How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew

by Erin Bried

Book Overview

Waste not, want not. This crafty guide perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Nowadays, many of us "outsource" basic tasks. Food is instant, ready-made, and processed with unhealthy additives. Dry cleaners press shirts, delivery guys bring pizza, gardeners tend flowers, and, yes, tailors sew on those pesky buttons. But life can be much simpler, sweeter, and richer-and a lot more fun, too As your grandmother...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345518756
• ISBN13: 9780345518750
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Great Resource for the younger generations

An easy read, How to Sew a Button is going to be a resource for future generations. Due to the technology overload of generations such as mine and younger, so many of us no longer know how to do practical things that our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents could do without skipping a beat. When starting to write this book the author, Erin, no longer had her grandparents to consult with for wisdom. Therefore, she rounded up ten grandmothers from different backgrounds, all across the country, to give her grandmotherly advice and knowledge. The book covers topics such as: - How to make a pie, which Erin tried to do for a group of friends and failed miserably at. I, myself, consider making a pie getting a slice of pumpkin cheesecake pie from Outback during the fall. - How to properly fold a fitted sheet, the keyword there being properly. I know you all probably think you know how to fold a fitted sheet, but balling it up and tossing it in the linen closet doesn't count. I have been blessed with this lost art, so this advice wasn't needed on my end. - How to iron a shirt. Now, you may be laughing, but while watching trasy TV the other day I saw a boy on MTV's made who told his coach he had never ironed anything. Seriously? He may need to read that section. She also has some pretty cool how-to information, like: - How to scent your home without candles - How to love your body at any size - How to brew your own beer And information on the lost art of thank-you notes. She'll teach you how to write one. With your hands... and a pen... and paper. And of course, you'll learn How to sew a button. Erin has a great sense of humor which is reflected in her writing. You'll chuckle while learning a thing or two!

Perfect book for our economic times

Lovely, simple advice on how to handle just about everything in your life. I was raised by my grandmother and I do know how to sew on a button but this book is so much more than that. This book covers so many different topics. Each chapter distills information that you might otherwise buy a whole book to learn. The book itself is such a bargain with all the wonderful information and the ideas have already saved myself and my family money. Thanks so much for this book! We love it!

Helpful and enchanting

In a time when it's too easy to buy things ready-made and toss things that are frayed, this book and its premise are a refreshing resource.

Really "nifty!"

How To Sew A Button... is a great read. It's got a lot of stuff in it that I'd call "lost arts." I loved the way it was designed and it was fun, as well. If you want to know about stuff that your grandma might have failed to tell you, get this book. It's wonderful! Also, it's about getting back to the basicc things that make life not only easier, but really enjoyable. A must, must read! I also suggest The Big Clean: How to Clean and Organize Your Home and Free Your Mind (Revised and Updated).

As if your best friend suddenly morphed into a Donna Reed-Tina Fey hybrid

Conveniently, as we've all begun to tighten our purse strings, this book has appeared on the scene to offer us more than 100 straightforward and step-by-step how-to's for everyday life. Each is written in a practical yet humor filled and very approachable tone -- as if your best friend suddenly morphed into a Donna Reed-Tina Fey hybrid. There is so much amazing content between the covers of this guide including how to: hone a knife, iron a shirt (wow do I need to study up on this one), clean an oven, tie a necktie, make a hot toddy, barter, start a book club, wear red lipstick, and my personal favorite how to make a Manhattan. My boyfriend's grandparents always serve Manhattans when we visit and even though I've observed them being mixed a number of times I always seem to forget the steps (probably because one lovingly composed Manhattan goes straight to your head). I'm confident that you'll find dozens of useful tips in this book. I even discovered additional insights while reading write-ups on tasks that I thought I had down to a science. How to Sew a Button is a fantastic addition to your bedside table. In addition, I believe this title would make an excellent holiday present. Freaking out over what to buy for that friend, relative, or co-worker who has everything? Why not give them the gift of practical knowledge?! It will certainly last longer and be more appreciated than a box of chocolates or a scarf. Besides, after reading this book they'll be able to knit their own.