Monday, October 04, 2010

Sew Tina!!

Sew Tina, 30 Cute Projects and Adorable Decor Items
Yay! Today's the day for our Sew Tina book review and giveaway.

When Lark Crafts asked me if I'd be interested in being part of the blog tour for Tina Given's new book, I was jumping with excitement! Not only do mom and I love to sew adorable clothes for our kids (and grandkids in Mom's case!), but I know that many of our readers are also sewing for little people and would love a sneak peak into Tina's new book.

Tina Givens, as many of you know, is a talented fabric designer and artist. Her energetic and free-spirited prints are perfect for kids clothes, but they still have that modern edge that make them appealing to adults as well. The projects in her book all feature her fabrics and they definitely inspire me to sew.


Let's get down to the nitty gritty. I know you want the details!

*Patterns
There are 30 projects in all, divided into projects for infants and projects for older kids. There is a good mix of clothing, decor, and fun kids items (sleeping bag, backpack, jewelry etc). There are three clothing items (excluding hats and infant booties) that are geared for the boys, one in an infant size and two in the older kids sizes.

One thing that you'll find with these patterns is that they are truly different, but in a really fun, unique way. Tina Givens style is definitely non-traditional with little twists and surprises to make you smile, and her patterns will have much appeal to the free-spirited and whimsical ones among us.

*Sizing
The clothing patterns are sized in a general S/M/L format for both the infant and kids patterns. The infant sizes range from 3 mo. to 18 mo. and the kids sizes range from a 2T to a size 7 and are purposely sized generously to allow for freedom of movement and growing room.

*Directions and Illustrations
The direction and illustrations are not fussy or perfectionistic, yet they seemed to be really forthright and clear. In the two projects I sewed up for this review, I didn't have a single snag with the directions. Tina believes that charm lies in handmade imperfection and one of the goals should be to create something that is unique, special, and uncomplicated. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I really like that.


For this review I made up the Brookies (bloomer pants) and the Bouncy Beret Hat. Below they are pictured on my spunky little Jaidyn Marie.

Both patterns went together easily came out so adorable. Marie loves the beret had and actually wore it for more then a couple of minutes!  The fabric I used is a soft, mini wale corduroy.

It's difficult to see in the picture above, but the bloomer pants have little side ruffle pleats on them. They remind me of an alligator's back, hehe! I love these on her. They cut is slightly oversized and the style a little bit funky, but it's perfect for her personality!

Note the yellow binding the used on the inside of the legs. It's just for fun!

Now for the fun part! The giveaway! Leave a comment, let us know what you think of the book, or just say hello! We'll draw a name next Monday the 11th, exactly one week from now.

Check out it! One winner will receive Tina's new book, 4 yards of fabric, 2 boxes of stationery, and 2 extra sewing patterns...

I want to be sure and give a big thank you to Tina Givens and Lark Crafts for sponsoring such a generous giveaway and for letting us be involved in the fun!

xoxo!
Jessica

84 comments:

  1. I love the beret & bloomers! So cute on your little one. I would love to be the winner. I am just venturing out into sewing for children and love the uniqueness of these patterns!

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  2. This book looks great. A must have for me and my 3 little girls. Thank you so much for the great review, too.

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  3. Looks like an adorable book! Can't wait to try it.

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  4. The book looks wonderful and I am excited about the giveaway!
    I loved the beret and brookies you made! So cute!
    thanks for the review.
    butler83ataoldotcom

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  5. Love the beret & the bloomers. They looks so cute on your little girl. Thanks for the review of the book.

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  6. This book looks fantastic. I love kids clothes with whimsy and I sew a lot of them!! :)

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  7. Oh my goodness! I'd love to win! :-) The projects you made from the book are adorable.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  8. I would love to win this book! So many cute ideas!

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  9. Thanks for the review and the chance to win.

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  11. Great review and thanks for the chance to win!
    I have have three boys and 26 nieces and nephews to sew for so this gift would be greatly used and appreciated 8)

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  12. This looks like a fantastic book - full of playful and gorgeous projects that both kids and moms would love.

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  13. Wow! What a fun giveaway!

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  14. That is a very cute book. I could use it to make gifts.

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  15. I love the unique patterns! Such a great giveaway. I hope I win. :D

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  16. LOVE IT!!! I can't wait to get one!!

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  17. The book looks really neat and affords something different from the usual! I think the purple bloomers are perfect for Marie! I'd have to sew my Grace some if I won!

    Captain Momma

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  18. The book looks really good! I don't actually have any kids, but I have a lot of younger siblings who I make clothes for sometimes.

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  19. What a generous giveaway.
    I think that all of the patterns are so cute and definitely unique! I like them.
    Marie looks adorable in her beret.

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  20. Everything looks so cute. I'd love to win.

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  21. This is a wonderful book for sewing childrens' clothing. By the end of the year we will have 4 grandnieces. Would love to make some of these outfits from ages 5 down to two newborns. Thank you for the review.

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  22. I'd love a chance to win this book! I've just started sewing clothes for my little ones and would love some extra help! :)

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  23. The book looks great - I'd love to make some of those kid's clothes for my littles!

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  24. What a cute wee book!
    the fabric is sooo amazing, and the patterns are just too cute!
    thanks forthe great review!

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  25. Love the baby shoes--can't wait to try some of Tina's projects!

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  26. I think that Tina's material is so cute. I would love to win some fabric and a book by her.

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  27. I love your projects from the book! The other projects look great too!

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  28. Even though I don't have any little ones of my own, nor any grandchildren (yet!), I'd love to win the book. It seems like there are always children around somewhere.

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  29. Ohhhh... so much loveliness!! I'd love to have a chance of winning!

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  30. I like the idea of kids clothes that are a little bit different, at least as long as the kids are little. The designs seem to be easy fit and very cute.

    Leslie S. in MN
    esclante at comcast dot net

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  31. I would like to sew some of this wonderful patterns :)

    oboskovic at gmail dot com

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  32. Sounds amazing, would love to try!

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  33. Oh so cool!! The beret and bloomers are adorable and the book looks fabulous!! I hope I win! Thank you for the chance.

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  34. These projects look lovely. The fabrics she picked are so darling!
    ghainskom at yahoo dot com

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  35. That is a very cool book, can see why you felt inspired to sew.

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  36. The book looks absolutely amazing. One to definitely have on your book shelf. Would love to win. Thank you.

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  37. very nice book!must have for any mom's daughter!

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  38. I would love to win! You're right, her stuff is so funky and unique. I love making things that I normally wouldn't! I love her fabrics, too.

    colescreations at live dot com

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  39. Wow every sewer's dream to have such wonderful project book..Cant wait to try..thanks
    Seema
    sskcraftshop@gmail.com

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  40. Debbie WhiteOctober 05, 2010

    This book looks sew wonderful! What a great giveaway!!

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  41. Lark is so generous! I am totally into sewing hats. I am just venturing out into hat patterns, so this would be perfect!

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  42. I'd love to win a copy of this book!!
    Any idea when it's available in the UK????
    Gill

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  43. I adore your beret and bloomers. I have that fabric and want to sew them for my daughter now! Thanks for the fab giveaway, I'd simply love to be a winner.

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  44. Your little one looks so cute in the beret and bloomers. I love Tina's fabrics, what fun prints!

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  45. How adorable!!! I have three granddaughters who would look waaay too cute in some of those outfits!!!

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  46. The book looks great. I would LOVE to win!!!

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  47. It is such a gorgeous book! And the projects are just so fun looking :)

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  48. Looks like such a great book! How I'd love to win!

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  49. Your daughter is adorable - love the red curly hair. And the beret is perfect for her. I'd love to win the Sew Tina giveaway. The patterns look like fun.

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  50. This book looks very exciting! I love Tina's fabric.

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  51. How wonderful! Thanks for the chance!

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  52. I would LOVE to win this ~ so many great projects for my kids and my home! THANKS for the chance!
    ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. this is so exciting!! i've always been intrigued by her aesthetic and i think this book offers such interesting insight into her creative world. wonderful designs! love making things for my soon three kiddos. :)

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  54. I love Tina Givens and know that this book is going to be great! The hat and pants you made turned out so cute! Thanks for the chance at such a great prize!

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  55. The fabrics are gorgeous so I'm sure the book is, too!

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  56. Oh, those patterns look adorable! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fantastic giveaway!

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  57. The patterns look wonderful, and such nice photography! Your own take on the projects is great, i love all the details! I'd love to have this book and cross ,y fingers for the give-away - thank you!

    Sabine - sushi (at) telenet (dot) be

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  58. Yay! Cute, fun boys' clothes! This is definitely a book that is going on my wishlist!

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  59. What a fantastic book! And a great review. Thanks!

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  60. I love this, it looks like such a great book!! pgkristin@gmail.com

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  61. The fabric you used in your bloomers and beret are so cute. Is that a flying pig I see in the book? How cool is that.

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  62. Thanks so much for the review of the book! I've actually been putting some sewing books on my Amazon wishlist, because up until now I've only used patterns. This one looks like a good one! Thanks again!

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  63. I think this book looks amazing. I keep reading her interviews and she sounds like such a wonderful and motivating woman. Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway. And great job on the projects...adorable!

    ~Teresa :)

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  64. this is awesome!!! would love to win. i can so, sew much more!! great site, too.

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  65. So glad you reviewed this book because now I must own it! I'll wait til after the giveaway though - you know...just in case.

    I have a 3 year old granddaughter that I love sewing for, so this looks perfect.

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  66. It;s my birthday and I'll cry if I want to... Loevly book, wishing me birthday luck...
    Kate
    http://katie-sews.blogspot.com/

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  67. Love your blog, and your little girl's red curly hair!

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  68. What fun patterns. Thank you for the review and the chance to win it!

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  69. I could really use this book to make a hat for my basically bald two year old, and the nice fabric will come in handy for my various sewing projects! Thanks for the chance.

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  70. Ohhh, so cute! Looks like fun!

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  71. I would love to win this book. Such adorable projects. I could make something adorable for my new granddaughter. Wouldn't that be fun!

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  72. I love simple, unique and easy to sew patterns, and so comfy looking too! What a great giveaway, glad I stumble on it :)
    deckerston@aol.com

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  73. Wow, these are very cute. I have four daughters who would love these!

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  74. What a great giveaway! I love so much of the patterns you showed. Thanks for the review!

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  75. These look so cute--especially that hat! wow-thanks for sharing!!

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  76. That book looks adorable. Thanks for sharing.

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  77. empirewaistOctober 09, 2010

    Wow, this book looks amazing! Love Tina Givens!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  78. WOW!! Just starting to sew and would love to make these sweet items for my grandchild to be!!!
    Terri
    meterr70 AT gmail DOT com

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  79. It looks like a fun book and the giveaway is very generous! Thank you for a chance to win.

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  80. These clothes are so adorable. I would love to be entered in the giveway. I love reading your blog!

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  81. awwww....so cute. I love to sew for my friends children. It works well, I have the time to sew and they have the kids to sew for. I'll have to check out the book, thanks.

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  82. Just reconnected with my love for sewing after 22 yrs now that I'm a "grammy". I heart fabrics and designs and especially sassy outfits that are a little "different". Tyler Kate and I would so much enjoy the book and fabrics!

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  83. Love the choice of funky stuff, it just shows that home made does not mean boring.

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