Bend-The-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew

If you sew anything more advanced than a basic pillow this book is too simple for you. It is BORING!!! There is nothing exciting or challenging here. Nothing new to learn, nothing to engage your creativity. Disappointed.

I absolutely love this book! It has adorable illustrations, beautiful photos, and creative patterns. The idea from this book that stands out to me is that anyone can sew, and sewing doesn't have to be perfect. True, it may seem too basic to some, and true, it has a few pattern flaws. It was easy to find corrections online ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/340229@N25/discuss/72157601678980590/ ). I learned a lot about "going with the flow" when I'm sewing--and making simple projects my own by adding my own creativity. In addition to this book, Amy's blog (www.angrychicken.typepad.com) and online photo sharing group on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/340229@N25/) would inspire just about anybody. 5 stars!

I have so many things to say about why this is an exciting book. I am a brand new sewer-I mean, the book came before the machine, but I have already in the course of a month made several of the wallets, a purse I carry daily, and a baby bib for a friend. These are projects I actually use. This book makes you want to make the items-and they are very doable. Plus, because they are simple, there is a lot of room for creative interpretation of the patterns. Many of the projects use smallish bits of fabric, so if you are into silk screening, stamping or painting (or embroidering) fabric, these projects would be perfect applications for your work. Best of all, the Bend the Rules Sewing group on Flickr is extremely active and fun, so whenever I've had questions there have been people out there to answer them in no time-and you get to share what you made. Amy Karol has answered my questions a number of times and she is very warm and clear in her responses. My only problem? I want more! I can't find its equal out there. I've look at this book seriously almost every day. OK, done gushing!

I bought the book because I'm a fan of the author weblog...And I wasn't disappointed at all! Since I bought it it's on my bedstand and I read a bit of it everynight before sleeping. Made me learn how to use better my sewing machine, and pushed me to sew a few hours every day. All the problems I had for years because I learnt to sew in a too strict way were solved. I'm really enjoyinfg sewing now! It's full of ideas, the editing is just oh so perfect, I love the fresh pictures. For the moment it's my favourite craft book ever :)