
SEW U Home Stretch by Wendy Mullin and Eviana Hartman
Web Site: Built by Wendy
I love the ease of knit wear but it’s hard to find simple patterns for what I want. Now, Wendy Mullin of Built by Wendy fame has a new book out called SEW U Home Stretch that is filled with fashionable knit sewing projects from simple t-shirts, dresses, to hoodies. The spiral-bound book is filled with clear instructions and illustrations, along with all the patterns in a special pocket in the back of the book. I’m looking forward to making some of the babydoll dresses and t-shirts using some of the jersey knits I bought over at Crybaby’s Boutique.
But wait, there’s more! Two lucky random readers are going to win this fantastic book! Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book. Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field not the text area (it won’t be published on the site). All comments will be closed by Noon (PST) on Tuesday, June 10th. The lucky winners will be announced tomorrow evening on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!


I’ve just started returning to sewing after being away for awhile. Me and my sewing machine would love some patterns to kick things off.
I need this book because I LOVE her first Sew-U book and have just discovered how much I love cotton jersey!
I’m just learning to sew, and have the first Sew-U book, and I’m a knitter!
I need to learn how to bring my game up, and this book will teach me! Pretty please?
I need this book because I’m learning to sew clothes…but knits are the only things I ever want to wear, and I have no idea how to sew with them! I’d love to be able to sew something I would actually want to *wear*.
I would love to be one of the lucky winners of this book. I picked it up a few times, at Powell’s books in Portland, but haven’t bought it yet (promising myself I’ll finish a few projects I have started at home first). A friend and I have talked about the great patterns included so if I win, I promise to share!
because I’m trying to pluck up courage to learn to sew so that I can help my 8 year old daughter learn too
I need this book to break me out of my fear of knits! I have a beautiful bamboo cotton knit that I am scared to cut into. Please help!
I need this book because in order to liberate myself from a capitalist society, learning how to make my own clothing is essential.
Also, I’m getting tired of sewing tote bags.
I would loved to get this book cause I’m a beginner sewer and I (almost) only wear knits!
I’d love to have this book. I haven’t sewn in a while, but I’ve dusted off my machine and could use the inspiration.
I am mainly a crocheter. But I have been dying to sew for a long time now. So as a wedding gift to me, my amazing friends all came together and pitched in to buy me a sewing machine!!! That was in October 2007. And I have hardly touched the machine mostly because I am so afraid of it. I have hemmed a few things here and there, but I really want to try out a pattern, to see what I am capable of, and what this machine can do. But the truth is I feel completely lost when I go to fabric stores to look for patterns. I really don’t like what I see. And let’s face it, if I don’t love what I am working on, it probably won’t look good no matter what. But I love the patterns here! So great and so me! I would totally have a blast. So you see, if I get this wonderful gift, then you will be helping me overcome my fears, making a dream come true, and putting the biggest smile on a struggling students face!
Thanks for this amazing opportunity!
I need this book because I’m new to sewing and want to try sewing with knits, and I’ve heard this book is just the best for that, with all sorts of helpful tips and lovely patterns!
I own Wendy’s other book and it has been helpful for me as I am just learning to sew. I really want to learn how to sew with knits, because I love wearing knits. They are so easy to take care of. I hate ironing….
I need this book! My mom taught me to sew when I was young, but I gave up on it. In the past year or so, I’ve caught the sewing bug again and LOVE the idea of books that teach you how to create various items instead of buying a single pattern and struggling with it.
So far I’ve only tried my luck with bags. Now I’m thinking of venturing into clothes for myself and my sister. This book would help immensely.
Oooooh–pick me, pick me! I need this book because I’ve been searching for an easy, cute hoodie so I can use the super cute Japanese-inspired knits I bought from my favorite local craft store. Also, my clothing sewing skills could really use some improvement.
I would love to own this book because I’ve been wanting to venture into more clothing sewing and from reviews I’ve read that this is a good place to start.
Plus I think it would be so much fun to experiment with recycling thrift knit finds into t shirt, skits and other nifty tops. There are LOTs of cool fabrics out there that I’d just love to use if I only knew how.
I’m returning to sewing and trying to relearn everything I knew in sewing classes… yay for new books to try out!
I have the biggest fear of knits right now, but I really really really want to get over it and make something fabulous! I have the first book and adore it! Her instructions make sewing so approachable.
I love her previous book. I refer to it all the time. It’s probably my best sewing book. So I’m pretty sure this one is just as good as the first one. Also, I always thought sewing knits was a pain, I’m sure Wendy can make me change my mind!
I am so glad for this contest. I carried this book around for about an hour @ Barnes and Noble last week, but in the end – it wasn’t in the budget. If I WON a copy though… I’d be thrilled and I might even learn to use my coverstitch machine!
I like to experiment with sewing my own clothes, but my experiments with knitwear have all failed horribly. I bought a dress form at an antique store recently and now I just need the guidance of this book to get me started.
I love her previous book. I refer to it all the time. It’s probably my best sewing book. So I’m pretty sure this one is just as good as the first one. Also, I always thought sewing knits was a pain, I’m sure Wendy can make me change my mind!
I am a total sewing n00b and need all the help I can get!
I could sew use this book (pun intended) to use up the mounds and mounds of knits that I have in my stash but am afraid to cut into! Please pick me!
I could sew use this book (pun intended) to use up the mounds and mounds of knits that I have in my stash but am afraid to cut into! Please pick me!
I could sew use this book (pun intended) to use up the mounds and mounds of knits that I have in my stash but am afraid to cut into! Please pick me!
It’s my birthday on Friday *wink, wink*
Hi….my name is CW and I’m a crochet-a-holic. This book would help me to overcome my addiction to crochet by diverting my attention to something I’ve wanted to do for so long…SEW! One addiction for another? Perhaps….I would appreciate the opportunity to find out!!
I need this book because I’ve been looking everywhere for the perfect little summer dress and I can’t find it! I need to be able to make it myself!
I’ve been sewing garments for years, but have never successfully made a garment out of jersey fabric (despite many tries). I could definitely use this book!
i’m just starting to sew and i’d love to have this book to help me out!
I’ve always loved the simplicity of Built By Wendy, and for a beginner like me, it’s just what I need in my sewing life! As someone who always alters her clothes to get the right fit, I’ve wanted to start making my own. The variety of this book looks to be perfect for just that!
Sew U taught me to sew. Therefore, I will never learn to sew stretchy stuff without Wendy’s new book. And I like stretchy. It stretches.
Oooh ooh!!!
The reason why I SHOULDN’T get this book?
1.) NONE!
<3!
It is over 100 degrees and I need something else to wear other than the jersey knit tank top from old navy, so this would be a great opportunity to make something differenet, plus no one else would have my clothes!
I would love to sew my own clothes!
I’m a tall chick who has trouble finding knit tops or pants that fit – sleeves/pants are too short! I look like I’m waiting for a flood, or maybe like Alice in Wonderland if her clothes didn’t grow with her. As a grad student, I can’t afford the tall girl shops, so a book that helps me make my own clothes would rock!!
Knit fabrics always fit well and look great, but I can never manage to find the right style. The clear solution is to make my own, and this book would definitely help me improve my very limited seamstress skills!
I would love to read this book — I have heard so many good things about it. I could sure use some guidance!
I need this book because I live for knit-wear!!!
Knitwear would be just the thing to get me to use my sewing machine more often!
pick me! pick me! i would love to have this because i can sew wovens, but knits confound me. it would be really helpful! thanks!
I tried sewing some knit things for my daughter and I was terrible at it! Knit fabric is so hard to manipulate. I could really use some help!!!
Because I’m a poor summer intern and need to step up my workwear to get myself hired for good!
Because I’m a poor summer intern and need to step up my workwear to get myself hired for good!
I need this book so I can sew myself some jersey clothes that don’t make me look disgusting. It’s too comfortable not to own some, so I better start making my own!
I love jersey clothing for myself and my daughter. I need this book so I can learn how to sew it myself.
Thanks!
I need this book because I have several really cool stretchy fabrics that I bought over one year ago but haven’t sewn anything in yet, because I’ve had problem finding patterns that I like! I have a few thin ones and some with different stripes. I would love to have a look in this book and use it this summer!
Thanks!
I would love to win this book! I’ll be studying abroad in the fall in France and I will need to make many cute outfits before then…jersey-knit dresses included!
I need help fast! I bought this amazing jersey fabric at the local fabric store, and bought my first ever dress pattern, and got about 3 steps into it….and now I need help to get out of this puckering/twisting/uneven hell-hole that I’ve sewed myself into. Please choose me!
We are desperate without it. My poor raggedy children need soft happy clothes for summer. They need even hems and seams.
My boyfriend surprised me with a sewing machine for my birthday and I need to learn how to use it. This book will give me the motivation/ inspiration!!
i am pregnant. my clothes are quickly not fitting, and patterns for pregnant women are ugly or non-existent. so hopefully Wendy’s patterns/instructions will take my “condition” into account and i can whip up fabulous new clothes to fit my ever-expanding body.
Hello! I love this site. I check it constantly for new craft ideas. Well… I just rececntly finished an activewear class at a local city trade school. The instructor was/is passionate about her craft as a patternmaker. Her teaching was geared towards industry hopefuls and/or students with some industry experience. Long story short, a lot of her instruction was way too advanced. I thouroughly enjoyed the class and am proud of the three knit garments I made for myself from drafting patterns. And let me tell you it wasn’t a walk in the park. I am a very curvy gal: 46 bust, 40 waist and drum roll, 50 at the hip. I love making clothes for myself. And I enjoy working with knits becasue you don’t have to be a great seamstress to get good results. This book would be helpful in that the key word in describing the patterns is: SIMPLE! I had to have a lot of corrections made to my drafts in class to accommodate my ass-ets
At my skill level, there is no way I could make those adjustments on my own. I need something to keep me motivated, encouraged and most importantly…sewing. Thank you.
Just started sewing and I love Hoodies.
I am scared of sewing with knits, but I’ve heard Wendy’s book is awesome, so I need this book.
I need this book because everything I sew with knits turns out a stretched out mess. Rescue me!
I’m a sewing beginner, and I’d love to have this book! I have a hard time finding cute clothes that fit correctly. This would help.
With this book my endless search for the perfect t-shirt will cease, and I’ll gain the skills necessary to craft my own!
I love the first book, and I’m really looking forward to the second! This hot summer weather makes me want to stay inside eating ice cream and sew all day. Just need a kick in the rear and some new inspiration! Hope I win
i NEED this book, because i am the last person that i buy for including books, and i have been wanting to tackle knitwear for sometime. in addition i NEED new clothes….soooooo i BELIEVE i should be picked….LOL along with everyone else too! ah well good luck everyone!
I just got my sewing machine out and plugged it in–need inspiration!!
i NEED this book, because i am the last person that i buy for including books, and i have been wanting to tackle knitwear for sometime. in addition i NEED new clothes….soooooo i BELIEVE i should be picked….LOL along with everyone else too! ah well good luck everyone!
I need this book because 90 percent of my fabric stash is jerseys and knits absolutely begging to be stitched up into something beautiful.
Even though I’ve sewn myself some clothing, I still don’t know what the heck I’m doing half the time. Plus, there are piles of old clothes and some other knit fabrics in my closet that need some serious attention! I just need to know what to do with them.
Also, as I’m just starting college this fall, all of the fees and payments have left me with barely nothing to spend. I would love to have SEW U Home Stretch, a book I’ve wanted terribly since I heard of it, let alone new store-bought clothes!
i’m just starting to (trying to) sew my own clothing. as a big girl, knits are forgiving, but i need some more instruction on how to do it properly. i really liked the first sew u book (despite the fact that the patterns included do not come in big sizes) and would like to add this one to my collection
I need this book because I am doing a year-long experiment of not buying retail garments. I’m either buying vintage/thrifted, or making my own. I DESPERATELY need a few tshirts for this summer, and maybe a knit dress or two, and I know that having Wendy’s book would give me the confidence I need to sit down and make these garments (and keep from breaking down and buying them instead)! And that would be fantastic to be able to actually make my own knit garments rather than just going without (which is what it’s down to now!).
Plus, I’m going on my honeymoon to the Caribbean later this year, so I could use some easy-to-pack outfits that are chic and DIY (of course!). lol.
I would love to have a copy of this book. I am a novice sewer, but I’m working on my skillz (yes, I know, a Z) so that I can sew more clothes for myself. I’m a high school chemistry teacher with a very strange body shape, so finding clothes that fit me and look good for work is difficult. I’m a little afraid of knit fabrics, but they’d be great for work and this book would hopefully help me out! Thanks, Craftzine and Built by Wendy for doing this give-away!
I have some lovely knits stashed away and am too afraid to sew them! I have a new machine and everything, just need some guidance and confidence, which I am sure this book provides!
i need this book because my sewing machine is getting cranky with me after pushing it to make slipcovers for my friend’s chairs. it needs some lovely, friendly patterns to make it happy again!
I just made a goal to make this the summer of sewing, and had actually added this very book to my Amazon wishlist! I would love to win it so I can learn to make my own clothes.
I haven’t sewn in over 15 years, this would give me that kick in the bum that I need.
I need this book because I am intimidated by patterns that assume a lot of knowledge that a self-taught gal like me doesn’t have. I’ve used the other SEW U book and found it very useful.
The book looks great!
I have a big stash of doubleknits and the weather where I live is perfect for wearing them in layers. But I’m paralyzed as to how to sew them or where to start! I need the help of something like this book.
Most of the patterns I sew at home are the Built By You patterns. I loved the first book but was particularly drawn to the second; I have long put off sewing knits because I was afraid of them: sliding around, bunching up, getting caught in the machine. I would love this book so i can be confident enough to tackle my first knit project.
I need this book because I really want to start sewing, and as a teenager pretty much all I wear are knits.
I would love this book – I’ve been putting off learning to sew with knits for far too long!
Knits are excellent for people with perhaps non-traditional body proportions… Would love this book.
i would love this book. Please sign me up.
I need this book because I live in Germany and we don’t have ANY cool crafting books here only old frumpish ones. And I’m addicted to books and beeing a student I can’t afford the shipping costs.