Review + Giveaway: sewExpecting eBook

sewexpectingcover sewExpecting is the new eBook from Leigh Ann Tennent (The Object Project and Strawberry Truffle). If you’re an expecting mother, or know someone who is pregnant, or just like to have sweet baby gifts on hand just in case, this eBook is for you. In it, you can find patterns and instructions to make 20 – yes, TWENTY – different projects for baby:

A basic infant bib, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A basic toddler bib, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A toddler bib with a storage pocket that doubles as a crumb-catcher!
A basic burp cloth, plus a patchwork and appliqued version.
A burp cloth with an innovative storage pocket!
Three styles of changing mats.
A very cool diaper clutch with instructions for 2 looks.
A textured securtiy blanket to keep little fingers busy!
A satin lovey.
A very simple, super-quick quilt!

All of these projects are boutique-quality, assuming of course that you construct them of quality materials.

The instructions are straightforward and are geared toward those with limited or no sewing experience. (Experienced sewers can probably skip straight to the patterns and use the instructions just as a quick reference guide.) If you’ve wanted to learn how to sew but haven’t known exactly where to start, sewExpecting is a good place to begin. The beginning of the eBook gives quick instructions for basic sewing, applique, and patchwork skills that you’ll need to create the projects. Most of the projects are constructed with from simple shapes, with minimal fuss.

sewExpecting is available from Strawberry Truffle for $22.00.

By now, I know there are more than a handful of you who want a copy of sewExpecting for your very own. And so Leigh Ann has graciously offered to give away one copy of the eBook to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. Here’s how it will work:

To enter, post a comment on to this Craft Gossip post telling me which SewExpecting project (listed above) you think will be the first one you’ll sew. One entry per person, please. Deadline is Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm CST. I’ll choose a winner at random the following day.

Read These Next

I came across the Etsy shop Bad Stitched when I was looking for bookmark cross stitch patterns and found their adorable pride bat bookmark, which I didn’t share then because I was going for more of a back to school vibe, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you love rainbows and bats.

This Etsy shop is big on whimsy and color, but not on organization, as there are not categories. Still, as of this writing there were only a little more than 60 patterns, so it’s small enough to scroll through.

In keeping with the theme of the bat bookmark, there are a lot of designs with animals and insects in different colors. Another one that caught my in this neon cicada with a crescent moon and stars. This one is 85 by 70 stitches and uses 16 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to 6 by 5 inches, or 15.4 by 12.7 cm.

You’ll also find patterns with animals such as mice, a snail, a jellyfish, a wolf, a corgi in a birthday hat, a fat seal and other bat designs. There are several mushroom designs, a pirate frog, and a scuba diving ghost (among other ghostly designs). You’ll find cats and mythical characters, a mouse thinking about eating strawberries and more.

There’s also an ebook full of mushroom designs, and another of creepy creatures for Halloween and beyond. There’s also a Pantheon bundle, full of gods, goddesses, characters from mythology, three amphora designs and a Greek inspired font.

If these sorts of designs sound like something you’d like to stitch, check out Bad Stitched on Etsy.

Know of a cross stitch designer (or are you a cross stitch designer) who should be featured in the designer spotlight? Let me know by leaving a comment or sending a note through the “suggest a DIY” link at the top of the page.

[Photo: Bad Stitched]

Read These Next

Have you read?