Pretty Little Presents

The Pretty Little series is a big success—and this charming new collection will appeal to every creative crafter who wants to give a gift that’s personal and handmade with love. It features adorable presents to sew and decorate for brides, babies, housewarmings, birthdays, and hostesses-with-the-mostess. They’re all created by top designers, and use modern fabrics and inventive embellishments for one-of-a-kind results. The irresistible projects include a notebook cover, napkin rings, “Leaf it Alone” trivet, wedding portfolio, doll, and “Gentle Waves Pillow” for a newborn. Any one would make someone happy!

Mix the upcoming holidays with the need to economize—and the result is a passel of easy-to-do, quick-as-a-rabbit, professional-looking handmade gifts. Nearly 30 designs parade through these pages, all featuring the use of needle and thread, fabric, and embellishments. No foundational sewing or machine instructions are included; the editors assume basic know-how and rudimentary familiarity with all kinds of equipment. Rightly so, the focus is on the presents—with an introduction surveying tools and materials plus a few techniques such as quilting. It’s all great prep for the choices: fabric containers or a striped hanger-cum-sachet for the hostess; pocketed place mats or cloth coasters as a welcome home thanks; keepsakes for the traveler, like luggage tags and passport cases; soft photograph albums for wedding memorabilia; and noncutesy newborn presents to treasure (like matryoshka-stuffed dolls and a lightweight design-worthy diaper tote). Clear instructions and color photographs add to the delight of making . . . and gifting. --Barbara Jacobs