Sewing Happiness: A Year of Simple Projects for Living Well

(Paperback)

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Description

HAPPINESS SELLS! This inspiring memoir is a cross between The Happiness Project and 1, 2, 3 Sew! Inspired to succeed at just one thing, the author vowed to sew all of her daughter's clothes (and most of her own) for one year. This is the story of that year and how doing one thing right inspired her to cultivate many happy habits. This how-to guide and personal memoir features 20 meditative sewing projects and inspiring stories that promote creativity, happiness, and fulfillment When Sanae Ishida was diagnosed with a chronic illness and lost her corporate job, she felt like her whole life was falling apart.Inspired to succeed at just one thing, Ishida vowed to sew all of her daughter's clothes-and most of her own-for one full year. InSewing Happiness, Ishida recounts her incredible journey, reflecting on how sewing helped her survive such a difficult time in her life. Sewing Happinessfeatures twenty simple sewing projects (with variations) organized by season and tied together with a thread of memoir that tells the story Ishida's unexpected transformation and how sewing brought her profound happiness.Each seasonal project-from Japanese-inspired home goods to children's and women's clothing-is specially designed to promote health, creativity, and relationships and to provide gentle inspiration to live your best life.Complete with photos and easy-to-follow steps, Sewing Happiness is at once a guide to the craft of sewing and a guide to enjoying life in all its beautiful imperfections.

Reviews

2016 Homemaker Magazine Best Home Sewing Book Award Winner

In a world of Pinterest-perfect styling and overposed, overedited sewing blog photos, Ishidas honesty is refreshing, and her thoughtful musings on the importance of taking a breakwhether to sew, enjoy family, or simply appreciate our livesare a delight.
Library Journal

[Ishida] stitches together a memoir, a delightful medley of sewing projects and a strong lesson in wabi-sabi, the concept of finding beauty in imperfection.
Seattle Magazine

Part sewing-pattern collection, part one womans personal tale of her self-help journey, this book aims to be as inspirational as it is useful.
Booklist

"You might be sewing a pattern, but confidence will also emerge on the other side of the presser foot, and that, Sanae assures, will bring you sewing happiness."
Seattle's Child

This book is beautiful. Its beautifully written, beautifully styled and photographed, and beautiful to hold in your hands. Its the kind of book that you would be thrilled to receive as a gift, and even more excited to give away to someone you love.
Closet Case Files

A lovely book, and very relatable if youve ever struggled with your health or with finding meaning and joy in your life.
Sew Mama Sew

This book is more than a collection of projects[it] is an open, honest, raw and vulnerable conversation about how making things can heal us.
A Happy Stitch

"Sewing Happiness actually digs down deep into the idea that crafting is a meditative, health-boosting practice that really has the power to transform how you feel...bring on the sewing machine!"
Dream Green DIY

"[Sewing Happiness] is part memoir, part sewing book, and filled throughout with beautiful photography and illustrations. It is a joy to read."
Cut Cut Sew

"Sewing Happinessis a beautiful and touching book about the healing power of making. Part memoir, part craft book, and all gorgeous, you won't be able to put it down."
Small+Friendly

"This book, unlike most other craft/sewing books, had me reading each and every page, each and every project introduction. It's moving, inspiring and, of course, instructional as well."
Buzzmills

"No book has described the healing and life-affirming practice of sewing more beautifully than Sanae Ishidas Sewing Happiness."
Sew News

"Shows readers the power of a little creativity in their lives."
Mother Earth News

Author Bio

SANAE ISHIDA writes, sews, draws, and takes photos almost every day. She lives with her husband and daughter in Seattle. She is the author of the sewing books Sewing Love, Sewing Happiness, and Animal Friends to Sew, as well as the Little Kunoichi the Ninja Girl picture book series, and Little Sumo, a board book series. Both she and her daughter have too many handmade clothes. Find out more about her work at SanaeIshida.com.