Half Yard# Gifts: Easy sewing projects using leftover pieces of fabric

by Debbie Shore

Half Yard Gifts is the latest title from sewing guru Debbie Shore, and the next book in her best-selling half yard series. It contains 22 projects to sew and give away, each made using less than half a yard of fabric. The book contains gifts for all your family and the projects range from pincushions, bags and paperweights to aprons for budding chefs, kneeling pads for gardeners and tool belts for DIY-enthusiasts. The projects are made in a range of prints and styles and use a range of either follow each project closely, or adapt the size and fabric to suit the recipient. Debbie gives advice on how to customise the projects, so that you can create the perfect gift for your loved one.
This book would be perfect if you are new to sewing and need some guidance with the basic techniques and key information, as Debbies friendly advice and clear step-by-step photography make it a doddle. But its also packed with fresh ideas and designs that will inspire you even if youve been a keen sewer for many years and are looking for a way to use up your stash and create meaningful gifts that your loved ones will treasure.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2015

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy and easy to follow guide covering some of the basics of sewing, both by hand and by machine, with some superb and straight forward projects that can help use up those fat quarters and off-cuts that seem to stack up in the sewing desk drawers (or is that just me?). The instructions are easy to follow and supported beautifully by step-by-step photos with a few additional hints and tips thrown in too. All I need to do now is decide which one to try first!

[Christen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed in ideas. String of birds, tool belt, and apron seem old. The handbag appears overdone. The cathedral window quilting technique does not show well. The wallet has a flower on the outside. Makes it bulky. I like the bag that is a doorstop for a purse. Sad that it is not a purse. The zipper is on the bottom. Somehow, a bag doorstop does not suit me.

[Patricia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! I love to give and receive homemade gifts. This book has lots of ideas for all kinds of gift giving occasions (just because is my favorite!). There are personal items and home items you could make for yourself or others.

And there are lots of beautiful full-color photographs.

[DeeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are sone cute projects in this book.

[Unna · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBR

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are definitely some cute gifts, though many are not my style. Still, it's a great book for people with who want to get a jump on their holiday gifts.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful creative projects with just a little fabric!

[John C HARVILL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great DIY idea

These are great DIY ideas for me to practice. I love the color patterns used here! Very vibrant and cute! Thanks!

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the hanging storage holders, but that was about it. Most of this is just not my style

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy projects

Easy to follow directions, and directions on making your templates. Look forward to making little birds. The doorstop purse is just too cute

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, bad format

First, this is a nice enough book. It has several projects I'd like to try. But the really horrible part is that it was merely scanned into a computer as PDF or picture files. This causes a LOT of problems when trying to read in a digital format. I'm not going to harp on it, but seriously, you could do better by your readers. OTOH, the pages seem to have each step illustrated with a photo, which is *awesome*! This is why I gave 4 stars. I'm not sure what the solution is to combine text and pics in a digital way, but magazines don't make me close the pic before swiping to the next page, so I know it can be done.
The content is pretty cool. I had to search some "Britishisms": "hundreds and thousands" are actually sprinkles or jimmies in the US, JIC you didn't know. A "quick unpick" is a seam ripper here. So that is interesting. I like the Brit name, TBH.
I have a few projects going right now, a lot of c them skirts for fall and winter, because *comfort*. I have matching handbags planned and also hair scrunchies, but I will likely have enough for a few of these. I especially liked the birds on a string and the cupcake kitchen gear. Very nice ideas.
I think that this book is an OK choice in the ebook format, maybe a 3/5 for just that. But I think it will be awesome to buy as a physical book. As I said, the content is fun and doable. Good for beginners or kids you don't want to give yards and yards of expensive material to experiment on. Also great for experienced sewists like me who have boxes of scraps. Overall, 4/5 ☆☆☆☆.

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a crafty individual, but it is one of my greatest wishes to know how to crochet, knit, sew.. do all manner of creative things that some of my friends and family members are capable of. When I received this book, I was so inspired, as I always am, with the creativity of others. This book especially, using scraps of fabric, seems so practical, and some of the photos of completed projects are just adorable.

In addition to the projects, the book also including details on essential materials to have in a sewing kit, common techniques and described different stitches.

While these projects are all beyond my skill level (I have no skills!), everything shown seems cute and easy enough with the right equipment. I especially like the idea of the rustic flowerpot as a gift. The reading pillow would be adorable for a child just starting to appreciate the joys of reading. The wallet and cosmetic bag would both be immensely useful too.

Please note: I received this book for free through a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who made that possible.

[Kisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed that the projects were a little different than the standard ones you often see. I was, however, rather amused at the abundance of zippers in this book. It was noticeable because it seems people usually try to avoid them, but not this book! They're in (almost) everything. Which I guess is fine if you like zippers. I don't need my doorstops to have zippers, really, but whatever makes you happy. :)

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of Half Yard Gifts through a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. This book offers several great sewing projects to use up all those extra half yards of fabric that I have collected. I can't wait to try my hand at one of them!

[Nanette Edmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of projects

Lots of projects...I may make a few. Definitely will make the paperweight. Pictures are a little hard to read, but many just be the result of trying to read on my Kindle Fire.

[Daryl Moad]

I live in seniors' housing & gave this to a woman who lives in the building & who is proficient @ arts & crafts. She enjoyed it & has apparently used it to best advantage.

[Lynne]

So many cute projects, can't wait to try some of them!

[Christine Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and practical gifts to make. Great photos to explain the process for construction. A beginner could follow along.

[Caroline Bock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from GoodReads Giveaways. It has some really fun looking projects. My daughter really wants to make the cupcake appliance cover. Very cute!

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The crafts in here were a little too cutsey poo for me.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

While most of the projects look interesting, they are too involved for my interests.