Wednesday, June 06, 2018

Sew the Garment Making Book by Barbara Emodi

I've known that Barbara was writing a sewing book almost since she decided to write it. Occasionally she's posted a pic to Instagram showing what she was sewing for the book which was released on May 7th.


Of course I ordered it as soon as possible and received it a couple of weeks ago. The name of the book is, "SEW The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge: Real-Life Lessons from a Serial Sewist." And I can honestly tell you that even though Barbara says she wrote the book for the new and/or returning sewist I'm an experienced sewist and I learned a few things too, as well as, having a few things I knew reinforced.

I love the format of the book. Each chapter has a name. One of my favorites is "Chapter 7 - The Gear Side of Sewing" OMG isn't that a great name to describe all of the equipment we acquire for sewing?! So each chapter has a description then mini-lesson to help you learn a skill. The thing that absolutely thrills me is Barbara's Tips which are at the end of every chapter. Each one is written in Barbara's voice - at least I can hear her speaking - and is full of interesting things that you learn from experience. Things that she's sharing for all sewists to know.

Okay let me back up and give you some other chapter names..."Why Sew," "If it Fits, They Will Wear It," "Choosing and Cutting Fabric" and another fave, "Sewing for Joy" - each chapter is chock full of information along with the tips, and mini-lessons! Sewing Terms are called Sewing Speak! Now as a beginner or a returning sewist wouldn't you have loved a book that explained in detail what all those words that sewists threw around meant? Barbara explains them so that there are no questions...at all.

If you are acquiring your own sewing library and not just relying upon the internet, this would be a good book to add to it. And if you're feeling lucky, leave a comment below to win a copy. See Barbara being the amazing friend that she is, offered me a copy, not realizing that I'd already bought one. We decided that one lucky reader should own it.

In the comment section below, please leave your name and one sentence about why you'd like to win the book. ONLY comments left on this blog post, not in bloglovin' or any of the other blog readers will be eligible to win the book. You should leave your comment by Saturday, June 9th at 11:59pm EST. I will announce the winner on Sunday, June 10th and Barbara will send the book out to you.  Good luck!

...as always more later!




119 comments:

  1. I'd love to win a copy of this book because I'm a returning sewist (for myself) after many years of making only Native American Powwow Traditional Regalia and because YOU, Miss Sewing Fanatic are my favorite blogger!!! I have finally said to myself that I'm worthy of sewing for myself, thanks to your blog! (No, I'm not trying to "suck-up", but rather express how much your blog motivates me!

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  2. I'd love to win a copy of this book as Barbara is one of my favorite sewing bloggers (next to you, Carolyn!).

    Thank you for this opportunity, and for all the sewing wisdom you share regularly.

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  3. I'd like to win this book because I think that we can all learn more about sewing no matter how long we have been sewing. From your description, I know I'd learn from this book!

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  4. I'd love a copy of Barb's book. I have enjoyed and admired her wit, writing style and down to earth sewing voice. The book sounds delightful.

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  5. I'd love to win this book, I am trying to expand my sewing library as I find print books much easier to reference than looking online. Thanks Katie R

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  6. I would love to win the book. Maybe it will get my sewjo going!

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  7. Barbara is amazing and has such a marvelous sense of humour. I'm hoping I will bump into her one day when she comes to visit her mother. I'm looking forward to reading her book.

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  8. I'm always up for learning more about one of my favorite hobbies - sewing!

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  9. Sewing with a quick wit and lots of tips - just what I need!

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  10. I would love a copy- you are never too old to learn new tricks.
    Barb

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  11. I would love to have a copy as a guide as I return to sewing.

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  12. Not entering the drawing...'cause I bought my copy already, too! Love Barbara E. so much! I can hear her voice as I read the book....

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  13. After a twenty-year break, I've put off sewing for myself for three years now. This books sounds like just the thing to get me off the fence!

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  14. I'd love to win a copy. I love her blog and the way she conveys her knowledge. I need all the help I can get. :-)

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  15. I'd love to win a copy because not only I'm a beginner, but also because your review made me very interested in it! I rhink is more because of your review than anything else, actually

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  16. Barbara is full of great tips and ideas about sewing, and her writing style is full of wit and humor. I heard so much about this book and would love to read it. I love internet, all the wonderful blogs and vlogs, but there is nothing like holding a book in your hands.

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  17. I've read Barbara's articles in Australian Stitches and that alone is the reason I would love to win a copy of her book.

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  18. I would love to have a chance to win this book. It sounds like a fun read.

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  19. I would love a copy of Barbara’s book. I love her blog (and yours.)
    Fingers crossed!

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  20. I think the book would be great for anybody, no matter their experience level with sewing. I think Barbara's humor and knowledge make a great combination, and I look forward to reading and learning from her. Thank you for offering to share your abundance with us.

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  21. I would love to have a copy of this book in my sewing library.

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  22. Oh what a lovely new sewing book! Yes I'd love to have one. :)

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  23. Put my name in the hat, too🤗

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  24. Oh Wow! Sounds like a great book for an experienced, but rusty, sewist like me! Thanks so much for the chance! Valerie

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  25. I already have this book and read it immediately. I loved the way it was written and read it the same way I would read a novel. I've been sewing since 1958 and as you did, learned some new techniques and was reminded of some things I had not thought about for a while. I also purchased a copy for my grand-daughter so I really do not need to win anything. I just wanted to let your readers know how good the book is.

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  26. I am fairly new to sewing and from the look of it this book will be like training wheels.

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  27. I would love to win this book. I am teaching a friend to sew and this would be perfect for her but also a check for me that I am teaching her the most efficient methods. Thank you for your blog - it is very inspiring.

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  28. I'd love to win this book because I'm newly retired and just getting back into osewing for myself. I'd love the inspiration and knowledge that would help me sew better and make make better clothes.

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  29. I would love a copy of the book. I have taught myself to sew through blogs and online courses and am always looking for more information. This book seems as if it would contain all those snippets that you only acquire from years of experience and sharing your knowledge with others. I really hope it is a big success for Barbara.

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  30. As I can gather I am pretty low down on the list of interested people! However, you never know if you do not try...Would absolutely love this book and the different aspect it gives to sewing.

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  31. I would love a copy of this book because I enjoy Barbara’s blog very much and I just want to hear more of what she has to say. I find most sewing books a bit too basic for my needs, and this looks very promising.

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  32. As a self taught sewist, I am always learning new things from those willing to share their experience!

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  33. As much as I'd LOVE to have this book, I've been teaching a friend to sew and I know she'll use this book every day,especially to make sense of all the jargon we throw around.

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  34. I've been eyeing this on Amazon... Thanks for the review!!

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  35. I think that we're all here for the same thing - pearls of wisdom! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  36. This looks like a great book to add to the sewing library. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

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  37. I would LOVE a copy of Barbara's book . . . I've been a quilter for decades and am making the brave foray into the world of garment sewing. I need all the help I can get! :-)

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  38. I would love to win a copy of Barbara’s book, I havn’t been sewing for long and longing for more tips to help me out.

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  39. I agree Carolyn, we shouldn’t soley rely on the Internet for resources! Having a nice library of great reference books like this one is a must for sewists! I can’t wait to interview her in a couple of weeks!

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  40. Would love this book because I'm returning to seeing at 68 and could really use a refresher.

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  41. I would appreciate this book greatly, it looks "juicy", full of good stuff!

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  42. I find Barbara is such a wit.. and she can really demonstrate this in the writing of her blog. I would not be selfish and keep it for myself, after I read it, I have some friends who ask me about sewing and I'd pass it onto them. I think the frustrations of learning to sew, and lets be honest they are there when you sew a lot too, would be negated by having great tips and a laugh.

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  43. Barbara is such a great writer! I'd love to read her book and then pass it on to my sewing daughters. Finally a beginners book that is filled with Sewing Speak without the dumbing down that is going on in other books!

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  44. This book looks great! I’d love to add it to my sewing library!

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  45. I am also a 'returning' sewist and so much has changed, not to mention all I have forgotten
    Thank you for the opportunity

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  46. I would love to win a copy as there is always something new to learn.

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  47. I have been in a sewing slump for the past several (many!) years. Your blog has been a great help in finding new motivation to sew again. This book looks like it would be a great tool with which to jump into sewing again.

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  48. I’d love to win so jump start my sewing mojo.

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  49. I guess I am not a new sewist anymore, having 6 years of sewing in my belt, but I was intrigued by the the tips and tricks that Barbara has to offer, so it would be a nice addition to my library. Thanks for the offer!

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  50. I'd like to win because I'm a beginner to garment sewing and this book is already on my "to-read" list. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  51. Barbara is such a hoot. I'd love to have her book. Karen

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  52. I'd like to win this book because your description makes it sound like Barbara's personal voice would make the "learning from experience" aspect lots of fun and more likely to stick in my mind. Thanks for the giveaway, to both of you!

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  53. Oh I sew need this book. I've started a sewing library & everything I have are older pre loved books. I've been following her blog she is a hoot & down to earth this book would be used & loved.
    Blessings
    Becca G

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  54. I’m sure I would learn a lot from Barbara’s book!

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  55. I would dearly love to have this book since this old dog still loves to learn new tricks. I find it so helpful to gain another's perspective.

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  56. I would love to win this book! I am returning to sewing after a 18 year hiatus. Would be useful for updating my rusty skills! Thank you, Carolyn.

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  57. I would love to be inspired and to learn more. I just love the generosity of tips and skills from Barbara Emodi. Kind regards Charlotte Anne

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  58. My name is Patti Hall and I would love to win this book to share with my sewing students. I teach beginner sewing classes at my church for free because someone graciously taught me when I was young. We start at the very beginning and cover all details so my new students and my returning sewers feel quite confident by the time they complete their first project. They would love this book (vs. my 50 year old sewing books!).

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  59. I would love to win this book because I have all this fabric and patterns, and I haven't sewn clothing for so long that I'm afraid to start. It seems like this book could help me get moving in the right direction.

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  60. The book sounds wonderful. Would really help me take my garment sewing to the next level. Thank you for doing the giveaway!

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  61. Thank you for the review, this sounds like a book I want to read then keep for reference. Fingers crossed for a win, but definitely reading this summer!

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  62. I am new to sewing, and I think this book could really help me improve. Thanks!

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  63. I just retired and finally am getting time to return to sewing; bought myself a BabyLock Crescendo as a retirement present...this book would be a great way to kickstart my new sewing adventure! P.S. Love your blog!!!

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  64. I neglected to give you my name...Mary Lorenz. 😊

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  65. I am a big fan of Barb and love her blog. I haven't got around to purchasing her book yet, but it is on my wish list and I welcome an opportunity to win it. Thank you Carolyn and Barb!!! Mary Deeter

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  66. I love Barbara's blog! Her voice, her knowledge and willingness to share in a easily understood manner. I would love to have her book and add her order to my self-taught randomness.

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  67. This book sounds fantastic. I would really enjoy relearning to sew.

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  68. I really enjoy your blog and am always looking for sewing info

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  69. I'm new at sewing and I would like to have this book for more knowledge of the art of sew. Angela Hill ( scrapbookme32@hotmail.com)

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  70. What a great review you've written! Thank you for this great giveaway.

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  71. Why? Because I've realized that there is always something new to learn. And I lover books. Thanks Carolyn!

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  72. Lover of books. Lover of sewing. This book is at the top of my summer reading list. Tell me there is a cat pic in there and I just might die of joy.

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  73. Carolyn, Thank you for your review. Having had my eye on this, your recommendation convinces me that this is exactly the book that someone with moderate sewing experience who lives in a sewing desert needs to learn the things that one learns via working with a more experienced sewer or via years and years of trial and error and I’d like to take the first path.

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  74. I would like the book because I want more Barbara Emodi in my life. I am an experienced sewist but have already learned new things from her and want more! Carolyn, thank you for offering her book!

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  75. I'd like to win this because I used to be capable of sewing for myself but have forgotten how I used to make it work.

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  76. Hi Carolyn, I’d like to win the book for all the reasons everyone has posted, but most of all this would probably move my sewing book collection from 999,999 to 1,000,000!

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  77. I teach sewing classes at a local sewing store and love finding new and better ways to pass on sewing knowledge.

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  78. I would love to win a copy of this book. It looks like a great conversational piece.

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  79. I would love to win this book so I can learn more about sewing from an expert.

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  80. Wow! I just read what you could see on the Amazon preview. Where was this book when I was learning to sew? Such good sense about choosing patterns and such - lots that I know intuitively now but have never seen in writing before.

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  81. As a "returned-to-sewing-clothes" person I am soaking up sewing knowledge and I just know that this book would fit!
    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  82. I'd love to win her book! I enjoy having hard copy reference material that I can look at easily while I'm lounging in my comfy chair.

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  83. I'd love a copy of the book as part of my effort to continue learning and improving my garment sewing.

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  84. Love to win a copy. I've looked thru it, and it's a great resource. Full of useful, down-to-earth tips. Have also made the Emilie skirt.

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  85. Hi Carolyn, I'm finally getting back to sewing and I really can't believe how long I've been away from my first love. I'd love to win the book to add to what I already know and learn some awesome new tips and tricks. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Either way I will have this book! :-)

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  86. This must be a great book if you recommend it. I’d love to learn from it.

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  87. I would enjoy having the book as I need a refresher after years of pause.
    Thank you for the give away.
    Marie

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  88. Who wouldn't live to own a contemporary sewing book written with sass, style and knowledge? I would...so toss my pin cushion into the drawing bag.

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  89. I so appreciate your sewing fanaticism.

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  90. The chapter on Choosing and Cutting Fabric sounds like just what I need. I get hung up on which fabric to choose and end up not choosing none. Any help in making that decision would be wonderful. I'm sure my sewing would benefit from more chapters in the book. Thank you to you and Barbara for the giveaway.
    Sandra

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  91. I'd like to win the book because it looks like it has content that I haven't seen elsewhere, or at least approached in the same way, like how to choose the right pattern. I'd also like to learn how to better pair fabrics with patterns. One of my most frequent mistakes is using the wrong fabric.

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  92. I'd love to win this book as I like reading others' opinions on the right way to do things (is there a right way? ha) and I find the details of sewing interesting and fun!
    Lisa

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  93. Well being gifted this awesome book would so help me get back into sewing after a 15yr+ hiatus, dealing with health,work & family life, left me with little time if any for my passion, sewing! From your review of this book one can't help but want it!

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  94. Comment only: I pre-ordered Barbara's book and have read and reread it several times. I also hear her voice in my ear and we not her fabulous sense of humor. Whiever wins the his book is getting quite a treat!

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  95. This would be a perfect complement to my year fasting from ready to wear, when the only way I’m getting new clothes is if I make th3m myself!

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  96. I would love to win this book. I have sewing experience but the more I sew the more I realize there are so many of those little tips and tricks that I have yet to discover. Tips and tricks that turns a decently sewn garment into a masterpiece.

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  97. I would love to read Barbara's book! I have read all of her blog, going WAY back. I feel like I know her and her family personally. She has such a great sense of humor.

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  98. Please enter my name for the book drawing. I love Barbara's flypaper thoughts - I bet her book is full of them!

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  99. I would love to have this book. It is always so fun to read her writings.

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  100. I would love to win a copy of this book. I’ve been following Barbara’s blog for a while now - she’s got a great sense of humour and I always learn something new from her!

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  101. I’d love to win this book. I’m just getting back into sewing and this book would give me inspiration to keep at it.

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  102. I am wanting to go from a fabric and pattern collector of many years standing to be a returning sewist and could do with the boost of knowledge Barbara’s book will no doubt provide and would love to own a copy. I really enjoy your blog Caroline

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  103. I am always trying to improve my sewing. I would love to add this book to my sewing library.

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  104. Colleen Patterson, and I would love to win this book because I haven't had a sewing buddy in a long time and this sounds like a friend in book form! :)

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  105. I love Barbara's blog, and can't wait to read her book - my own copy would make that happen much sooner!

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  106. You sold me at "Sewing for Joy"....... all of us sewers know the joy it brings to our lives! Would love this book to add to my joy!! Thank you so much for offering this gift.....

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  107. The book sounds excellent - that even experienced sewers can learn from it, not just beginners. I like Barbara's style.🤞

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  108. Hi, my name is Kris and I would like to win this book because I need help with sewing, and this sounds like it’ll fill the bill!

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  109. Enjoyed your review and totally agree! I read it cover to cover in. Few evenings before bed. It’s wonderful book. Obviously, I’m not entering the drawing, but for everyone who doesn’t win, I’d encourage you to purchase yourself a copy. Reasonably priced and well written!

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  110. My name is Jennifer. I would love to win this book to actually really learn to sew and sew well as I return to my machine.

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  111. I love to win this book. Even though I'm a more experienced sewer than some, I also learn something new from an instructor - whether in person, through video, or in the pages of a book.

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  112. I would love to win this book. I used to love reading her page in the Australian Stitches magazine and adored her sense of humour.

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  113. As an advanced beginner, I'm keen on learning more about flat pattern alterations - and how to make a zippered pocket. Frankly, I'm keen on learning that as someone who needs pockets!

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  114. I would love to win this book! I love reading Barbara’s blog. I’ve been wanting to buy it but waiting for the budget to allow me.

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  115. No need to put my name in the hat to win a copy - I have already purchased it! I just wanted to comment that it is terrific and I highly recommend.

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  116. I would love this book! I enjoy reading about tips I don’t know. Also, I really want to read the ‘gear’ chapter.

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  117. I would like the book. I'm trying to increase my sewing knowledge

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  118. Dammit! Missed by 6 minutes, and it’s my birthday Monday! Well, it was nice of you both to give up the copy.

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