Introducing my New Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts Book
Did you know that nearly ten percent of women in the United States sews by hand or by machine? That’s an impressive 20.8 million people! This week, on my show, I’ve been demonstrating lots of fun sewing craft projects and I am so pleased to announce the release of my latest book, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts. This is my 71st book and the second in our craft series. It features more than 150 projects, 800 color photographs, and a CD of more than 50 templates to create the motifs in the book, as well as complete sewing patterns for selected projects, such as a no-sew scalloped wrap skirt, a baby kimono, and a girl’s shirt dress.
On Wednesday, on the Today Show, I shared a variety of fun and easy projects with Ann Curry, to help spruce up your Easter table. And this evening, at 6PM, we are hosting our first ever Stitch Fest sewing event at my offices in downtown Manhattan to celebrate the release of the book. For just $30, you can receive your own copy, plus cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, learn about the projects from the book, including fabric crafts and easy sewing projects, and watch embroidery, dyeing, and appliqué demonstrations from our sewing experts at MSLO and from Singer, Husqvarna Viking, and Pfaff. You won’t want to miss this event and tickets are available here.
Can't make it to NYC for Stitch Fest? You can still join in the fun by following our live Twitter feed direct from the event tonight! MSLO Crafts director Hannah Milman and other attendees will be live-tweeting and posting photos throughout the event from @CraftsDept. We'll provide exclusive updates from behind the scenes, respond to questions, and give away copies of the book at random to @CraftsDept followers who comment on the feed using @CraftsDept and #stitchfest between 3pm and midnight tonight!
1 Our brand new book - Martha's Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts
2 You don't want to miss Stitch Fest, our fun sewing event on Thursday, April 1 at 6pm. Tickets are available at: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/sewing-social
3 These are some sewing projects on the set of my show.
4 More projects
5 The MSLO team that worked on the development of our second crafts book - Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts.
6 One of the sewing areas on the set of my show - I love the thread rack.
7 We used the Singer Confidence machines on the show.
8 On the set of the Today show, yesterday - With buttons and simple embroidery, you can easily spruce up an ordinary napkin.
9 Would it be OK for me to stay here and do this for a while? I love sewing projects!
10 Becky Hanson, Director of Education for Singer Sewing Company joined me on the Today Show, where we used the SINGER Confidence (model 7470) Sewing Machine. The machine is sold at participating retailers nationwide. Visit singerco.com for product information.
11 Here is Becky with the two machines we used to embroider coasters.
12 Here I am with Nick Anderson, who used to work with us at Martha Stewart Living.
13 These are some of the supplies needed for the embroidered felt coasters.
14 Ann and I are using a zig-zag stitch to embroider the coasters.
15 The finished coasters
16 The book explains how to make many hand-sewn projects, like these beautiful fabric flowers and branches wrapped with seam binding.
17 To affix the flowers to the branch, you simply glue them on. Of course, we use a Martha Stewart Crafts glue gun.
18 Here we are about to start gluing.
19 The fabric flowers have pretty pearl-tipped stamens.
20 Iron-on silhouettes are another way to add dimension to fabric.
21 The silhouettes are made by scanning clip art onto iron-on transfer paper.
22 Those images are then cut out with scissors.
23 Next, you iron the images onto your fabric.
24 The paper is then peeled away, leaving the transfer on the fabric.
25 Here is our finished Easter table.
26 The transfers on the table runner are so lovely.
27 This basket of sewing items would be a perfect Easter gift or a Mother's Day gift, along with a copy of the book.
This is the second sewing sign I've received from the universe in two days time. Was drawn into Sew L.A. yesterday where they have the most amazing collection of fabrics from all over the world. My mom is a seamstress. She made many of the clothes I wore as a little girl. Clothes I just loved and adored. Will be having children of my own soon. Maybe it's about time I learned out
Posted by: Meredith Simonds | April 1st, 2010 at 12:18 am
Martha, just SO excited to see your beautiful new book. Have to wait a little longer down here in Australia! but it's worth the wait. Congratulations!
Posted by: Tania McCartney | April 1st, 2010 at 6:27 am
Congratulations! Busy on the campaign trail this evening in the Philadelphia suburbs - otherwise would love to attend such a craft event! Just made my shopping list for Easter desserts. Your Baking Handbook is so useful with the equipment explanations. Trying your key lime tart recipe from page 261 along with Aunt Sam's cheesecake and cocunut pie recipes which I have made for this holiday since the age of ten in 1974. Thank God for good aunts!
Mom and I sew. I will have to check out #71! Go Martha!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | April 1st, 2010 at 8:01 am
I followed your advice and bought myself a Singer Confidence machine last year. It works great and ,compared to my old Singer, I feel like I've improved my ablility(thanks to the machine).I've made countless projects in this year alone and have rediscovered the fun of sewing. I'm looking forward to your new book!Thanks Martha!
Posted by: celia | April 1st, 2010 at 8:50 am
Where can I buy the thread rack used on Martha's set?
Posted by: Jeri Hill | April 1st, 2010 at 10:13 am
Congratulations on your new book...I am certain it will be a success. Looking through the photos, I love the look of the sewing area on the set of your show. I would say it is the start of a blank canvas waiting for project, but all that color cannot be considered a blank canvas.
Matti
Posted by: Matti | April 1st, 2010 at 10:58 am
Hi Martha,
This sounds like a must-have book for anyone who sews or wants to learn or just wants to do the no-sew projects. I can sew but I haven't made anything in quite some time. I use my machine mostly for mending and altering. I think if I had one of the new Singers I would do more. I'm already envious of the person who won the new Singer Futura that does embroidering but I appreciate the opportunity you gave us to enter the contest. I can't wait to get this book and I'm really anxious to see the CD with the templates. Your books are all so practical and beautiful.
~
If I lived in New York or nearby, I would definitely want to attend the Stitch Fest sewing event at your office building. Ever since the Apprentice: Martha Stewart, I’ve been itching to see your building. But since I can’t attend, I will follow Hannah Milman’s live tweets on Twitter under #Stitchfest. Thanks Martha. Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 1st, 2010 at 11:49 am
I am so excited for this new book! My sister and I will be at Stitch Fest later today and we cannot wait to see what the new book has to offer. I'm sure we will be trying out lots of new projects in the very near future.
Posted by: Barbara V. | April 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
For Jeri Hill - you can purchase a thread rack at http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?cat_id=111.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | April 1st, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Yes, I was wondering if you were going to put anything on your blog about your trip to Winchester Tennessee? We are the cateres who did some of the food for you on that day, and we enjoyed that so much, we think your great!!!
Jackie, Jennifer and Martin from the Blackberry Patch Catering:)
Posted by: Jennifer | April 1st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
The book sounds lovely! I'm excited to check it out.
Posted by: Rachel | April 1st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Congratulations on your new book! I have yet to learn how to sew but hope to shortly. I'll definitely be looking to your book for guidance and inspiration! Blessings, Kate.
Posted by: Kate | April 1st, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Hi Martha, What a fantastic day you and your crew must be having with an April Fool's day TV Show and the Stitch Fest this evening. Oh how I wish I could be there! Hannah's photos of the event are wonderful. I haven't seen today's show yet, but waiting til 2AM to enjoy whatever happened. I loved seeing you on the 'Today Show' on Wednesday with Anne Curry. What a great show it was! When I go to Costco soon, I will get a copy of your 71st book. Thanks for making everyday more fun by doing the things that you do. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 1st, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Really nice blog! I enjoy reading it so very much. Just lovely to look at as well.
Posted by: Sylvia Cantu | April 2nd, 2010 at 12:23 am
I often relax from the day's endeavors by reading your blog and printing photos by using the screen shot method, which also prints the advertisements. Nearly all of your ads are so lovely. But the video ad for the "Tudors" with the severe-looking, sinister characters just doesn't go along with the Martha Stewart brand, so hopefully these ads will be of short duration.
Posted by: Helen Alpert | April 2nd, 2010 at 12:31 am
I attended the Stitch Fest and had a great time. Came with my daugter-in-law and we totally enjoyed the event.
Even had the opportunity to see you in person mingling with everyone.
Looking forward to more events like this one.
Thanks
Martha and your entire hardworking staff
Posted by: Joyce C | April 2nd, 2010 at 9:41 am
Thanks for this book because it is the perfect addition to my sister's library and a great resource for he business Petites Fournier... Have an amazing Easter weekend!!!
Posted by: Punctuation Mark | April 2nd, 2010 at 11:35 am
Thanks to you and your team for this latest Encyclopedia, and as you say, the second of "how many more?!" I need all the help I can get- especially with zippers and buttonholes (Don't laugh, those of you that do this effortlessly!) My original Singer Sewing book and machine were gifts from my parents from the late 60's-early 70's. And stamping, painting and fiber arts ROCK at Martha's studio and in my house!
Posted by: Stampgrrl | April 3rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
Just viewed some of the grounds of your Skyland home. OK, so, you must just squeal when you're driving up the driveway to this home. Spectacular, absolutely! Your renovation is extrodinary, you have done a most wonderful regeneration of the property and home. Well done! What's it like owning an historical home, heard it can be tasking...hmmm How happy you must be on entering and waking up in you Skyland home...dreammy! So, I guess no more Turkey Hill - that was another of your wonderful transformations - Congratulations!
Posted by: E | April 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Hi,
I am usually confident when making one of your recipes; however, I made the citrus-vanilla compote that goes with ricotta cheesecake (it was featured on the Today show last week) and was confused. You might want to review the recipe. Water measurements and reserved fruit are not clearly defined, and the entire recipe is difficult to follow.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Slee | April 3rd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
OMG, I just tried your glitter for the first time and love love love it! I found out today my Michael's is no longer carrying it. I live in Elkhart, Indiana {the highest unemployment in the country]. I guess our economy is also affecting our craft stores. Can I find it anywhere else? thanks, Jackie
Posted by: jackie Higgins | April 3rd, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Hi Martha,
Happy Easter to you and everybody at your house. Would you mind suggesting the hottest it shade/colour for sewing and laundry rooms? Thanks,
Posted by: may georgina delory | April 4th, 2010 at 12:02 am
I find looking at the picture shows totally frustrating as approx one in three does not show.
Posted by: ozjane | April 4th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Congratulations on your new book! another great success. Good luck Martha
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Posted by: jamestao | April 5th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Early this afternoon my Amazon box arrived with your amazing new book! I've spent the last 3 hours going through every beautiful, descriptive, and truly wonderful book and am so excited to start my first project tonight. Another truly amazing book from you and your staff! Thanks Martha.
Posted by: Jeff Viale | April 5th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I'm interested in sewing and am wondering if this a good book for begginners? I've tried sewing with a machine before, but became easily frustrated with trying to put the string in the machine. I still would love to learn how to sew and need some motivation. I think this book my do the trick.
Posted by: Jennie | April 7th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Dear Martha:I live in British Columbia Canada and I am not very crafty and I dont know much about sewing.My mom is very crafty and she loves to sew so this year for christmas I bought her a sewing machine from Zellers. The deciding factor on which machine i was going to buy came down to me trusting that something your name was tied to must be good. Now my mom wants an extra bobbin as it makes changing thread colors easier we have been to all kinds of sewing shops and also phoned the 1-800 number and we can not get a bobbin we were told that if we are in Canada we may as well take the machine back to the store we got it from and get our money back as we will not be able to get parts for the machine.I am very disappointed as I trusted your name and are now stuck with a machine i cant get parts for.
Posted by: Malaina Mccabe | June 8th, 2010 at 11:43 am