Simple Sewing with Lola Nova: With 25 Stylish Step-by-Step Projects That Celebrate the Handmade Life

Sewing is at the forefront of the new craft revolution and part of its charm comes from rediscovering the skills of our grandmothers and learning to recycle treasured scraps of fabric. Celebrated Oregon-based craft blogger Alexandra Smith, AKA Lola Nova, has created the perfect sewing book for the new crafters. With 25 highly original projects arranged into chapters on Boho, Vintage, Natural, Eclectic and Whimsy, you will soon be raiding thrift stores and yard sales for material to transform in to gifts, home accessories, clothes and bags. Projects include a Little Joy Dress, Lola Handbag, Into the Woods Throw, Deer Diary and Call Me Cushion. For each project there are step-by-step instructions (illustrated with photographs) that will guide the beginner through the making process, while Alexandra's innovative ideas will provide fresh inspiration for the experienced sewer. Gorgeous photography by top lifestyle photographer Yuki Sugiura captures the sheer pleasure of turning junk-store fabrics into something beautifully handmade.

A trio of British imports, including Ros Badger’s Simple Knitting and Sara Sinaguglia’s Simple Crochet (both 2013), proves that creativity knows no geographic boundaries. In a series called Creative Makers, each author tackles the how-to’s of one discipline, whether crocheting, knitting, or sewing. Using roughly the same formats, the books cover the basics—materials, equipment, and fundamental stitches—then present anywhere from 25 to 35 patterns ready to be copied. Sounds pretty standardized? Not really. Each showcases the designer’s personality and style. In this entry, Sewer Smith admits to her bohemian nature, begun during her first (and thrifty) pregnancy—although she does try to include other styles, such as natural, vintage, eclectic, and whimsical. Smith provides readers step-by-step instructions, with photographs zeroing in on the more difficult steps. She also combines other crafts with sewing, such as fabric painting and a touch of embroidery. (An aside: Lola Nova is the name of her blog.) Choose here between the loving-hands-at-home look or that of the professional sewer; an urban organizer represents the former, her “wee bunny” the latter. --Barbara Jacobs