Quilting

Patterns, patchworks and projects

Book review: Girl’s World

by

Girl’s World: Twenty-One Sewing Projects to Make for Little Girls is Jennifer Paganelli’s debut book coming out late April 2011. Jennifer is the creator of the Sis Boom™ vintage lifestyle company. She has had several popular fabric lines with Free Spirit, the latest is Honey Child. Others include Queen Street, Poodle, So St. Croix, and Dance with Me. But back to the book in hand.

The look: Chronicle had me at the front cover. The tone for the book is set by a pretty, barefoot girl in a yellow dress reaching for a butterfly. How delightfully appealing is this scene to the little girl in all of us. Inside, the book is chock full of beautiful girls (ages toddler to tween) in and among things made of equally beautiful fabrics. Nearly a third of the book’s 175 pages holds project pattern sheets (sturdy, not the tissue kind). Throughout the book are outline fabric graphics of girls having fun doing things, like riding a pair of scissors with pigtails flying, (see pages 17, 64).

The layout: The projects are organized into three main sections. They are as follows: Dress-up, Accessories, and Home. The introduction includes a warm welcome from Jennifer where we find out what inspires her textile designs. Following this is Sewing Basket Basics. Oops, I think they meant to say Sewing Room Basics, how else would you store an ironing board and sewing machine into your sewing basket? No worries. A Sizing chart and Glossary of Techniques round out the intro.

The content: Jennifer is spot-on in her choices of projects to include in this book. Classic and trendy, take the Georgia Tulle Ballet Skirt (page 75) for instance. Tulle skirts are way hot now and I spied a plain one recently online for $32. Her version is a dream with the bottom filled with silk flower petals and leaves. An example of timeless charm is the Chloe Paper Doll Overnight Bag (page 101). She’s thoughtful too. Since when does a craft project help your circle of girls affirm each other? Hers does, check out her Girls’ “Ambassador of Goodwill” Badges (page 107). And finally, important to me as a quilter, she includes the Genevieve Patchwork Square Quilt (page 141). It’s fresh and sweet plus easy to sew.

The giveaway: I am giving away a copy of this book to a lucky Craft Gossip reader. Stay tuned for details in a future post.

Editor’s Note 3/27/2011: Go to Giveaway.

Comments

  2. Can’t wait to get my hands on this to sew up some CUTE projects for my 1-1/2 yr old daughter.

  3. Oh how cute,would love to win this and make my Granddaughter some lovely outfits.she loves it so much when her nana makes her outfits

  4. Have twin grand-daughters and could certainly use this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

  5. What a great book; I think not only would it be great fun to try projects out of, but it would look great sitting by my rocking chair in my craft room–a fun read!

  8. This book looks Perfectly Beautiful!!!!!!I would love to share this with my grandaughters!!!!!!!!

Have you read?

Storage Solutions for Threads, Rulers and Quilting Notions (Without Turning Your Sewing Room Into Chaos)

If you’ve ever spent ten minutes looking for your seam ripper… only to find three of them later in the same drawer…

You are officially a quilter.

Notions multiply. Threads roll. Rulers slide behind furniture. And suddenly your “creative space” feels more like a scavenger hunt.

The good news? Organising quilting notions doesn’t require a studio makeover. It just requires a few smart systems.

Let’s talk practical storage — the kind that works for hobby quilters in real homes.

Why Notion Storage Actually Matters

Organisation isn’t about perfection.

It’s about:

  • Saving time
     • Protecting tools
     • Reducing frustration
     • Extending the life of your supplies

Bent rulers, dusty thread, dull rotary blades — these are often storage issues, not product failures.

A little structure keeps your tools working better for longer.

Thread Storage: Keep It Clean & Protected

Thread doesn’t love:

  • Dust
     • Direct sunlight
     • Extreme humidity

Over time, exposure can weaken fibres and fade colours.

Best thread storage options:

Clear plastic thread boxes
 Stackable containers
 Drawer inserts
 Wall racks (away from windows)

If you have a growing thread collection, separating neutrals from colours can make project prep faster.

Specialty quilting retailers like Fat Quarter Shop offer thread storage containers designed specifically to hold standard spool sizes, which prevents tipping and tangling.

Ruler Storage: Prevent Warping & Chipping

Quilting rulers are acrylic — and acrylic scratches and chips.

Avoid:

  • Stacking them loosely
     • Storing them near heat
     • Sliding them under heavy items

Better options:

Vertical ruler racks
 Wall-mounted holders
 Magazine-style file organisers
 Dedicated shelf slots

Keeping rulers upright prevents edge damage and keeps grid lines visible and readable.

Rotary Cutters & Scissors: Safety First

Blades should always be stored:

  • Closed
     • Covered
     • Away from fabric

Loose rotary cutters in drawers can dull quickly and become dangerous.

Consider:

Tool caddies
 Magnetic strips
 Dedicated sewing trays

Replace blades regularly and store extras in labelled containers.

Small Notions: The Drawer Trap

Pins. Clips. Seam rippers. Needle packs. Chalk.

These tiny tools disappear easily.

Solutions that actually work:

Clear divided containers
 Craft tackle boxes
 Small labelled bins
 Magnetic dishes for pins

If you constantly rebuy small tools, it’s usually a visibility problem — not a usage problem.

Batting Storage: Keep It Lofty

Batting compresses if stored tightly.

Avoid vacuum sealing unless long-term storage is necessary.

Better options:

Rolled storage
 Breathable bins
 Shelf stacking (not crushed)

Store away from moisture to prevent fibre damage.

Portable Storage for Hobby Quilters

If your sewing space doubles as a dining table or spare room, portability matters.

Rolling carts
 Stackable bins
 Handled totes
 Foldaway caddies

These allow you to set up and pack down without chaos.

You don’t need a dedicated sewing room to feel organised.

Label Everything (Future You Will Thank You)

Clear labelling:

  • Saves time
     • Prevents overbuying
     • Keeps projects moving

Simple adhesive labels or printed tags work beautifully.

When Storage Improves Quilting Results

Organisation isn’t just aesthetic.

It:

  • Reduces tool damage
     • Makes accurate tools easier to access
     • Encourages regular needle changes
     • Keeps thread dust-free

A tidy system often leads to smoother quilting sessions.

The Bottom Line for Hobby Quilters

You don’t need custom cabinetry.

Start with:

  • Clear thread storage
     • Upright ruler storage
     • Divided containers for small tools
     • A safe place for rotary cutters

Build slowly. Upgrade as your collection grows.

Quilting should feel calming — not cluttered.

This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Quilting Notions for Hobby Quilters, where we focus on tools that improve your quilting experience without overwhelming you.

Next in the series:
 Lighting for Quilters: Reduce Eye Strain & Improve Accuracy