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Handmade Style: 23 Must-Have Basics to Stitch, Use, and Wear
Handmade Style is a thoughtful collection of a variety of sewing projects to stretch your skills and keep you enjoying the process of creating throughout the year. Each project builds upon the other and is designed to help any sewist create a complete cohesive handmade simple and sophisticated look.
Unlike other sewing titles that include a random combination of projects, Anna has spent years compiling a well-edited collection of projects to ensure that her fans will want to make each and every one.
From wearables and accessories to quilts and pillows: these projects are made to live together to create the ultimate handmade style for every modern sewist.
Unlike other sewing titles that include a random combination of projects, Anna has spent years compiling a well-edited collection of projects to ensure that her fans will want to make each and every one.
From wearables and accessories to quilts and pillows: these projects are made to live together to create the ultimate handmade style for every modern sewist.
144 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
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59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 20, 2025
Lovely and contains patterns
August 20, 2016
So cute! I'm a sucker for chambray, so I love the dress on the cover.
Read
August 19, 2025I saw the Carry-All pincushion somewhere and thought about making my own pattern, then I realized the library had this book, so I borrowed it. I saved myself some time and got to take a look at a book by a designer whose patterns I have used and liked. Remember the Poolside Tote?
The first thing I noticed is that this book is photo heavy. I am not sure it has more photos than other books I have reviewed, but the arrangement makes it seem like more. Leafing through shows the number and organization of the photos .
The book starts with a short introduction. The introduction has no biographical information, just Anna Graham's wish for readers of the book and a little advice. There are a few pages of photos to pique the reader's interest, then the 'To Wear' section (pg.11-19). There are a few pictures of each project from different angles as well as the name of the project and the page on which the reader can find the instructions. The first section has a dress, flip flops (!!!), pg.14-15, a tunic and metal bracelets.
'To Wear' is followed by 'To Carry' (pg20-39). The texture on the bag that designates this new section (pg.21) is great. It makes the bag look very sturdy and useful. The pictures show projects ranging from totes, pouches and cases to a variety of bags, zippered cases and wallets. The Market Bag (pg.26) is a favorite.
The final section is called 'To Use'. This covers a myriad of projects including quilts, pillows, a floor poof (pg.50-51), baskets. This is the section where the Carry-All Pincushion (pg.56-57) can be found.
The photos used in the three sections are very appealing. They are staged well and make me want to make more than one of the projects.
The only how-to section covers the making and attaching of double fold bias tape, pg.62-63. After learning to make double fold bias tape, the instructions for the projects start on page 65. The project instructions are the bulk of the book.
The illustrations in the instructions all look hand drawn. Each pattern or project instruction is from 2-4 pages long. Some projects include tips on the side about doing some step. For example, off to the side of the Metal Bracelets instructions, pg.74-75, is a sidebar of how to install rivets and grommets (pg.75). In the Makeup Travel Case pattern, a sidebar on handmade piping is included, pg.95.
In addition to installing rivets and grommets and making piping, quite a few bagmaking techniques and other techniques are included in the book. These including installing an adjustable slider (pg.107), installing magnetic snaps (pg.100-101), adding darts (pg. 110-111) and a couple of different zipper techniques.
Some of the smaller projects, like the Gadget Case (pg.28-29, 86-87) would make relatively quick gifts.
There is a glossary, pg.138-139,which explains a lot of the terms used in the book. I like some of the definitions, such as 'top stitching,' but found some to be lacking. Fusible Interfacing is described as 'interfacing with a special glue that adheres the interfacing to fabric with the heat of an iron.' My question is WHY?
The resources section has vendors with whom I am familiar. This is a 2015 book, so some vendors are out of business. I was pleased to see some resources that might provide some new bag hardware finishes or different prices.
The first thing I noticed is that this book is photo heavy. I am not sure it has more photos than other books I have reviewed, but the arrangement makes it seem like more. Leafing through shows the number and organization of the photos .
The book starts with a short introduction. The introduction has no biographical information, just Anna Graham's wish for readers of the book and a little advice. There are a few pages of photos to pique the reader's interest, then the 'To Wear' section (pg.11-19). There are a few pictures of each project from different angles as well as the name of the project and the page on which the reader can find the instructions. The first section has a dress, flip flops (!!!), pg.14-15, a tunic and metal bracelets.
'To Wear' is followed by 'To Carry' (pg20-39). The texture on the bag that designates this new section (pg.21) is great. It makes the bag look very sturdy and useful. The pictures show projects ranging from totes, pouches and cases to a variety of bags, zippered cases and wallets. The Market Bag (pg.26) is a favorite.
The final section is called 'To Use'. This covers a myriad of projects including quilts, pillows, a floor poof (pg.50-51), baskets. This is the section where the Carry-All Pincushion (pg.56-57) can be found.
The photos used in the three sections are very appealing. They are staged well and make me want to make more than one of the projects.
The only how-to section covers the making and attaching of double fold bias tape, pg.62-63. After learning to make double fold bias tape, the instructions for the projects start on page 65. The project instructions are the bulk of the book.
The illustrations in the instructions all look hand drawn. Each pattern or project instruction is from 2-4 pages long. Some projects include tips on the side about doing some step. For example, off to the side of the Metal Bracelets instructions, pg.74-75, is a sidebar of how to install rivets and grommets (pg.75). In the Makeup Travel Case pattern, a sidebar on handmade piping is included, pg.95.
In addition to installing rivets and grommets and making piping, quite a few bagmaking techniques and other techniques are included in the book. These including installing an adjustable slider (pg.107), installing magnetic snaps (pg.100-101), adding darts (pg. 110-111) and a couple of different zipper techniques.
Some of the smaller projects, like the Gadget Case (pg.28-29, 86-87) would make relatively quick gifts.
There is a glossary, pg.138-139,which explains a lot of the terms used in the book. I like some of the definitions, such as 'top stitching,' but found some to be lacking. Fusible Interfacing is described as 'interfacing with a special glue that adheres the interfacing to fabric with the heat of an iron.' My question is WHY?
The resources section has vendors with whom I am familiar. This is a 2015 book, so some vendors are out of business. I was pleased to see some resources that might provide some new bag hardware finishes or different prices.
August 24, 2017
A lot of cute projects...but I've so many other projects I want to sew from other books. I'm returning this book to the public library, but I did take notes and plan to make the square floor pouf--so very cute and clever utilization of scraps.
June 1, 2017
I probably lack the required imagination, but looking through this book, nothing jumped out at me as anything I would want to make. That being said, I saw someone's bag that used a pattern in this book and sooo wanted to make it. I guess that makes this book a maybe.
October 16, 2017
Love Anna Graham and her book! The greatest thing is that when I have a question, she is completely accessible by email and so helpful.
July 27, 2018
I had expected there to be more clothing projects in this book, but this is mostly bags and household items. Not what I wanted.
May 10, 2019
Some good patterns here. I'll have to revisit this once I learn how to sew better.
September 5, 2019
I have not made any of the items in this book, but there are a lot of items I would like to make.
June 1, 2015
FABULOUS! Photos are gorgeous and the book well organized. I can't wait to start sewing everything in it!
February 20, 2016
On trend ideas for sewing. i would enjoy trying some of these.
March 29, 2016
I don't like how all the pictures are in the front and instructions on the back of book. I have to keep flipping back and forth to see what it's supposed to look like.
September 25, 2019
The cover shows 1 of 2 garments in this book. The rest is quilts and various bags. Not exactly what I expected...
Add: But I still like the cover garment...
Add: But I still like the cover garment...
September 14, 2017
I've made other Noodlehead patterns, and they're always great. May come back to these projects, just not making any of them right now.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews