The one item sure to make every sewers wish list is more time to sew. Quick to Make, brought to you by the editors of Threads magazine, helps you make the most of the precious time you do have with more than 30 simple but sophisticated projects that you can complete in a day -- or less! From jewelry to clothing to home-decorating and embellishment ideas, you'll find a host of handcrafted items to create for yourself or your family and friends.

With Quick to Make's projects, you can:

• try new sewing and design techniques or practice the rusty ones
• use up remnants in your fabric stash
• indulge in exotic or high-end fabrics that are too costly to buy for a whole garment
• introduce others to your craft by using the projects as fast and fun teaching tools

Drawn from the popular "Quick to Make" articles in Threads, these designs are the creations of such sewing and fashion professionals as Linda Lee, Debra Blum and Moises Diaz, Shirley Botsford, and Jane Conlon. And step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, and an extensive resource list will help you find the most efficient path from start to finish.

Fit a little bit of sewing into every day with Quick to Make.

INTRODUCTION

BUTTONS, BRACELETS, AND PINS
The Saturn Hatpin
From Buttons to Bracelets
Patchwork Puzzle Pins
Fabric Cuff Bracelets
Old-World Treasures: Clay Buttons and Jewelry
Gorgeous Beaded Buttons: Make Just One or a Set

EMBELLISHMENTS
Stamped Fabric Is Only the Beginning
Your Very Own Dvor Velvet
Dimensional Embroidery
Take the Ribbon Road

WEARABLES
Call 'em Irresistible -- Beads and Tulle
Gossamer Ribbon-Work Scarves
Stitch an Easy Bra-Slip
Seashells to Wear
Easy Braided Belts
Two Sew-Easy Scarves
Wrap Yourself in Soutache
Variations on a Shrug
Stitch a Pie Bag
Overstitched Bags and Portfolios
The Simplest Summer Skirt

HOME ACCESSORIES
Embroidered Felt Trivets
Pillow and Pyramid Gift Boxes
A Pillow from Neckties
Great Pillows 1,2,3
Ribbonwork Holiday Stocking
Fold a Fabric-Origami Treasure Box
Button-Up Spreads and Throws
Needlebooks for Hand-Stitchers
Customized Hangers
Pincushions with Personality

RESOURCES 91

CREDITS

Many of us would love to make hand-crafted gifts for family and friends or small luxury items for ourselves, but we just can't find the time. This collection of 31 "Quick to Make" articles from Threads magazine solves the time dilemma and proves that sophisticated and stylish gifts don't have to be difficult or time consuming.

From jewelry and clothing to home dec and embellishment ideas, you'll find a variety of projects for everyone on your gift list. If you sew, many of these projects can be made from leftover scraps. If you don't, the materials can be easily purchased at a fabric or craft store or refer to the Resources section in the back of the book. You might even want to gather up a group of friends for an afternoon of social creativity. You can swap scraps and be inspired by one another -- besides, working together is fun.

We encourage you to think of these projects as a springboard from which to create your own designs. With a bit of imagination, you can adapt these ideas and techniques in nearly endless ways. And whether you make the projects as shown or in some variation of your own, you may want to make two or more of each -- some to give away and one to keep for yourself. This won't take you long because all of these gifts are truly quick to make.

Customer Reviews from Amazon

Some of these projects are really nice, but, as in the magazine from which they come, the editors of this book assume that everyone is an expert seamstress or can work from very sparse instructions. Some of the pictures are very small and several are dark and/or not as detailed as they could be. They also assume that you have more than just a basic sewing machine for some projects.

If you are an expert, or have access to someone who is to help you interpret some of the instructions, this is a fine book, especially if you don't already have their magazine. If you are a beginner, and/or need better instructions, see if you can get it from your library first. There are a couple of projects that even older children could do, like the knotted scarf or the origami boxes (after an adult has fused the fabric). I agree with a previous reviewer--this book would be a great companion to some of Mary Mulari's books (especially the travel projects book).

I would love to see more of this type of book from them in future--the "Quick to Make" column for me is the best part of their magazine. Just add better instructions and more pictures for the non-experts out there.

I was a little bit disappointed by this book. I only found a couple of things that I would make. The projects did not look hard. Many of these ideas and projects I have seen in other books. That being said I do have an extensive book collection so some one may find these projects new and exciting.

Admittedly, I prefer Mary Mulari's ideas, but these are some nice "little things" you can make when you are using scraps or whatever. The overstitched purse and portfolio have given me ideas to use my "stash" of fabric scraps and to use that to make more of Mary Mulari's projects. If nothing else it will give you ideas.

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