Lexie BarnesBesprekingen

This is a great book for someone who hates to follow patterns like me. I am going to try a few of the projects. It's nice to get new ideas.

Sew Up a Home Makeover: 50 Simple Sewing Projects by Lexie Barnes is just what the title promises--a fun collection of fairly simple sewing projects that someone without a ton of sewing experience (though I'm not sure a total newbie could do all of them without help) should be able to have success with. I really liked a lot of her ideas and that she showed other options for many projects--simple ways to take the original pattern and give it a little bit of a different twist. I read a lot of quilting magazines, and seeing another way to do a project is always one of my favorite features; it was nice to see that utilized in this how-to book. It can really get the creative juices flowing and help people who have trouble only seeing the options that the original design offers to start to think outside the box, as it were. Even a slipcover for a sofa or chair--a really big project, fabric (and therefore cost)-wise, doesn't seem like such an intimidating prospect with Lexie's directions. I really felt for the first time that with her instructions making a slipcover for my tired old chair--and maybe even my sofa, later on--would definitely be within the realm of possibility. Being an ARC, not all of the "extras" of the book--mostly boxes on the pages offering further ideas and tips--were in place, but from the placeholders that were there, they look to offer additional guidence and more creative options. I look forward to seeing this book in its final form later. Unfortunately, I haven't really had the time to tackle anything but the most basic of projects right now, but I definitely am inspired to pick this book up later after its publication so I can try some of her more involved (though really, none of them are truly difficult; it really is as advertised) patterns. If you're looking for a basic how-to book for using needle, thread, and fabric to spruce up your living space, this would be a great place to start!

Needed a bit of inspiration and this library book fit the bill to get me thinking about changing up some of the easier design elements in the house with just a small cash outlay (think pillows, lampshades, coasters and outlet covers). But lots of the projects . . . like roman shades and sofa slipcovers are anything but simple.

reviewed on my knitting blog here: http://wyvernfriendknits.blogspot.ie/2012/11/sew-what-bags-review.html

Part coffee-table book with ample white space and inviting color photos and part sewing manual, this book packs visual appeal. Photos and line drawings help creative folks envision projects from multiple angles. While there are several projects that can be found in other contemporary books -- pillows, aprons, and table linens -- the star of the book is the section on slipcovering sofas. Additional purchase. (157)½

This book is amazing! Instead of giving strict patterns, it teaches you to create and customize your own, which is perfect for the world of bags, where most things are just rectangles anyway.

I admire Lexie Barnes bags and now I can take the lessons and skills she teaches in this great book and create a bag which suits my needs perfectly.

Do not skip the introduction, here Barnes lays out her philosphy and I now know I've met a kindred spirit.

While 18 projects are included, you are encouraged to use them as inspiration ... and jump.

Which patterns are my favourites? I'm not sure. It all depends on what I'm looking for. There's something for pretty much anything I can currently dream up.

From the well designed layout of the page to the thoughtful hardback with spiral binding and of course the delight inside, this is a volume at home on every shelf -- to give strong guidance to the beginner and offer inspiration to the advanced.