Present Perfect by Betz White – Book Review
Present Perfect: 25 Gifts to Sew & Bestow by Betz White features a fabulous array of sewing projects with gift giving in mind. Just in time for holiday sewing!
Betz’ intro to the book lovingly shares the story of her mother’s love of sewing for her and of teaching Betz to sew. The ultimate gift! One I cherish as well, in my case the gift was given to me by my grandmother Helen Buckles.
The blog tour requested that I select and make a project from the book. I had 3 1/2 months to complete it. I began yesterday. Fortunately, accurate and easy-to-follow written construction steps and a well designed pattern carried me through to meet the deadline!
I’m totally flipping out over my Pasha Pleated Clutch. The scale of the bag is absolutely perfect. Big enough for cell phone, lipstick and a mini wallet, small enough to easily grasp in one hand. I used Etsuko Furuya Echino Ni-Co 2014 Car Grey on the exterior and Timeless Treasures Bias Sketch Metallic Black for the pleats. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the combination of texture, color and glitz.
The good news is the book comes with full size pattern sheets in the back. The bad news is they are double sided so I needed to trace my pattern. Starting Project at Last Minute + Let’s Get Started RIGHT NOW Sewing Personality = Really, I’ve Got to Trace This Thing? Just mentioning it so you can plan ahead to have appropriate supplies on hand.
SUPER impressed with the design and instructions for creating the pleats. An interesting little puzzle that was fun and not tedious.
My seam allowance for joining the front panels was not consistent. The width of the front after piecing the pleats required me to trim off a little on the edges to match the bag back. Measure and do this BEFORE sewing the darts that way you can save the step of ripping them out like I needed to do!
Hand sewing with embroidery floss finished off the pleat pattern. Again, perfect scale. A beautiful design that was a joy to make.
Betz White is a talented designer and author. Present Perfect is chock full of practical and useful projects that are sure to inspire your gift making.
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You can purchase the book from the Interweave/F+W website or on Amazon (affiliate link).
To learn more about the book watch the fun trailer Betz created:
and be sure to check out the other stops on the blog tour:
Happy Home
1. Sew Mama Sew – Make & Bake Apron excerpt – Mon, 10/6
2. Stacy Sews – Falling Leaves Appliquéd Placemats – Tue, 10/7
3. House on Hill Road – Hot Mitt House & Tea Towel Set – Wed, 10/8
4. A Happy Stitch – Sweet Life Pillow – Thu, 10/9
Memorable Moments
5. Sew Sweetness – Wool Courier Bag – Fri, 10/10
6. Raspberry Sunshine – Gentlemen’s Travel Case – Mon, 10/13
7. Pink Chalk Fabrics – Yay, You’re Here! – Pasha Pleated Clutch – Tue, 10/14
8. The Long Thread – Eye Candy Glasses Case – Wed, 10/15
9. Made with Moxie – Cargo Tablet Sleeve – Send finished book – Thu, 10/16
10. Bijou Lovely – Coffee Cash Coin Pouch – Fri, 10/17
New and Little
11. Flax and Twine – Forest Friends Finger Puppets – Mon, 10/20
12. Imagine Gnats – Bib, Rattle & Burp Baby Set – Tue, 10/21
18 Comments
Looks like an awesome book with lots if useful desigbd
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
I made a bag that had pleats on the front and it took me FOREVER to do the pleats. This looks like it’s a lot easier and faster way to do them. Can’t wait to try it out.
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
I’m constantly looking for gift ideas. This book would be a nice resource.
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
What a great bag! The book has a lot of great projects.
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
I love your fabric combinations / choices!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
Always enjoy reading about your experience with a pattern. The project you choose is fantastic and of course your fabric choices are spot on, as per usual – one of your many talents. Thanks again for this review, sounds like an interesting book.
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
Wow, ALL those projects look great. Betz White has a lovely aesthetic and it looks like it shines through in this book.
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
Love, love, love that bag!!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
As usual, you had the right combination of fabrics to make it look great! I don’t usually like things with pleats as too frou-frou for me, but I like this one.
xo Linda
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
i love sewing books!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
What a great bag! It’s fun to follow a blog tour where the participants actually make items from the book. Makes me want to make everything!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
What an adorable clutch!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
HI, looks like a really neat book!
View CommentThanks!
October 14, 2014
Great clutch – I love your fabrics!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
I love those pleats!
View CommentOctober 14, 2014
Looks like a fun book to kick start holiday sewing projects!
View CommentOctober 15, 2014
I love the clutch!
View CommentOctober 17, 2014
This looks like such a great book! Love the pleated pouch you made.
View CommentOctober 18, 2014