Sew Useful

March 2015

This will bring hours of pleasure or simply provide some therapy as you concentrate on what is being made instead of on the world's problems. And, at the end of your labour; you've actually made something, on of the most satisfying things to accomplish. This is a handy guide for young homemakers, or perhaps grandmothers, who want to make gifts for their grand children and children. There are all kind of ideas and in the process you will also be learning and improving your sewing skills if you're a beginner. In this time of home-made goods, having your own knitting needle might just give you and edge among homemakers! So if you're in that starting line up of sewers or what to encourage someone with their sewing endeavours this is a perfect gift.

* Pretoria News *

May 2015

Debbie Shore has a real flair for designing simple projects that look amazing, and in this book

she has created ingenious storage solutions to keep the home neat, tidy and beautifully styled. The book begins with much needed guidance that will have the beginner sewer ready to attempt any one of the 23 storage designs without hesitation. The more experienced sewer can enjoy attempting to adapt and personalise these designs to suit their own needs. Projects are included for all areas of the home, and include a storage cube, drawstring toy bag, garment cover, iron caddy, jewellery pouch, tablet cover, knitting needle roll, drawer liner, laundry bag, sewing machine bag, gift wrap storage and even a heat-proof pouch for hair straighteners. Debbie also offers extra tips and ideas for each of the projects such as printing a family photograph on printable canvas so

you have the ultimate personalized fabric to really make your creations your own!

* SEWING WORLD *

May 2015

If you are looking for some beginner projects to get you started this affordable book is packed with good projects, useful things to make for your home. I’d recommend any of Debbie’s books as being a good place to start for projects, this one is my personal favourite of hers. - See more at: http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/best-sewing-books/#sthash.DiAdiXNP.dpuf

* Sewing Directory, The *

December 2014

Another brilliant book from Debbie, so many things from it I want to make in particular the under bed storage, sewing machine bag and storage cubes. In fact I think out of the 23 projects there's only 3-4 I wouldn't make.

Easy cutting instructions (no templates needed) plus step by step photos and written instructions make the projects simple to follow.

* Sewing Directory, The *

December 2014

Once again t.v. presenter Debbie has come up with another stunning collection of sewing projects in her newest book, covering all possible storage situations with solutions in the form of a practical yet attractive bags, boxes or totes. Debbie presents 23 simple-to-make designs, suitable for sewers of all abilities, with clear easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring perfect results every time. A superb book; outstanding value-for-money.

* East Kent Embroiderer's Guild *

December 2014

Every household could use some suggested solutions to their various storage needs for items that never seem to have a home around the house, for it would make for a much neater household environment when they do have a home. Turning to this easy-to-use and gorgeously illustrated handbook will allow crafters to indulge in fun crafting experiences that result in extremely useful items for the home. All projects presented are hand sewn and geared to small storage issues. For instance, the author gives clear directions for constructing such delights as a travel-iron holder, a garment cover, a chair-back caddy (for crafts supplies, of course), a garden tote (for those easy-to-misplace gardening tools), and an under-bed storage container. Tools and materials and basic techniques are discussed in the book’s opening pages.

* Booklist *

January 2015

I love these Debbie Shore books. True there probably isn't anything that you have not seen before but they all have Debbie's touch. Discover 23 storage solutions. It makes tidying fun and you can colour-coordinate projects and home. I love the iron caddy. Forget the plastic and use fabric for under bed storage, garden tote, garment covers and more. Clear instructions and techniques mean that you cannot go wrong. Easy to use for any ability with appealing and useful projects. Great to give as a gift too.

* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *

February 2015

A familiar face from television, Debbie Shore has supplemented her career as an actor and presenter with a whole new one as a popular sewing designer and author. This bright and lively book has a plethora of easily achievable projects, to suit varying ability levels. Debbie has a healthier attitude to promoting the craft and wants sewists to make and do as much as possible; she reasons in her introduction that more advanced crafters will be able to use her designs as a basis for far more elaborate projects, and we think that's a great way to look at it. There are some extremely practical ideas in here; the chair back caddy, with projects for all manner of bits and bobs, is a great idea and looks great in contemporary polka-dot fabric. There are some superb ideas for kids too, including a very attractive toy bag and a charming hammock for teddy bears. All in all this is a very pleasing collection of simple, lovely projects to get involved in.

* Popular Patchwork *

February 2015

If you are one who lives everything in its place and tucked away, you will make good use of this book. You need not be an expert seamstress, but it would help to have a fair knowledge of sewing because some of the projects are not straightforward. The book opens with a chapter on the basic stitches used to make the projects in the book as well as the tools and materials needed. Debbie Shore provide 23 storage solutions to sew to help keep your home tidy. The list includes a nursery bag for nappies, zipped under bed storage case to keep your sheets or blankets at hand, a pouch for your hair straightener; which would be handy if you travel, a round toy bag that opens out and doubles as a play mat (very convenient when on the move with your toddler) and a garden tote to carry your smaller tools if you're a gardening enthusiast. If you enjoy bring-and-share dinners at your friends' homes, you can make a dish carrier to fit your favourite casserole dish to keep the food warm until you reach your destination. And to take care of your sewing machine you can make the sewing machine bag to keep it dust-free and out of sight. Sew Useful is just that, a book full of useful sewing projects to make.

* Daily News South Africa *

February 2015

I have been busy at my sewing machine thanks to Debbie Shore and her new book Sew Useful with 23 simple storage solutions to sew for the home. As soon as the book arrived to review, I pulled out my fabric and started choosing between all the projects. I decided on the toy bag to start as I’ve been wanting to use this A-Z printed fabric and thought it would suit perfectly. The projects have been designed for use on a home sewing machine, with step-by-step instructions and there is something for sewers of all abilities. This for me is important as I’m still learning to sew and even though I’m confident with the easier projects, I also want to challenge myself and learn as I work through the book. So far I have already added 2 new items to my sewing kit – eyelets/grommets and fabric glue – and there is a section on learning basic techniques and stitches. I am very pleased with the result and want to make a few more. There are some handy storage projects for the nursery including a nappy holder, toy hammock, laundry bag, storage cubes and hoop baskets for little bits and bobs like cotton balls. To read The Mommy City review in full you can do so here: http://www.themommycity.co.za/sew-useful/

* The Mommy Ci