If you’re here to see the zig-zag quilt I entered into the Bloggers Quilt Festival, please stop by this link.

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I preordered Melissa‘s new book Small Stash Sewing, which I received in the mail last week.

In my last book review, I mentioned a couple things I like to look for in a book or magazine: high quality pictures and illustrations (eye candy!), useful tips, intermediate to advanced techniques, and a variety of fresh, modern projects. This book has at least 3-4 projects I want to make, so it was worth buying.

The back cover offers this description of the contents,” From a belt to a handbag, from childrens’ gifts to a faux pillowcase dress… Small Stash Sewing gives you 24 sewing projects to make unique pieces that showcase your favorite… fabrics.”

Amy Butler wrote the most amazing, heartwarming foreword for this book. You can tell Amy admires Melissa’s creativity and creative soul, which just made me smile. Melissa seems like such an open, humble shining star!

This book includes such categories as To Wear, At Home and For Kids. The variety of projects offer challenges for beginners and more veteran sewists, making it a well-rounded book.

The To Wear section includes projects like a ruched patchwork belt, a spiced up tee for guys (Melissa’s sweety is the model), even custom shoelaces, which would really liven up my gray Converse. I am excited to make this adorable necklace with the pretty ribbon closure.

I love Melissa’s strapping bag because it looks like just my size. (I’m not big on large purses, or leather purses, or designer purses with initials on them.) I love the way she combined the light blue wale corduroy for the sides with the quilting cotton gusset and straps, which would also look cool as a pieced strap. The decorative stitching on the corduroy is just icing on the cake, and who doesn’t love icing on cake!

The At Home section includes a very hip argyle embellished pillow, a fabric-covered magnetic frame for your fridge, a gorgeous apron, and this cool bath mat, which is a couple fat quarters pieced over an old bath towel to spice up that old towel.

I do love this daydreamer lap quilt, which is a clever way to embellish a strip-pieced quilt top.

This Cute-as-a -Button-Clock is a fun way to show off a favorite fat quarter and coordinating buttons from your stash.

The For Kids section offers a precious pillowcase dress, a great jester crown for the boys, a yo-yo tiara for the girls, a magic cape, and the prettiest wrap skirt that is reversible. This little ladybug softie is adorable and could be used as a big pincushion. Ah, the imagination in this book is so fun!

Of course the unicorn and moon, which represent her famous Unicorn stories, are priceless.

The pattern pieces are printed in the back, and only a couple of them need enlarging, another bonus since I don’t know how to make enlargements on my home copier.

I would have to say the best part of this book is the ability of the reader to actually feel like you are with Melissa as she experiments with these creative projects, using just the treasured fat quarters in your stash. If you’re looking for cheerful sewing projects to fill an afternoon, this book offers loads of potential for challenge and satisfaction.

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Related Post:

Book Review – Sewing Bits and Pieces