Saturday, January 29, 2011

Its a GIVEAWAY!!!


Penguin Books have given me this book to review and I have two to giveaway to regular readers of this blog! This book SEW Step by Step by Alison Smith is a great book for anyone just starting out.

It explains everything you ever wanted to know about sewing:  How to measure someone properly, all the different types of seams and finishes, different stitches, how to layout a pattern, how to sew pockets, collars, sleeves, it is all covered in here. It is like a reference book of sewing. The instructions are really easy to follow and there are great pictures that explain everything. I will be referring back to it again and again.

You can have a look inside the book  here.

 For a chance to win just leave a comment with your answer to the question:
Why do I need this book? by the 4th Feb 2011 at 7pm and I will choose two winners.
Make sure you leave an email address so I can get in touch with you. Good luck!
Remember your blog etiquette please.

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36 comments:

  1. TanyaJanuary 29, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Wow, I'd love to win this book! My grama taught me the basics of sewing as a child, and I've kind of muddled my way though learning more, but I know there are better ways of doing some of the things that I do.

    Great giveaway!

    PS...if you're interested, I'm also hosting a giveaway (my first!) @ http://sewmanydreams.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-time.html

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  2. quilaryJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I need this book, because I am mostly a self taught sewer. There are some things that I know I don't do "properly" and when I get a tip from experienced sewers, it's always and "ah-ha that makes more sense" moment! And I really really need to learn how to put in zips properly!!

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  3. Melinda @ Here We Go Loopy LouJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Fantastic giveaway!! Why do I need this book? A goal of mine this year is to learn to sew, so I cannot think of a more appropriate reference book and motivational tool!!

    PS - I see two of the independents are calling for a national disaster fund for the future, yeah!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Ooh, great giveaway. Why do I need this book? I bought my first sewing machine last year and am slowly working up the courage to learn how to sew something more complicated than a straight line.

    Right now I have a production line going to make bunny rugs for my first baby, due in April. I had fantasies of making my own bibs and some little baby clothes but am still a bit too scared! My CAE sewing lessons didn't do much for my confidence and it's taken a few years to be brave and have another shot rather than just trying to knit everything :)

    [Email address is pcatspace at Gmail dot com.]

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  5. Michele @ The Hills are AliveJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    A L Plate sewer who needs some real basic know-how as asking my mum over the phone just isnt cutting it
    Thanks for the giveaway hillme71@gmail.com

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  6. Leonie @ Cuppa and CakeJanuary 29, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Because I am a self taught nuff nuff who really has no freaking idea what I am doing!!! As I have no tribal elders to teach me and I am totally reliant on youtube this book would be bloody SENSATIONAL!! xx

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  7. TanyaJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Hmm, I guess I am similar to others. I like sewing and my 'style' involves too much guesstimate and approximate for my liking. I would like to know the 'rules' before I go breaking them. Thanks for a giveaway Cath.

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  8. KylieJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I really need this to find out how to use the buttonhole foot or at least some way to do buttonholes :) Great giveaway Cath - thank you! Kx

    p.s. is that 'blog etiquette' a message for me not to swear this time? sorry :)

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  9. SallyJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Ditto Leonie's comment. There is no way I know 200 techniques. I figure the sewing challenge last year taught me ten (i never did get around to smocking)... so I need that book to figure out the other 190!!!

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  10. Veri-TeaJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Oh wow, this would be perfect for me - I need it because I received a sewing machine for Christmas, and I am still havingtrouble sewing straight lines...

    Verity xo

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  11. Jo-anne BlossyJanuary 29, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    I would love to have a book like this. I can barely sew straight lines without messing them up. I need to learn ways to make sewing easier and more fun. It might even inspire me to stop letting my sewing machine gather dust.

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  12. XenaJanuary 29, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Firstly what a great giveawy. Second I need this book as I am a self taught sewer and I know some of my methods are a little dodgy and now my five year old is wanting to learn. I'd love to teach her the right way to do things and for her to be able to pass it onto her children one day.

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  13. TasJanuary 29, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    After 28 years since I learnt to sew, I have become complacent and corner-cutting and also more forgetful. A reference book like this would be great to have on the shelf for those vague moments and just to remind me how to do things properly.

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  14. LieslJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Oooh, I love a good reference book - especially when its by DK.

    I would love to win Sew, step-by-step, because I have only mastered 23 of the 200 essential techniques.

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  15. NjeriJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. NjeriJanuary 29, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    I used to love to sew, but all my stuff looks so terribly handmade I can't bear to wear any of it! Zippers, buttons everything is a problem for me, don't even get me started on cutting pattern pieces. I mostly sew for my baby nowadays coz I can wing it besides nothing gets worn for long.
    For a beginner like me this would be a gift from heaven.

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  17. dillpickleJanuary 29, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Hi Cath! I need this book because I've been having a hissy fit at my sewing machine for about 12 months now, ignoring a couple of cushion covers I was supposed to be making for my sister's birthday on January 20 LAST YEAR!! I HATE BUTTON HOLES!! Maybe this book could help? I discovered how much I don't know about sewing when some really basic hints in a bag pattern made a HUGE difference. 200 hints would be so much better!!

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  18. CathieJanuary 29, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    hi, my name is Cathie & I love visiting YOU!!!!!!!!
    why do I need this book..well because after not touching the sewing machine for what felt like months I have been reinspired by you my dear to make Amelie a special birthday teepee which needs to be finished by Friday for her birthday! wish me luck as I fumble my way through it.
    you are totally awesome Cath ♥

    p.s this comment really sounds "sucky"

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  19. SallyJanuary 30, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    Why do I need this book?
    Oh, dear.
    Well, I'm a hobbit-maid looking to become a hobbit-wife who is still learning a handful of hobbity skills. And sewing--though my hobbit-mum has tried and tried to help--is still a skill I'm working on.
    Being a hobbit in this world isn't easy.
    But a hobbit-maid who can't sew is a different situation entirely.

    -Sally

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  20. Christina LowryJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I need this book so that the veil will be lifted on the tin of sewing feet I own. With a book like this, surely all would become clear about which foot goes with which project? I tend to only use two of them at the moment. I would love the referencing support to enable me to dare try using a third or even fourth foot!

    :)

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  21. JenniferBJanuary 30, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I've sewn for thirty+ years now but my daughter never showed interest, despite my trying!...

    She's just shifted out of home, has my old machine at her disposal and will need great inspiration for inexpensive, easy clothing! And repair basics! :)

    "SEW Step by Step"... Perfect!

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  22. MelJanuary 30, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    My mother has tried teaching me several times to sew, but I just never got the knack of it!
    I think its about time I learned though, with 2 boys I am sure I will need the skills!

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    I am 34 and I think it's about time I learnt how to sew.

    karinawong@hotmail.com

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  24. AnnieJanuary 30, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Sadly, I have inherited my mums' old Janome, but she is no longer here for me to bug, and I long to make a teepee (love, love, love the one here) for my two little monsters/darling boys. My sewing skills are best not discussed (last practiced in the 1980s!!!)... this book might transform said Janome from 'scary machine in corner gathering dust' into something a bit more manageable..

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  25. UnknownJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. UnknownJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    This seems like a cool book on sewing. I am a pretty good sewer myself, But i'd like to learn more stitches and such.




    juliannefrsr@gmail.com


    thanks, julianne :)

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  27. DDJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    So I can mend, fix & repair the constantly appearing holes my husband keeps blowing into his jocks with the perpetual wind problem he has & refuses to stop!


    And to darn his socks too!!

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  28. DianaJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    I know a little bit, but not enough to do things properly. Gran started teaching me late last year before she passed away, and now I have her old trusty sewing machine, a little knowledge & a perplexed, confused look on my face, wanting to do her proud, but feeling absolutely lost.

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  29. nicoleJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    wowowowow! i would use this book to actually learn some more basics (and a bit more i'd reckon).
    most of my sewing endeavours are of the 'awwww, i'll just wing it' kind...

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  30. Paula LemosFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    I'm a beginner sewer and I still have a lot to learn. A step-by-step sewing book is exactly what I need! Thank you for the chance!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  31. MochiMachoMarshmallowFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    I sooo need this book. I promised myself that I'll learn to sew this year. I've taught myself to knit and crochet from a book and I've been looking for a book for sewing.

    Yumee
    yumeeh@me.com

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  32. <----- MZ VICKIFebruary 1, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I would LURVE to win this book. I would love to be able to whip up something spesh whenever I wanted. At the moment I have the sewing skills of a lop-sided goldfish. HELP!

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  33. willywagtailFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway Cath. I could definitely do with relearning how to measure myself for id and or whenever I get back to sewing proper clothes for myself. Cherrie

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  34. Charlotte ScottFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    What a fantastic giveaway! I really need this book because I'm just taking the plunge and starting to make some of my own clothes and I need a reference guide. Wish I could find something like this in the library. Thanks Cath.

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  35. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    I'd love to sew but when i do everything is just so-so and so many people sew such beautiful things that i would be so glad to be able to sew them as well

    ReplyDelete
  36. chloeFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    I've always wanted to learn to sew,
    So when my little ones do outgrow,
    their clothes I can make some mends,
    and keep them up with the latest trends.

    ReplyDelete

what a nice person you are- taking the time to comment in this busy hectic world...Thank you!!

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