Junk Book Review: Last-Minute Fabric Gifts

Cynthia Treen, artist and designer who owns an eclectic textiles business, dreamed up her book, Last-Minute Fabric Gifts: 30 Hand-Sew, Machine-Sew & No-Sew Projects. It was published in 2006, and is available online. I got my copy from the library. You know how I love to do that.

Some of the projects in this book will be easier if you know how to sew : ), but Cynthia also takes great care to explain techniques in the back of the book. My favorite projects include:

Coat sleeve bag – Cut off a discarded men’s coat sleeve about 10 1/2 inches from the cuff edge. Stitch and add strap, then you have an adorable purse. Of course, get the book for full directions.

Tie pouch — Very sweet use of an old tie. The pointed end of the tie folds over to form the closing flap.

Both of those projects fall under the “Less-Than-One-Hour Gifts” section. The book also includes projects that take from one to two hours and projects that take more than three hours. The tea-dyed shawl is an example of a project that takes more than three hours. The reversible hooded towel/blanket falls in the two to three hour section.

If you don’t think it would be odd to give a book about making gifts as a gift, then — well, this would be a good gift if you know someone who likes to work with fabric.

I’ll end with a little bit from the author’s Introduction:

“Although the fast pace of our lives can make it hard to find time for handcrafting, I find that taking time to make a gift for a friend or family member is a gift for me as well — just an hour or two of creating with fabric can feel like a small vacation. Rather than spending hours hunting for something in a store, wouldn’t you rather spend your time creating at home?”

Image via Powell’s Books.