Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy

by Alicia Paulson

In Stitched in Time Alicia Paulson shares 30 beautiful, inventive, and thoughtful projects that encourage you to take your memories down from the bookshelf, out of the closet, or off the hard drive and bring them into your daily life. Creator of a charming line of handmade gifts and accessories called Rosy Little Things, Paulson organizes these adorable handmade mementos—each one incorporating unique elements such as photos, drawings, and other ephemera—into three For the Little Ones, For Every Day, and For Special Occasions. Many projects are easy enough for the beginning sewer to complete, and Paulson explains all the necessary techniques, from hand- and machine-sewing to embroidery, appliqué, stenciling, and transferring photos to fabric.

In as little as a weekend anyone can create a keepsake for the ages that will be enjoyed every day­—whether it’s a quilt made from outgrown baby clothes, an apron featuring a favorite family recipe, a tote bag documenting a treasured vacation, or a stuffed animal fashioned from a child’s drawing. With love incorporated into every stitch, these sweet projects each evoke the feeling of a special time and place, and are so much more than just a commemoration of events. Whether you want to remember your family summers at the beach or a daughter’s first apartment, a perfect gift for a loved one or a memento to keep all to yourself is just stitches away.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2008

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book from cover to cover and just loved it. Alicia Paulson is the best crafter/writer I know of. Her blog http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/ is fantastic, and her craft writing is too. The projects in Stitched in Time are things you really want to make, and the instructions make it relatively easy. I had never seen a cross stitch pattern that made me want to learn to cross stitch until I saw the one she designed in Stitched in Time.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't love it. It gave me a white middle-class 1950s vibe (not even close to mine) and many of the projects I thought were just down right ugly. I asked my daughter if it would be super embarrassing to bring to a sleepover a pillowcase with a phone number stitched to it. She rolled her eyes, "Yes!" I think maybe the author's color palette and pattern mixing really didn't work for me but it also irritated me that projects were just too saccharine. The photos were oddly lit but the illustrations in the Appendices were clear. I'm sure some will find inspiration here.

[empressofeverything · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why, but something about mostly every project requiring photo fabric really annoys me! There's a few cute projects but the one common thread is that they're the ones without photos. The doll on the front is cute, the baby clothes quilt is cute, and there's a couple others. I probably would never buy this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember looking through this book a few year ago and not being impresses, but I have come to love Alicia Paulson's style and writing. This is a craft book that is good to read the actual text as well as to drool over the projects. Some of my favorite projects use photographs printed on fabric which I often think looks cheesy, but I like the way she used it in her projects. And I love the idea of making a quilt out of outgrown baby clothes.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've added this to read even though i don't sew, because the author Alicia Paulson writes one of my FAVORITE craft blogs, Posie Gets Cozy. She's such a lovely lady!

And it was a lovely book. Full of sweet projects that I won't attempt because I'm not ready to tackle embroidery, let alone sewing. I mostly read it for Alicia's wonderful side notes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The projects in this book are clearly-explained and fun. I haven't made any yet and I have to return the book to the library but I have several written down that I want to make for Homemade Christmas 2009! All of these projects are meant to help preserve family memories in fabric. There are good tutorials about how to print photos onto fabric and how to do embroidery and applique.

[Marjanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another darling crafting/sewing book. The main premise of this book is to 'create heirlooms'. But they are not fussy projects, and some of them are actually intended to be used and enjoyed. There were a bunch of cute projects in this book that I'm hoping to try some day. I especially loved the superhero capes. I'm going to have a hard time deciding what to do first.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was well put together and full of large photos, detailed & clear instructions and many unique takes on nice projects for the home crafter.
I liked this because it didn't just have the same old projects. These were charming without being too quirky (which is fun, but doesn't work for everyone)

[Tina W]

I enjoy Alicia Paulson's blog, and so I had to have this book. I haven't used her patterns, per se, but I have incorporated her ideas and the inspiration from these into some graduation gifts I've made. Besides the projects, I found the essays, especially the one on gifting hand made items, very enjoyable. I am looking forward to the embroidery book she is releasing this year.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would be a great book for sewers that are super-girly or like elaborate and frilly details on their projects. While I found three projects I would probably make-the laundry bag, the Christmas stocking, and the kid's drawing softie-I was hoping for a more in-depth explanation of how to embroider.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seldom rate a book with five stars. But this book is wonderful. There are sharp, detailed pictures, clear instructions. And best of all, the projects are things I really felt inspired to make.

The timing was also right - I purchased it when my child was just old enough pick out fabric and help to make a doll. For that reason, I would give the book as a gift, for other families to enjoy.

[Joelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really lovely ideas in here - my favorite is the handsewn giraffe based on a child's drawing. She gives easy instructions on how to create a softy based on your child's drawing, too. So fun!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas for personalized keepsake gifts. I found lots of ideas for my friends & family. One even uses a kid's art work transformed into a plush toy.

Stitched in Time

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Alicia Paulson. I read her blog and get inspiration from it on a regular basis. This book has the same pretty pictures and great projects with a lot of heart that I've come to enjoy on her blog. So much fun!

[Sarah Maker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to be able to give this book so many stars because I was so excited when it came in at the library, but it was rather disappointing. Mostly cheesy, unuseful (as opposed to useless) ideas. The doll on the cover is cute, though.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some great ideas in here. I loved the recipe card apron! My mom would love that project. Also the family photo pillow would be nice in a babies or small child's room. It would make for a nice reminder that just because family isn't near doesn't mean they don't love you.

[Amy Pierpont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is coming.....

[jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most creative assortment of projects I've seen in a craft book over the past few years.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great projects - I didn't get a chance to make anything just yet, but I enjoyed looking and dreaming of a day when I could. Great templates, especially a super cute snail.

[Meryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the doll on the cover, but could take or leave most of the rest.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess it would help if I could sew...such cute stuff!

[Davinie]

Love love love this! I have already been working on a few projects.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas and nice sewing patterns. The photos are beautiful.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This looks like a beautiful book. I really want to learn to sew / make a quilt some day.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite sewing books EVER! (And I have A LOT of them). Each project is adorable, and very doable! Love it!

[April]

Love these projects.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

She could not write a book that would not be wonderful. Her ways come through in her book. Looking forward to her next one!!!

[Jessietaylortanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE it!! I want to make so, so , many of these projects and am in the process of making a baby clothes quilt. One I definitely want to own.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of pretty projects and ideas

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average