From clothing to home decor, quilting to sewing, National Sewing Month is dedicated to recognizing the artistry, craft, and the joy that sewing brings in all of it’s forms. More than just a household necessity or widespread industry, sewing is also a way to preserve tradition and culture, spark creativity, practice self-care, and foster community. Each stitch in every quilt, garment, or embroidered item carries the story of it’s creation.
So get ready to pull out your favorite needles and fabric to stitch along with these inspiring indie finds.
The Basics Sewing Series: Common Sewing
by Bonnie Lewis
Learn to sew by making Common Sewing’s six basic projects with clear instructions and access to video instructions. The author guides readers through setting up the essentials for their studio, working with a pdf pattern, and developing the skills needed to sew. Starting with a simple tea towel to introduce readers to using their machine and the basics of sewing straight lines and hemming, readers will progress through a zipper clutch, chef’s apron, t-shirts, and elastic waisted bottoms. These skills will allow readers to venture into any pattern and sew something great!
The Basics Beginner’s Sewing Series has successfully kick-started happy sewing careers and hobbies for thousands of adults and kids once baffled by their sewing machines. Become a maker in a day, a month, or a year!
Artful Insights in Fabric: Quilted Bits of Wit & Wisdom
by Diane L. Murtha
Get ready to be inspired by Diane’s stunning fiber art quilts in her first collection, Artful Insights In Fabric! With 40 gorgeous full-color images, Diane blends traditional and modern techniques in original contemporary designs.
But this book is more than just a showcase of beautiful textile pieces—it’s a personal journey that reveals Diane’s delusions of grandeur, successes, and failures, along with the stories that inspired each quilt. Her fiber art adventures have been long and varied as she challenges herself to explore colors and create new techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or simply someone who appreciates beautiful art, Diane’s collection is sure to inspire. Learn from her experiences as you explore her exquisite designs, and discover the limitless possibilities of fiber art quilting.
Quilt Kits: 20th Century Short Cuts
by Rose Marie Werner and Lynda Pavek
Early 20th century quilt makers faced a daunting amount of tedious work before they could begin sewing. This included selecting fabrics, making templates, tracing each individual element, and cutting out all the pieces. Entrepreneurs—some of them women working from their homes—solved the dilemma by producing and selling kits that included fabric already stamped for cutting or for quilting, or even pieces already cut out.
In , Rose Marie Werner details the stories of these entrepreneurs and the growth of the phenomenon of quilt kits. While Lynda Pavek provides views of the beauty in the quilt kit designs. Quilt Kits is filled with over 250 photos of quilts and ephemera in the author’s collections. This book will appeal to anyone interested in the history behind their family quilts, whether they are quilt historians, appraisers, or collectors, or whether they just enjoy reading about quilt history. Anyone who loves quilts will enjoy the beautiful designs displayed in the photographs.
Hannah’s Quilt
by Annette Rooney
Hannah wakes up freezing one morning. She asks her mother to make her a quilt so she can stay warm!
From going to the store to buy fabric together, to helping in the sewing room, Hannah’s Quilt is an adorable and heartwarming story that shows the love between a mother and her daughter.