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10 Reasons Books Make Great Gifts

Okay, maybe I’m partial to a couple of books in particular (see far right, nudge–nudge), but I think books are just swell to give any time of year. The places they live–libraries, local bookshops, your own shelves–are some of the most magical places to visit, too. I’ve bought books for a number of people on my gift list and likewise, I hope there are some nice page-turners I can unwrap and ring in the New Year with. In a hyper-gadget-y world (oh, yes, I have a few myself), here are 10 reasons I think books make great gifts:

1. A book doesn’t need replacement batteries.

2. A book doesn’t need to be recharged.

3. Books are non-allergenic. (As long as they’re not from your grandpa’s dusty attic!)

4. A book allows you to hold a whole world in your hands.

5. A book is portable entertainment.

6. A book is a great conversation starter.

7. A book lets you travel without leaving your chair. (…or futon or love seat or couch or bed or other comfy-cozy spot!)

8. A book can teach you something you didn’t know before–a new skill, a new story, a new word.

9. Books won’t rot your teeth. (Though some of the totally sweet results might…)

10. A book is a gift you can open again and again…and again….!

And here’s what some other readers and writers have to say…from Dan Brown to Danielle Steel to Sandra Boynton to Valerie Bertinelli to Al Roker to Nick Hornby to Alec Baldwin and beyond–check out some of your favorite authors sharing why they think books make great gifts. What about you? Do you love books? Why?

[ 4 Comments | Posted on December 10th, 2010 ]

Media

Sew It All, Vol. 2

I’m super excited to share that I have a project in this issue of Sew It All, Volume 2. It’s on newsstands now, so I definitely recommend heading to your local fabric store, quilt shop, grocery store, or Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy (then flip, really fast, to page 80!). The issue is packed with stitching and finishing how-tos, tool and pattern reviews, plus–the best part!–50 fun, simple projects, including clothing, home decor and accessories–many of which don’t even require a pattern!

Some highlights: Linda Permann has a reverse appliqué “Plush Pillow” project on page 42; Crystal Butler shows how to make a cute “Flour Power” handbag out of a flour sack on page 76; Meream Pacayra‘s “Ribbons in Bloom” bib necklace on page 74 would be perfect to wear to any holiday party; Marian Lewis has a convertible “Towel Tote” on page 82 that I’ve got my eye on, and Sew It All editor-in-chief Ellen March shares how to make a “Gather ‘Round” convertible necklace/headband on page 88.

The project I designed combines a T-shirt and cotton bias strips (great for pairing cotton weave with stretchy knit fabrics!).  It’s inspired by a top I made for Generation T: Beyond Fashion, and it”s a great starter project for timid sewists because it requires mere inches of stitching! Hope you like it.

[ Comments Off on Sew It All, Vol. 2 | Posted on December 9th, 2010 ]

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From Our Readers: Vicki!

A few weeks ago we stumbled upon an awesome post by Vicki, aka the DrunkenAtheist, who recently set off on what she calls an “epic craft adventure” of T-shirt crafting redemption (goal: to restore her confidence after a failed T-shirt hack). Editor’s note: There are no failed hacks, only opportunities for a new, better hack! For her journey, Vicki made the Rock the Tote tote bag (project #84) from Generation T.

In preparation for her big adventure, Vicki armed herself with three T-shirts (two of them pure zombie, for the two sides of the bag, the third a plain gray for the straps), a copy of Generation T, and her trusty sewing machine.

Result: one sweet zombie tote and crafting confidence regained.

Photos courtesy of DrunkenAtheist.com.

[ Comments Off on From Our Readers: Vicki! | Posted on December 1st, 2010 ]

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Typeface T-shirts

The T-shirt was originally named so for its shape. So what happens when the shape of the T-shirt is recast to match a particular letter T? Designers Masashi Kawamura and Itaru Yonenaga experimented with that very notion. Inspired by five classic typefaces — Baskerville, Calson, Cooper, Courier, and the sans serif and oft-celebrated Helvetica — they teamed up to create these five refreshing takes on the standard T-shirt.

Baskerville

Calson

Cooper

Courier

Helvetica

Which nouveau T-shirt is your style?

Photos courtesy of masa-ka.com.

[ Comments Off on Typeface T-shirts | Posted on November 29th, 2010 ]

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The Winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the Facebook fan giveaway! Thank you to all who make things with your hands. Thank you for your patience while I was busy cooking a massive Thanksgiving feast for friends and family (and fixing a website database glitch that prevented me from logging on yesterday!). And thank you for sharing what wonderful things you’re thankful for these past few days:

Patience and understanding, thimbles shaped like watering cans, crafty families, beautiful golden leaves outside, long weekends, things you’ve learned, dance, chocolate, a warm place to sleep, friends…and more!

Congratulations to our two winners Nicole (who is thankful for “my BFF/sister, best-est supporter of all my crazy ideas!”) and Alison (who is “thankful for my sweet baby boy”), who each win a copy of either Generation T or Generation T: Beyond Fashion (winner’s choice!), a pair of Generation T scissors (for all their T-shirt refashioning needs), and one “A T-shirt is a Terrible Thing to Waste” T-shirt.

And, of course, the thing that got this most recent giveaway started — thanks for following us on Facebook! Spread the good T-shirt word among your friends — there’s another party to be had when our ranks swell to 3,000!

From Generation T, we hope you all enjoyed a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

[ Comments Off on The Winners! | Posted on November 26th, 2010 ]

T-shirt Projects

I Love to Create: Softie Spiral Headband

Yes, Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, but I’m already looking beyond the food coma to the holiday party scene! A little bit of proper party headgear puts me in the mood. You can make this headband in an afternoon and be party-ready by evening. Make one in bright tones, and you’ll be able to transcend the cold weather and be positively springlike!

Materials:

-1″-wide T-shirt strips of varying lengths (in complementary shades)

-Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive

-fabric scissors

-1 fabric-coated plain headband (preferably with a metal base)

-clothespins

-straight pins (optional)

1. Gather the T-shirt strips. (A T-shirt hem works well — just cut off the stitching and stretch it out!) Select one strip, squeeze a dab of Fabric Fusion on the inside end and fold it over on itself.

2. Gently squeeze more glue around the outside of the fold and coil more fabric into the glue.

3. Continue gluing and coiling until you have a 1″ to 1.5″ fabric disc. Then snip the end at an angle and apply a bit of extra Fabric Fusion to make sure it flattens against the edge of the disc.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to make seven to nine more discs! Optional: Use straight pins to keep the ends of the coils in place while they dry.

5. Arrange the discs in a pattern you like and glue them together at the intersections. Let the panel dry.

6. Apply glue along the top edge of the headband and gently press the panel against the headband.

7. Clip it in place with clothespins (so you don’t have to hold it in place). Let it dry.

8. Wear it hair up or down!

*Stay tuned for some crafty coil variations in the coming weeks!

[ 8 Comments | Posted on November 23rd, 2010 ]

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From Our Readers: Kate!

Awhile ago I posted some projects from my friend Sonya, who had been making T-shirt projects with the girls at UCLA Family Commons. One young lady, Kate, hasn’t slowed down with the T-shirts. Check out the red and pale blue apron she made from Generation T: Beyond Fashion (“Central Cooking,” project #41) — perfect for cooking up delicious feasts in the kitchen this holiday season!

P.S. Holiday gift idea! Make this apron, wrap it up with a box of cookie mix and a wooden mixing spoon or spatula, and you’ve got a great gift for the aspiring baker — and, no doubt, you’ll reap the hot-out-of-the-oven rewards!

[ Comments Off on From Our Readers: Kate! | Posted on November 22nd, 2010 ]

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Let’s Party Like We’re 1999!

I broke into a spontaneous dance party when I realized it’s time to celebrate again because this T-shirt army is growing! Less than six months ago, Generation T Facebook fans numbered less than one thousand — now we’ve doubled that! So thank you to all of you who’ve recently joined the ranks — we’re so glad you’re here.

To celebrate this very special milestone (rolling over from 1999 to 2000 “likes” — I mean, it’s practically as big as the millenium change), I’m giving away two special gift packs that include: a Generation T “A T-shirt is a Terrible Thing to Waste” T-shirt (size L), a pair of Generation T scissors, and a signed copy of either Generation T book (winner’s choice).

In the spirit of the season, just leave a comment telling us in 10 words or less (short and sweet!) what you’re thankful for today. Your best friend? Your comfort insoles? Warm soup? Your most recently finished DIY project? We’ll choose two winners at random and make the announcement on Thanksgiving Day.

Me? I’m thankful for all of you and the T-shirts you save (the T-shirts thank you, too).  And here’s to spreading the love like!

xo, Megan & Generation T

[ 99 Comments | Posted on November 19th, 2010 ]

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From Our Readers: Ginny (again!)

When we featured Ginny (from Aunt GiGi’s Craft Corner) last month, she had been a very busy T-shirt transformer. Now I’d say she’s downright prolific.

Check out what she was up to in September! Some wine cozies (Stocked Up, project #32)…

A set of eight Coast to Coasters (project #33), showing some team allegiance to the Mount Mercy Mustangs…

The Running with Scissors table runner (project #36)!

And four cleverly stitched Time and a Placemats (project #31).

I’m suddenly feeling inadequate in the productivity levels! But Ginny is smart to plan ahead — these are all gifts for her friends. So start cutting and stitching, people — ’tis the season to give!

[ 2 Comments | Posted on November 18th, 2010 ]

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Leafy Tees

An alternative to the Beefy-T variety, Artist Dave Rittinger designed this “Zero Footprint Shirt: Leaf Series” from various leaves and glue. So environmentally sound (100% compostable, after all), perhaps a little drafty, and great for camouflaging oneself in a forest or park. The layering of the leaves is positively feathery, achieving a birdlike effect. Click through to the series to see the feathers get ruffled in autumn!

Remember this Tree-shirt, made on a slightly smaller scale?

[ Comments Off on Leafy Tees | Posted on November 16th, 2010 ]

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