Ebook Review: Stitch Village

by Sister-Diane on February 17, 2010

in Ebooks, Fabric Crafts, Indie Publishing

I love Joan Gorman’s blog, NiniMakes, so I was super excited when she sent me a copy of her new ebook, Stitch Village.

And it’s utterly charming, just as I thought it would be. Joan came up with the idea while looking through her collection of vintage needlecraft booklets, and you can see the vintage influence in her designs.

Stitch Village is the first in a planned set of ebooks (yay!), each showcasing a collection of original patterns. This group is based on Joan’s own studio, and gifts she’s made for her family.

I love this project set so much! You can see all the pieces in the photo at the top of this post. There’s an iPod cozy, a Gracie Doll (complete with dress), these adorable mushroom storage containers, a charming Lykke Horse embroidery pattern, and a recipe binder.

Joan’s design eye is so wonderful, and the book’s layout and photography are top-notch. This ebook looks for all the world like a professionally-produced print book.

What’s really great is, every project comes with full-sized pattern pieces, stitchery templates, and photo instructions. This is excellent instructional quality. And the ebook is built with internal links to resources, and also to sections of the book itself. It takes true advantage of the possibilities of the digital format.

You can see a few sample pages, and learn more about this project, at Joan’s blog. And you can order a copy at her online store. They’re £7.75, which is about $12.00 US. Joan is donating a portion of every sale to the British Red Cross for their Haiti campaign.

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  • Oops, my comment went astray. Here's a new one: Thanks for the lovely comments and, as always, your great enthusiasm for craft Diane!
  • SisterDiane
    Oh - so sorry about that, Joan. Must have been a hiccup with DISQUS.

    I love your new ebook so much!
  • very possibly operator error, i sometimes click in haste :0)
  • Jen_x
    The e-book is beautifully produced - it's important that design and editorial standards are maintained whether content is sold as magazine, books or downloads. Jen x
  • SisterDiane
    Agreed - although personally, great educational quality and ideas I haven't seen before are even more important to me than pretty design.
  • Jen_x
    Well that goes without saying, otherwise there's no point in great design and editorial in the first place!
  • thingsbright
    This looks really, really cute. I am loving the ebook reviews and look forward to many more. :) Yay internet craft community!!
  • SisterDiane
    Me too! I love seeing this burgeoning culture of self-publishing!
  • pam
    You are absolutely on target in saying " this ebook looks for all the world like a professionally-produced print book". Stitch Village is a delight! Beautifully written. Everything we love about Joanie and her blog is sprinkled throughout. And I love that there is so much variety in the projects offered - something for almost everybody. Even one of her personal favorite recipes to include in the binder project!

    And the links to sources for tools and supplies is such a help. I am definitely getting my hands on the hemostats - what a useful tool. (I feel like i have had my head in a bag all these years - how did i miss them?)

    There is a Gracie Doll in my future! Dressed up for Christmas! Maybe a whole holiday wardrobe! Easter - Valentines, Halloween certainly! And then there is the Lykke Horse pattern. Of course I love it! Must embroider!

    OK Diane, you are just going to have to work faster on that clone machine you have been promising to develop! I need it NOW! BEFORE Joanie comes out with another book!
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