How I bend the rules

I don't want you to think that I have abandoned my sewing machine.  I swear I haven't!  I am working on a couple projects that I am not ready to blog about.  I hate secrets, but that's the way it has to be for now.

What I can and want to talk about is Amy Karol's fabulous new book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing.

First off, I love the title!  Love it!  Mostly because I do bend the rules when it comes to sewing.  I fully admit to being a lazy sewer at times.  I am glad I know the right way to sew because it comes in handy when I want to take some short cuts.  I know what I can get away with.  Case in point:  the Heidi Headband.

I made this a couple of weeks ago in about 15 minutes.  I kid you not.  I used a scrap of brown silk and some gorgeous ribbon that Nolan and Georgia gave me for Christmas.  In the book, Amy calls for twill tape so you can tie the headband at the nape of your neck.  I substituted elastic and when the piece I sewed in was way too big, I cut it and then zig zagged it together at the right length.  I also used whatever bobbin was in the machine because no one but me will see the back side of the headband.  See, I do know what I can get away with.

Fuzzy photo, but you get the idea.  I have worn it over and over.  I am going to make a lot more of these for me and for the girls.

There are so many wonderful projects in this book.  I want to make the bibs for the babies that will be born into our family this fall, the clutch, the wallet, the small quilt and more.  Check out the flickr group for the book - there is plenty of inspiration there, too.  I am going to recommend this book to anyone who asks - it is perfect for a beginner, but has great projects for those of us with more sewing experience.  And I just love Amy's easy, witty manner - it makes for a good read.