Sewing with Heavy Duty Fabrics

Introduction

Getting Started
Materials, accessories and tools
Basic equipment
Cutting out
Techniques

Projects
Hanging baskets for herbs
Black-and-white tote
Canvas baskets
Utensil pouch
Canvas log basket
Handlebar bag
Bicycle bag
Canvas log carrier
Shopper
Tool belt pouch
Backpack
Retro bag
Zip-up bags
Sunglasses case
Tablet and smartphone cases
Storage baskets
Simple shoulder bag
Shopping bag

Appendix
Glossary
Stockists

About Laura Sinikka Wilhelm

Laura Sinikka Wilhelm learnt to appreciate good design as a child, so it was only natural for her to choose a profession in design once she had finished school. She studied textile design in Germany and Finland, graduating in 1997 with a degree in the subject from the University of Applied Sciences in Reutlingen, Germany. Since then she has been self-employed and works as a freelance fashion and textile designer, as well as a guest lecturer and course instructor in Germany and Finland. In 2009, her first sewing book was published. Since then, she has published a total of 11 books and works as an author for publishers in Germany, Finland and Switzerland. She has also worked on television and, since January 2011, has been a regular sewing expert on the SWR show Kaffee oder Tee (Coffee or Tea) in Germany. With a Finnish mother, she feels very attached to her second home. She has always found this connection to the North to be greatly enriching, and this is unmistakably reflected in her work.

Blodwen from Half Yard Sewing Club

Until reading this book I was afraid of using heavy duty fabric, but it has opened my eyes as to how much I can do on my domestic machine. The book offers 18 great sewing projects, all of them very useful items, along with tips, techniques and patterns for you to follow, to make all of them. There is extensive information on materials, accessories and tools you will need to start making your project. Laura covers Straps, Zips, Buckles and all the hardware you will need. I cant wait to get started and Im sure you will agree, that at £15.99, it is a very useful book to own.

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Helen from Half Yard Sewing Club

This book considers the different firm and heavy duty fabrics, giving detailed descriptions of them along with 18 projects to make. Laura, the author explains the different types of accessories used in bag making, advises on tools that will make the projects easier to complete and a chapter on basic equipment as well as an explanation on cutting out the patterns.

Laura shows, with very clear pictures, all the techniques that are required to make your projects have a professional finish. The 18 projects vary in difficulty rated from 1-3, complete with pattern layouts, sizes, suggested fabrics and handy tips.  No pattern pieces are provided as explanations and designs are shown clearly with required measurements.

There are a great variety of practical use projects for all styles and types of bag which can be adapted if you require. A great book if you want to try using these heavier weight fabrics as the clear photographs and explanations give confidence to even the most novice sewer.

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Jayne from Half Yard Sewing Club

This is an interesting book containing 18 practical projects using heavy duty fabrics. Projects range from hanging basket holders, mini bags, through to larger projects including a sturdy backpack and a canvas log carrier. Each project is accompanied by pattern pieces and full instructions. Details are also given on recommended fabrics to use and how to make straps and buckles amongst other techniques. Lots of helpful tips are interspersed within the projects. A practical, useful book, for making practical useful projects.

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Jules from Half Yard Sewing Club

If youve sewn many a tote bag, pouch and the like from quilt cottons and are now looking to up your game this book is a good place to start.

Waxed canvas, waterproof cotton, upholstery fabrics and leather, even, are lovely materials to work with resulting in robust, durable projects that can withstand wear and tear for many a year and Sewing With Heavy Duty Fabrics by Laura Sinikka Wilhelm provides insight and instruction on how to do this.

Its a book of 18 designs from a rucksack to a log carrier to a sunglasses case and a lot more in between.  Along with all the instructions on how to make them up there are the pattern shapes, some of which require enlarging by a specified percentage, otherwise its get your ruler out and start cutting shapes, mainly four sided - there are some triangle and circular shapes but all relatively easy to compile. The pattern pieces are laid out in an easy to follow diagram.  Dimensions are in centimetres and inches.

The designs are really good and adaptable, for example it wouldnt be too difficult to customise a project by taking away, adding in or resizing a pattern piece, for example changing the pockets on the backpack to meet individual or specific needs.

Working from this book you will need your wits about you as many of the designs call for cutting out squares and rectangles for pattern pieces, so remember measure twice, cut once!  And, according to Laura, you can sew the projects on a domestic sewing machine as long as you have the correct needle installed.

There are good clear photographs of the projects so you know what youre trying to achieve, but not step-by-step photographic instructions.  However there are sections covering Tools, Basic Equipment, Techniques, Buckles, Straps, Zips and Edging with more detail and photos.  

If youve made a tote or two before thats good news youll probably get along fine with this book, however beginners may find some instructions a challenge.  I would suggest starting with the Zip-up bags or the Tablet & Smart Phone Cases (difficulty level 1) to familiarise yourself with your materials, the book and Lauras style.

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Publishers Weekly

Textile designer Wilhelm (Stylish Sewing) offers a solid collection of projects meant to be used and loved for a lifetime. Each design uses weighty materials including canvas, sailcloth, waxed canvas, and leather, which hold up to wear and tear and acquire character in the process. A section on necessary materials and accessories explains how to choose leather (or faux alternatives), and notes that binding screws are useful for attaching leather straps to fabric. As for tools and equipment, crafters will need denim needles, a craft knife for cutting leather, and a sewing machine (the author recommends buying secondhand rather than getting a cheap, new one). Wilhelms projects are labeled according to three difficulty levels: hanging herb baskets, a roll-up utensil pouch, and a canvas log basket are perfect for beginners; a stunning waxed cotton backpack and retro bag inspired by bowling bags are for more experienced crafters; and a bike bag and shopper tote fall in between. Project-specific tips are peppered throughout, Wilhelms straightforward instructions will help crafters take her guidance off the page, and the photos that accompany each step are a boon. Sewers seeking to expand their skill set should give this a look.

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Sandra from Half Yard Sewing Club

Isnt it nice to receive a book to review with a subject matter that most sewing books only touch on. Laura is an accomplished author having studied textiles in both Germany and Finland. The accompanying landscape photography by Tobias is beautiful. All presented on quality paper in a matt finish gives it all a feeling of hygge. A lovely introduction to getting started using different types and weights of fabric. It also includes a range of accessories and suggested tools. A helpful stockists page is at the back of the book.

Eighteen projects all presented with its difficulty level and patterns, materials requirements. Each item is supported by clear photographs and numbered instructions to guide you through. Some helpful tips are added when needed. There are some lovely projects to make for yourself or gifts using a domestic sewing machine. As you would expect using a heavy duty fabric the majority are bags but all different sizes and styles. Great ideas you will be keen to try.