New Book Reviews Serger 101, Crochet Ragdolls & Mending

23/08/2020

One of the joys of writing a blog that features crafts, is having the opportunity to review new books on my favourite subjects. Today I have four! A beautiful book about mending, two crochet books and one sewing book about the overlocker or ‘serger’ if you are an American.

mending life new sewing sustainably book

4 New Books Reviewed

Please note: These books were gifted for review purposes, however, I would not feature them if I didn’t like them

All book details listed below this post.

Mending Life: By Nina & Sonya Montenegro

I am starting with my favourite, a book to keep and dip into every now and then. The perfect gift for a crafter too . . .

With a subtitle like this ‘A Handbook For repairing Clothes and Hearts’ How can anyone not fail to be intrigued? The book has some beautiful simple line illustrations that speak to you from the page. The authors are sisters and grew up learning how to mend from their grandmother. They have always lived a sustainable life and are not just jumping on the bandwagon!

The dedication says it all for me…

To all the people courageous enough to sew a patch onto their clothes and embark on a mending life . . .

The book is about mending and tenderly repairing our clothes. It describes various patching methods, how to darn different rips and lists a basic mending kit. Instructions are given on how to take in garments with hand-sewing, how to reattach belt loops, buttons and pockets. A truly lovely book.

Crochet Rag Dolls. 30 Animals & friends to snuggle. By Sascha Blase-Van Wagtendonk

A book full of cute crochet makes for an older child as all have little eyes ( pop on safety eyes) Called rag dolls because only the heads and arms are stuffed the body is flat. The expressions and designs of the toys are delightful. Many have a parent aka a larger matching figure, so endless scope for imaginative play.

The crochet terms are US with handy illustrations. The toys are made using a lightweight DK yarn and a UK 3 mm / Us d-3 size crochet hook. The photography and styling is superb. I am a little bit in love with the panda!

Every child should have a soft crochet buddy to love and cuddle!

Serger 101, From setting up and using your machine to Creating with Confidence. By Katrina Walker

One for the hardcore sewing fan, who wants to become more confident and knowledgeable about their Overlocker which is referred to as a serger in the US. 10 projects and 40 techniques.I have already referred to this book when changing the needle on my overlocker, so I would suggest it is a very handy book to keep on the shelf for future reference.

There are many tips and tricks and sensible advice along with photography to illustrate the projects and the ‘how to’ pages.The best thing for me are the charts with all the relevant info for the various stitches.At the end of the book there is even a Kimono project made out of rectangles and sewn with your serger.

My Crochet Wardrobe By Cassie ward.

Another crochet one for fans of jumpers and cardigans. Some lovely patterns to be found amongst its pages. 15 patterns in total with easy to follow stitch diagrams. My favourite is the cream ‘coatigan’ pattern, I would live in it come winter time!! Cassie also has a blog called The Missing Yarn so you may already be aware of her work?