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!
My favorite reason for sewing is that it allows me to release my creativity and challenges me to continue learning something new and growing as a seamstress.
I love creating one-of-a-kind things and knowing that (hopefully) my children will cherish things I’ve made for years to come, just because “Mama made it for me.”
Thanks for the contest!
I love picking out my own fabric and creating one-of-a-kind projects or garments. My mom sewed a lot of our clothes as I was growing up and I didn’t appreciate them. Now I wish I had them for my own children and am making clothes for them, too. She never formally taught me how to sew, but I spent so much time with her that I learned a lot from observing. She is a a great resource now and is wonderful at talking me through difficult spots on the phone.
I love to sew because it calms me. My son got his second detention in a month yesterday. How did I deal? I started a quilt! Also, I love to show off (that’s my secret reason though–haha).
I love to sew because it’s so fun to take some fabric and a pattern and come up with something unique and beautiful.
I love to sew for many reasons and sewing is such a learning process for me which keeps me constantly inspired. I like being able to make exactly what I want. I like making things for my children and the absolute joy I see in their eyes. And finally, I like sewing things for others making a gift extra special because it comes from the heart.
Sewing makes me happy and fullfilled. It brings me back to spending time with my grandma sewing Barbie clothes and to having my own children at my feet while I sewed for them and others. I love to create and it lets me be in my own world doing what I love, even if it is only for a few hours a day. It gets my juices flowing!
I sew because it keeps me sane!! I was in a car accident 3 years ago and was left with crushing headaches that are a constant presence. How lucky am I that I can still sew, actually that is one of the few things I can concentrate on when I am in the throws of hurting. I feel accomplishment and proud that I can still give from the heart to people I care about. It calms me, it soothes me, it inspires me, and my best friends sew too.
One? It’s seeing a beautiful fabric and giving it even more personality
K
One? It’s seeing a beautiful fabric and giving it even more personality
K
One reason I love to sew….
is because when I sit down to work on a project, I completely relax. In the midst of all the chaos of family, home, and the outside world, it’s like everything shuts down and I can focus on the rhythm – whether it’s on my machine or a bit of hand embroidery, even hemming or sewing on a button – I can get into the “zone” and lose track of time.
I love to sew because when I am immersed in fabric, color and creativity I am so relaxed and my mind gets to wander all over life and the world.
I love to sew. I love the feeling of doing something for myself. Sure it would probably be easier and most times less expensive to buy something than to make it yourself, but it kind of gives me a self satisfied fight the power kind of feeling. I also love to touch and play with fabric.
I love to sew because someday when I’m old and gray, it will bring warmth to my heart if my children still value the things I made them when they were young.
I love to sew, because I like to create things with my hands. I also like to combine colors.
Sewing is a huge stress relief for me with three boys under 4 running me around the house!
Kathy … lol I have NO idea how you manage to keep up with SO many comments, but I LOVE it that when I ask questions, you personally respond to me! lol You are AWESOME! (And that book looks AWESOME!!!)
For me … sewing is visually rewarding. I have some certifications for various things, but ultimately still feel entirely too unsuccessful in my mother-in-law’s eyes. Sewing gives me the warm fuzzies and for once, I actually FEEL and can SEE that I AM good at something. And the awesome thing about it all is that even though I’m still REALLY new to it all, I can only get better as the years go by.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love to sew because I still find it amazing how I begin with a pile of ordinary fabric and turn it into something fun and functional. Also, there is no limit to what I can create!
I love to sew when I get time, but I LOVE to read, as well, and this book looks awesome! Maybe it will even inspire me to SEW more then READ!
Thanks!
JeanneLee
I love to sew and READ…and I hope if I win that this book will inspire me to Sew MORE then I read!
Thanks!
JeanneLee
because it expresses my creativity and puts a bit of me into the things I make.
Wow! What a great looking book, I love the spiral binding too! I love to sew because I love the feeling of accomplishment and the pre-sewing creative juices.
My love of sewing started after reading the book ‘little women’ as a child, since then I have adored sewing and the comfort and sense of belonging it brings.
I enjoy sewing for the same reason I love baking bread- it just seems miraculous to make something from almost nothing! I’m also pretty much self-taught at both things, which gives me great satisfaction.
I love sewing because I MUST create. I don’t cook or draw or paint… hence my love for my sewing machine.
I love color and all things cute! I’m especially fond of making bags and baby dolls.
My mom spent the first 28 years of my life trying to get me to craft. She crafted in every which way possible, from painting to sewing to stain glass to wood work to well, everything. I, being a rebellious little girl, refused to join her. When I was 29, I discovered knitting which promptly took over my life. Two years ago, my mom passed away from a short bout with cancer and sewing became my outlet. Every time I sew, I wish I could give her a call and talk to her about it but I know she knows…
I love to sew because it is a tie to my Gramma who taught me.
I love to sew because I love to own unique things that no one else has!
I love to sew because it makes me feel creative and it is relaxing. Mostly I love to sew because I can give as gifts something personal, and full of love.
Oh My! So many comments already! I would LOVE a copy of this book!
I love to sew especially for my 5 children…..it makes me sew happy to make them something they want to wear (skirts/jumpers/COSTUMES) or use right away (your awesome colored pencil roll, quilts, purses) & I always love to fulfill their ‘custom orders & requests’. “Mama can you make me ……(insert item here)!!!”
What a great book. I love to sew because it is so much fun to make things for other people. I love to see their faces when they open the gift or just sending it off. I just get so excited.
I love to create things that have a use, a purpose or just give pleasure to both the creator and the recipient. Sewing covers all this and more.
would love to get my hands on this book. free, no less. here’s hoping.
Hmmm…I love to sew because it’s my “ME” time; after the kids have gone to bed and I get to sew until I hear the birds sing (the sign of a truly productive night for me
A time when even though it’s my guilty pleasure, the rewards are for both me and my family — when my daughter puts on that new outfit or brings her new book bag to school and proudly says with a big smile on her face “my mom made this for me” or my boys show off their quilts at a sleepover and say “cool blanket huh? my mom made it” – you know it’s all worth it 
I love to sew because it gives me an outlet for my creativity. I learned to sew early in 4-H Club and it is a love that has lasted many years. I saw your tins in the quilting arts magazine, cute!!
I sew to create, which in turn saves my sanity. Housework is like stringing beads without a knot at the end of the string. Sewing I can finish and actually feel I have accomplished something.
I am not an advanced sewer, but I LOVE to sew for my girls (6 & 8). They love everything I make for them and for their dolls so it is a lot of fun to create things for them. Especially twirly, circle skirts!
I love to sew because it is so satisfying to create something that no one else has.
i love to sew for so many reasons (it sounds like i have a lot in common with all you other readers) – but i think the biggest reason is the connection it gives me with my gramma (we were very close). she taught and encouraged my love for crafting. she used to make our halloween costumes and i wanted to be able to do that for my children (i have yet to do that but i have sewn regular clothing). she never got to meet my kids, but i know she would have loved them and been so happy and proud of my following in her footsteps.
I love to sew because I get so much satisfaction seeing the finished product!
What I truly enjoy about sewing is how everything comes together like a puzzle, it is so rewarding and enjoyable!
I love to sew because I love process of creating something from nothing. I can rework old clothing destined for the landfill or the rag pile and make it into something fun and functional. What’s old is new again!
I am loving learning how to sew… it really feels rewarding to actually take a beautiful piece of material and create something to showcase the fabric. I truly believe that it is important to keep learning new things and show my children through example that if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
I love to sew, knit, quilt or whatever my currrent mood has me in because it is my zen. I work full time and I am the mom to 2 kids, 3 doggies, 2 kitties and 1 dear husband. Creating just allows me to find a few moments of peace, it keeps me in balance and also lets the little artist in me flourish!
jenn
I love to sew because…it’s what I do best.
It’s wayyy more fun than cleaning house too..ha.
Sewing is very satisfying in that you are creating something while escaping into a relaxed world of your own. To me it’s a form of therapy. You focus on your creation and get to lock out the unwanted thoughts swirling about.
I love seeing something and thinking “I can make that” and then putting your own twist on it. I love seeing the look on my kids faces when I make something special for them and knowing they love it.
I love to sew because it makes my 5 year old daughter happy.
It also very relaxing to me and gives me a sense of accomplishment when I make a new item.
One reason I love to sew? I get to use all my beautiful fabric!
I love to sew because it gives me the satisfaction to be able to make something and I love fabric!