Small Stash Sewing Book Giveaway

I told you I'd have another book giveaway this week!

The very talented Ms. Averinos from Yummy Goods, wrote this little gem that features your fat quarter stash.  Her design aesthetic is very different from mine, which is great, because it makes me try new things.  Her sewing techniques tend to be very free form, so it is a great opportunity to experiment with new ideas and think outside my little sewing box.

And check out my favorite project of all.

Sassy Shoelaces.  She even has a solution of how to finish the ends that is C.L.E.V.E.R.  However, I won't tell you what it is- you'll have to buy the book. :-)

And look at what that clever girl wore at Quilt Market?

She said she has always collected vintage spools of thread and what a clever idea to show them off.

Okay, so now to the giveaway.  Leave a comment on this post by Thursday, June 17 at noon (CDT) and tell me how you like to sew.  Do you 1) follow the instructions obsessively regardless of what they say, 2) only look at the instructions AFTER you get into trouble, 3) follow the instructions for a while and then take off on your own?

I go in spells-- sometimes I am obsessive about following the instructions to a T, but if I get in a hurry or  feel lazy or ornery, I just go for it however I want to.

Comments

[Melanie]

What a great giveaway! When making something with a new pattern, I always look over the pattern directions first, then end up sewing my way. I never really thought about it before, but I guess I do have my own "sewing style." I love patterns and ideas that push me out of my comfort zone. I would be a pretty boring sewer without all the inspiration I've discovered online.

[Marguerite]

I'm very much a pattern person. Only if I've looked at it in depth and know that a different way would be better will I stray from the pattern. That's my engineer brain talking, I suppose; and why I'll pick cross-stitch over embroidery any day!

[erinmalia]

instructions? things come with instructions? huh. i just look at things i want to create and figure out how they did it! patterns scare me and i've never been any good with them.

[Jenny]

#3 for me...i like to have the best of both worlds...Melissa is a very clever gal, and i just loved that necklace when i saw a pic of it at marker recaps! lovely, huh? thanks for a chance at this book! i would lvoe to win.

[katie r]

this book looks awesome! I read through but only refer when confused or stuck, this leads to more seam ripping, than would be otherwise necessary :)

[DianeY]

I usually go thru the instructions quickly at first to see if there is anything unusual, and then I just go about it my own way-which is sometimes quite different

[Shari]

I'm definitely a class 3. I modify the instructions to fit my style!

[Lynn Osborne]

I follow the instructions fairly closely but am never afraid to take a little detour! Thanks for the chance to win.

[Grandma G]

I just bought my very first fat quarter pack a couple weeks ago and have been wondering what to do with it, so this book might be just the inspiration I need!

I'm pretty much a follow-the-instructions person... unless I know a better way. ;)

[Julie]

I still follow instructions obsessively. I still feel so new to sewing only have done it for a year and a half or so. This looks like a fun book that would be fun to try sewing small projects. I always seem to go for really big projects each time.

[Caroline]

Great question! I guess I usually glance at the instructions, sometimes intensively, sometimes not - then I start sewing and check the instructions if I run into a snag. Sometimes I just decide the instructions are stupid and do my own thing. ;)

[Stacia]

I must admit I pour over the instructions and then see how I can streamline it or make it better. I like the challenge!

[Johanna]

I usually take one look at the instruction before starting but never too close. Sometimes I get into trouble and take a second look but most of the time I am fine.

[Maggie Reno]

On the rare occasion that I do read the instructions I usually just skim them and then take off on my own. I still do get in trouble sometimes, but usually I don't need the instructions to tell me what I did wrong. I already know!

[susi]

definately 3 with a bit bu sometimes things work better if you follow! AND read otheriwse you rip

[tina_igne@sbcglobal.net]

I'm a mixture. If it's something similiar to what I've already done, I skim the direction and wing the rest on my own. If it's something completely new, I follow the directions closely.

[Sequana]

I'm behind door #3.....I get a start just to see where it's going, and then pretty much do what I want with it, within those guidelines.

[Katie]

I always follow the directions lol I get nervous if I don't!

[Katie]

I never use patterns because they frustrate me all to hell! They usually word things in ways that my little brain can't handle so I usually just go by the pictures!

[Janet Caldwell]

I usually scan the instructions, then go off and do it my own way anyway. But I have learned some really good techniques from some of the new books out about sewing.