October 12, 2013

Sew & Stitch: Review and Giveaway!

Sew and Stitch EmbroideryHi all! Today I'm super-excited to be reviewing Sew & Stitch Embroidery: 20+ Simple Sewing Projects with 30+ Fresh Embroidery Designs. Alyssa Thomas, the author and creator behind Penguin & Fish sent us the book to review - and we will also be doing a giveaway later in this post!

But first, let's have a look at this book - as the title suggests, this book is a blend of sewing and embroidery. If you're like me and not big on sewing, no worries! Many projects are suitable for beginners. The style throughout the book is cute, whimsical, and beginner-friendly.

The book is divided into 4 sections: Section 1- Embroidery Essentials features the tools and materials you'll need, a well-illustrated stitch library and intro to basic sewing techniques. Section 2 - For The Home, has patterns for embellishing household objects and wall art. Section 3 - Just For Fun has sweet, kid-friendly items. Section 4 - Personal Style features embellished clothing, cases, and clutches. The last pages of the book are dedicated to stitch and color guides, and there is a large, fold-out sheet of iron-on transfers with some of the embroidery patterns.

Each project is well-laid out with a list of supplies and helpful suggestions on materials and techniques. The sewing instructions look very clear and non-intimidating to a non-sewer like myself. Um, is sewer a word - I mean other than the other sense? Well, you know what I mean. :)

I fell in love with the owl pillow instantly:
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It absolutely possessed me and I knocked out not one but 2 pillows in the past 48 hours! My first pillow was a bust, but it was my fault because I chose a terrible, stretchy material and didn't read the directions - Alyssa suggests using a Chenille needle to stitch with yarn and to stitch on linen.

After reading the directions, my second try on linen was much much better!
my pillow


My only caveat with the book is the way the embroidery patterns are distributed - sometimes they are with the content, sometimes you must flip to the back of the book. Color and stitch guides are also separate and at times quite small, so I had to flip between 3 different sections to complete the owl project. On the plus side, most of the smaller embroidery patterns are contained in the iron-on transfer sheet, which is very helpful.

Here are a few more of my favorite projects from the book:

Whale Shower Curtain
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Octopus Quilt and Pillow Sham
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Lion and Elephant Racing Sacks
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Kitty Sketchbook Cover with Pencil Case
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Feather Fold Over Clutch
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Overall, this is a great book, and definitely one I'd be happy to add to my library. The patterns are simple but adorable and very inspiring, and there is plenty of room to make a project your own. And now for the best part - the giveaway! Alyssa has kindly offered us another copy to give to one of our Feeling Stitchy readers!

To win a copy of Sew & Stitch Embroidery, leave a comment on this post by Monday, October 14, 9 PM US Central Time. All of our readers may enter, including our International readers! Tell us simply which of the projects pictured is your favorite.

Thanks Alyssa, for the chance to share your wonderful book with our readers!

Hi, I'm floresita, editor of Feeling Stitchy. I'm an avid stitcher, knitter, and crafter. You can see more of my stitching on Instagram and my blog. My vintage transfer collection is on Vintage Transfer Finds.

Feel free to email me with any ideas for the blog!

106 comments:

  1. That feather foldover clutch looks amazing!

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  2. This book is #1 on my MUST-have list! The octopus quilt and sham is so cute. I also love the skunk pillow that was featured on the alternate cover before the book release.

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  3. oh, that looks like a lot of fun, lots of cute patterns!

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  4. Gonna have to go with the owl pillow. I love the one you stitched.

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  5. I can't decide between the owl and the feather clutch...

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  6. What a great book! Would love to add this to my library too! :)

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  7. Kris Huber Van AllenOctober 12, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Definitely the whale comforter and pillow! My daughter is headed off to college next fall, to pursue marine biology, and would LOVE that set!

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  8. Thanks for the great giveaway! That feather clutch is beautiful!

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  9. It looks like a lovley book! I particularly liked the sketchbook cover, I'd love to try make one.

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  10. I really like the owl throw pillow!

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  11. Yes, including international readers! I'm one and I would love to win this book!!

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  12. The cat notebook cover is so adorable. But I think the owl pillow is my favourite. I just love them and this one is so cute.

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  13. I think those racing sacks look so fun! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  14. The fold over clutch is amazing!

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  15. Almost anything with birds on it! Thx for the give-away.

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  16. The owl seems to be calling out to me.

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  17. I am loving the owl pillow! Would love to see what's in the rest of the book

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  18. The Kitty Sketchbook project looks sweet!

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  19. I just love embroidery, this book looks like it is full of fun projects.

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  20. I would love to break in my new sewing machine with that owl pillow.

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  21. I love the Octopus Quilt and Pillowsham. Thank you for the giveaway!!

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  22. This is officially on my wish list! Would love to win a copy!

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  23. I love the owl pillow and the octupus quilt. Fabulous!

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  24. What a neat looking book! I'd love to add this to my library. I think the whale shower curtain is too cute!

    Thank you and Alyssa for a super giveaway and the chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Love love love the owl pillow, but the fox table runner is cute too!

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  26. Got to be the kitty sketchbook with pencils....love it! X

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  27. I'm actually intrigued by the fox project on the cover!

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  28. Owl!
    thanks for the opportunity

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  29. As a sew it's first and a trainee embroiderer(?) I would love this book. I love the sketchbook cover. jennylarking at gmail dot com

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  30. The Octopus of course!
    Thanks for a nice give away!

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  31. I'm in love with that owl!

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  32. Jo-Anne McBride WilsonOctober 12, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    I love the kitty sketchbook cover with pencil case. That is one I would make right away. And thanks for letting international visitors enter. It's depressing to always be told USOnly!

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  33. This book looks wonderful. I would really enjoy sewing some of these projects!

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  34. Outer space pattern looks perfect for my boy's room.

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  35. My fav is definitely the owl throw pillow. And I need throw pillows!

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  36. The feather clutch is something I'd love to make .... and I love the fox on the cover!

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  37. I really like the owl you stitched.

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  38. What fun projects, the Octopus stitching took my eye. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    happy days.
    Bev.

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  39. That owl is by far my fave!!

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  40. The feather fold over clutch is wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  41. The owl has to be my favorite. Cannot get enough owls!
    Thanks fir the review and the give away.
    »Traci

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  42. Love the octopus quilt and pillow case!!

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  43. amira_littlemushroomcapOctober 12, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    Super Cute... would really love to win that!

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  44. i love the octopus! So Cute!!

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  45. Great book. The Feather Fold Over Clutch looks awesome.

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  46. Oh my that pillow case and comforter is amazingly adorable! I also really love the feather clutch. Beautiful designs, thank you for sharing.

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  47. The whale shower curtain is absolutely adorable and would have to be my favorite if forced to choose! However, all these projects are darling and I can see myself making any and all of them! Thank you for the opportunity to win!

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  48. i love the owl pillow!

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  49. I am madly in love with the Octopus quilt. Oh! I need him on my bed!

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  50. I might choose the owl for my first project too, but I also really like that feather!

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  51. Pick one? All the projects are beautiful! Love the feather fold over clutch. Thank you for a chance to win.

    missmoozie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. I love the owl embroidered on linen - I would do it on a short skirt!

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  53. I love the owl project. It is super cute.

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  54. I love the owl pillow!! That is my ultimate fav! There are so many designs in this book that I love! Thank you for the chance!!

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  55. Well, as a cat lover i can't resist the little kitty peeking out from the pencil case but they are all darling designs!

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  56. I'd stitch the feather clutch. It's rather elegant.

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  57. when I saw the octopus quilt, i fell in love! i am going to add this idea to my to-do list!

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  58. What a great embroidery book. I love the owl pillow and the octopus quilt. Soooo adorable :D Thanks for the chance to win this lovely book

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  59. I love the Octopus quilt! I never do huge embroidery projects. That would be amazing. It would be the perfect thing to get my mind off of a horrible break-up!

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  60. I love the owl pillow!Soooo cute!!!!
    http://intheorderofthings.blogspot.com/

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  61. The owl is sooo cute! :)

    Greetings from Germany!!

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  62. What a lovely giveaway and a great review!! I would love the chance to win and I think my first choice will be the sweet clutch for my little girl. Xo

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  63. I love the owl cushion! So many great projects for Christmas presents too

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  64. I just love that octopus bed! It would give me a reason to make the bed each morning.

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  65. I like the owl pillow best, very cute!

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  66. The feather clutch— maybe with multiple feathers. Thanks.

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  67. The octopus is brilliant! Thank for the chance of winning

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  68. Nice projects. I like the octopus quilt.

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  69. Marew! My fave is the cat x

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  70. The owl is my favorite! The octopus quilt and pillow is a pretty close second though :)

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  71. I love the Kitty Sketchbook Cover with Pencil Case, is very cute! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  72. They are all gorgeous and the whale shower curtain is my favourite!

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  73. For me the sacks, lovely but would change the size for a smaller one, to go shopping :)

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  74. I love the giant cross stitch on the racing sacks!

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  75. The feather clutch is my favorite!

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  76. I am in love with the Kitty Sketchbook Cover! Thanks for the great review and giveaway.

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  77. I'm torn between the octopus quilt and pillow sham and the kitty sketchbook cover. The built in pencil pouch is so clever, but I really like the quilt. Would I be able to finish it in a "timely" fashion...

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  78. I like the fox on the cover of the Sew & Stitch Embroidery book, it is so cute, I would love to stitch him up.

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  79. I love the owls, adorable!

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  80. Patricia Guillory BoardmanOctober 13, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Awesome! I love the fox embroidery on the cover. The owl project is also really cute.

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  81. Feather clutch is to dreamy!

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  82. Please enter me in this drawing. I would LOVE to win this book!!!

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  83. The Octopus is ingenious!!

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  84. Thanks for the giveaway - I am also enamored with the owl pillow!

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  85. I like the owl pillow. Would love to make it.

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  86. How awesome is that octopus bed set!! Oh man! What an fun lookin' book!

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  87. Octopus on the bed!! So cute

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  88. I just saw this book at the store the other day. I thought it was so cute. I was in love with the octopus quilt!

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  89. My Mom just bought that book. I love the whale shower curtain. If I don't win I'll have to buy the book because all the patterns are nice.

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  90. Love the Octopus bedding!

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  91. My favorite is the fox table runner. I have to say, however, that due to breaking my leg in two places roller skating with the kids last week, I will definitely have enough time to sew all of the projects?!?

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  92. That octopus quilt and sham is AWESomE an adorable. I moved to the beach 18 months ago and I think I need to make that for my guest room! :-)

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  93. This is such a cute book ~ I've been looking at it on Amazon. love that little owl napkin and just about everything else in the book!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  94. Oh my.....how lovely! I love the Owl pillow...thanks for the chance at the Sew and Stitch Embroidery :)

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  95. Lauren P - Ambitious StitchesOctober 14, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    I keep seeing positive reviews of this book. The patterns look adorable! I'm especially in love with the Octopus Quilt.

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  96. If I have to pick just one, it would be the owl pillow. I love the octopus set but I don't know if I would ever finish it (honestly).

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  97. Beautiful book! Love the owl!

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  98. What wonderful projects! Something for everyone!

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  99. I love the octopus. About to have a new nephew and that would be so cute for his crib/toddler bed...depending on how long it takes :)

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  100. I love the penguin & fish alphabet patterns!

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  101. The owl pillow. I am an owl fanatic!

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  102. Although I'm not sure I could finish something this scale, I adore the octopus coverlet.

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  103. I love the octopus quilt and sham!! That owl is pretty cute too!

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  104. I like the octupus

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