|
Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing | 
 enlarge | Author: Anna Maria Horner
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $13.87
You Save: $11.12 (44%)
New (28) Used (7) from $11.49
Rating:  17 reviews
Media: Spiral-bound
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 8.7 x 1.1
ISBN: 0470259264
Dewey Decimal Number: 646.2044
EAN: 9780470259269
Publication Date: October 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
Tell A Friend
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Admired fabric designer Anna Maria Horner draws on her passion for art, sewing, and textiles to inspire one-of-a-kind projects Anna Maria Horner's signature style combines the techniques of a seasoned sewer with the vision of an artist. In Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing, she walks you through the fundamentals, offering practical advice on everything from fabric selection to color choices to choosing and buying a sewing machine. Simple step-by-step instructions show you how to turn her designs into fanciful creations: - Sideways Squares Skirt
- Prairie Blouse
- Full Contact Cooking Apron
- PlayingAlong Quilt
- Doggie Dreams Bed
- And so much more!
Vivid full-color photographs and designs will invite you into the creative process. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, the twenty-four projects in this beautiful book will transform your home and wardrobe into a collection of unique treasures.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Color Genius Applied to Sewing November 27, 2008
K. Kight
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you're not already a fan of Anna Maria Horner's fabric, you will be after perusing her new sewing book Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing. Her color and design sense really come through every page and project. She not only wrote the book and designed the 24 sewing projects, but took all the stunning photographs herself, so her creative vision really comes through every page.
Though I understand it's the way sewing books need to be for today's market, sometimes I'm annoyed that every sewing book has beginner's instruction section in the front -- can't we just have the patterns and get our instruction from our good old Readers Digest guide? But in this case, you've got Anna Maria's warm, enthusiastic writer's voice sharing her perspective and techniques, and one particular section that makes the book worth purchasing all by itself: "Cooking With Color." I loved the "color recipes" you can use to guide your fabric selections. I have to admit I've never been one to think along the lines of warm vs. cool tones, but I will be now, thanks to Mrs. Horner. It's a valuable education for folks flummoxed by combining different colors and pattern types.
As for the projects themselves: I was impressed with the sheer variety of the offerings. You've got the utilitarian (Cozy Cubes fabric boxes, Doggie Dreams bed) to the fancy (Right off the Cuff, ruffly wrist cuffs). There are scrappy, quick projects (Magnetic Personality fabric yo-yo magnets) and more involved ones (Playing Along Quilt). There are the expected bag and apron patterns (elevated by Anna Maria's unique talents) alongside projects I haven't seen elsewhere: a garment bag (The Great Dress Escape) and a fused fabric wall art piece. You've got your sew and your no-sew projects, and projects that showcase trims and buttons as well as fabric.
I haven't made anything from the book yet, but the instructions seem thorough and easy to follow, as if you've got a friend next to you walking you through each step. There are lots of ruffles, pleats, gathers, and bias trim happening, so it's a great book to take your beginning skills gently into the next level. Tying in with the "Cooking With Color" section, I really appreciated the "Color Notes" that accompanied each pattern -- Anna Maria explains why she chose the fabrics, colors, and patterns she did, and makes suggestions for alternatives.
If you've got a sewist in your life (of any skill level), this book + a set of AMH fabric would make a PERFECT holiday gift.
A+ Book November 25, 2008
Sew Fun
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Love this book! THere are so many projects I want to try. Great photos, instructions. A welcome addition to my sewing book collection. Different projects than what I've seen in other books.Highly recommend to anyone who likes to sew all different kinds of things.
Sure to Inspire Your Creative Muse November 25, 2008
K Mack (Bainbridge Island, WA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Equal parts inspiration, sewing fundamentals, and fresh patterns, I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down and reading every page of Anna Maria Horner's first book. In the introduction she shares her thoughts on writing the book and her preference that she "would rather just invite you here for the day to show you how to make something." She further writes "My greatest hope for this collection of projects, ideas, tips and tutorials is that you'll feel as though you have been here and also that you would want to come back." This guiding philosophy is evident throughout the book.
Anna Maria's love of sewing comes to life as the pages are turned. An easy going writing style creates a warm and inviting tone that compels one to make another cup of tea and continue chatting. Groceries and laundry can wait till tomorrow.
New sewists will find the chapters on sewing basics to be a fabulous learning tool. It's comprehensive and well written.
The second part of Seams to Me is jam packed with projects organized into 4 categories: Organize, Stylize, Decorate, and Domesticate. The book includes full sized pattern pieces for 10 of the 24 projects.
The clothing projects are especially fun and unique. I'm always inspired by the way Anna Maria mixes prints and colors in her clothing designs. The Smashing Smock for grown up girls and the Bo Peep Skirt and Prairie Blouse for the little ones are several favorites.
Color theory is tossed like sprinkles throughout the book. A section up front is devoted to the basics. Each project contains Anna Maria's color notes. A peek into the creative mind of someone so very talented at mixing a palette.
And if all that wasn't enough to Wow, the photography credit for the book is none other than Anna Maria Horner herself.
Yes, I felt as though I'd spent the day hanging out with Anna Maria in her studio, watching her work and listening to her thoughts on the craft of sewing. Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing is a grand achievement and sure to inspire your creative muse.
A work of art and must buy! November 20, 2008
Shannon
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Anna Maria's book, Seams to Me, is a beautiful work of art. What a special treat to explore snippets of Anna Maria's life, beginning with warm memories of learning to sew with her sweet mother and more recently as an accomplished designer. Her book is filled with glorious, rich color that will move you. The reader will be enticed to page through this book over and over to be inspired by her many fun and fresh ideas.
It is clear that the author has put her heart into this wonderful masterpiece. Anna Maria is a remarkable woman--celebrated designer and busy mother of five (almost six!) children, yet she is very real and grounded. You will feel as if she has just pulled her chair next to your sewing table to chat a bit, share a laugh, and provide that much needed boost of confidence to complete your work. You will be pleased!
Thanks for sharing your book with us, Anna Maria!
Shannon
 Pretty to look at, but.... November 17, 2008
A. T. Lane (Oklahoma City)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Lots and lots of eye candy but really aimed at the beginner. No projects until page 64 - until then it has just the basics on sewing, etc. What makes the projects interesting are the fabrics (mostly hers, of course - and they ARE beautiful). But two years from now none of these fabrics will be available. I truly love her website, but this book won't stay on my shelves.
|
|
|
| |
