Sew Small-19 Little Bags: Stash Your Coins, Keys, Earbuds, Jewelry & More by Jennifer Heynen
I saw this book advertised somewhere and, fortunately, my library had it. I like these kinds of books, because they can provide awesome ideas for gifts. This one has really interesting fabrics and embellishments, but most of the projects are similar to those I have seen or for which I already own patterns. Still, this is in no way a terrible book.
It starts out with a great table of contents (pg.4). There are the usual entries and then a complete list of all the projects including the page on which you can find them. The opposite page (pg.5) provides a visual table of contents. The visuals are a small picture of each project and the page number on which each pattern can be found. I LOVE these project overview pages. It gives me an idea of what is included in the book, the style of the projects and the taste of the author. It is also a nice visual directory when one cannot remember the name of the pattern.
In this case, I can tell that the author is quite whimsical. Not quite Mary Engelbreit, but tending in that direction. There are flower fabrics and embellishments, an ice cream cone design, pom pom embellishments, checkerboards and tassels.
The Introduction (pg.6-7) gives the reasons for the book as the author talks about style while also encouraging the reader to make the projects personal. Next, Heynen talks about materials: fabrics (pg.8-9), and embellishments (pg.10-13). A useful section (pg.14-15) provides information about attaching different types of embellishments. This is something I haven’t seen before, so definitely worth a look. Some basic embroidery and hand stitching information is provided (pg.16-17) with the acknowledgement that many books on embroidery are available.
The project patterns start on page 18. There are a couple of wallets (pg.18, 29, 49, 78), small pouches of various shapes (pg.33, 39, 44, 55, 60, 64, 91). I was pleased to find a couple of interesting bags that were unique to me. The Bangle Wristlet (pg.69-72) would be awesome to take along if you were going out for the night to a place, like a club, where you didn’t want to worry about a handbag. It might need to be upsized a bit to accommodate the current giant cell phone sizes. I am interested in checking out thrift stores to see if I find some interesting bangles in order to make some of these as gifts. I think the idea is really clever and different.
The book also includes a project called “Journaling Wallet” (pg.73-77). This is a zipper pouch that opens like a book or a box and includes various pockets for pencils and pens, washi tape, and paper. There are pictures of the inside of this pouch, which show pockets made up of interesting angles. The various organizing features are filled with their intended supplies. This project includes many different embellishments, including the word “Happy” on the front. I was also interested to see that the materials list includes Kraftex. I received some Kraftex as a gift and this is the first project I have seen that I would actually like to make using the substrate. I would like to see the project larger to hold an actual journal. Despite the size I think this is a project I might like to make.
There is another project pg.84-90) called a “Log Jewelry Roll”. The name seems to be almost entirely dependent on using fabric with log or tree bark motifs. The interesting thing is that this project includes a round pouch (the log) as part of the roll. The rest of the roll, with additional pockets and pouches rolls up around the round pouch. Very clever!
The tablet bag (pg.95-11) has an interesting shape and front. It looks like a 1960s handbag and the front pocket has a crescent shaped edge. I am liking round pockets right at the moment. It is pretty heavily embellished with edge trimmings, a 3D flower and ribbon, but could be made plainer. It also includes two curved handles for easy carrying.
I am disappointed that many of the bags don’t have pictures of the interiors. They are small bags, mostly, so it may have been impractical. I still like to see the interiors. The reader can get some information from the pictures in the pattern.
Sadly, like many of the books there is no information on inspiration. Why did she think an earbud key ring in the shape of an ice cream cone (pg.24-28) would be a good idea? What was her inspiration? This makes me sad, because it kind of takes the heart out of the projects.
The back of the book includes a pattern sheet with templates for the embellishments and appliques. A number of the materials lists include C&T products.
If you want to make some small projects that bring some fun to your life, this is a good book with which to start.