Book Review: Home Sewn

I was really excited to get to review a book on a hobby I actually do. I have some really cute books with some great sewing projects in them, and I was hoping this book would be a great addition to that collection. I was not impressed.

Some of the major problems I had with this book:

Two of the projects in the book are just pictures of the writer having used purchasable kits with her own fabric. There is a make your own lampshade, and make your own headboard. I don't think using a premade kit and writing the instructions count as making your own project...

One project is a linen ottoman. This on it's own this could be a great project. Except when you get to the important part of the stuffing. She gives minimal direction on this. "Stuffing of your choice"... "Up to you really"... I made a floor cushion a year or so ago. The sewing part, although complicated, was the easiest part. Finding a good stuffing, tips on getting it into the cushion, tips on not getting said stuffing all over your house... Any of those would be a really useful addition to this project.

At least two projects in this book don't fall on the right side of the handmade vs homemade. When I make something by hand I want to take the time to do it right. If I am going to spend hours making something and probably spending at least twice what it would cost to buy the same thing. What I make should look good. One project the "embroidered lambskin and silk throw pillows" looks terrible. The final project pictured is wrinkled and the embroidery is a small circle in the middle filled in with random stitches and x's. Maybe if it was a child making it this could be appreciated.

Another project " decorative silk upholstery panels" looks like she tacked on fabric to the back of a chair. Reading the instructions for this project, says that is exactly what she did. "You probably don't need instructions - the images say almost all you need"... She actually says that.

There are a few cute things. One project is making silk butterflies. Another is a leather strap to tie back curtains with. She made a cotton, silk, and leather chandelier that looks nice. But even for these projects that I might actually want to do the instructions are minimal. She takes a lots of posed pictures of the finished product, but doesn't really focus on helping people get there with great instructions. I could probably figure it out, but with a book I shouldn't have to.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

New Game

I normally get books to review, but this time there was an option for a game. Since I like games I got it. I wasn't expecting to love this game, since I don't love puns, and it states that it is a game for pun lovers. Steven loves puns, so I thought he might like it. 

The game makes a claim to be the new Cards Against Humanity. I can't say I really liked the game, but I definitely disagree with that claim. Cards Against Humanity has only the requirements that you read english and aren't easily offended. It doesn't require much thinking and if you have no clue for a round nothing really happens. Punderdome requires a lot of thinking. You are given two topics and you have to write your own pun combining them. Some combinations are easier than others, but when you can't come up with anything it is frustrating. 

Also it seems to be a wasteful game. Each round you write your pun on a piece of paper. By the end of game there was a lot of little paper bits. 

I would like to watch this game be played by people who are really good at puns. It might be amusing. I don't think it is a game that can be enjoyed by any group. Which is something that is good to have in a game.

Some examples of our rounds.

Cat in the Hat