Hi there!
One of the first sewing books I ever owned slash borrowed from my mom, was a sort of sewing manual/ DIY guide for decorating one’s home. I don’t remember the name, but I do remember it was from the 80’s. Despite the pink illustrations, it held gold within its pages. The book was a manual for making custom things (pillows and drapes, etc) for your home. This book got me through my first 2 homes before it was lost in a move.
Which is why I’m so excited for Erin Schlosser‘s new book, Sew Home (buy it directly from Erin or from Amazon). Erin’s book is equally as valuable a reference and also happens to be chock full of beautiful pictures of fabric and projects of course. Most importantly, Erin writes with the authority of a professional Interior Designer and Sewist. (I did not realize pillow corners were supposed to be shaped. *guiltily gazes at throw pillows*)
Ha! My point is, you can tackle the projects in the book confident Erin is guiding you through the steps necessary to accomplish a professional, custom finish. The techniques shared in this book are top notch!
Sew Home includes projects ranging from DIY rugs to table linens and fabric baskets, just to name a few. And of course, the book has numerous curtain patterns and techniques. A couple of months ago, my mom and I made these curtains for my dining room and a few people asked for resources. They wanted to know where they could go to learn how to make drapes. Well, yah! Erin’s book shows you how.
Image courtesy of C&T Publishing
Including my favorite drape technique…. a blind hem, which sounds so fancy and so hard. But you’ll love how easy it is and how elegant it looks. I bet you can hardly see the wee bits of thread on my drape. It’s about an inch from the fold, and you might could see it in the deep turquoise part of the fabric. This is such a great technique, thanks for including it Erin!
My next home DIY big project I’d like to tackle are custom cushions for 3 (three!) window beds in my daughters’ rooms. I wasn’t sure how to exactly do it. But Sew Home has the perfect project, the Gusseted Cushion with Lap Zipper. Using Erin’s book, I know I’ll be able to actually do it and have it turn out well.
Image courtesy of C&T Publishing
Sew Home is a wonderful resource for home dec sewing. It’s a perfect gift for the gal (or guy!) with a penchant for DIY and new digs – a new apartment or dorm or a neewwww home (read in a Bob Barker voice, thought I don’t recall him giving away a new home….). If you’re interested, you can buy it directly from Erin or from Amazon.
Now, there are some other lovely lovely bloggers who have made projects from or reviewed Sew Home. Why don’t you check them out? The blog tour schedule and links are below.
Tuesday, September 20 – C&T Publishing & Joanna at Kustom Kwilts and Designs
Wednesday, September 21 – Sew 4 Home & Jen Carlton Bailly
Thursday, September 22 – Brenda at Just A Bit Frayed/Pink Castle Fabrics & Nicole at Modern Handcraft
Friday, September 23 – Janome Sewing Machines & Cristy at Purple Daisies Quilting
Monday, September 26 – Windham Fabrics & Rebecca at Bryan House Quilts
Tuesday, September 27 – Generation Q Magazine, Karen Lewis Textiles & Latifah Saafir Studios
Wednesday, September 28 – Dear Stella Fabrics & Mandy at Mandalei Quilts
Thursday, September 29 – Erin at Schlosser Designs
And how about a giveaway? C&T publishing is giving away 1 copy of Sew Home to one of my readers! Yah! Please note any US based winner will receive a hard copy while an international winner would receive the e-book version.
For one entry, leave a comment sharing what DIY home project you have on your “to do” list.
My followers, via newsletter, Bloglovin’, Instagram, etc., are welcome to a second entry by leaving a second comment. The blog tour ends on Thursday. The giveaway will be open through Sunday, then I’ll choose a winner and update this post on Monday.
Good luck!
I will be making curtains for Great Granddaughters room.
I receive your newsletter.
I need to make cushions for my deck chairs, this book will help me, yeah.
Thanks for giveaway.
I just signed up for your newsletter, excited to be inspired by your creativity.
We just moved so would love to make some curtains and bench seat cushions. tracinecharest at Gmail dot com
I have a few pillows that I’m in the process of making. quilted of course.
This book sounds like it
has a lot of great ideas!
I need some pillows for
my couch.
Carla from Utah
I am a follower
of you blog.
Carla from Utah
I want to make new table linens and fabric baskets. Thanks!
I need to sew new kitchen curtains, mine are very old and I do not like looking at them anymore. Thank you.
Following on bloglovin, Thank you.
I am going to try making curtains for my dining room and my sewing room.
I receive your newsletter.
I’d like to make a table runner and some place mats.
This winter, I want to make some outdoor pillows for our porch and deck to add some spicy color. I want bright orange with a bit of red and gold in the fabric.
I am a Bloglovin’ follower of yours!
I’ve had pillows on my “to do” list for ages. I even have the fabric! It’s a matter of making them a priority.
I follow you on Bloglovin’ and Instagram.
I am planning to make new Pillows for us…but also for a few Christmas gifts too. Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way too 🙂
First up the curtains in my bathroom have faded and need replacing.
I’d like to make some curtains,
I follow your blog by e-mail.
I’d like to make valances for my sewing room. Cute, sew themed ones.
I am currently making drapes and pillow covers for a client. I also have a fitted sofa cover in the works for my living room.
I’m currently looking for fabrics to make a duvet cover, pillow shams, dust ruffle, and curtains for my bedroom. Large print florals are my new love, and I want to combine stripes or gingham for a French Laundry Home look.
I really need to freshen up my pillows.
I follow you on IG.
Cafe curtains to front a door-less kitchen cupboard. I know it will look cute, but I keep putting this project off, while I sew for others. Why, why, why?
Your curtains look beautiful! I’d love to learn how to make a Roman shade for my bedroom.
Thanks for a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m a follower via BlogLovin.
Thanks for a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
What fun ideas. I have been wanting to make a custom sheets and also a shower curtain….this book would save me lots of time!
I have a few more curtains in my near future.
This looks like a terrific book to have around. Thanks for the chance to win it. I am planning to tackle new sofa cushions.
I follow you on Instagram and just signed up for your newsletter?
I really need to make a valance, but I’m tempted to try the Roman shade. This book would help tremendously! Lovely pillows too!
Hi thank you for the chance to get a great book, my next project is making a new cover for a futon that really needs a new look !
i’d love to make something for my new sewing room but haven’t decided yet the decor.
I would like to make fabric baskets to hold my daughters toys.
I follow you on Bloglovin