Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style

by Celine Dupuy, Anne Bullat Piscaglia (Illustrator), Marie-Pierre Morel (Photographer)

Celine Dupuy presents sewers of all skill levels with more than 50 projects, each with a touch of something wonderfully, whimsically French. Including easy items to sew for the home, fashion accessories, delightful gifts and innovative ideas for customizing your favourite pieces of furniture, these are chic patterns that will inspire you.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Fashion, Adult

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2007

Reviews

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the selection of projects here. Great section about sewing with clear pictures of swatches demonstrating each technique she describes. The book is well organized, with several projects listed in each section (bathroom, living room, kitchen, etc...)with clear, concise instructions including nice & simple illustrations. Great book for someone who knows just a little bit about sewing and wants to learn more.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the colors, title and pictures in this book grabbed me, what's inside was completely unfulfilling. The instructions are incomplete (Uh, yes, you will need an old umbrella frame to make a sunshade, and a hammock for the hammock.) The projects and fabrics are going to be out-dated quickly, if not already. There are a few projects and idea that I would like to attempt that seem to be at my sewing level. (bathrobe, chemise, sunhat, etc)So where's that copying machine?

[Rosemary Bagley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of basic patterns that I already knew how to sew. The "French Twist" would be the fabric which would be difficult to find. If you don't know how to sew this would be a good beginning book.

[Inder · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some good ideas in this super pretty book, but they're not quite challenging or arty enough to get five stars from me. As other commenters have mentioned, I don't need a pattern for a square pillow or, even, let's be honest, a duvet cover - the patterns in this book are easy to the point of completely unnecessary. But of course, these books aren't really about the specific patterns, but about pretty pictures and inspiration more generally. Still, I would've liked to see some more complicated and original projects.

Also, too much of a "French Twist" can get a bit cloying - I'm not about to sew cafe curtains with French words on them for my Oakland house. That's just snooty (now, some other type of embroidered linen hand-towel cafe curtains? could be very cute). I adore that 40s-60s "An American in Paris"-esque style, but com'on people - it's all about subtlety, subtlety, subtlety.

[Jennyslash · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this because the photography was charming and I was in one of those I-feel-deprived-so-I'm-gonna-buy-myself-a-present kind of moods. If I had thought about it for another three seconds, I would never have purchased the book. The main reason is that this is one of those books that have small-scale drawings of pattern pieces in the back and tell you to take them to a copy center to enlarge them by some percentage. I would must prefer it if such books provided the scale and dimensions of the pieces and let the user have the option of graphing out the pieces, at home. If I'm in the mood to make something, I don't really feel inclined to schlep to a copy center and spend even more money.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

The projects are a little...classy, I think, for me. I like a few of the projects, and the button chair pictured on page 63 is my current project, but mine is much, much different, and not nearly as fancy. But it will be cool! Great for looking, but that and the tea towel apron are really the only things that caught my eye. But if you want to make your own fancy-ish things, you might like it more than I do. Oh, and my big complaint, though it may be nitpciky: the photographs of the projects are not immediately followed by the instructions for that project; there are all the photos for one section, and then all the instructions for all the projects for that sections. I like all the stuff for one project in one place.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had time to make lots of lovely things. This one includes a huge variety of projects. My favorites include a butterfly tench coat and a wool beret. I love the tomato floor cushion (curious if I can alter it to make a tea cozy). I did make some cushions for my bistro set based on an idea in this book.

A Note on the physical book: The photos are full color, the patterns are on different colored paper (easy to find) and not located at the end of the book, and the paper is a quality heavy paper.

Simple Sewing with a French Twist

[angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was filled with pretty pictures, but the projects are simply not that interesting and even disappointing. Recovering an old umbrella? Bleh. Yet another drawstring bag (actually, was it necessary to have two distinct patterns for this?). The instructions seem straightforward enough (for MOST of the projects) but it's not one of the top five books I'd recommend for new sewers (experienced sewers will also probably find it disappointing - but may be able to use the photos and instructions as inspiration in a way that new sewers can't).

[Marjanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had some pretty fun, and inspiring ideas. Most of the projects seem fairly easy/simple, but there's quite a variety of ideas to pick from. Some of the projects are huge, like making ottomans and rugs. Others are very simple, like taking something you already have (like a coat or robe) and adding embellishments. I like the French styling of the projects. They are neat, somewhat simple, but classic and even a little quirky. I also liked the easy to read and follow sewing tutorial. That's really good for someone like me who's still learning sewing techniques.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and it's layout and photography were fascinating but there weren't a LOT of projects that I would actually make or would actually need a pattern for. There is one pattern in particular that I'm dying to make from this book and it's the hat/beret pattern and I am bubbling with ideas of how to modify this pattern so it wasn't a complete waste of time and it is visually stimulating.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful book. it most definitely inspired me to sew but not necessarily the projects that were presented. I would use this book more as a spring board into your own creative endeavors rather than the end all. Some of the projects weren't so practical and would be rather hard to recreate, but like I mentioned, they get the wheels turning! I have checked this out twice from the library now because I love to drool over the pictures.

[Clover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the photography in this book! I'm super enthusiastic about this. The diagrams are drawn in a really charming way, and frenchy designs really get me (is it really French? I don't know) I definitely plan to make a couple of these. Maybe I'll go to the fabric shop tomorrow morning.

Update: oh man, do I ever feel ripped off. So in order to sew a robe with some fancy trim, you need 1) a store bought robe and 2) some fancy fabric for trim.
Oh well... The pictures are still pretty to look at.

[Kenzi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The projects all seem intended for beginner sewers, however the scant instructions (1 page written, 1 page pictures) for each project hint at a more advanced level. None of the projects were anything new or even seemed to have a French twist. Overall, very disappointing and not recommended for any sewer.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not all of the materials used in the projects are practical in a house w/ a 4 yr old & two big dogs. I have made probably 2 projects out of this book & on both I have made modifications to the materials or the design. Cute book that has some really good info but not good enough for me to check out from the library but not to go to the store & purchase.

[DogBeards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm not a very good at sewing, so this book is really good for me, because all of the ideas and patterns are simple and homemade. the patterns aren't all that difficult or even that cool, but the use of patterns is what makes the projects really stand out. i likey.

[Holly Booms Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty to look at, this book maks you think that you can make simple things that will make you and your home look chic and stylish. While the truth is that it'll take more effort than that, it does provide a lot of inspiration. This book makes me want to sew.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course, I have reviewed every inch of this book, even though I have not made all of the projects yet. I love her style and her simple instructional style. She is not so much concerned with the precise construction and the creative interpretation. Delightful!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a sewing machine for Xmas (don't tell my family or in-laws!) and this to go with it. Seems to be a good source of inspiration on things to make that are not tacky and/or pointless.I haven't yet made something so no road-test report yet. We'll see.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT!!! step by step, great pictures just what I need! I'm going to renew this from the library as many times as I possibly can and then run out and buy it because it's fabulous! Each and every project in it is easily makeable and it's all so chic!

[Heather the Banjo Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a lot of easy projects for the home and has good instructions, but I wasn't totally excited to make what was found in this book. It was good to flip through for ideas, but that is about it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had a beautiful beret and trench on the cover, and I fell in love because of it. Unfortunately, the projects inside are less than fulfilling. I copied out the beret pattern, but that's about it.

[Jessietaylortanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book, generally not the type of things I am interested in sewing. For those who want to do some simple and more advanced clothes, home decor and other things, her style is simple, unfussy,refined and lovely.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good instructions, lovely projects, informative pictures. Like alot of sewing books, the projects seemed hilarious overwhelming or been there done that kind of sewing. Great for inspiration and brainstorming though.

[Wendolyn Aragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh so pretty pretty

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as a Christmas gift.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great book to look through. while i don't know if i would make anything from it, it sure does promote some creative thinking.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love looking through the pages of this book. The projects are simple and useful for everyday. Not really an essential sewing book.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this from the library and I photocopied away. I am inspired by many of the projects and want to make wonderful things for my house. Now if only I could find my iron...

[Preethi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful pictures but the projects are a bit too difficult for beginners like me.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great except now I want French fabric and I'm not sure where to get it! The book has really cute projects and all you need is simple stiches to complete any of them.