Craft Projects

Weekend Sewing More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching

Weekend Sewing More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Gorgeous, great ideas, but…
I really like this book. It’s beautiful and has lots of fun ideas. I am pretty much a beginning seamstress, but my resolution for this year was to learn how to sew (and hopefully knit, though I haven’t yet started that adventure) well enough to be able to make most if not all my gifts for the holidays. I bought this because I hoped it would help me in that quest, and I think it will.

The problem is that the children’s clothes are really just for very young children. That’s great for the youngest in my family, but I’m not sure (being a beginner) exactly how to make them bigger — how much bigger to make them — to fit my older (aged 6 and 9, on the tall side) kids or my niece and nephews. But the other, not size-specific projects (like the fat-quarter napkins, the tablecloth, bags, etc.) look doable.

I do think the last chapter has some great tips on sewing. In fact, I wish this were the first sewing book I purchased because of the author’s explanation of various tools and techniques. For that, I think it’s definitely a worthwhile purchase.

4 Stars 1st printing woes don’t detract from a great book
Every sewing book will contain errors in the first printing. And with a book this size, containing so many projects, it’s inevitable that mistakes slipped through the process. Heather has posted an errata page to her blog:[...]. Do check it before you start a project, and I’m sure the mistakes will be corrected in future printings of the book. In the meantime, this is still a terrific book that has raised the bar on sewing books. It’s a visual feast, full of inspiration and wonderful starting points for a plethora of fantastic projects. I’m working on the summer blouse right now and can hardly wait to make some of the other projects as well.

1 Star It does take all weekend to sew one of Heather’s Patterns
First off, I would like to note that I have successfully sewn many outfits for myself using patterns, as well as create bags and quilts. However, this book has so many errors I do not know where to begin. The sewing patterns do not have strait seem lines, nor do they have marks to match things up. They are mere sketches. The directions lack most basic information, as well as details about which pieces go where. The yard sale skirt is way too small, which Heather even states on her blog that 7 panels would work better than the printed suggestion of 6. I spent about 3 hours attempting to get the waistband correct, and finally attached it using a different method as hers seems impossible. I did use 7 panels and extended the waist band a full 2″ on the large- x-large pattern, I am a size 10-12 and I can barley tie the skirt on. The fabric cutting diagram shows two skirt panels cut side by side on a folded piece of fabric (22″wide), yet the panels are about 21″ wide each. You could never cut it that way. The yardage requirement for the Everything Tote is printed wrong at 1/2 yard for the exterior and 1/2 yard for the lining, yet you would need at least 1 1/4 for each.

I am so very disappointed in this book, and frankly I am afraid to attempt another of Heather Ross’ projects and waist expensive beautiful fabric.

2 Stars The bloom is off the rose
This book is absolutely gorgeous! If you look through the reviews, that is what prompted many to purchase it. Heather Ross has a sharp eye for visual appeal. After purchasing this book I flipped through it for a week dreaming of projects. Come the weekend, I was inspired to get out my sewing machine and begin.

Once you start to actually USE this book - the patterns, directions, illustrations - the scales fall quickly from your eyes. Sometimes the seam allowance is indicated, sometimes not. Sometimes the directions say ‘wrong side’ and the illustrations say ‘right side’. If you look at Heather’s website, the errata is growing. Egregious miscalculations is yardage and sometimes ‘panels’ (check out everyone who has mentioned the yard sale skirt from the book’s cover!).

This book is beautiful, but the instructions are inaccurate and misleading. Presentation is important, but so is testing of projects and editing. If you are looking for a coffee table book, this one is lovely. If you would like to lose your self in a weekend of sewing, pass this one by.

Note the trend in the reviews - the five stars come primarily from people who haven’t actually tried to use the book yet - they’re still dreaming.

5 Stars Worth buying and nice to have
I bought this book after reading about it on a blog called “House on Hill Road.” It turned out to be a good book to have. The pictures are nice. The projects are doable and down to earth. The style of the book is country-life, simple summer days, easy going style. I think I will probably sew at least half of the items in the book, if not by pattern, then by figuring it out myself based on the instructions. It is very nice that the projects feature simple yet novel sewing techniques, where once you learn them, you can apply them to other sewing projects as well. I feel the book has good inspirational value as well, where I might get ideas from looking at the projects even if I don’t sew those exact items. I certainly plan to keep the book and refer to it again and again. That isn’t something I say about very many books.

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