Mend It Better – review and give away

Mend It Better by Kristin Roach of Craftleftovers.com – details of give away at the bottom of the post.

First a disclaimer: I have a project in this book (p. 71 if you’re curious, below right) and Kristin and Storey Publishing even found a way to pay the contributors which is pretty awesome!

You need this book. Even if you feel you can do most of the sewing/mending related projects you like – you will still learn a lot of things from this book. I’ve not read it all yet, or tried any of the project ideas, but I already feel like I’ve already learnt *so* much from it!

And one thing I really like about the book is that it’s not a.. lifestyle craft book, this book is all good, useful stuff. Some craft books are like eating a pretty dessert, not much nutrition, rigth? But this book is more like a main course that will keep you full and satisfied for a long time. And it *is* a pretty nice looking main course too! ;-)

The book’s subject is mending, but it will give you many other sewing skills. Because well, mending *is* (mainly) sewing.

There’s an “Evolution of Sewing” chapter which is interesting reading. And a really thorough section on all the (sewing) tools you need: needles, scissors, marking tools and thread. And the section about zippers is just bril-li-ant!

You’ll learn basics things like how to thread a needle, make a knot, remove stitches, do different (embroidery) stitches, of both the hand and machine variety.

There are lots of mending projects which will all teach you something about sewing/mending. Mending with patchwork, mending stretchy, knitted fabrics. Adding pockets, repairing belt loops, replacing elastics – even how to re-pleat a skirt!

You can read this book from cover to cover or dip into the sections that are relevant to your projects. If you’re interested in mending (and sewing) techniques, you need this fantastic book in your craft library. And I’m not just saying that because I’ve got a project in the book. Although if I hadn’t been part of it I might not have known exactly how amazing it is.

I hope my review has “sold” you on this book so you go get it for yourself – seriously, it deserves to become a classic, with reprint after reprint, so go get it!

Storey Publishing have given me a copy to give away, so if you’d like to throw your lot in the hat, this is how:

Leave a comment on this post.
Make sure to leave your email address, so I can get on touch with you if you win.
The give away is open to anyone anywhere.
Deadline for entering: March 24th at 8am (GMT)
It would also be cool to hear about your favourite mending method or a mending project you’ve undertaken, but this is not required.

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