Present Perfect by Betz White – Book Review

on Oct 14, 2014 in Books | 18 comments

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.

Pasha Pleated Clutch

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!

Pasha Pleated Clutch

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.

Pasha Pleated Clutch

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.

Pasha Pleated Clutch

SUPER impressed with the design and instructions for creating the pleats. An interesting little puzzle that was fun and not tedious.

Pasha Pleated Clutch

Pasha Pleated Clutch

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!

Pasha Pleated Clutch

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.

***

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

  2. 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.

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    Gina S.

    October 14, 2014

  3. I’m constantly looking for gift ideas. This book would be a nice resource.

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    Gina

    October 14, 2014

  4. What a great bag! The book has a lot of great projects.

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    Cindy

    October 14, 2014

  6. 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.

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    Melanie

    October 14, 2014

  7. Wow, ALL those projects look great. Betz White has a lovely aesthetic and it looks like it shines through in this book.

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    Kristin L

    October 14, 2014

  9. 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

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    Linda

    October 14, 2014

  11. 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!

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    Margo

    October 14, 2014

  13. HI, looks like a really neat book!
    Thanks!

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    Reply
    LINDA

    October 14, 2014

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