feel like Lisas fabulous personality shines through with each description or illustration. And the illustrations are wonderful!

Made at Home is a wonderfully simple book with comprehensive instructions that a beginner would not find daunting and a more advanced sewer or fabric lover will love.

Made at Home by Lisa Stickley is a book i think everyone should have when they move into their own home and want to stamp their own individuality onto it.
the book begins with a comprehensive list of fabrics avaliable and their individual properties, along with some guidance as to their best use. there is also a list of basic equipment required when starting a project along with an additional list of things you may wish to add to the basics.
the book then contains diagrams and written instructions for a number of stitches used throughout the book before moving onto seams, buttonholes and inserting zips. the instructions are all very clear, concise and easy to follow.
the remainder of the book is devoted to many project ideas for items around the home. There are many ideas in the book, many of them old fashioned which are having a comeback in the modern home. Cushions, tea cosies, napkins, cushions and bedspreadss are among the projects which aim to have minimal sewing skils. Each project begins with a introduction, detailling its use in the home or the advantage of having the project in your own home. the instructions are again clear, concise and contain diagrams to further aid the reader. there is also a chapter at the back of the book containing the templates needed to complete the projects.
The projects are easy enough for a beginner to tackle but i also believe the book would be a great aid for the more experienced sewer as the projects could be developed further and a sewer could add their own style to the projects.
I have a basic understanding of sewing techniques but like to have instructions to refer to when tackling anything more complicated that shortening a pair of trousers. The book has inspired me to get my sewing machine out of its dusty corner and try some of the projects, transforming my home into fabric chic! there will soon be no door without a doorstop and my husband will not be allowed to travel without his handmade suit carrier to keep his clothes clean and presentable.
I would like to thank Quadrille for sending me this book to review.