I love to create with my hands. Whether it is sewing, gardening or cooking, it is so rewarding to make something beautiful. Because of my busy lifestyle I enjoy the quiet and singularity of it the most. I like the idea of upcycling when it comes to my sewing projects such as in the book Chic on a Shoestring by Mary Jane Baxter and published by Penguin Group. This book was created for new crafters and veteran crafters alike. In the book Mary Jane teaches the reader how to create simple to sew vintage-style accessories that will look like they just jumped off the pages of etsy or uncovered in a corner of a coveted antique shop.
Mary Jane Baxter is a lovely gal from England who is a serious craft expert. In her book she will teach you to turn a colorful ribbon into a modern belt, shoelaces into a choker and how a silk scarf can become a show-stopping summer top. She also includes many tips on embellishing and customizing your everyday clothing and accessories with fun treasures you can find at antique stores, garage sales and auctions. You may possibly even have some goodies laying around that you never knew what to do with but just couldn’t throw away that she will help you use to transform a back of the closet wear into the must have section. Oh and don’t let me forget to tell you, she sews on a brother sewing machine in the book just like me.
Chic on a Shoestring is a very comprehensive book with easy to follow instructions for creating an entirely new article of clothing or accessory to jazzing up your oldy but goodies. Like I mentioned before it not only shows you how to embellish but also how to make those exact embellishments such as gorgeous pom-pom’s, tassels, and my personal favorite the Petersham Pleating. In the book she places these gorgeously pleated flowers on a handbag that creates this vintage looking bag that no woman would ever be able to walk by without taking a second look. The book also covers you from head to toe. You will learn how to take that old pair of pumps and turn them into something dazzling to how to make your very own feather fascinator worthy of a black tie affair.
Chic on a Shoestring will also inspire your creative juices at gift giving time. Make the lovely Slouchy top on page 135 for your sister, the adorable Tea towel apron on page 73 for your sweet elderly neighbor or the fabulous Cashmere beanie for your babysitter on page 112. Have some super fan teachers like we do down here in Florida? Create the simple Pom-pomless earrings on page 106 in Orange and Blue for that Gator fan or possible some garnet and gold for that Nole’s fan.
If you are like me and like to create beautiful things on a shoestring budget than check out Chic on a Shoestring . With its more than 40 projects, the book is sure to get your creative juices flowing. Find out more about this book and other great crafting books at www.penguin.com. You can also purchase a copy at amazon.com. You can also learn more about Mary Jane at her website www.maryjanemakes.com.
*I received media sample. All opinions are my own.
