Simple Sewing with Lola Nova by Alexandra Smith

This is a good book, you can often measure the worth of a craft book by the quality of the introductory pages and Smith's are well written.  She speaks of her own creative journey and her passion for handmaking is infectious.  Her listing of tools, materials and basic techniques is comprehensive,  well written and easy to follow.

Then there are four sections of craft projects divided up by theme: Boho, Natural, Vintage and Eclectic.  They are themed by colour scheme and the feel of the projects but each of the projects could be made up in a different fabric for a completely different effect.  Projects comprise: bags, children's clothes, a tent (which me and my 9 year old daughter will be making!), storage, mats, artwork, cushions, pencil case and tool roll, a book cover, a tool belt, badges, patches, a toy bunny and all templates for the projects.

Each project has a header page like a recipe showing what you will need and the skill level along with a good picture of the finished article.  Instructions follow, clear well written step by step instructions with full colour photographs.

A delight to look at and I can't wait to try out some of the projects.

Complete Book of Sewing Techniques by Dorothy Wood

This is an amazing little book that covers most aspects of sewing, patchwork and embroidery with clear well written text, step by step colour photographs and some simple projects.

The book is in three sections starting with Sewing which gives an excellent grounding in the sometimes baffling world of the huge range of options available.  It introduces the reader to the basics of equipment (both hand and machine), fabrics and dressmaking techniques.

Then it moves on to the more specialised areas of patchwork and embroidery.

Patchwork covers specialist equipment, terminology, templates, hand and machine piecing, a variety of blocks and the various forms of applique, quilt assembly and the various forms of quilting and has projects with templates included at the end of the book.

Embroidery covers specialist equipment, preparing fabric, a wide variety of stitches for various uses (illustrated with clear photographs, excellent stitching diagrams and easy to follow text giving a bit of information about each stitch and tips), shisha, ribbon embroidery, counted thread work, assisi, blackwork, drawn-thread work, needlelace, goldwork, beadwork abnd machine embroidery.

Given that most techniques are covered with a two page spread the book is in many ways just an introduction but the information is clear and excellent.

Made by Me by Jane Bull

What there is in this book is pretty good for a child beginning to sew, the illustrations are, as with all DK books, beautiful and colourful.  The instructions for each project is clear and easy to follow.  The book covers equipment, embroidery, cross stitch, tent stitch, buttons, sewing projects and knitting, all the projects are really cute.  I just would have liked a bit more, it wouldn't keep my young one enteratined for long.

Sewing Basics by Sandra Bardwell

This is an excellent book to get those new to hand and machine sewing started and an invaluable reference guide for more experienced stitchers.  It takes you through every aspect of using sewing machines, commercial patterns, techniques, tools, materials and hand sewing with clear text and good step by step illustrations.  Bardwell's book encourages patience and good methodology everyone who sews can learn from.