Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Home Decor sewing and a giveaway

Are you starting the new year as I am with some closet cleaning? Even though in my mind the new year starts in September, must be that back to school mentality but I feel like end of summer turns the page and a new year starts then. In any case, I took a look at my closets and have been tossing out some useless junk. Like why do I keep old sneakers, which are lined up on a shelf in the garage? Completely worn out and how many pairs do I need for muddy gardening? not more than one, so out! Plastic containers in the kitchen cupboard with no matching lid, out! Dutifully put in the recycle bin where applicable but otherwise a nice feeling to clear away the junk.

On a different note, January is a good time to do some sewing for your interior. I have a vague plan to make a new duvet cover but that remains to be seen. I enjoy home dec sewing for the most part, lots of clean angles and no tricky fitting, with the fun bonus of math calculation thrown in for good measure.

I have a new post today on the Craftsy blog on sewing throw pillows. Which may seem fairly simple but have you ever sewn a pillow cover and the corners are a bit too pointy instead of plump? Somehow your pillow retains a weird dog-eared shape? Check out my post for a solution.

Craftsy post for blog pillows

In the spirit of decluttering I am offering a giveaway of this Singer Sewing for the Home book seen below, which I found at a garage sale (of course). I have said it before but these Singer sewing books are fantastic, the photos are really good and illustrate their information well. If you find the Singer Tailoring book do not think twice - grab it and pay whatever they are asking (well, if it is under $ 10, I suppose) because that book is golden. 

Singer book photo

I don't think of myself as much of a home dec sewer, and then got to thinking this morning about what I have sewn over the years. Curtains, cushions for a kitchen banquette, throw pillows, duvet covers and pillow shams, window valances, lots of outdoor chair covers, tablecloths and napkins. OK, I guess periodically I do indulge in a bit of home decor sewing. I think of it as utilitarian but it is quite rewarding to get just the color/fabric that you want. 

Anyway, if you are interested in this book let me know in the comments and I will randomly choose one name to send it to. (International is ok).

Happy January sewing, Beth

24 comments:

  1. I agree that the Singer series is wonderful. I have a few in my sewing library, but not this one. Thank you for the chance to win it!

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  2. I'm in clean out mode this month as well. January is the perfect month for organizing. I enjoy home dec sewing, but have never looked at the Singer book. Thank you for the chance!

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  3. Thank you for the book! I really need to get a duvet cover made up very soon...:)

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  4. I managed to get a copy of the Singer Tailoring book after it was recommended on a tailoring course and it is really good. I intend to collect as many of these Singer books as I can and the Home Sewing one sounds really useful to have.

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  5. Thank you for the giveaway! For the last year I think about making covers for our dining chairs, which are a particular shape, and I have even made a -failed- muslin, so maybe this book has some tips and ideas about how to go for it.

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  6. Hello! I would love to be entered for this giveaway please.

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  7. I would love to own this book again - I did have it once but it got lost in a house move. Thanks for your lovely blog.

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  8. Please don't enter me in the giveaway...I have that book...it's great. Just want to thank you for the pointy corners pillow solution. I'm making 4 quilted pillows for gifts. In the past I've rounded the corners slightly so they wouldn't be pointed. The way you do it is better because they still have the nice sharp corners, but they aren't dog-eared. :)

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  9. Hmmnnn...I've been wanting to make a round tablecloths, but I don't know where to begin. Does this book have any suggestion? What other routes of information should I pursue?

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  10. I also love these books! I used one of them to help sew my wedding dress years ago. sarah@forrussia.org

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  11. I love that series! ma got it for me years ago and its so handy.

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  12. Would so like to have this book, I have other Singer books, they are brilliant

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  13. My library has the whole Singer sewing series. I'll have to take out the home dec book. I hate home dec sewing and do little of it. But, I need to make lots of decorative pillows for my den and your timely post is much appreciated.

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  14. Id love this book! I like doing "practical" sewing - sewing everyday things for the home!

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  15. Hello! I love Singer books (own only one sofar). I would love to have a home dec book, please count me in.

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  16. I have a singer sewing machine and I am in a pillow swap this year, we are swapping four pillows, one for each season, I am off to read your post on Craftsy. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  17. I am having trouble leaving a comment so I'm trying again.
    I would love to have this home dec sewing book. I want to make some tablecloths and napkins for the first time.

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  18. It's interesting - as a new garment sewer, I realised, however, that over the years I had done a fair bit of home dec sewing, out of necessity - curtains, duvet covers for cot (when they were still okay). I did my first ever cushions as a Christmas present this year and quite enjoyed the experience. Is quite like to try more and would love to win the book. I already have the Singer tailoring book, which I bought on recommendation and have read but I'm not at that level of tailoring yet.

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  19. Definitely interested here! I have a small stash of home decorator fabric that I bought just because I loved the design and colors. Now I need to use it and give it a purpose!

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  20. Your offer is so timely for me as I plan to make some throw pillows for my sofa.

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  21. This looks like an awesome book! Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  22. No need to be included in the giveaway (I'm not a big home dec sewer), but I have to agree with you that the Singer Tailoring book is a treasure that I can't live without. I recently did some closet cleaning -- I found a ton of hand-knitted things that I never wore but just stored in various bins after I made them -- I need to find some homes for them!

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  23. I have fabric all ready to sew some throw pillows, and I always have this problem, so I'm off to read your post. This looks like a great book! Thanks for the tip on the Singer Tailoring book - I'll keep my eye out for it.

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  24. Will go on Craftsy and read your pillow tips!
    Please enter me in the book giveaway!
    Thanks

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