Sew on the Go : A Maker's Journey by Mary Jane Baxter #Review

 

Today we have something a little different on the blog. Mary Jane Baxter's Sew on the Go, published by Unbound today, is described by the publishers as

 an inspiring road trip and a practical guide to crafting wherever you find  yourself, and is packed with easy, step-by-step instructions for craft.

In 2016, Mary Jane Baxter did what many people dream of: she quit her job at the BBC, rented out her flat and headed for the hills. Her home for the next few months was an upcycled 1986 Bedford Bambi campervan with a top speed of 60mph. She raided skips for vintage wallpaper and scoured second-hand emporiums to source stylish vintage accessories, creating her own travelling craft studio, packed with everything necessary for crafting on the road.

She then set off around Europe searching for inspiration, travelling from Belgium right down to the Cinque Terre in Italy then around France and up to Scotland. Armed with her trusty hand-cranked Singer, she spent a summer sewing on the go, foraging in flea markets, meeting artists and hosting pop-up events to help fund her trip. Like creatives the world over she decided to see where her travels would lead her and returned with a head full of new projects.

Fortunately, there's no need for you to give up your job, wave goodbye to your family and rent out your house in order to re-ignite your own creativity; Mary Jane has done all the hard work for you. Sew on the Go is her guide to carving out more creative space in your life. From decorating your own budget-conscious bolthole to achievable projects including clothes and fashion accessories, beautiful gift ideas and child-friendly makes, this book is the ideal companion for those who dream of devoting more time to their craft.

 My Thoughts

Mary Jane Baxter's enthusiasm and expertise shines out of the pages. At times I felt that I was reading a travel road trip as she took us through her journey through Europe. It really feels like an adventure. She takes you to the markets with their sights and sounds I loved the images she conjured of Bambi, her campervan, as she wove her way through streets, full of resources and treasures which she has hunted down. In between her descriptions of her journey, you get to meet such a variety of characters and, having whetted your appetite for crafting, she produces the instructions for a whole range of craft projects. 

    In these lockdown days, you will find that this is a book which soothes quite a few of your wants- to travel, to escape and to create. The projects have detailed instructions and resources lists and set out the instructions in a clear manner. The most striking element of the book is not just the physical journey which Mary Jane Baker undertakes, but what she learnt about herself and how she wanted to live her life. A simpler life full of creative moments sounds so appealing.

In short: crafting and travel blend beautifully

About the Author

Mary Jane Baxter worked as a BBC news correspondent and producer until, four years ago, she quit her job and set off on a crafting adventure across Europe in a mobile studio. She is the author of two books, Chic on a Shoestring and The Modern Girl's Guide to Hatmaking, and has presented on fashion and craft for the BBC, most notably bartering her sewing skills for board and lodging in a series of films for Newsnight. She lives in London. 

You can follow Mary Jane Baxter here: Twitter  |  Website 

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to Mary Jane Baxter, Unbound and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.