1, 2, 3 Sew: Build Your Skills with 33 Simple Sewing Projects

by Ellen Luckett Baker

Sewing is as easy as 1-2-3! In this creative teaching book, craft blogger Ellen Luckett Baker offers a wholly unique approach to she presents projects in groups of three, each building on the techniques used in the project before. Baker shows, for example, how to sew a glasses case, then build on those skills to create a zippered pouch, and from there, make a more advanced cosmetics bag. There are 33 delightful projects in all, ranging from clothing to dcor and accessories. With easy-to-follow instructions, how-to illustrations, and 12 patterns tucked into an enclosed envelope, 1, 2, 3 Sew is an essential resource for beginning and intermediate sewers alike.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

168 pages, Spiral-bound

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like I don't already have enough sewing books to go through!! :) At the height of my budding sewing skills last year I was an advanced beginner, then life happened, so I had to stop for almost 6 months and I'm slowly getting back into it now FINALLY!! Fabrics have been prepped all week. I'm this [--] close to starting up again. I'm stoked!!

Anyways, I tell ya, when I saw this one on the shelf at my local Chapters store today, at first glance , the technical instructions are legible, the patterns and projects in their natural progression make sense, and the projects themselves are practical/useful. It's a win win. I just couldn't say no. So if you're like me and want to get your chops back and don't want to use up tons of fabric to do it, I highly recommend this book.

[LG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been working through these projects for several weeks and they are really well done. Instructions and illustrations are carefully and thoroughly done. I've learned so much already. My only complaint is that in some of the patterns there is absolutely no room for any margin of error. For example a bias binding that you make for one of the patterns requires 1/4" on the front side, and then on the back side, you are sewing down and must catch the other side of the fold which is also only folded at 1/4". If you are even 1/16" or 1/50"!! of an inch off in your cutting or folding---your binding won't catch and it will be a mess.

I've had the author answer some of my own questions via e-mail and she has been very responsive. I think it's so important for authors of project books to be willing to respond to their readers, and Baker has been wonderful that way.

[Arlian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best beginner-to-intermediate sewing books I've seen in a while. It has a nice selection of very solid, basic sewing projects but teaches you to use advanced-level sewing techniques like mitered corners, pleats, applique, patchwork and more while still being--as I said--a very accessible title. The projects are also simple, modern, and clean, with a lot of room for personal embellishment. I think of this book as a great gift to give to anyone (including yourself!) who wants to learn how to sew or to level up from sewing only straight lines.

[Kimberli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the layout of this book. Easy to follow directions & the patterns are on single sided pages so the reader doesn't have to take time to trace the needed patterns like many other books are doing these days.

I particularly like the organizers section.

Sewing level: Beginner to Intermediate

[Jacqueline M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fantastic resource for true beginners as well as confident beginners. I will say that this book does not teach you how to use a sewing machine so you'll need to have at least some familiarity with the mechanics of your machine for this to be a relevant book. There are plenty of youtube videos and sewing machine beginner books if that's your situation.

The instructions are well written and the projects are cute and modern. The author does a great job building on each previous skillset within the chapters. I completed 7 of these projects with good success and read through the entire book. There are several other projects I'd like to add to my neverending list. I do wish that there were better figures/illustrations for the individual steps within a project. Sometimes they are confusing and I needed to reread the text several times to understand. Photos would have been better: thus only 4 stars.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I f was turned off when I saw how she drew her pins to hold fabric together ready for sewing. Pins/clips should be perpendicular to the edge of your fabric with the head out on the edge so you can easily pull the pin out before it travels under the feed dogs or close to your needle. It irritates me when sewests use the parallel method of placing a pin to sew. It’s easier to wreck your needle and machine that way.

Easy reading with directions for simple pieces for beginners, so make your directions as a seamstress would work the piece, not a beginner. Create good habits from the beginning.

[Karen Renwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a sewer for sometime and bought this book for my daughter as a beginner. I have yet to give it to her. The basic information is thorough and I learned a few things. The projects are easy at the beginning and has clear instructions. The projects are timely and usable items.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is geared toward real beginners, and didn't find much particularly challenging in it - maybe that's the point. Projects include pillows, totes and bags, some clothing. Nicely styled photographs. I can't speak to the accuracy of the directions.

[Veronica Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the simplicity of the patterns and want to work my way through this book!

[Lauren Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for adding skills, clear instructions.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can hardly wait to try the projects in this book. This is a great little book. I am learning how sew. It's something I've always wanted to learn.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too simple, nothing new.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner book!

[Lisbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the projects here are clever. I like the suggested variations as well. Some colored photographs of the sewing process for projects may have been helpful.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really excited about this book. However it is a library book & being a swamped student I haven't actually gotten to try out any patterns. But I'ver really really been wanting to expand my sewing skills, and I feel that the projects in this book are right for me. Every single one in there seems to expand your learning & is sweet but not so frilly or kitschy that I wouldn't be able to use it myself or at least have a person in mind that I could gift it to.

I have looked at plenty of similar books but never felt that the project list was especially well suited to me or the items were just plain pointless, and sometimes they take a lot of specialty fabrics & things I can't afford to go spending on.

I'm really hoping I'll find a little time to try a few projects before I have to give it back, and then hopefully I can own my own copy in the nearish future.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I've used this book for a few years now. Turns out it didn't do a whole lot to improve my skills, since it still makes many assumptions. Assumptions that I already know how to do things. I got stuck on the lunch bucket project because I did not know how to sew the lining into the outer part as pictured. No instructions about this step.

I have made the Market Bag many times and with each one, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to handle that section at the bottom of the handles where the fabric overlaps. I've made the pencil case and was frustrated with how difficult sewing around a circle is. Now I just avoid sewing circles. These are all things I wanted to learn, instead I left frustrated.

One of these days I will write my own beginning sewing book that leaves off all of the assumptions that I know how to do anything first.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm unsure how I feel about this one. On one hand, the projects are progressive and cute, and leave room for elaboration. On the other hand, I don't feel like the beginning projects are simple enough for a true beginner, or especially children. It requires a basic knowledge of sewing terminology and how to use your sewing machine. For instance, the first two projects tell to you use a topstitch and an edge stitch without really explaining what they are. Lots of diagrams, though I think a few color photos of the process would have been more helpful.
In any case, it's a book of cute projects, but only if you have some basic sewing skills already.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me by surprise! I really like the projects in this book. It's well-designed and easy to follow, and boy do I love a spiral-bound that stays open and flat while you're working. The photography is lovely and the fabric choices are inspired. I want them all!

The projects in each section actually go together--something that some of the sewing books I have rated 3 stars don't really take into account. Some of the projects also combine simple block and screenprinting. It also comes with the patterns in the front pouch. This is a book worth buying!

[Andrea McDowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the concept. Some of the projects are fun. A lot of the instructions and measurements are wrong, and I feel lucky that I am already a fairly experienced sewist and can figure out what is supposed to be going on. (eg. for the lunch bag, she tells you to cut pieces out of the cotton that should be cut out of the canvas; for the pencil holder, the circle is too small for the tube). Still, a good basics-building book.

[Kenzi]

I love the projects in this book. Simple enough for a beginner, but not the same old thing advanced sewers have seen a million times. There are several projects that have been added to my to-do list! (I won this book on a blog giveaway-yay!)

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice projects - practical stuff, but cute.
didn't actually make any since it was a library loan, but inspiring, and seemingly well organized and diagrammed. good basics in the first chapter.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some fabulous projects to enhance your sewing skills.

[Miss M]

Good projects...book worth looking at again.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a beginner book with simple projects. What you'd expect - pillows, napkins, hot pads, bags, as well as stuff for kids and babies. They do have added flourishes - stitching, pockets, etc.

[Marisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Library Request. A little to rudimentary for my level of expertise.

[ياسمين يوسف · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so good, and has variety of simple nice projects

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute pillow ideas
Organizers: pencil holder, storage cubes, craft caddy
Gift ideas
baby gifts

[Susan O'brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute projects. I may make the mouse pincushion for gifts.