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“Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders” – Book Review

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One Yard Wonders Sewing Book Review

One of my goals for 2015 is to have a sewing or craft book review up each month – which in turn means I have to actually make something from one each month instead of just looking at the pretty pictures! This month I’m sharing my thoughts on a popular sewing book,”Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond“*(affiliate link) by Patricia Hoskins and Rebecca Yaker.

{This post contains affiliate links, indicated by an asterisk*. Please refer to ‘legal stuff’ in the top menu for more info.}

This book has two counterparts, “One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects; Look How Much You Can Make with Just One Yard of Fabric!“* and “Little One-Yard Wonders: Irresistible Clothes, Toys, and Accessories You Can Make for Babies and Kids“* both by the same author pair. It is really crazy to me that they have that many projects and patterns in each book! Granted, many of them are also easily found online for free, but there are still a ton of great, unique ideas. The twist on this edition is that they separate patterns by fabric type; it would be perfect for an advanced beginner who bought fabric before they completely understood what they liked sewing or what different projects call far. It’s also nice to have on hand so if I fall in love with something at the store but I’m not sure what I’d make with one yard, I know I have several options at my fingertips.

The project I tried was the “Crayon Ammo Belt & Bag”. I’ll immediately say I hate the text copy suggesting that it could be a “his and hers” set; “Your little one will love the ammo-style crayon belt, while the crayon tote works for girls or boys…”. Come on. I don’t like ammo-anything but can’t you just say both are for kids? Pointless gendering.

Moving on!

I followed the instructions merrily, planning on making only the tote and using scraps instead of a full yard. I followed the instructions to mark off the crayons, going from left to right (it was a 10″ square, tutorial says to start in 1 inch from each side and then mark every 3/4″)… and then came to the end where there was a really weird cut-off that was too small.

The technical illustration makes it look like it’s even, but as you can see in her sample… it doesn’t mathematically work out (I outlined her stitching lines in yellow so it’s easier to see). That really bugged me, so I just eye-balled it and spaced them out more evenly. Annoying but an easy fix. I know I’ve read a few places that craft books aren’t proofed or tested, and this attests to that!

Crayon Tote Bag

With that being said, it still turned out pretty cute. The straps are on the thin side but that’s easy to change if you’d like. Shown for scale, my two year old wears 3/4T and it was a nice size for him. A standard coloring book definitely wouldn’t fit in, but notepads and marker boxes fit just fine. If you’d like the free dump truck applique pattern, check out this post.

Book: “Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond“* by Patricia Hoskins and Rebecca Yaker

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Focus: Machine sewn projects, grouped by fabric type and all using 1 yard of material or less.

Project List Overview:

Lightweight Cottons: Halter Wrap, The “O” Tunic, Gazillions of Gathers Pillow, Cap Sleeve Bolero, Flirty Skirty, Scruffle Scarf, Smocked Sundress, Party Lamp Shade, Hi-Fi Habitat

Quilting-Weight Cottons: Retro Bag, Hot Pad Apron, Organizer Wallet, Camp Shirt, Convertible Diaper Clutch, Tuxedo Dress, Pretty Pinafore, Drawstring Tidy Caddy, Personalized Garment Bag, Kanzashi Clock, Logan’s Guitar, Playday Frock, Mandarin Dress, Crayon Ammo Belt & Bag, Child’s Chef, Hat & Apron, Cupcake Apron, Bees Knees Pocket Bag

Home Dec Fabrics: The Day Out Bag, Charming Bag, Smart Girl’s Set, Jet Set, Hanging Book Display, Fold Over Bag, Stroller Tote, Baby Overalls, Kaleidoscope Table Runner, Kitchen Gift Set, Portable Picnic, Chic Carryall, Shaken, Not Stirred Martini Shade, Tuffet Inspired Ottoman, Easy Dining Chair Slipcover, Eight-Bottle Tote

Flannel: Shaggy Chic Chenille Clutch, Boxer Shorts, Baby’s Accessory Trio, Swaddle Blanket, Liberty Lion & Blankie, Tatty Duck Cushion, Tic-Tac-Toe Travel Game, Cozy Comfort Set

Woven Pile Fabrics: Farmer’s Market Tote, Play Pants, Monster Backpack, Petal Pillow, Barnaby Bear, A-Line Skirt with Saddle Stitching, Kid’s Comfy Chair, Multi-Use Bucket, Sugar & Spice Ruffle Skirt

Coated Fabrics: Toddler Smock, Airliner Bag, 5-Gallon Garden Bucket Caddy, Gym Bag Set, Umbrella Redo, Sit-Upon-a-Saurus, Day of the Week Planner, Bicycle Panniers, Superhero Cape & Shorts, Breezy Kite, Coupon Wallet, Under-the-Sink Cleaning Stash

Fleece: On-the-strap Camera Case, Pajama Boots, Monster-Wear Hat & Mittens, Pig & Piglets, Hugh Manatee (this pattern has since been released separately, I tested it and blogged about it!), Button-Up Bolero, Bunny Pillow, Work in Comfort, Travel Set

Knits: Cheeky Pant & Cami Set, Hooded Wrap Shirt, Roller Skate Romper, Last-Minute Tunic, Speedy Ruffle Scarf, Reverse Applique Baby Romper, Sassy Dress, Space Beans Target Toss, Flat-Screen TV Cover, Monkey Leggings

Wool: Cool Season Clutch, Slip Strap Bag, Obi Belt, Little Girl’s Capelet, Urban Wabbit Hunting Cap, Seafarer’s Tricorn Hat, Knight in Shining Armor, Pretend Sewing Machine, Wave Illusions Pillow, Batholomew Bookends

More sneak peeks

Highlights:

  • The patterns are very diverse and have something for everyone; home dec, accessories, kids. I think you’d be hard-pressed to page through this and not find several things you want to sew.
  • The book has several “get started” and beginner tips on general sewing, like tension issues, stitch length, and different presser feet.
  • There isn’t a predominant “style” to the projects; so the finished product is going to depend on fabric choice mostly. I think this is nice! Sometimes sewing books can skew very cutesy.

Negatives:

  • The pattern pieces are printed on tissue, not thicker paper. With so many patterns, I understand the benefit of super thin material but I love when craft books use thicker pattern paper instead!
  • In the intro they mention a “sewing pantry” of suggested necessary items and I think it’s ridiculous. I hate most lists like this because they always contain things I think are unncessary, and someone would drop a ton of cash trying to buy them all to get started. A few examples from their list that I think are anything but necessary: drafting tape, thimble, Fray Check, Sew-in interfacing, carbon paper.
  • As previously mentioned before, I had an issue with the tutorial I tried in that it wasn’t mathematically possible/correct. So obviously these tutorials haven’t been tested.

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Here is a shot of the technical illustration to give you an idea of what those look like!

Check out my other sewing/craft book reviews on this page!

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Alanna

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

Thanks so much for this review! definitely checking this book out soon!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 8th of August 2015

Thanks for reading Alanna, let me know how you like it!

Mara

Sunday 1st of February 2015

So nice to see an honest opinion, I so don't like it when the patterns aren't written correctly or in your case mathematically incorrect.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 1st of February 2015

Yeah, I think it bugs me because at some point one of the two, author or editor, realized there was a problem? Right? I don't like it either! Thanks for reading!

Rachel Pascual

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Very weird. Glad you were able to make it work.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

As long as no one measures each crayon slot with a ruler ;) Thanks for reading & commenting!

Heidi @ Fabric Mutt

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

This project turned out adorable in spite of the challenges you faced along the way. Great job!!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Thanks Heidi! I love sewing books, can't wait to click back and see what other folks link up to your post :)

Vicky Myers

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

Thanks for such an honest book, I hadn't realised the patterns aren't tested, how frustrating for a new sewer. A monthly book review is also on my list for a monthly post, not managed it this month!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Make it happen Vicky!! I love reading book reviews :)

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