Linen, Wool, Cotton
Linen, Wool, Cotton
25 simple projects to sew with natural fabrics
by Akiko Mano
112 pages
Craft, Sewing, Simple style
Trumpeter Books
14, April 2009
Akiko Mano's soft and subdued style is simple yet outstanding in quality, approach and design. Linen, Wool, Cotton is a dream for the practical person who enjoys crafts that people will actually use. The simplicity of her patterns is so pretty and speaks though its calmness. Akiko Mano's designs will allow even the insure crafter to create things that many will enjoy. The projects range from wool slippers, aprons, a muffler, lightweight fruit bags, a lingerie case, hot water bottle cover, duvet cover and beyond. Linen, Wool, Cotton is sectioned off into chapters by material choice, beginning with Linen, followed by Wool and finally Cotton. Akiko's patterns are easy to follow and minimalist in their approach, and that is a bonus, since that makes them quick to complete as well, having only an average of 4 steps per pattern.
Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano is part of the Japanese Crafts Style books also known as Make Good: Crafts + Life, a group of books believing in the goal to simplify life. This approach makes it its goal to take pleasure in the beautiful things that are so perfect in their minimalistic appeal.
So how did I like this book? I loved it. I enjoy being crafty, but I want the things I make to be used and not just dusted. This is a book for a person like me, and I am thrilled that there are so many patterns in Linen, Wool, Cotton that are calling my name (quite loudly I might add). I have already dived in, and created the lunch bags, they were just too cool to not make. I was worried at first because usually patterns seem to have way too many impractical steps and I have a hard time wanting to follow along. I had no problem with listening to Akiko at all. The lunch bag pattern (p. 96) was just perfect and simple and had fluff, just the real stuff. I know for sure that I am going to make several other patterns, the Sweets Mat (p. 90) looks like the next one I'll try. And the Fruit Bags (p. 37) made out of cheesecloth would be perfect for veggies at the Saturday Farmer's Market as they don't way anything and are completely reusable! Yeah, so anyway I am hooked. I recommend Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano with no reservations at all.
I spent part of the day making two Lunch Bags (p. 96) from this book for you! I really hope that my work pays off, and that you are as excited as I am about this! I can't wait! Here are the two lunch bags I made, you can click on each photo to see the bigger picture.
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I (adoringly) HEART—>
April 14th, 2009 - 08:46
Those bags are just adorable! I’d like to enter. =)
- Meghan @ Medieval Bookworm
April 14th, 2009 - 14:09
Those are great bags. I would love to be entered.
April 14th, 2009 - 14:18
Sounds like a great book. I definitely need simple sewing patterns. I’m far from an expert seamstress!
Love the lunch bags! Please enter me.
April 14th, 2009 - 14:19
Bethany, these bags are too cute!! I love the design. Please enter me!!
thereedfamilyATsbcglobalDOTnet
April 14th, 2009 - 14:57
GIRL! You are amazingly crafty. Swooning over here. I want one :)
April 14th, 2009 - 16:09
The bags are so cute, I have a handbag in this style but it’s not reversible. Enter me please
April 14th, 2009 - 17:17
the book sounds really good Bethany.. I hope there are instructions for beginners because I am one.. and your lunch bags look perfectly adorable! Do enter me for the giveaway.. and even if i don’t win, I’d love to learn how to do that!!:)
April 14th, 2009 - 19:59
I have no idea how you have time to read so many books. And (!) I especially have no idea how you have time to be so crafty! Good of your :)
April 14th, 2009 - 21:01
wow!I would love to have a copy of that book ! Please enter me !
April 14th, 2009 - 21:24
Cute bags. One would be perfect for my daughter to take to school for her litterless lunch day!!
April 14th, 2009 - 21:39
Oh, please enter my name in the giveaway – the bags are adorable, and I’d love to win one. I was thinking they’re also a great way to corral small items (like the various chargers we have, or hair clips, etc.) when travelling.
Dawn
She is Too Fond of Books
April 14th, 2009 - 21:41
Love the bags! And as I’m a homemade lunch kinda girl, it could come in handy.
April 14th, 2009 - 22:31
Oh yeah, I’m standing in line over here, too – I still can’t believe you’re giving away those lovely bags! asthenight at gmail dot com
April 14th, 2009 - 22:52
Please enter me in the give-away! How generous of you and what adorable bags!! I would love, love, love one!
*smiles*
Kim
http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/
kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com
April 14th, 2009 - 23:54
I blogged about the giveaway here:
http://exlibrisbb.blogspot.com/2009/04/linen-wool-cotton-handmade-giveaway.html
Ohh, how I want one of these bags!
Kim
April 15th, 2009 - 01:39
I found this adorable post via Kim of Page After Page.
I cannot sew a button on a shirt, so the book will do me no good. BUT…I would love to be entered in the drawing for the lunch bag give away.
Mstermind1 at gmail dot com
April 15th, 2009 - 05:02
These are so cute. had to look closely to see how they closed and what a neat idea. They look so homespun and very handy to have. Please include me in the giveaway and thanks for the chance to win.
rubymoonstone at gmail dot com
April 15th, 2009 - 10:37
This is a perfect gift for my mom who loves crafting stuff!
Please do count me in this!
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
April 15th, 2009 - 21:32
Great bags! I made the slouch bag from the book- it’s on my blog.
Leave my name out. I think I’ll make these myself.
April 15th, 2009 - 22:01
Sounds like a great book. Your lunch bags are too cute! I would love to be entered to win.
shelcows AT gmail DOT com
April 15th, 2009 - 22:09
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/writereader/status/1528801478
April 16th, 2009 - 01:37
They look lovely. I’d love to win it :)
April 17th, 2009 - 19:57
Those are great! They do look very Japanese. I kind of feel silly to enter my name since I could perhaps find something similar here, but they were made by you with love, so please add my name to the hat. Thanks. :)
April 27th, 2009 - 23:06
What a great idea for a lunchbox – I was going to buy one but making one from the book (or winning one you already made!) would be smarter and more creative!
April 28th, 2009 - 12:08
What sweet lunch bags. I wish I was a craft genius but sometimes I feel all thumbs. So if I win them actually all the better. Love the fabric choices also.
espressogurl at hotmail dot com
April 29th, 2009 - 14:14
I’d like to enter as well, please!
May 3rd, 2009 - 08:42
So this contest was supposed to be over April 30th at midnight and you were clear you don’t notify people. It is now May 3rd and no where on your site are winners listed. Or am I missing something crucial?
espressogurl at hotmail dot com