Sewing in a Straight Line: quick and crafty projects you can make by simply sewing straight by Brett Bara
Potter Craft, 2011
Sewing in a Straight Line offers very simple projects designed to showcase how much can be achieved by sewing straight lines.
Most of the projects aren't much different from those you've seen in other introductory sewing books, like Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing or Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. Bara's first book includes the usual suspects (pillow covers, curtains, tote bags) as well as some more unusual additions, like quilts, a smocked dress and a drapey knit cardigan. One standout technique is the origami-esque treatment the simple sundress--definitely a technique to remember, and surprising in a beginner book.
Personally, I am most excited about the yellow skirt from the cover, the nifty quilted belt, and the orange chiffon blouse.
The most notable thing about Sewing in a Straight Line is the brilliant styling and fabric choices. These uncomplicated projects sing in the high-end linen blends, silk chiffon and faux ostrich vinyl. They look exciting and fresh. The photos are shot in private homes with an appealing mid-century Scandinavian style, and the model hits a good aspirational note between "real model" and "real person." It was almost enough to make me forget that elastic waisted-skirts are not flattering on me at all.
Bara is a contributor to Design*Sponge, so I'm not surprised that Sewing in a Straight Line is the most well-styled craft book I've ever seen. While Bara acknowledges that "the secret is in the fabric you choose", she does little to demystify the process of choosing textiles. A chapter on making design decisions would have been a welcome addition to the book.
If you want to get excited about simple sewing, and see how a great textile can elevate a project, buy this book. If you really want to learn to sew, I'd suggest you also buy Diana Rupp's Sew Everything Workshop, which is much more comprehensive, and also contains lots of good projects.
PS: Brett Bara's website has some pretty video instructions and project errata.
The most notable thing about Sewing in a Straight Line is the brilliant styling and fabric choices. These uncomplicated projects sing in the high-end linen blends, silk chiffon and faux ostrich vinyl. They look exciting and fresh. The photos are shot in private homes with an appealing mid-century Scandinavian style, and the model hits a good aspirational note between "real model" and "real person." It was almost enough to make me forget that elastic waisted-skirts are not flattering on me at all.
Bara is a contributor to Design*Sponge, so I'm not surprised that Sewing in a Straight Line is the most well-styled craft book I've ever seen. While Bara acknowledges that "the secret is in the fabric you choose", she does little to demystify the process of choosing textiles. A chapter on making design decisions would have been a welcome addition to the book.
If you want to get excited about simple sewing, and see how a great textile can elevate a project, buy this book. If you really want to learn to sew, I'd suggest you also buy Diana Rupp's Sew Everything Workshop, which is much more comprehensive, and also contains lots of good projects.
PS: Brett Bara's website has some pretty video instructions and project errata.
PPS: Yes, this book review was 6 months late, but my library just got a copy.
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