I’m so excited to be offering Anna Maria Horner’s new book Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing for give away. Remember when I made the pledge to give away all the gratis books I received from publishers? Fortunately for all of us, two copies of the book arrived yesterday, one from the publisher and my pre-order from Amazon. Ethical dilemma disaster avoided.
Equal parts inspiration, sewing fundamentals, and fresh patterns, I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down and reading every page of Anna Maria’s first book. In the introduction she shares some thoughts on writing the book and her preference that she “would rather just invite you here for the day to show you how to make something.” She further writes “My greatest hope for this collection of projects, ideas, tips and tutorials is that you’ll feel as though you have been here and also that you would want to come back.” This guiding philosophy is evident throughout the book.
Anna Maria’s love of sewing comes to life as the pages are turned. An easy going writing style creates a warm and inviting tone that compels one to make another cup of tea and continue chatting. Groceries and laundry can wait till tomorrow.
New sewists will find the chapters on sewing basics to be a fabulous learning tool. It’s comprehensive and well written.
The second part of Seams to Me is jam packed with projects organized into 4 categories: Organize, Stylize, Decorate, and Domesticate. The book includes full sized pattern pieces for 10 of the 24 projects.
The clothing projects are especially fun and unique. I’m always inspired by the way Anna Maria mixes prints and colors in her clothing designs. The Smashing Smock for grown up girls and the Bo Peep Skirt and Prarie Blouse for the little ones are several of my favorites.
Color theory is tossed like sprinkles throughout the book. A section up front is devoted to the basics. Each project contains Anna Maria’s color notes. A peek into the creative mind of someone so very talented at mixing a palette.
And if all that wasn’t enough to Wow, the photography credit for the book is none other than Anna Maria Horner herself.
Yes, I felt as though I’d spent the day hanging out with Anna Maria in her studio, watching her work and listening to her thoughts on the craft of sewing. Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing is a grand achievement and sure to inspire your creative muse.
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I’ll draw a name for this book on Monday, October 20. Leave a comment telling me one reason you love to sew!
why i love to sew? nothing is more satisfying than holding something you’ve made.
I love sewing because it’s a way to create!
And I would love love love love love this book!
At 50 years old, I have been sewing since I was 9. That’s 41 years of creativity! i can honestly say I have learned something new each of those years regarding techniques, shortcuts, embellishments, etc. So what’s not to love about sewing?
I love to sew because the magic of creation is my drink and drug.
I love to sew because of that satisfying feeling I get when I see an idea materialize. The more beautiful the fabric, the more delightful the whole process is. And I love to try new things and learn–sewing is synonymous with learning for me.
I love sewing for so many different reasons, but I especially love how it melts away all the stress of the day. The creating and problem solving of it all is so relaxing to me.
I love to sew because I adore the satisfaction that comes with creating something on my own. It’s just so rewarding.
wow that book looks yummy. Will have to check the book store tomorrow.
I sew because I love to see how people react when they receive something that’s handmade.
Sewing/creating is like therapy for this tired mommy – it my time to myself
I love sewing because it’s meditative (except when you make a mistake, in which case it’s torture). Your mind is freed as you feed the fabric through the feed dogs. And when you’re done, you have something to show for how you spent the time.
I like to sew because it gives me such a feeling of accomplishment when I finish something.
My mom always said she “couldn’t sew”. “I break a needle just threading it.” I taught myself at 25 with the help of lovely people with amazing blogs and tutorials like you and Anna Maria. I got hooked quickly because of the amazing colors. I love to sew because I feel so much pride in seeing what I have accomplished. Ps. thanks for being generous
I love to sew because I enjoy creating one of a kind projects for family and friends. It is like giving away a little piece of me.
I love to sew, because I think there isn’t anything nicer than something made with love. I also love being able to make something from (almost) nothing, it is a great wat way to recycle which make sme feel like I am doing something good.
I get to be me. Most of the time (and most of my life) I try to fit into a mold that doesn’t work. I have finally found something that validates who I am and what my strengths are.
I don’t know why I love tp sew. I just do! I especially love the look of hand sewn stitches. I would love this book. I checked it on the net last night but the postage was almost the same price as the book! AND the 16th of October (the date of your post) was my birthday!!! What a generous give away. Thank you.
Sewing is creative, artistic and expressive, but for me, the main reason I love to sew is that it is therapuetic. It allows me to escape from an otherwise mad life and recover enought to face it all again! It is achieveable!
That book looks fabulous!
I love sewing because of the feeling I get when I’ve finished something nobody else has ever made. It’s totally unique, and exactly what I wanted (hopefully! If it turned out like I wanted!).
Thanks!
I love to sew because I love colors and the process of creating something. Okay. That’s two reasons.
I love to sew because I crave that feeling of achievement that I get when I finish something I have made with my own hands.
I am a SAHM, which I love, but most of the day I am doing things that I repeat day after day (cook meals, clean).
Sewing makes me feel like I have finished something unique. Even if I make the same thing again, it will be different, because I will use different fabric, of change the pattern.
I also love the creative outlet, the visual and tactile nature of sewing. And I love making gifts, the special joy of spending all that creative time to bring joy to a loved one. I have been sewing for several decades and the wonderful fabrics and inspiration of people like Anna Maria keep it so fresh and new!
There are several reasons….
1: It’s a major stress-relief
2: I love the sense of accomplishment when I have finished something
3: Sewing quilts, clothes, bags etc for my children is especially rewarding, the other night my daughter was snuggling up in her mom-made quilt saying, it was just like getting hugs from mom!! That just makes my heart sing!
4: I love fabric!
One of the reasons I love to sew is the possibility of personalising every item to suit the recipient. My daughter loves the pajamas I made for her with a skull and crossbones applique which I’d struggle to find in the shops.
I find sewing is a way to journal my life. No matter what I’m making, the thoughts that are top-of-mind are translated into my work. Thank God for needles and thread!
I love to try and create something useful and not have to rely on the boring stuff you find in the stores.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I love to sew because it allows me express myself creatively while making something that can be used as well as admired.
I have sewn from my childhood onwards, being at home with a mom who was a seamstress. Always curious what fabrics she had bought on the Thursday market, and would it be for new clothes for us, the three daughters? Untill today I’m happy when I sew, happy because I love fabrics, love my sewingmachine and the contentment it gives me to sew my own clothes, quilts etc., that I’m skilled to make them.
Bye Kathy, have a wonderful day, and thanks for your inspiration,
I love the fact I can make something I can use, and I love the process of choosing fabrics.
I’m still learning to sew myself, but I love the sense of accomplishment when I’ve completed something, and then when I get to use or wear something that I’ve created myself!
I really enjoy sewing and it is so rewarding when my kids wear what I sew and even better when they love it.
I just love the joy of creating something!
I love to sew because I want to bring back the idea of “homemade” in my family’s life. The speedy tone of life we live in has lost so much of domesticity. When I think about my grandmother, I remember her sewing up a storm and making everything her children wore. I love that. I am learning to sew now so that I can do that for (and with!) my kids one day. And, October 20th is my one year anniversary with my husband who bought me the sewing machine, so that’s a reason in itself to win
Thank you for your creativity and ideas!
What a gorgeous book! She is amazingly talented. I love to sew because I get a great sense of satisfaction seeing something created by my own hands. I believe handmade is best!
Ooo, I can’t wait to get my hands on this!
I love to sew because it makes my home feel like it’s really *mine* – like I put my thoughts and love into it, instead of buying everything premade. The pillows, the table runner, the quiltlets, the coasters, my hands and heart went into everything. It makes my home feel like love.
I love to sew as the end result is something “real” which then gets worn or loved by my family and friends. It takes me away from my computer and lets me touch the fabric. I can do it with my children in the room whereas working is more difficult to do with them around. I feel like each time I make something for someone (myself included) that I am giving them a little hug to take with them when I cannot be there to give them one. It makes me smile and warms my heart in so many ways.
For me sewing is like eating ice cream, it’s all about instant gratification.
It’s all about instant gratification.
It is fun and creative. I tried to sew for hire, and hated the drudgery. I enjoy it as an artist who paints when inspired. I love seeing the smile when a gift is received or my daughter LOVES her new creation.
Wow, there are soooo many reasons I love to sew! But I guess #1 would be because it is so much fun to be resourceful and be creative with what I have. I have said before, I don’t want to win the lottery because that would sort of take away the need for creativity, in my opinion!
Ack! There are already so many comments. I have been dying to get this one. I saw it in B&N, and it was just as good as I hoped it would be!
Woops. The reason I love it sew is making beautiful things! It is so satisfying!
I love to sew things for my little ones, they think I’m super mom!
Please please pick me!
I love to sew because it satisfies my need to create and its’ results are gratifying-and useful!
Andrea
I just love how each new project you finish is like graduating from a grade. You learn something that you can take with you to the next grade….just like in school.
I love to sew because…I love picking out fabrics, I love creating useful things, and I love seeing people’s faces when I give them something I made
sewing feeds my creative soul.
I’m a newbie to sewing but am already in love with it. I think one of the main reasons I’m so in love with sewing is that my grandmother (who recently passed away) was a seamstress, so it brings back fond memories of her. (BTW, she even sewed my wedding dress!).
I love to sew because I can make things that are truly my own.