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Book review = 4* for ‘365 days of stitches’ by Steph Arnold

For transparency: I was given a copy of this book on exchange for a review. The review, however, is 100% genuine with my own thoughts and feelings.

The review:

Textiles have historically acted as vehicles for recording lives through stitch. It seems that over recent years, there’s been an increase in people using stitch to create, more specifically, embroidered journals as a record of their lives. This is the first book that I’ve come across that is specifically aimed at supporting and inspiring people to keep an embroidered journal of their own.

365 Days of Stitches is written by Steph Arnold, owner and creator of Oh Sew Bootiful, and published by Search Press.

This book will absolutely guide you through the process of keeping your own embroidered journal!

The idea of starting a year-long project can be quite daunting so this book is really good as a resource book and an inspiration to get you started.

You can see from the contents page alone, just how much this book covers and yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming as it is so clearly presented in an easy-to-follow format.

The book starts by introducing Steph, the book’s author and Oh Sew Bootiful owner, as well as information about how to use the book (motifs, months starting) and some artist examples of stitched journals.

Chapter 1 covers core techniques and stitches.

I love how even the headings pages are so beautiful! There are photos of small stitched motifs as well as the heading and information about what the chapter covers.

In chapter 1, we learn about tools and materials, colours, how to use the templates to section your fabric into the 12 months of the year, how to use the motifs, and 15 core stitches that are referred back to throughout the book.

There are instructions and visual guides for how to embroider each of the 15 stitches as well as tips on starting and ending your thread.

Chapter 2 is the ‘Motif Directory’ which houses 1,000 motifs that you can use in your own embroidered journal.

These motifs are broken down into 12 subsections such as ‘nature’, ‘animals’, ‘home’, ‘celebrations’, and more.

Within each subsection, there are small motifs that you can either copy or use as inspiration to freehand your own versions. There is information underneath each motif that says recommended colours and recommended stitches (which are part of the 15 core stitches covered at the start of the book) but also that you can choose to use your own stitches/colours.

There is a colour chart down the left side of each page that says the recommended DMC threads for the suggested colours as well as a photo on the right showing the real life versions of each motif. I love the variety of motifs presented, how easy they are to find thanks to the really helpful headings, and the suggestions for recommended DMC threads. I would have liked more information about how to stitch such teeny tiny motifs. I’ve been an embroiderer for many, many years and I felt a bit daunted seeing how tiny the details are on some of the motifs especially if I were to freehand draw it (tracing is hard even with a lightbox once the fabric is in an embroidery hoop).

Following the motifs, there is also a double page spread with motifs for alphabets, numbers and diacritics.

What I also love about the book is the index!

Given that there are 1,000 motifs, this index is a game changer as it means you can easily look up the motif that you want to stitch rather than trying to guess which subheading it might come under. This makes it so much easier to use which means you have more stitching time!

Lastly, there is an envelope inside the book (on the back page) which includes different templates for creating the monthly sections on your embroidered journal. They are iron on templates so you can follow the instructions (at the start of the book) and just get stitching!

This is a really beautiful book which is jam-packed with ideas, motifs and creativity. It has beautiful photography throughout with a really clear and easy-to-follow format. I’d highly recommend it for anyone interested in embroidery, stitching, journalling, creativity or textiles!

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Book review = 4* for ‘Debbie Shore’s Sewing Journal’

For transparency: I was given a copy of this book on exchange for a review. The review, however, is 100% genuine with my own thoughts and feelings.

The review:

Debbie Shore has written over 30 books (published by Search Press) so I was really excited to get my hands on a copy of Debbie’s latest publication: ‘Debbie Shore’s Sewing Journal‘.

Even the front cover is inspiring and I love all of the different sewing motifs that are scattered across it from thimbles to cotton reels and buttons to needles.

This is a journal aimed at anyone who stitches so that you can keep track of your sewing throughout the year from goals and intentions through to achievements and progressions.

The contents page is clearly laid out with each section having a heading, subheadings, and then a corresponding colour for each section so that you can find it quickly by flicking through.

I absolutely adore that, very early on in the journal, Debbie creates space for you to record the things that make you happy as well as space for you to stick photos or swatches in of these things.

What I really love about this is that life can so often be stressful and overwhelming with what can feel like multiple demands on our time and energy. By having these pages at the front of the journal, it really encourages us to be reflective whilst sewing. It also allows us to easily flick back to the start to remind ourselves as often as possible of the little things in life that can make us happy (whether buying a new fabric, a new thread, or family and friends).

This all comes under the first section which is titled ‘Starting Out’. This section covers setting intentions (goals) for the year, body measurements (this is obviously aimed at dressmakers, so if you are a patchworker then don’t feel you need to complete this section!), and then space for any further notes you’d like to include.

The second section is ‘Sewing Essentials’.

This section is all about the fabrics! Debbie talks about a whole range of different types of fabrics, interfacings, linings, and fabric care symbols. There is then space for you to think about, and record, the fabrics you have and what makes them special to you.

I love the recording element of this journal as it really brings in so much of the journalling and scrapbooking world with the sewing world.

There are then further pages to stick fabric swatches along with corresponding information such as name, brand, fabric type, amount owned, and where to purchase more (space for corresponding thread colour would definitely have been useful here).

Debbie then talks about threads, zips, needles, cutting tools, and sewing machines.

I know that I really don’t remember to clean my machine out as often as I should (oops!) so I love that this journal has space to record when I do it so that it can also act as a reminder for when to do it next.

This section then goes on to talk about different stitches on the sewing machine (with space to record your own stitch settings and preferences), thread tension and choosing colours (with space to record your favourite colours, colour combos, and space to reflect about colour and emotions for you such as colours that make you happy or calm).

The third section is project planning which has lots of space for you to record everything to do with your projects including a space for a list of ‘projects to finish’ and a list of ‘projects to make’. There are then pages dedicated to a more in-depth record of your projects. Each project can be spread across 2 X double page spreads with sections to record the project name, date started, date finished, who the project is for, any sketches/doodles, materials used, notions used, machine settings, needles, threads, overall costs, what you would change next time, and any further notes.

Given the focus on mindfulness and intentions, it would have been really lovely to see a section in there for ‘what I’m proud of’ as well as the already existing ‘what would I change’. I think it is so important to build in the positives too.

There is then a section on monthly planning so you can write down important dates or things to do on a month-to-month basis.

The penultimate section is called ‘Sewing Reference’.

This section covers sewing terms, techniques (such as how to stitch split seams), common fabric and quilt sizes, dressmaking tips (how to take measurements etc), and a glossary and abbreviations page.

Finally, the book ends with a section on ‘Final Thoughts’. This section is a space for you to record any notes to your future self, your accomplishments throughout the year (it can be so easy to overlook these and to forget them especially as the year goes on), and any further notes you’d like to add.

This is a really beautiful book and it bridges a gap between sewing and journalling so it is a very welcome addition!

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Book review = 5* for ‘The Embroidery Stitch Companion’ by Coline Bavois

For transparency: I was given a copy of this book on exchange for a review. The review, however, is 100% genuine with my own thoughts and feelings.

The review:

‘The Embroidery Stitch Companion‘ is a new embroidery book written by Coline Bavois and published by SearchPress.

I’m going to be brutally honest in saying that I have read a lot of embroidery books and I am super hard to impress in this area because there are a lot on the market. This book, however, massively exceeded my expectations and I was utterly impressed from start to finish!

It is a smaller size book which makes it the perfect accompaniment to take with you whether that be on holiday, the work commute, the sofa, by the bed, or anywhere else you’d like to stitch! Whilst it is small in stature, it definitely is not lacking!

You can see from the (beautifully set out) contents page, just how much this book covers!

In part 1, the embroidery essentials are covered including fabrics (and how different fabrics will react to stitches differently), threads (stranded, tapestry, wool, metallic, silk), needles, scissors, embroidery hoops, marking tools, transfer papers and more. It has top tips, illustrations, written text, and easily accessible information.

Part 2 then guides you through basic techniques such as preparing the fabric, transferring your designs, securing your fabric in the hoop, best practice for using your thread, threading your needle, securing your thread (with different options including knots, waste knots, filling methods), and finishing off your embroidery. Each subsection is clearly presented with a heading, subheading, written text and images (where needed).

You can see, from this example, how each subsection is presented. I love how accessible it is and easy to follow. It makes the whole book so enjoyable and informative to use.

Once the embroidery essentials and basic techniques are covered, you are then at the stage of stitching! Within the stitch guide, Coline presents 18 embroidery stitches that are useful to know. Each stitch is presented with a heading, a diagram for how to stitch it along with written steps, information about how it can be used, and a sensational photograph showing a multitude of ways that that single stitch can be used.

You can see, in this laced running stitch example, just how inspiring the image is in showing how a single embroidery stitch can look so different depending on how you use it! It is truly wondrous reading through the book and seeing stitches that you think you know so well being used in such beautiful and creative ways.

The final section of the book is ‘further ideas’ which covers using appliqué, embroidering stretchy fabrics, embroidering with beads and sequins, as well as further points for creative inspiration.

At an RRP of £9.99, this book truly is sensational and packs a lot of information, creativity, inspiration and stitch knowledge in!

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Book review = 5* for “Hand-Stitched Quilts” by Carolyn Forster

For transparency: I was given a copy of this book on exchange for a review. The review, however, is 100% genuine with my own thoughts and feelings.

The review:

“Hand-Stitched Quilts” is the latest book publication by the ever-talented Carolyn Forster and it absolutely lives up to Carolyn’s fabulous reputation!

In this book, Carolyn expertly guides you through the process of hand-stitching a quilt from start to finish.

I especially loved the dedication at the start of the book. Carolyn takes a lot of inspiration from antique and historical quilts, and she is truly interested in, and fascinated by, all aspects of quilt-making both in knowledge and in practise. This dedication is so beautiful and really feels in keeping with all of Carolyn’s work.

The contents page is clearly laid out and accessible. I love how they have also used exquisite imagery so that it doesn’t feel text-heavy. The headings are clear along with the subheadings and information about what is within each section. This makes it much easier to navigate as the reader!

After the introduction, Carolyn talks through the different quilt and piecing materials that she uses. The information is broken down with subheadings so that you can focus in on the section that you need/want. Again, I love the use of imagery on the side of the text as it just unites it all and creates a really beautiful book that is informative and stunning in one.

With the same layout (of text, subheadings and images), Carolyn also goes through the materials for cutting and sewing fabric, template materials, using templates, seam allowances, grain lines, hand piecing materials, and top tips. Then comes the stitching! Whether you’re new to hand-piecing, dabbled in hand-piecing or are a experienced in hand-piecing – this section will still be useful!

Every step of hand-piecing is broken down with clear instructions, close up photos, written text and top tips. It makes it incredibly accessible, easy to follow and beautiful to read and follow.

Carolyn covers thread length, starting and finishing your stitches, number of stitches, threading a needle, pressing seams, as well as guidance (photos and instructional text) for piecing seams (single seams, seams with a junction, matching junctions, converging junctions, y-seams, round pieces and curved seams and more). As I type the different elements of piecing seams, I realise that could sound quite scary but it truly isn’t. Carolyn really does break each act down into smaller steps that are accessible and easy to understand due to her expert teaching, experience in writing, and beautifully close-up instructional photos.

Next up: the blocks! This book contains 27 different blocks so that you can put into use each of these hand-stitched skills!

Each block has a number, a bit of information about it (and variations where applicable), sizing information, what fabrics to use, which templates to use and the instructions for how to hand-stitch it.

I especially love that each block has a photo of the finished piece from the front as well as a photo of the back so that you know how to press it This is really, really useful for when it comes to joining your blocks.

After all 27 blocks, there is a section on adding sashing or post squares to your blocks as well as a section on making the quilt your own. I love that you can really adapt this book to make it work for you.

You don’t have to make the sampler quilt and I really like how Carolyn encourages the reader to adapt the book and the blocks accordingly so that it works for each individual reader.

If you do choose to make the sampler quilt, there are 2 sampler variations and they each have an image with a key so that you can see which blocks have been used, how they’ve been used and where they have been placed. Carolyn also talks through how to sew the quilt together in more detail on the following pages.

Next up, Carolyn talks about tacking/basting, tools, backing fabrics, wadding, quilting patterns, marking patterns, hand quilting, binding and labelling.

The book finishes with all of the templates for the 27 blocks which are provided at 100% scale. There is also a website provided so that you can download the templates too.

I decided to have a go at hand-stitching one of the blocks in the book called ‘Album’. I love how you can frame a special print at the centre of the block.

It took me a couple of tries to get the sewing seams with matching junctions but I’m really pleased with how it turned out.

Having images showing how to press the block from the back really, really helped too.

I added some hand-quilting so that I can turn this block into a needlecase but I adore it and I’ll absolutely be making more!

I adored everything about this book and it is another stunning and inspirational book for stitchers!

The book is published by, and available to buy from, Search Press.

You can see more of Carolyn’s work through her website and her Instagram.

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Book review = 5* for “big stitch quilting” by Carolyn Forster

For transparency: I was given a copy of this book on exchange for a review. The review, however, is 100% genuine with my own thoughts and feelings.

The review:

‘Big stitch quilting‘ is the 2021 book by the amazing Carolyn Forster. Carolyn is an internationally renowned writer, designer, maker and teacher with a multitude of publications – all of which are superb! This book is another incredible addition to the Carolyn bookshelf!

‘Big stitch quilting’ is absolutely packed with beautiful photography, detailed instructions, a multitude of inspiration and more alongside 20 projects for you to explore big stitch quilting with.

At the start of the book there is a contents page that clearly sets out the format for the book along with the page number.

This is perfectly bookended with a clear and accessible index at the back of the book so that you, as the reader, will be able to easily find the project and page that you’re searching for.

Carolyn starts the book by exploring big stitch quilting in historical makes as well as in different cultures. The level of details in the photos is astounding and I love learning the wider context of big stitch quilting and how it has been used.

Carolyn then moves on to talk about the tools and materials that she uses for big stitch quilting.

Again, I really liked the level of detail and how the tools and materials are broken down into subsections. This really helps the reader to make informed choices about materials, their uses, and considerations to take into account.

Each section has a clear heading so you know what it is about. In this section, Carolyn discusses the actual act of stitching the patchwork pieces and covers stitch length, pressing, chain piecing, and techniques.

Nothing is taken for granted and I really like that. Carolyn does not presuppose our knowledge as the reader and so all bases are covered with instructions that are all clear, understandable, easy to follow and have high-quality instructional images.

There are instructions and clear images for tacking, basting, quilt designs, quilting stitches, binding, and more.

Then come the projects and they are all amazing!! Sometimes, a book has a handful of projects that may inspire you. This book, however, is inspiring from start to finish. All 20 of the projects are amazing and ones that I absolutely want to try! There are 11 home items projects (bags, coasters, wrapping cloths etc) and 9 quilt projects.

Each project is titled and has clear information about the sort of project it is, the measurements, the requirements (fabric and notions), how to cut the fabric, and a digital image of the design as well as styled photography.

The photography truly is sublime! Following the above information, there is then a step-by-step for how to make the project with digital images to guide you alongside written guidance.

The book also contains the templates that are needed for the projects too so you can start stitching straight away!

I truly, truly love this book. It really is jam-packed with sumptuous images as well as clear and easy-to-follow instructions for a whole range of methods, stitches and quilting approaches as well as the 20 projects. It is absolutely a book that I’d highly, highly recommend!

You can see more of Carolyn’s work on her website and on her Instagram.

The book is published by, and available to buy from, Search Press.

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Book review: “Sensational Quilts for Scrap Lovers” by Judy Gauthier = 4*

Any book that can offer me ideas for using up my (never-ending pile of) scraps is going to hook me in for sure! Add beautiful colours and designs to the equation and I’m in!

The first thing to say is that this book classes scraps as anything from 3.5″ to less than fat quarter size…none of the designs use pieces that are less than 3.5″. If that’s the size of your scraps then this book is sublime but if your scraps are much smaller (say from English Paper Piecing) then this book may not be as applicable and/or you’d have to edit the fabric requirements/pattern sizes to work with your stash. It isn’t a problem, it is just something to be aware of from the start. Now, let’s look at the beauty of this book!

Even the contents page is sumptuous and worthy of framing in itself!

Judy starts with the crucial part of her scrap-loving quilts: colours, tints, tones, shades and combining them! This is a really key aspect and it is beautifully put together, explained and visually presented.

Judy also looks at curves. Curves can be quite daunting and, before getting to the quilt designs, Judy guides you through the process of measuring, cutting, marking and sewing your circles with visuals and written instructions.

Now the foundations are in place…it is time for some scrap-loving quilts!

I can’t think of a good enough adjective to describe the deliciousness of these designs, their richness, their beauty and their style! There are 11 quilts in the book and each, and every single, one of them is a stunner!

Each quilt starts with the stunning photo along with the materials you’ll need, the cutting information and information about the design and top tips for making it. Following this, there are easy to follow step-by-step instructions for making your own version of this quilt from your scraps.

Each step has written instructions and clear visual images to guide you along the way.

This is a really beautiful book full of incredible images and designs for using colours creatively with the fabric offcuts in your stash! The photography is stunning and plentiful. The only thing that I felt was missing was a ‘sewing level guide’. I’d have loved a ‘sewing level’ alongside each project as some of the instructions look quite complex so it would help to know which patterns are an easy way into beginning to stitch scraps so that you can then progress to the more complex designs (or just jump straight in with the complex designs!)

US stockist and publisher: https://www.ctpub.com/sensational-quilts-for-scrap-lovers/

UK stockists: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781617458682/sensational-quilts-for-scrap-lovers

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Book review: “The Building Blocks of Free-Motion Quilting” by Kathleen Riggins = 3.75*

If you’ve got free-motion quilting basics sorted but you want to know how to combine them, then this is the book for you!

The book is split into 5 sections: an introduction/setting it up section, a basic designs section, a building combinations section, a making shapes section and a finishing up section!

How super stylish is the layout of the contents too?! This stylish layout runs throughout the book and it is sublime!

In the intro/setting up sections, Kathleen talks you through needles, sewing space, basting, marking, and securing your thread at the beginning and end. Once the setting up is covered, you can start learning the 8 free-motion quilting designs that are the foundation of this book: straight lines, grids, feathers, bubbles, swirls, clamshells, wave fills and ribbon candy.

I love how there are tips for areas that the quilting design works particularly well in!

The instructions for the quilting design are a combination of visuals (digital diagrams and real-life photos) and writing.

In the following section, Kathleen then begins to guide you through the process of combining these different designs! Scary, yes, but also very exciting and that excitement is because the photos are so beautiful!

Again, the instructions for combining the designs are a combination of written text, digital diagrams and real-life photos which help to make the process more accessible. I also love how Kathleen includes, again, the areas on a quilt that the combination would work well in!

The penultimate section looks at using quilting to draw attention to, or away from, particular shapes on your quilt.

I found this section harder to visualise but that’s probably because it is like any skill in that it takes time to put into use as you are learning to see something new and different. The visuals are, once again, incredibly clear and also incredibly inspiring!

The final section of the book covers troubleshooting, removing marks and…these FABULOUS building block cards! These are cards you can cut out to keep alongside your machine to act as visual representations of the different quilting (and also to see what the combination of quilting designs would look like!)

USA stockists and publishers: https://luckyspool.com/collections/books/products/the-building-blocks-of-free-motion-quilting

UK stockists: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781940655420/the-building-blocks-of-free-motion-quilting

Kathleen Riggins’ website: https://kathleenquilts.com/

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Book review: “Walk, Jog, Run: A Free-Motion Quilting Workout” by Dara Tomasson = 5*

In this fabulous new book by Dara Tomasson, the fear of free-motion quilting is sent flying as Dara talks you through a range of exercises, projects and tips for building skills, techniques and quilting workouts!

The book is split into two sections.

Section 1 has four chapters and chapters 1-3 look specifically at the foundations of free motion quilting including sewing machine, needles, tension, maintenance, threads, battings, keeping a quilter’s log, and the physical space for quilting (taking particular note of lighting, body posture and fatigue).

I really like how much detail Dara goes into here because it feels informative, but not overwhelming, and provides a really solid foundation and understanding before practically starting with free-motion quilting.

Chapter 4 then begins to get us ready for the real-life use of free-motion quilting by guiding us through the process of making a quilt sandwich and basting the quilt.

Dara is clear from the start that imperfections are part of the learning process with free-motion quilting and I really like that Dara emphasises this before we even start free-motion quilting…it takes some of the pressure off!

So…we’ve got our space set up and ready to go, we’ve made the quilt sandwich and the quilt is basted…what next? Well, section 2 is next!

Section 2 is split into 10 chapters with each chapter exploring a different free-motion quilting (straight lines, e’s and i’s, loops, daisies, paisleys, stippling, circuit boards, wishbones and fancy l’s, ribbon candy curves, and clamshells). To say these sections are phenomenal is an understatement! The level of detail, inspiration, instruction and activities is incredible.

Each chapter tells you what you need for practising that quilting technique, the skills you’ll learn, the key elements of that quilting design, examples of variations of that quilting design, a record/time sheet with practice ‘workouts’ (mini activities) for practising that quilting technique and an individual, stand-alone project to practise the quilting technique (with full instructions on making the project from start to finish).

There is also an on-going pattern throughout the book to make a Sawtooth Star Quilt and, when Dara covers each quilting technique, she also demonstrates how to use that quilting technique within one of your Sawtooth Star blocks.

I LOVE this as it enables you to not only learn new techniques and to practice what you’ve been reading, but it also enables you to have a full quilt at the end as a tangible sample of the different quilting techniques. What better way to remember them?

This is a really fabulous, inspiring, creative and, most importantly, accessible book which turns something that is typically quite daunting (free-motion quilting) into something which is fun and exciting! I really loved it and I cannot wait to start free-motion quilting!

Dara Tomasson’s website: https://daratomasson.com/

USA stockists and publisher: https://www.ctpub.com/walk-jog-run-a-free-motion-quilting-wo/

UK stockists: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781617459153/walk-jog-run-a-free-motion-quilting-workout

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Book review: “Stitch, Fabric & Thread: An inspirational guide for creative stitchers” by Elizabeth Healey = 5*

I so wish there was a higher star rating that I could give as this book is PHENOMENAL!

Elizabeth Healey has absolutely jam-packed this book with ideas, exercises, prompts and knowledge for stitching in a range of contexts and inspirations.

You can see from the contents page at how detailed this book is but it isn’t ever overwhelming! The book’s layout and the structure have been expertly thought through and crafted so that you, as the reader and maker, are taken on a textile journey. Even the subtle page decorations are inspirational as you go through the book…

Before starting the stitches, Elizabeth talks about the importance of preparation in terms of tools, sketchbooks and recording, threads, fabrics, colour, image inspiration and more.

What I really love is how Elizabeth really brings it back to basics in exploring these factors.

For example, Elizabeth talks about the different fabrics in such detail (their weave, their formation, their weight) and, even if you thought you know lots about fabric, it is so informative and inspiring.

I adore how Elizabeth also encourages you to think ethically about your fabrics too with a specific section on ethical textiles and textile recycling:

Once the preparation is covered, Elizabeth then begins to explore the stitches with the first section being based on straight stitches:

Now, don’t be fooled! Straight stitches are so incredibly versatile and Elizabeth demonstrates this beautifully with a phenomenal 26 visual prompts for using straight stitch including (but not limited to) chicken scratch, seed stitch, kantha, boro, sashiko and much, much more:

I love how each of the 26 prompts is presented visually at the start of that section so that you can see exactly what the stitch idea is:

Then the in-action prompts begin and the layout for each activity/prompt is absolutely exquisite! The technique/stitch is explained alongside the materials, the instructions and stunning photography:

What is also incredibly clever is that a lot of the prompts also contain an ‘elsewhere’ section which is almost like an extension of that prompt and encourages you to look further into that specific technique/inspiration.

Continuing this inspirational and flawless layout, the second section explores ‘chain and blanket stitches’ (shisha, felt, mail art, stitching on knit and more), the third section explores ‘raised stitches’ (embellishing prints, scattered french knots, couching) alongside pattern repeats, natural dyes, ink and bleach experimentation with the fourth and final section exploring ‘more than stitches’ (shibori techniques, texture, rag books, applique, drawn thread and more).

If you’re new to stitching, or just want a refresher on stitching techniques, then there is also a detailed and easy-to-follow section on the range of stitches used towards the end of the book:

I genuinely don’t know how to rave about this book any higher. If there is only one book that you buy this year then I would really, really recommend that you choose this one as it is phenomenal from start to finish! Stunning photography, flawless and accessibly structure/layout, inspiration in abundance and so much more….!

At an RRP of £14.99, this book is just incredible!

UK book stockists: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781782212850/stitch-fabric-thread

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Book review: “A Field Guide: Serger 101” by Katrina Walker = 3*

I don’t think I am saying anything controversial or new to say that a Serger (an overlocker) can be scary – I fully put my hands up and say I am daunted! Katrina’s book, however, is just the accompaniment to help!

This book aims to help people become more comfortable, and also more confident, with their serger. To begin with, Katrina expertly guides you through learning the basics (how it works, the needles, the parts), how to thread it and choosing your stitches.

Now, the detail in this section is phenomenal. Quite often the very act of threading a serger puts many off because of how detailed and complex it feels in comparison to a sewing machine. This book, however, is incredibly at providing a comprehensive guide to threading your serger with detailed instructions, photos and digital images to help you along the way. This ‘serger basics’ section is lengthy (pages 7-49) but this just demonstrates exactly how detailed the book’s instructions/guides are so that you, as the reader, do not feel overwhelmed or intimidated. It breaks it all down for you in an accessible and easy-to-follow format.

The book then presents a handful of projects so that you can begin to get comfortable using the serger in real-life.

At the start of this section (chapter 4) Katrina talks about accurate seams, using the differential feed and serging corners before then proffering projects to put these techniques into use: a coaster set and drawstring bags.

This layout continues throughout the book with Katrina presenting the serger techniques/stitch, setting up the stitch on your machine, troubleshooting, top tips and a project to put-into-action what you’ve learnt for each chapter.

Chapter 5 discusses flatlocking (with a table runner project to try the technique), chapter 6 explores ‘rolled hems’ (with a scarf project), chapter 7 covers ‘safety stitch and coverstitching’ (with a tote project), chapter 8 covers ‘knit construction techniques’ (with a knit t-shirt project and leggings project), chapter 9 discusses ‘woven construction techniques’ (with a kimono style project) and chapter 10 presents ‘serging sheers and delicates’ (with a shrug project). Chapter 11 covers any additional and speciality tools that you can get with your serger (lace foot, beading foot etc).

The detail in this book is incredible. Personally, I found the projects incredibly dated and not very inspiring. I did, however, love the depth of detail that Katrina went into for using your serger so if you’re looking for something informative to further your knowledge of your serger, and how to use it, then this is the book for you!

UK book stockists: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781617459214/serger-101

US book stockists: https://www.ctpub.com/serger-101/

Katrina Walker: http://katrinawalker.com/