Comments on: sewing book prototype

By: Elisa

Elisa — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:14:25 +0000

wow! what a fabulous repurp for an unused book!

<3E

tootsweethandbags.etsy.com

By: Wes Crain

Wes Crain — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:46:15 +0000

I made an apron for work (I make costumes) that carries many of the same things that you’ve included in your clever book design, and I’d like to offer a few suggestions that have really helped me out. You might make some extra room for safety pins–perhaps a flap for them on top of the pockets. I personally hate to be without lots of safety pins when I’m fitting things and such. A nifty little special pocket for a thimble (or two) would be awesome. You might also consider adding a small pair of needle-nosed pliers to the collection. I find them invaluable for dealing with recalcitrant zippers, bent hooks, pulling needles through difficult fabrics, etc. And for that really professional touch, a v-shaped pocket for the scissors with a snap flap so that they don’t fall out and get damaged if the book is turned upside down. The book idea is awesome, and I like the bold print. Wouldn’t it be cool to make the book out of, like, some old hard-bound clothing pattern catalogue book, or maybe a fabric swatch book? Love the creativity.

By: Stefani

Stefani — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:25:17 +0000

Oh my!!!! This is fantastic!

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:42:01 +0000

This is the best idea for hiding your good scissors from your kids so they won’t use them on paper! Plus have everything in a compact portable carrier for taking to classes and quilting get togethers.

By: Corey Ackelmire

Corey Ackelmire — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:40:47 +0000

I love this!! Very clever and useful!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:30:47 +0000

I think this is a great idea! It is so cute, and I think there are definitely people that would buy them. Put one up on Etsy and see what happens :)

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:21:31 +0000

Quote:
Lindsey Says:
March 5th, 2008 at 6:32 pm

I purchased a book yesterday at an antique shop in Salt Lake City, and felt okay about knowing I was going to gut it, because it is a yearbook from way back when. It has a cool cover, though. Any other books that seemed like they would make cool covers also seemed like a book I would read…or that would make me sad to pull the pages out of. My husband is also a “librophile” and is having to look the other way. :) At least it’s a yearbook…

I can’t wait to see what I come up with to finally organize my embroidery supplies!!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:44:51 +0000

This is a great idea! I have been tossing around trying to come up with something similar for my various project needs (sewing, knitting, etc). This would work nicely. I was thinking something like this would be great for keeping my purse organized too. Great job.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:46:05 +0000

what a fantastic project – i love it!

By: Sayprin

Sayprin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:59:53 +0000

Uncannily Clever Idea! Guess I could come up with ideas for improving/embellishing but overall this is the absolute CUTEST idea! A tall book might allow for bigger projects. Another “page” could be sewn on at the middle prior to adhering to the book back. Two pencil slots could become one slot to house a 6″ ruler. An additional row of tiny pockets atop the lower part of the existing pockets would expand storage. A magnetic strip for needle threaders would be useful. I’d LOVE to see photos of the next generation as I’m sure this project will evolve. Congratulations on an awsome creation!!!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:42:28 +0000

Very Cool! I’m going to have to try to make this. If you make them for sale, I’d add a loop that snaps, to attach my measuring tape and a spot for a little notepad. I’d also add tons of safty pins….I do a lot of fitting, and this “book” would be great to cart around.

By: karen

karen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:10:13 +0000

….so adorable!! There are soooooo many books just languishing around thrift stores without homes….if not purchased, into a landfill they go to sit unused, unread for all eternity. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!!! Love the sewing kit!!!

By: Cassi

Cassi — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:37:21 +0000

Love this! I’ve always wanted to try making something with some of the great book covers that you can find at thrift shops. You’ve come up with a super idea!

By: sweetcheese

sweetcheese — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:06:10 +0000

That is so clever! From the scissors tie, to the pincushion–and don’t even get be started on the cover selection! You will absolutely be able to sell those.
:) Tanya

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:32:18 +0000

I am amazed that no one has a problem with gutting a perfectly readable and useful book. I am an admitted “librophile,” and know I could not bring myself to re-use or recyle in this fashion, in spite of the clever play on the DIY title. That said, it is a lovely way to hold supplies, and if you can do/learn bookbinding, you could make your own (matching) covers for it.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:30:58 +0000

Wow! What a fantastic idea! I think you could definitely sell those. I’d buy one!

By: TJBookarts»Blog Archive » Of Tuesdays and finding the time to get things done…

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:39:42 +0000

[...] sewing book is a really cool idea. You could take the idea to the next level and make a book making book. [...]

By: Ketutar

Ketutar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:58:42 +0000

I think it’s an amazing idea and you would most certainly get these sold.

I think it is ok with one fabric, but it would also be fun in different fabrics – patterned + plain etc.

I don’t like the floss card. I would make a row of buttons and a strap… There would be either a loop or a strap with buttonhole on the upper edge of the book, and you’d fasten the ready-cut embroidery floss with the loops/straps and hold them in place with a long vertical strap… It would also be easier to make than the floss cards.

I also think I’d like more pockets and closable pockets… perhaps with a zipper.

It would also be nice if the whole book had a zipper all around, so that one doesn’t need to worry about things falling from the book while moving it from place A to place B… but then it starts evolving into an ordinary sewing caddy, and that kind of takes out the fresh, original feeling of your invention :-)

All in all it’s great as it is :-) Well done :-)

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:33:34 +0000

This sewing book is brilliant!! I’ve never seen anything like it!! And just leave that interior alone- it looks perfect as-is. Now I’m looking at some neat old books at my house with a totally fresh perspective… Cool!!

By: Julie (from Letter9)

Julie (from Letter9) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:13:35 +0000

Totally freaking cool (ingenius, actually!) but I will admit, it’s giving me a kind of camouflage vibe. A smaller print might help get rid of that sewing-in-a-yellow-jungle kind of thing. : )

By: kathy

kathy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:57:45 +0000

I love the whole take it with you book feel. What an appropriate book as well.
I would also add a snap-tie to the scissors as I am always picking things up upside-down oops!
Maybe a plastic (see-thru) pouch that is closed pocket style to hold bigger floss cards?
I have made an organizer thingy for our airplane but never thought to put it in a book. Great idea!

By: Anne Marie

Anne Marie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:36:25 +0000

I LOVE it!!!

By: jenny

jenny — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:52:41 +0000

Clever – I’d buy one!

Please make at least one with mixed-up fabrics. :-)

By: Floss

Floss — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:05:21 +0000

What a fun idea – I love it! My daughter made this bag last year with an old book cover http://nzfloss.blogspot.com/2007/10/im-not-only-one.html
but you’ve really taken it to the next level. Brilliant!

By: meg

meg — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:36:34 +0000

thank you everyone! securing the scissors is a must–mine have fallen out a bunch already.

Jen S. I think a bookbinding kit is a great idea! But I don’t know what all the supplies are.
Carrie–the big pocket was supposed to be for small embroidery projects, but I feel like smaller pockets would just be more useful. If I could figure out how to add another “page” I would.

By: Claire

Claire — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:35:46 +0000

Fantastic idea, love the retro fabric. I think that just one contrasting fabric would be nice for the pockets… and you should definitely sell them.

By: traci

traci — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:28:43 +0000

this is such a crazy good idea. nice!

By: fiona

fiona — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:47:07 +0000

brilliant!!!love the matchy matchy but differnt pockets/fabrics would look great to!like the idea of securing the scissors.absoulutly sell them!!

By: monica

monica — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:30:41 +0000

you’re so clever… but then we knew that already…

By: Jen b

Jen b — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 04:57:12 +0000

that is the coolest thing i have ever seen! you NEED to sell those in your etsy shop.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:53:10 +0000

I love this project! I am kinda obsessed with needle cases right now. One thing that I would want would be a large enough pocket to fit some small embroidery projects. I’d want them to lay flat, so maybe a large pocket on one side that was situated behind one of the panels? It is so easy to suggest–but there is no way I could sew it up without a ton of hair pulling. I would definately be a customer if you were to make more for selling.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:37:44 +0000

Oops – didn’t mean roll it up. Just FOLD book in half.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:35:54 +0000

I like how the pincushion is part of this book. I agree with some sort of enclosures. How about a ‘flap’ that runs along the long side and covers the entire book – then roll it up and tie. Looks great.

By: thelongthread

thelongthread — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:30:52 +0000

Very nice. I am thinking that my children would turn it upside down and shake it until those giant scissors fell out and stabbed their toes. Perhaps I would need to make another tie for the scissors or some type of box closure that would keep everything contained? Hmm.

Great idea and I love the book cover and fabric you chose.

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:59:56 +0000

This is so perfect! I love the way everything it matches, the one tranquil thing in the chaos of craft supplies. :-)

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:41:26 +0000

Genius! I absolutely love this!

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:06:49 +0000

Ooohh! I like. Not too matchy matchy. I’m envisioning one for knitting paraphenalia.

By: katy

katy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:33:33 +0000

Please make them to sell – you have a customer right here!!!!!!!!

By: Blakely

Blakely — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:32:16 +0000

I love the fabric, and I don’t think that it is to matchy. I think that two pockets would be better than one, but I’m a woman who loves a lot of pockets.

By: PhatSheep textiles

PhatSheep textiles — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:46:06 +0000

What a great idea, I NEED one of these, my sewing box is such a mess and I can never find anything.
I love the retro fabric, wel done you:)

By: bex

bex — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:28:58 +0000

Now that my friend is BRILLIANT!
I mean it.
I want one.
PLEASE! Xxx

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:41:45 +0000

Fab! I love the tied on scissors best – because mine will never stay where I put them.

By: alix

alix — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:37:10 +0000

the book cover idea is great. i really need something like this. my desk is a jungle. I’m not a great matchy person myself, but this almost has a “camoflague” flowery comando effect! The floss bars a useful. Does the pin cushion detach? I bet as you use it you’ll realise what’s functional for you, and it will evolve, and be patched and added to, and grow old gracefully. :-) I’m off to hunt some more head-lice!

By: jodie

jodie — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:15:26 +0000

Great idea – I would probably add in a few other fabrics but I tend to be a bit OTT at times. keep us updated as you make changes, I love seeing how things evolve.

By: Annie

Annie — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:56:34 +0000

I love it! What a great idea! My first thought was that you should definitely sell these, but then I thought maybe most of the sewers out there would rather try to make it themselves? I know that when I saw it I thought it would be fun to try for myself. Maybe you could sell a pattern/tutorial for it? I can think of endless uses for this sort of thing though, maybe as an art supply book for children.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:33:38 +0000

This is so rad!! A snap or velcro on the needle book is a good idea, and I like the way the removable floss cards will overlap. Is the pincushion removable? This book is brilliant!

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:05:53 +0000

Love it change nothing! Now I have to go make one myself!

By: jen s

jen s — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:41:53 +0000

very cool! a similar “book” would be really great for bookmaking supplies! all of my supplies are in a toolbox. to have everything in a pocket or “spot” (the awls, the bone folders, brushes, threads, needles…) and easily accessible would be fabulous. i don’t have a sewing machine, and i have a backlog of projects (mobile swap being one!), but it’s something i can add to the list!

By: Jana

Jana — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:17:35 +0000

I think it looks great! What a fun idea! I don’t think it is too matchy, and I love the fabric. Maybe it needs some kind of snap strap to hold the big scissors in. I have messed up a few pair of good scissors by dropping them accidentally!

FUN!!!