It’s a wrap! (Book review)

At times I feel like taking a break from “regular” quilting and try my hand at a small project in order to learn a new technique. Sometimes these creative breaks require time and patience, but at others learning a new technique can be incredibly easy!

I had purchased the book It’s a Wrap: Sewing Fabric Purses, Baskets, And Bowls a while back, but lent it to a friend before I had a chance to really read it and try out one of the projects. In the meantime, I tried to remember a little of what I had glanced through and came up with these little coasters. They were so quick and easy to do I promptly called up my friend and soon had my book back.

The first part of the book covers the materials needed to wrap, wind, and then sew these fabric “coils” into all types of containers: baskets, bowls, plates, purses… It then moves on to the basic techniques for any of these projects, with very good illustrations and clear, easy to understand instructions.

The technique behind these coiled projects is incredibly simple and it only takes a few minutes to get started. The project section begins showing how to create plates as a way to get started with the technique. It then moves on to baskets: round, oval, and square. If you get bored with baskets, you can always make a purse. Those shown in the book are spectacular. It doesn’t end there, however, as another section is dedicated to lids, and yet another one to handles. Last, but not least, an entire chapter covers different types of fun embellishments.

I am still not doing this book justice. How many project instructions do you normally get in a book? Hmmm… usually anywhere between 8 to 15, wouldn’t you say. Sometimes as many as 18 or 20 if we’re really lucky. This book doesn’t advertise the number anywhere, so I counted how many projects are included with instructions: 7 plates, 20 baskets, 6 purses, 7 lids, 16 handles, and 15 embellishment ideas. Think that’s enough? Well, just in case, the author has included a gallery with yet another 15 projects not at all difficult to reproduce. That’s what I call a project-packed book!

After browsing the book for a while, I got down to work right away. Amidst the usual interruptions, I completed two bowls in an afternoon. Pretty cool!

I think I’m going to have to set some more time aside soon to play with some of the other ideas in this book! A new addiction may be arising here! If you’d like to join in the fun, just purchase the book. I promise you’ll be delighted.