So darn saccharine

The preciousness of crafting book Sew Darn Cute is... unseamly

By Alexa Weibel
Published: February 5th, 2009 | 12:15pm

The cover of Jenny Ryan's Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew and Embellish looks like an Easter egg. It's adorable, granted, but perhaps a little too dainty for my taste—as are the girly-as-girly-can-be projects tackled.

This crafter, who purportedly once painted the names of punk bands onto leather jackets back in high school, has since moved on to a world of customized cardigans and “ladylike laptop totes.” Ryan divides the book into five logical categories: “Pretties” (which include quirky clothing items that seem suited to kooky Phoebe from Friends); “Totables” (all variations on the theme, from wristlets to travel pouches); “Nest” (home ideas that are, for the most part, innate); “Kid Stuff” (my personal favorite, though not as exciting as last year’s Softies craft book); and—I cringe—“Crafties” (which includes crafting accoutrements like the “snappy fabric bracelet” to support your pincushions). Sure I enjoy my crafts—but I don't enjoy them so much as to devise additional crafts to craft up my crafting tools, like creating cozies for my crochet hooks, as Ryan suggests.

The book is all pastel and floral; it would easily be enlivened by bold colors, animal prints or patterns. If at times painfully un-hip, these projects may at least serve as helpful inspiration—I may not stand behind the cheesy “Sewing is incredibly empowering!” mantra, but the projects are foundationally sound, and can be catered to the reader's preferences.

In terms of logistics, Ryan is worth her salt. She offers an extensive sewing how-to at the start of the book, and directions are crystal clear and well thought-out. The tone is conversational and amicable, but at times ventures near too chatty, when readers might care more about simply crafting.

As the title promises, it's all sooooo darn cute, but really, I prefer my crafts with a bit of spunk. I cook with a drink in hand, why not maintain some edge in the crafting realm? I’d probably wing it DIY-style before referring to this book, but it’s recommended for aspiring Martha Stewarts.

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ABOUT THE BOOK
Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew and Embellish (St. Martin's Griffin)
by Jenny Ryan
144 pages
$21.95