Handmade by Me! Giveaway

On By In Blog

For the past year, I have been working on a project which explores the American homemaker and her domestic arts. At the core of the project is the needle and thread and a woman’s employment of both to express herself through hand stitchery.

To create something stitch by stitch has never required any special talent nor machinery. In fact, all that’s really necessary is a fair amount of patience and a thimble.

Sewing by hand is relaxing, as well as an immensely satisfying pursuit because you have something material to show for your effort. A woman who sews experiences the glow of pleasure and pride of accomplishment when she can say, “Oh, this? I made it myself.” However, for many of us, the largest issue to expressing ourselves through hand sewing is knowing what to do with that needle and thread. Enter Susan Wasinger, the author of Sewn by Hand.

SewByHand cover

In this, her third book for Lark Crafts, Susan created two dozen projects that test the definition of “unique.” That’s how good her stuff is. And easy, or at least very, very do-able for most of us.

When you flip through Sewn by Hand, like I’ve been doing since it arrived yesterday, it’s really hard to settle on a first project. Should it be the Pretty Potholder with Vintage Smocking? Buttoned-Up Tote with Handmade Buttons? Button-Down Apron made from Recycled Shirts? Or the Personalized Bibs?

To aid the selection process and get one lucky winner threading her needle, Lark Crafts is providing a copy of Sewn by Hand and all the goods necessary to make Susan’s Sewing Kit for On the Move Stitchers!

SewByHand prize

To enter this Handmade by Me! Giveaway, leave a comment here. Deadline for comments is late Friday evening, May 6th. One winner selected by Random Human and posted Sunday, May 8th.

Sewn by Hand is the result of the author’s challenge to herself to see what she could create with nothing but a needle and thread. To create 24 projects, Susan drew on her history of “tender teachings” at the hands of her grandmother, mother and their mothers before them.

History in stitchery is also what I’m anticipating at this week’s Apron Extravaganza. Gallatin is right outside Nashville – if you’re in the neighborhood, do try to attend!

ApronFlyer [640x480] [640x480]

“Not everyone can hold an audience spellbound with music, and not many can paint pictures creditably, but anyone can earn praise for needlework efforts.” Book of Needle Arts, 1943

xxea

Tie One On…an apron, of course!

99 comments

  6. I would love to win this book. I can’t believe how many women I work with who don’t even know how to sew a button on. Thanks for the giveaway. Cheryl

  16. I love sewing and LOVE teaching my 8 year old Granddaughter! She has completed her 1st doll quilt. Would be thrilled to win this to share with her. Also, Thank you for your memories that inspire us to continue creating memories!

  23. I too love hand stitching, it keeps me in the moment of what I’m doing and nothing else. I think that’s why it’s so satisfying to me. Your blog looks wonderful, and I love your banner. Can’t wait to check out the rest of it. Have a great Monday

  27. Would love to have the Sewn by Hand book! I do a lot of hand sewing (aprons and more!) and people are always amazed to see anyone #1- sewing; and #2- sewing by hand without a machine! There are a few of us left!

  36. I’ve been trying to slow down and simplify……this would be the perfect book for inspiration. Thanks for the great Giveaway. I’m crossing my fingers!

  38. I have been thinking that this book looks wonderful, and after reading her description of “tender teachings” I think the author is a kindred spirit. Thanks for the giveaway.

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

  45. some of my fondest memories include needle and thread…soft fabric in my hand….me! creating something simply because i want to!!!!

    would love to win this book! thanx for the opportunity…..

  47. Back in the late 70s I learned to sew by hand from my Mother. We couldn’t afford a machine and women had difficulty being extended credit. We traced threadbare dresses that were taken apart to use as patterns on the grocery brown paper bags, with fabric from a plus size dress bought at a yard sale or rummage sale. I would love to have a copy of the book to learn tips.

  50. I spent many hours making just these types of wonderful items and I would so enjoy having this book it would generate so many good memories of a simpler time. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

  57. I “sew” enjoy being creative with my hands…a rewarding activity for this Grandma!!! Know it would be fun to win this special little book!!!

  59. I love sewing projects by hand. I am always looking for new projects to give as gifts. In the last 2 years I have made 60 aprons and given them as gifts. I love your site. This books looks like fun. Judy

  61. The first thing I recalled in reading this was my Mom sewing. I watched her hands weave thread through the cloth and something wonderful was made! Funny thing is that when I sew, i sometimes see my Moms’ hands doing my stitching! Wonderful memory! This looks like a great book. I would love to have it to keep or to give away!

  63. I have been hand sewing for 46 years and I never tire of it – and I always give away my hand sewn projects with the agreement that the person I give it to has to give it back if they ever do not want it any more. Nothing has ever come back yet. I never win anything so I guess I have nothing to lose by leaving my comment. Thank you for the chance to win your lovely book.
    Roben B

  64. This would be a wonderful book to add to my collection. I travel quite a bit and I am always looking for more hand crafts to do on long trips. Plus the book would look nice next to the Apron and Linen book!

  67. I’m in my 70’s and I’m in the beginning stages of Macular Degeneration. My “old eyes” can’t take working on big project anymore, but I can do small projects. I would treasure this book.
    Balisha

  72. I love anything about vintage aprons. My mother and grandmother wore them all the time. I have started my own collection of aprons. Some of them are my mother’s, many she made herself and some are my childhood aprons. What fun! I would love to add this book to my collection. Thanks

  73. Thanks for giving me a chance to win this awesome giveaway :)! I love to hand craft and give most of my “treasures” to others to enjoy. Double the pleasure for me.
    Thanks again!

  74. I love to sew and craft. I’m now making pincushions out of every item which is found suitable! I would love to win this book to see what is new and I am transported back to past memories as I read them over and over…Kathy

  75. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! The projects remind me of my childhood days at the Girls’ Club of Pasadena learning how to sew and, in addition, speak French, dance hula and tap, cook, do crafts, and have good posture in the library where there were plenty of books to balance on our heads:) It was a great place for a little girl growing up in the 1960s.

  78. What a lovely book – thank you for the opportunity to win it. And ooooh, I would love to be able to attend your Apron Extravaganza! Please share stories and pictures1 Hugs, Cathy

  80. Looks like a wonderful book. I love the newsletter and always enjoy the stories. I have collected vinatage aprons and linens for years – I always feel they have so many memories and stories to tell.

  81. Would love to win this book! My Mother always made my sister and me clothing, which we loved. We were always proud and excited to wear dresses that were lovingly made by her. We both have quilts that were hand done by her that were given to us on our 25th wedding anniversaries. Thanks for helping to bring back good memories!

  83. Dear EllynAnne: I have some vintage linens I’m dying to use for a special project– maybe this darling book will have just the ideas I need for the perfect creation!

  87. I’ve always preferred sewing by hand but have lately ended up using the machine more. I’m glad to see someone trying to bring back such a fun and relaxing art 🙂

  89. What a wonderful way to bring back the art of hand sewing to the younger generations, especially since no home economics are offered in school these days. Looks like it would be a wonderful book to have. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    MaryBeth

  92. How timely! Last night I was reading through The Apron Book and the Kitchen Linens book for inspiration for a sewing project. My daugher sent me an e-card this morning which led me to the blog and this post. I would LOVE to win this book. I’m trying to create a collection of books so my daughter and I can work on some projects together.

  94. i love to make things by hand. right now i am embroidering a kitchen towel in redwork for my daughter for mother’s day. i can’t sit down in the evening without a needle and thread in my hands.

  98. I would love to have a chance
    to win this book…my grandmother
    made so many things all by hand,
    and now that I am a grandmother,
    I think I should follow in her
    footsteps. I treasure the items
    that I have that she made so
    many years ago.
    Jan C.

  99. I would love to win this book. One of my big summer goals is to learn how to sew like my mother and older sister. . .I’ve never quite had the gift, but am willing to try and this book looks like a fabulous tool.

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