Simple Sewing: 30 Fast and Easy Projects for Beginners by Katie Lewis

November 2013, 192 pages. My Rating: *****--5 Stars.

Blurb:
Unleash your creativity and become the successful do-it-yourself sewer you've always wanted to be! Using the tips, techniques, and 30 assorted sewing projects in this book, you’ll be able to create custom household items and gifts in no time. Whip up accessories, decorations, baby items, and more, including

- Simple bows and bowties
- A travel pillow and case
- Reversible baby bibs
- A chalk mat and eraser
- Christmas stockings

Add a tasteful handmade touch to your home with these timeless projects, all while building your basic sewing skills! With crisp photography and easy-to-follow tutorials, Simple Sewing is sure to be a staple on your bookshelf for years to come.

My Review: 
I've done a little bit of sewing, but I usually get stuck on the simplest of patterns. I get confused about what to do next and usually have to unpick parts of it. I really loved this book because there were 30 great and useful projects that were written in a way that is so easy to understand. There are pictures for each step so that I could be sure I was doing things the right way. There is a section at the very beginning where basic sewing things are explained and that was helpful.

I received a copy for review and immediately sat down and looked through the book. My younger two kids were looking through things with me and we decided to make the hand warmers for their friend gifts for Christmas this year. I was surprised at how easily they came together and they were really cute. My kids loved filling them with the rice.

I used the flannel scraps to make little doll blankets with the pattern in the book. It was also explained very well.

I wanted to wait and review this book until I had a chance to try more patterns, but with Christmas coming this week, those projects are on hold for a week or so, and I decided to go ahead with the review.

This book is a great find for those looking for fun projects with easy to follow steps and minimal stress.

About Katie Lewis:

Katie Lewis graduated from Brigham Young University 

with a degree in home and family living. In 2008 she started writing on her blog, "The Red Kitchen," where she regularly publishes fun and easy craft and sewing tutorials. She currently lives with her husband and daughter in Columbus, Ohio, where she teaches local sewing classes for beginners.