3.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 25/07/2008

i am great with straight lines, but have no skills to corners and zippers. i was hoping this book would help me, but i find the directions very hard to understand. the projects look nice-ish, but again the directions are not easy to follow, they are written in a sort of telegram style and the pictures and drawings dont really help.
if you have ever bought ikea furniture and gone mental trying to assemble it following their instructions then you know exactly what i mean with this book...

3.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 09/02/2009

Great book with original ideas.
A few of the instructions didn't quite work out (possibly an editing/road testing problem) - and if I hadn't stumbled upon the flickr 'bend the rules' group and discussion group I would have been frustrated - but in saying that Amy Karol updates in this forum, so it was great to get the authors feedback, and also to give her feedback. Other sewers were also able to assist with problems. I would recommend readers of the book search in this forum also. http://flickr.com/groups/340229@N25/

The basic instructions in this book are great - it makes sewing from a pattern less scary.

4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 05/04/2011

Sweet and simple projects, perfect for a rainy day.

4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 14/12/2009

Very suitable for all levels of sewers, teenagers and adults. Written in an informal style, the book begins with a section on 'What you need to know' about sewing. It includes information like equipment needed, as well as helping with thinking about sewing, eg how to bend the rules a little, thus making it easier on yourself. Then there are sections on using machines, patterns, etc; making gifts; projects for interiors and projects for small people. I don't like all the projects in the book, but they are all presented clearly, with good photos and instruction. All projects are fairly simple, very suitable for any level of sewer.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 24/08/2009

The projects in this book look great. Easy to read and follow. The only down side is the patterns- you have to photocopy and enlarge them. But that is the only draw back for me. Other than that- great book.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 20/07/2009

Great book with loads of great projects and easy to follow instructions you will find the projects easy to make.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 29/06/2008

this is a fantastic book. great photos and really practical help for all the sewing basics. i love it.

4.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 20/03/2008

This book is full of fresh creative ideas. Amy shows you how to make simple functional pieces of art to use in your everyday life. Her quick projects and fresh fabric choices are bound to get your creative mojo flowing. A definate must read for beginning crafters/sewers or for those of us that just need a fresh set of crafty eyes.

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 23/09/2007

I adore this book! It not only takes you through the basics of what you need to sew, what to do but the patterns are simple and stylish! I love this book for a saturday or sunday afternoon when I want a quick project that I can finish that day!

its quickly become my favourite book!!!!

5.0 out of 5 based on 10 reviews. – Customer review on 10/09/2007

Finally, a book by the author of the popular Angry Chicken blog! For years we have been inspired and entertained by Amy Karol's crafts and creativity, and now we are able to buy her book.

And what a book! As an experienced crafter, I found it interesting reading Amy's philosophy on "bending the rules", especially when I realised that I too "bend the rules". Her main message is to relax and enjoy the process of crafting, a message many crafters would be well advised to listen to! Amy has a very well-thought-out section on how to sew at the beginning of her book, and I was pleased to see this as many sewing books assume that the reader already has these skills, In addition, there were detailed instructions on how to do some of the trickier sewing things, such as how to sew on a button and include a shank (something which I didn't know how to do).

If words and patterns don't do it for you, then the photos certainly will - they are simply beautiful and add a lot to the book.

There are 30 patterns in this book to sew everything from clutch purses to placemats, with a big emphasis on bag patterns and patterns for making items for babies and children. My only complaint is that I find the hand-drawn diagrams a little hard to understand.

All up, this is an outstanding book and I am very busy recommending it to all my friends, when I'm not making items from it that is!