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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Craft Book Review: Reinvention

When Wiley publishing asked if I would like to review a copy of Reinvention by Maya Donenfeld of course I said yes.  I've been following Maya's blog (Maya Made) for years now and when she announced she was publishing a book, I couldn't wait to see it.  I knew it would be just as inspiring and creative as her blog.

Reinvention by Maya Donenfeld is a sewing book filled with 28 projects made from salvaged materials.  The chapters are broken down by materials, Linen, Burlap, Jersey, Wool, Denim, Mailers, and Vintage. Along with the projects, there are also two chapters dedicated to sewing basics and printing basics.  This book has projects for everyone from sewer beginners to advanced.

One of the things that stood out to be in this book was that Maya shares the history of the materials and their environmental impact.   For example, she shares about the product Tyvek which I knew nothing about until reading Maya's book.  The Environmental Impact section really made me think about some of the products I buy and what I could do without.

Below are few of my favorite projects.

Toadstool Cottage made with felted wool.

Reversible Summer Sling with Maya's signature gingko leaf prints.

Little Forager Skirt made with jersey.  I'm thinking this would be perfect for a day at the beach searching for sea glass.

Do you like to work with recycled materials? If so, what's your favorite material to work with?  Please share.

5 comments:

Nena said...

Hi, I work with recycled watches. I turn them into one-of-a-kind necklaces. I also love to sew, I make quilts using scraps of fabric. I will have to add this book to my must read list.

zakkalife said...

Nena,

Recycled watches is a great material for jewelry.

Curious, have you visited Maya's blog before?

Laurinda said...

I like to get sweaters from secondhand shops & reclaim the yarn- cotton for dishcloths or towels, angora for scarves, etc. I'm a silk junkie & my knitting friend loves cashmere, this is how we feed our addiction for nice yarn to knit with, on a budget.
She also takes the cashmere sweaters that have yarn too fine to reclaim & she felts them. Then she cuts them into blocks & makes cashmere blankets! She IS pretty amazing.

Caca said...

I have been following Maya Made blog too. I like to work with recycle glass jars.

Suzanne said...

I aspire to work with recycled material. I have wanted to reclaim yarn from sweaters and I've been saving boatloads of jeans for the denim. I don't know what I will do with them yet but I know the minute I purge them, the idea will come. Thank your the review!

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