Amy Karol is the author of two of our favorite blogs, so we were eager to get our hands on her new book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing.  Her blog, Angry Chicken, is a friendly, pull-up-a-chair sort of place where you can always find new sewing projects, reviews and recommendations, and oh yes, aprons!  Amy is also the blogger behind Tie One On, a site devoted to aprons and the crafters who love them.

Bend-the-Rules Sewing distills Amy's fun, laid-back approach into a collection of 30 patterns for home, kids, and gifts. She encourages crafters of all skill levels to get comfortable with the basics of sewing, so that you can feel confident enough to "sew with abandon". That means getting to know your tools and fabrics, not in an encyclopedia kind of way, but in a good friend kind of way.  She introduces basic techniques and essential tools, then uses them in a series of great projects. A sporty wallet, a scallop-edged blanket, a portable puppet theater -- each project combines a sense of style and humor.

Amy's patterns, like her writing, get right to point with clear directions and good advice.  Even the simple projects leave lots of room for improvisation.  For example, a rudimentary set of placemats becomes a forum for edge stitching, ribbon binding, or combining favorite fabrics.  Amidst all the fun you learn how to sew on binding, an essential quilting technique. The Easy Lap Quilt that follows is the perfect way to put your new skills to good use. 

We recommend Bend-the-Rules Sewing to beginner and intermediate crafters who want solid, practical projects that encourage fun.  More seasoned sewers will enjoy the humor, quality, and ingenuity of this book, as well as the quick-sewing patterns.  With each new project, you'll build your sewing repetoire, show off your favorite fabrics, and probably come up with a few great ideas of your own.  That's the spirit!