home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!towncrier.osf.org!boston-news-feed1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!mozart.jlc.net!news.Destek.Net!news.mv.net!shore!nntprelay.mathworks.com!news1.chicago.iagnet.net!news2.chicago.iagnet.net!qual.net!iagnet.net!newsxfer3.itd.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!chronicle.adobe.com!enquirer.corp.adobe.com!yorgi.adobe.com!not-for-mail
- From: lfabans@adobe.com
- Newsgroups: alt.sewing,rec.crafts.textiles.sewing,rec.crafts.textiles.quilting,rec.crafts.textiles.misc,news.answers,alt.answers,rec.answers
- Subject: Textile Related Books FAQ: Part 1 of 3
- Supersedes: <books1_882204685@adobe.com>
- Followup-To: rec.crafts.textiles.misc
- Date: 5 Feb 1998 09:03:02 -0800
- Organization: Adobe Systems, Inc, San Jose, CA
- Lines: 715
- Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
- Distribution: world
- Expires: 10 Apr 1998 17:02:46 GMT
- Message-ID: <books1_886698166@adobe.com>
- Reply-To: lfabans@adobe.com
- NNTP-Posting-Host: yorgi.corp.adobe.com
- Summary: Bibliography of books on sewing, fitting, pattern drafting and a few
- other (sewing) subjects. Emphasizes books currently in print or easily
- available. Includes strengths and weaknesses of various books.
- Keywords: FAQ, textiles, sewing, books, tailoring, fitting, pattern, drafting
- Posting-Frequency: 6 weeks
- Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.sewing:53232 rec.crafts.textiles.sewing:35097 rec.crafts.textiles.quilting:66382 rec.crafts.textiles.misc:7412 news.answers:123076 alt.answers:32084 rec.answers:37670
-
- Archive-name: crafts/textiles/books/part1
- Last-modified: 5 Sep 1996
-
- The following is the third of three lists of Frequently Asked Questions for
- the alt.sewing and rec.crafts.textiles.* groups. I plan to use the same FAQ's
- for all newsgroups as long as most of the information remains pertinent to
- both groups.
-
- This FAQ covers books related to all types of sewing, fitting and drafting.
- Like most of us, I don't know all the answers; I've just collected the wisdom
- of the net and a few gems from magazines.
-
- Any additions or comments about books in this list or books that are missing
- will be appreciated and can be mailed to me. Many of these reviews could use
- a bit more organization and I'm working on it as time permits! This FAQ is
- definitely a FAQ-in-progress so please be patient! Thanks to the many
- contributers and thanks in advance to any book reviews that are mailed in.
- There are so many new books being published.
-
- Finally, I have a friend who is making this information easily available on the
- WWW.
-
-
- -Lara J. Fabans
- Adobe Systems, Inc
-
- Internet:lfabans@adobe.com
-
- (c) All the material in these faqs are copyrighted by the owner
- of the FAQs (which may change). Free use is encouraged. These
- FAQs are not to be reused for profit. This copyright must be
- kept with the FAQ used in it's entirety.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- The first post concentrates on general sewing questions and supply information
- and restoring antique sewing machines. The second post concentrates on
- costuming and historical clothing. The third post contains a list of books
- that cover sewing, fitting and pattern drafting.
-
- While creating this list I have concentrated on books that are easily
- available. Most books listed are in print. Those that are out of print are
- occassionally available in used book stores or from Inter-library loan
- programs. (See the "Sources For Out of Print Needlework Books:" section of
- the textile FAQ). This list does NOT cover every book available, but I have
- tried to include a few comments about the most popular and most useful books.
-
- Additionally, some books contain the label [HIST-COST]. Most of these books
- are in the drafting section. These books are particularly relevant for
- historical costuming.
-
- Some of these reviews are fairly lengthy so I have used "ctrl-L" between the
- different sections of this FAQ. Note: within the "rn" news reader you can
- use:
- g VBS:
- at the "More --##%--" prompt to go directly to book review labelled VBS: (note
- that case is significant for "rn"). I have used this abbreviated form to
- allow easy access to the list.
-
-
-
- Table of Contents:
-
- Magazines and Periodicals considered extremely useful (brief list):
- MP: Magazines and Periodicals
-
- General sewing books suitable for complete novices:
- GSB: Suggestions for general sewing books suitable for a novice
- S: Simplicity
- R: Rachbad
-
- General sewing books suitable as reference for novice or intermediate sewers:
- RDCGtS: Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing
- CBoSSC: The Complete Book of Sewing Short Cuts. Claire B. Shaeffer
- FSG: The Fabric Sewing Guide. Claire B. Shaeffer
- VSB: The Vogue Sewing Book. Elizabeth J. Musheno (editor)
- SSSbS: Singer's Sewing Step by Step
- VBSbSGtST: The Vogue/Butterick Step By Step Guide To Sewing Techniques
- DE: Dressmaking Explained. Anne Ladbury.
- SS/C: Sew Smart. Judy Lawrence and Clotilde.
- SRL: the new Singer Reference Library series of books
- SB: Sandra Betzina's books. Sandra Betzina.
- NZ: Nancy Zieman's books and videos. Nancy Zieman.
- T: New books from Taunton Press
- OOP: Out of print recommendations
-
- Sewing books on specialty topics:
- NT: Notes on Tailoring
- TT&CT: Tailoring: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques.
- N. Marie Letbetter & Linda Thiel Lansing
- CTT: Classic Tailoring Techniques.
- Roberto Cabrera & Patricia Flaherty Meyers
- pointers to books in other sections
- C: Couture. Roberta Carr.
- IS: Innovative Serging (todo)
- PP: Sew Any Patch Pocket (Claire B. Shaeffer)
- SASiP: Sew Any Set-In Pocket (Claire B. Shaeffer)
- S: Shirtmaking. David Page Coffin
- NSBC: Notes on Sewing Books for Children
- MFSB: My First Sewing Book
- LS: Let's Sew, a Beginners Sewing Guide
-
- Sewing books on home decorating:
-
- The rest is in Part II:
-
- Books on Fitting:
- IF: Introduction to fitting
- VF: Vogue Fitting. Sandra Lenker.
- FF: Fabulous Fit. Patricia Perry (editor)
- MYCF: Making Your Clothes Fit. Patricia Burkhart Smith.
-
- Books on Pattern Drafting:
- IPD: Brief intro to subject of pattern drafting
- PFD: Patternmaking for Fashion Design. Helen Joseph Armstrong.
- EK: Ernestine Kopp's series of books. Ernestine Kopp, et. al.
- PPfD: Professional Patternmaking for Designers. Jack Handford.
- DD: Dress Design: Draping and Flat Pattern Making.
- Marion Hillhouse & Evelyn Mansfield
- MPD: Modern Pattern Design. Harriet Pepin.
- AFD: Art of Fashion Draping. Connie Amaden-Crawford.
- DfFD: Draping for Fashion Design. Hilde Jaffe & Nurie Relis
- PD: Precision Draping. Nelle Weymouth Link.
- PoFPD: Principles of Flat Pattern Design. Nora MacDonald & Ann Weibel.
- HtMSP: How to Make Sewing Patterns. Donald. H. McCunn.
- FoMFD: Fundamentals of Men's Fashion Design. Nasaaki Kawashima.
- MPCfM: Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear. Winifred Aldrich.
- TS: Tailoring Suits: The Professional Way. Clarence Paulin.
- S: Sleeves. Louise Todd Cape.
- FDPS: Fashion Design for the Plus-Size. Frances Leto Zangrillo.
- GTfMD: Grading Techniques for Modern Design.
- Jeanne Price & Bernard Zamkoff
- MNPD: Miscellaneous notes on Pattern Drafting
-
- Miscellaneous:
- DD: Decorative Dressmaking. Sue Thompson
- MYOJC: Make Your Own Japanese Clothes. John Marshall.
- FYF: Flatter Your Figure. Jan Larkey.
- ARtW: Altering Women's/Men's Ready to Wear
-
- Quilt/Craft:
- ST: How to Make Stuffed Toys. Rudi de Sarigny.
- SMG: Sew Many Gifts, Sew Little Time (Chris Rankin)
- QAC: Quilting Across Canada. Gail Hunt.
-
- Embellishment:
- 101E: 101 Embellishments (Janet Rostocki)
-
-
- MP: Magazines and Periodicals
-
- Threads: Great source of ideas and techniques. Covers sewing, embellishment and
- quilts. Very high quality articles and pictures. Each issue typically has
- *at least* one article about a clothing designer and one article discussing
- techniques for a specific sewing topic (e.g. welt pockets, traditional
- collars, cuffs, etc). Many articles discuss techniques used in haute couture
- houses or well known designer's workshops. Some articles discuss drafting
- patterns or special fitting issues. I've noticed that they've been putting the
- best of their articles in books also available from Taunton Press.
- $4.75/issue. Subscription about $24 for 6 issues (one year).
- Taunton Press; 63 South Main Street; PO Box 5506; Newtown CT 06470-9976
-
-
- Sew News: Available in many fabric stores. A number of fashion related
- features that show patterns and material, several question and answer columns
- and reviews, a column that shows how to copy an (expensive) designer original
- for minimal cost, articles on techniques for clothing or home decorating.
- $2.95/issue. $12.95 for a one year subscription.
- PJS Publications; PO Box 1790; News Plaza; Peoria, IL 61656.
- sewnews@aol.com
-
-
- Piecework: Emphasized historical crafts and reproductions of historical
- crafts. Sewing, embroidery, weaving, etc. Wide variety of topics similar to
- Threads' variety in earlier years. Stresses the historical aspects of crafts
- and historically accurate reproductions. $24 for 6 issues per year.
- Interweave Press; 201 East Fourth Street; Loveland, CO 80537;
- 1-800-645-3675; (303) 669-7672 8-5 Mountain time.
-
-
- Burda: see sewing FAQ
- Vogue Patterns: see sewing FAQ. recommended for ideas and techniques by
- Yvonne Wilson (yvonne.wilson@Corp.Sun.COM)
- Butterick Patterns: see sewing FAQ
- McCalls Patterns: see sewing FAQ
- Handwoven: Interweave Press, see sewing FAQ
- Spinoff: Interweave Press, see sewing FAQ
-
-
-
- GSB: Suggestions for general sewing books suitable for a novice.
-
- Very few books discussed in the newsgroups seem to be appropriate for a
- complete novice. Most introductory books are written for a person who has had
- a minimal amount of experience, possibly in high school Home Ec classes. For
- this reason, I would suggest that people who have never sewn before consider
- take an introductory class from a local community college, BOCES (vo-tech),
- experimental college class or sewing store. Or consider learning from some of
- the videos available from Sandra Betzina {SB:} and Nancy Zieman {NZ:}.
- Nancy's Notions includes a video rental club.
-
- However, if you are the sort of person who prefers learning a new hobby by
- reading books, your best bet may be Singer's _Sewing Step By Step_ {SSSbS:} or
- several of the new books in the Singer series {SRL:}; the first book is _Sewing
- Essentials_ {SRL,SE:}. Both of these books are discussed below under general
- reference books.
-
- For anyone on a limited budget, don't forget to check used book stores and the
- public library or Interlibrary Loan program. Many public libraries have large
- collections of hobby related books.
-
-
-
- General sewing books suitable as reference for novice or intermediate sewers:
-
- RDCGtS
-
- _Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing_: This is my favorite general sewing
- reference. This book is laid out as a reference book. The reference section
- is very well illustrated and easy to use. The illustrations are two, three or
- four color drawings. A typical page contains a paragraph of general
- information, 6-8 illustrations and 3-5 sentences of notes under each
- illustration. Topics include the basics of supplies, types of fabrics, fitting
- a muslin and basic construction techniques. Other subjects include necklines
- and collars, waistbands and belts, sleves, pockets, hems, buttons, zippers,
- other closures, tailoring, sewing for men, sewing for children and sewing for
- the home.
-
- I have found all of the sections to cover a wide variety of methods and the
- instructions and illustrations are clear. Generally every step of a technique
- is illustrated so you can easily follow the pictures while working through the
- method. This book is very valuable as a thorough reference for someone who
- knows the basics.
-
- _Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing_. The Reader's Digest Association,
- Inc. Revised 1995. Seen in most bookstores in Craft Section. ISBN 0-88850-247-8
-
-
-
- CBoSSC:
-
- _The Complete Book of Sewing Short Cuts_: The "shortcuts" in the title of this
- book does not refer to "quick and dirty things you can do that won't really
- show too much" but rather to "techniques you can use to make your garments
- look professional without wasting too much time trying to figure out tricky
- or complicated methods by trial and error". I wish Shaeffer had not used
- "shortcuts" in the title as I feel it implies speed rather than perfecting a
- technique.
-
- Like the Reader's Digest book, this book is a reference book that covers a
- wide number of techniques. The book is illustrated with two and three color
- drawings that show the important steps of each technique. While the
- illustrations in the Reader's Digest book cover each method step by step,
- Shaeffer's book has more techniques and more advanced techniques. I have used
- her procedures several times (rolled hems, set in zippers, interfacing) and
- have found them generally easy to follow and well written. Occasionally you
- need to flip between sections to check on definitions, etc. The book is a
- combination of tips and techniques in a reference format.
-
- Topics include: organization, sewing machine, basic skills, interfacing,
- preliminaries, seams, hems, facings, controlling fullness, zippers, buttons
- and closures, sleeves, cuffs and plackets, collars, waistlines, linings,
- pockets, fashion details and special techniques for special fabrics.
-
- I am very fond of both Shaeffer's book and the Reader's Digest book. I would
- be hard pressed to say which I found more useful. Many procedures are covered
- in both books and either is a very good reference. The Reader's Digest book
- has better illustrations and may be more appropriate for a novice.
-
- _The Complete Book of Sewing Short Cuts_. Claire B. Shaeffer. copyright 1981.
- ISBN 0-8069-7564-4. $12.95 paperback. 256 pages. Sterling Publishing Company.
-
-
- FSG: The Fabric Sewing Guide. Claire B. Schaeffer
-
- highly recommended reference. Very detailed. Too repetitious to just read
- cover to cover (although I'm working on it!), but good as a reference. "real"
- review to be added later. $30 paperback
- NOTE: There is a new version of this book out!
-
-
- VSB:
-
- _The Vogue Sewing Book_: The first edition of this book was in 1970 and the
- second edition was released in 1973. I believe it was updated and re-issued
- again around 1979. My copy is the 1973 edition and I do not know what changes
- were made between the various editions. I believe this book may be out of
- print, but it is often available in used book stores. The pictures in the
- book are rather dated as they show mostly 1960-70's fashions.
-
- This book is more like a general sewing text than RDCGtS. It is suitable as a
- reference book, although I don't think it is the best reference. It is
- illustrated with a series of two and three color drawings (typically 2-4
- drawings per page) and a several sections of color photographs of 1960-1970's
- fashions. There are several large glossaries (one in the fabric section and
- another in the back). The basic subjects include supplies, fabrics (a fairly
- detailed section), patterns and fitting and general construction techniques.
- There is a large "handbook" section that includes details about standard items
- such as hems, zippers, cuffs, waistbands, pleats, etc. Other topics include
- tailoring, couture techniques, trims, sewing for men and planning a sewing
- room. In general, Vogue Sewing Book seems to present only a few variations
- for accomplishing most tasks. Many other reference books present a wider
- range of methods allowing the sewer to select the one she feels most
- comfortable with.
-
- The Vogue sewing book. Published by Vogue Patterns. NY, NY. copyright 1973.
- Elizabeth J. Musheno, editor. 464 pages. Often available used.
-
-
-
- SSSbS: [adamg@world.std.com (Nancy Reynolds, c/o Adam M Gaffin)]
-
- Singer's Sewing Step by Step: My mother taught me to sew, so I don't know what
- the "best" beginning sewing book is. I have Singer's "Sewing Step by Step."
- It costs $24.95, is hardbound, has slick pages and beautiful color photos.
- Here are some of the topics it covers. (a mixture of both beginning and
- advanced material.)
-
- Essential Equipment--marking tools, measuring tools, cutting tools, etc.
- Notions--thread, trims & tapes, buttons & closures, zippers
- A Place to Sew
- The Pattern--The pattern envelope, Inside the pattern
- Fabric Essentials--handling special fabrics, sheer & silky fabrics,
- lustrous fabrics, knits, classic fabrics, etc.
- Interfacing, Layout, Cutting & Marking--preparing the fabric, laying out
- the pattern, laying out plaids & stripes...
- Fit--understanding ease; General guidelines for pattern adjustments
- Seams--encased seams, stretch seams, conventional edge finishes
- Construction basics include: Darts, Gathers, Sleeves, Collars, Waistbands,
- Cuffs; Closures; Hems
- Tailoring (definitely advanced!)
- Sewing activewear
- Sewing for children
- Machine Heirloom
- sewing Home decorating projects (This is a 100 page section!)
-
- This book explains things carefully without it feeling like a textbook. The
- color photographs are a delight. The home sewing section explains how to do
- projects in such a way that you don't need to buy patterns to carry out the
- ideas. The nice thing about this book is that it is so comprehensive. I am
- not a beginner--I started sewing when I was 9 and just made my wedding
- gown--but I recently bought this book to get extra tips and learn about
- aspects of sewing which are foreign to me, such as tailoring and home
- decorating. But there's a lot of extremely basic stuff, such as how to read
- the back of a pattern envelope and how to sew a plain seam.
-
-
- Alternate comment [Diane Barlow Close]: I found
- Singer's Sewing Step by Step to be greatly lacking in certain steps. On the
- points I was interested in learning more about (attaching cuffs or collars,
- for example) this book would state "There are so many different methods.
- Refer to your specific pattern for the best instructions." Heck, if I could
- read and follow the pattern's instructions _I wouldn't be looking for a book
- like this in the first place_!! I just found it to be too lacking for my
- needs.
-
-
-
- VBSbSGtST: [(Diane Barlow Close)]
-
- The Vogue/Butterick Step By Step Guide To Sewing Techniques: I've been sewing
- for a while but I'm self-taught and sometimes I just get caught up on the
- beginner details. I chose The Vogue/Butterick Step By Step Guide To Sewing
- Techniques. I looked at all of the others very carefully and found that this
- one provided the most niggly details on the my specific problem areas
- (collars, cuffs, buttonholes).
-
- I really liked the Reader's Digest book and it was a toss-up between choosing
- this one and the Vogue/Butterick one. What made the decision for me was the
- Vogue/Butterick one is a more recent publication. The Reader's Digest book
- hasn't been updated since the 70's and it shows. The V/B book is 1989.
-
-
-
- DE:
-
- _Dressmaking Explained_: an alphabetical reference to a large number of sewing
- terms and techniques. While it's usually easy to find a topic, there is no
- index and occasionally you have to guess what name Ladbury uses.
-
- Illustrated with ample text and numerous black and white drawings (2-6
- illustrations per page). Since the illustrations are not labelled you
- sometimes have to spend some time figuring out which illustration goes with
- the text.
-
- I use this book occasionally, but I'm not very thrilled with it. It contains
- a vast amount of information and covers many many techniques in detail. The
- alphabetical organization is sometimes handy and sometimes frustrating! I
- have found that some of the explanations are confusing or difficult to
- understand. Furthermore the illustrations are only barely adequate. If you
- have a chance to pick this book up cheaply, do so. I would not recommend it
- as a single reference book nor as a first reference book.
-
- _Dressmaking Explained_: A-Z of terms, processes, stitches. Ann Ladbury.
- copyright 1982. Arco Publishing. $14.95. ISBN: 0-668-06460-9. paperback. 358
- pages. A few years ago I often saw this book remaindered for about $6.
-
-
-
- SS/C:
-
- Sew Smart with Wovens, Knits and Ultrasuede Fabric. Also: Sew Smart Supplement
- and UltraLeather Sewing Tips Booklet. I have looked through these books, but
- have not read them closely nor used them frequently. _Sew Smart_ is almost a
- cross between the Reader's Digest reference book and the _Vogue Sewing Book_.
- It is basically a reference book with three color drawings. Topics include:
- sewing preparation, equipment, basic techniques, pressing, interfacing, darts,
- facings, collars, sleeves, pockets, zippers, buttons and closures, tailoring,
- hems, UltraSuede, knits, miscellaneous tips. Each topic has an introduction,
- description of basic styles and problems, list of techniques and list of tips.
- The Supplement is a series of general tips. This looks like a pretty good,
- all around introduction and reference.
-
- _Sew Smart_ by Judy Lawrence and Clotilde. first printing 1977; revised
- edition copyright 1982. ISBN 0-8087-1261-6. 271 pages. Also _Sew Smart
- Supplement_ and _UltraLeather Sewing Tips Booklet_. All available directly
- from Clotilde, I don't know if they are available elsewhere. I believe prices
- are about $20 for _Sew Smart_, $8 for the supplement and $3 for the
- Ultraleather tips. Clotilde, Inc; 1909 SW First Ave; Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 33315; 305-761-8655
-
-
-
- SRL:
-
- Singer's Series: Include:
- * Sewing Essentials
- * The Perfect Fit
- * 101 Sewing Secrets
- * Creative Sewing Ideas
- * Sewing Update No 2
- * Sewing Pants that Fit
- * Sewing Activewear
- * Sewing Lingerie
- * Sewing With Knits
- * Tailoring
- * Decorative Machine Stitching
- Clothing Care and Repair
- Timesaving Sewing
- Sewing for Style
- Sewing Specialty Fabrics
- Sewing Update
- Sewing Update No 1
- Sewing for Children
- Sewing with an Overlock
- Sewing for the Home
- More Sewing for the Home
- Machine Quilting
-
- Each book is about $15.95 paperback (often available on sale!) and about
- $24.95 hardback. The hardback (?) books can be ordered by subscription for
- about $15.95 + p/h. For more information, write to:
- Cy DeCosse Inc
- 5900 Green Oak Drive
- Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343
-
- Some subjects are covered in several books, sometimes with variations in the
- topics presented (e.g. swimsuits are covered differently in _Sewing with Knits_
- and _Sewing Activewear_).
-
- All in all, these books *are* a very good *introduction* to a wide range of
- subjects.
-
- SRL,SE: [MAHE@YaleVM.YCC.Yale.Edu]
- _Sewing Essentials_ from the Singer Reference library. This one is great for
- beginners, very clear and takes you step-by-step through the basics everyone
- needs. I have used it on 2 beginners, and with great results despite my lack
- of teaching ability. Pictures seem to be very helpful.
-
-
- SRL,PF: _The Perfect Fit_: See comments in the Fitting section (in part 2)
-
-
- SRL,101:
- _101 Sewing Secrets_: This book is a worthwhile investment for any sewer who
- has a few hours of free time to read through it. It's just a list of tips
- many of which may be new. Topics include:
- organizing your sewing room and fabric (ha!)
- dealing with short yardage
- testing (guessing!) fiber content
- pins, needles, threads, pressing aids (including improvised aids)
- freezer paper for careful piecing
- using the rub-off technique to copy a garment (quite useful!)
- topstitching
- flat felled seams
- tab plackets (e.g. on shirt cuff)
- elastic
- zippers
- button loops and other fasteners (incl. Chinese ball buttons and frogs)
- ruffles
- bias cut garments
- single thread tucks and darts
- edges and hems
- I recommend this book for anyone who wants to grab a few more ideas.
-
- SRL,CSI:
- _Creative Sewing Ideas_: This book is similar to 101 Sewing Secrets, but it
- contains a number of ideas for making unique garments. Some ideas include:
- piping, including double and triple
- unique seam edges including a ravelled seam
- some dying ideas
- some fancy buttonholes and fasteners
-
-
- SRL,SU2:
- _Sewing Update No 2_ is similar to _Creative Sewing Ideas_ It includes a
- series of several page articles written by a wide variety of people. Some of
- the topics covered include:
- Teaching Your Child to Sew
- Specialized Needles and Feet
- Computerized & Mechanical Sewing Machines: What are the Differences
- Ruching
- Marbling
- Dyeing
- The Alure of Lace
- Large-Size Savvy
- Couture Sleeves
-
-
- SRL,SPtF:
- _Sewing Pants that Fit_: There is a review of this book in the June/July 1992
- issue of Threads (#40). The review says the book is very useful for fitting
- problems and alterations.
-
-
- SRL,SA:
- _Sewing Activewear_ covers a wide range of different types of materials and
- techniques and thus covers each type only briefly. I was disappointed in the
- lack of depth for most of the subjects, however this book is a good intro to a
- wide variety of subjects. The sections include: 1) Getting Started, fabrics,
- insulations, interfacings, supplies, notions, patterns. 2) Actionwear:
- swimsuits, leotads, tights, bicycle shorts, adding zippers. I felt that the
- _Sewing With Knits_ {SRL,SwK:} book had a better (and more detailed)
- introduction to sewing swimsuits (fitting, different styles, adding elastic,
- etc). However _Sewing Actionwear_ includes instructions for modifying
- patterns to add custom panels or using striped material for a unique look. 3)
- Comfortwear includes sweatsuits and warm-ups with several different ideas for
- neck, waist and leg finishes. 4) Outerwear has short sections discussing
- details like zippers, waistbands and pockets and covers a rain poncho and and
- insulated fleece-lined vest or jacket. 5) Personal Style includes
- suggestions for using stripes, piping, braid or customized belts to
- personalize your garments. Includes a number of tips on the length of elastic
- to use for various projects.
-
-
- SRL,SL:
- _Sewing Lingerie_ covers both intimate apparel such as underwear and slips and
- sleepwear and loungewear such as robes and night clothes. The book has four
- sections. 1) Getting Started discusses patterns, fabrics, laces, elastic and
- threads. 2) Basic Sewing Techniques includes tips for pattern layout and
- cutting, a couple of treatments for seams, a couple of edge and hem
- treatments, and applying lace and elastic. 3) Intimate Apparel includes a few
- pages on slips, camisoles, panties, French bikinis, teddies, sports bras and
- leggings. 4) Loungewear and Sleepwear covers nightgowns, pajamas, boxer
- shorts, robes and kimonos.
-
-
- SRL,SwK:
- _Sewing With Knits_ includes an interesting combination of simple clothing
- from knit materials and advanced techniques to use with knit fabrics. The
- sections include: 1) Getting Started discussed fabrics, patterns, interfacings
- and elastics, and cutting out the patterns. 2) Basica Sewing Techniques
- includes seams and seam finishes, hems, ribbed edges and bound edges. 3) Easy
- Wardrobes includes a few pages on standard patterns such as tank tops,
- T-shirts and pullovers, skirts, pants and cardigans. 4) Easy Design
- Variations is a section of interesting ideas such as cowl neckline variations,
- modified V necks, plackets, different types of pockets, elasticized
- waistbands, layered and slashed garments, and making and using twisted knit
- trims. 5) Specialty Knits includes napped fabrics, sweater knits, two way
- stretch knits and swimsuits and leotards. I feel that this is a better
- introduction to sewing swimsuits than the _Sewing Activewear_ book. Also look
- at Threads issue #29 June/July 1990 which has an article on sewing leotards
- and exercise clothing. The section on swimsuits includes guidelines for the
- amount of stretch in patterns and the lengths of elastic to use.
-
-
- SRL,T: _Tailoring_: See comments in the Tailoring section
-
-
- SRL,DMS:
- _Decorative Machine Stitching_ includes sections on: 1) Getting Started
- discussed supplies, materials, specialty threads and needles, presser feet,
- stabilizers, embroidery hoops. 2) Basic Stitches discusses a number of
- different stitches and methods including decorative stitch patterns,
- decorative topstitching, twin needle stitching, satin stitching, and couching.
- 3) Appliques discusses methods of machine applique. 4) Heirloom sewing
- includes short introdutions to cutwork, fagoting, hemstitching laces and hems,
- pintucks and French Hand Sewing (by machine). 5) Free motion sewing in an
- introduction to free motion embroidery, thread sketching and thread painting,
- and making and using battenberg lace.
-
-
-
- SB: [MAHE@YaleVM.YCC.Yale.Edu]
-
- _Power Sewing_ and _More Power Sewing_ by Sandra Betzina. My personal
- perennial reference is Power Sewing by Sandra Betzina. It's not that you
- wouldn't learn a lot by reading it straight through. But it really shines by
- its discussion of small precise topics, in the vein of how to do a perfect
- lapel. And it has a good range of topics, from specific fitting problems to
- categories of details like pockets or collars. I've rarely found any other of
- those specifics that I like better elsewhere. [mahe]
-
- Sandra is an extremely clear and entertaining teacher, and this reflects it.
- She covers a variety of topics from fit to mitered corners, which are culled
- from her column (in the San Francisco Chronicle at least). If you have read
- her columns and not quite gotten the point, it's because the wonderful
- illustrations by Amy Maeda get censored, so try the book. This is the book
- you want to use when you can't figure out what the pattern company wants you
- to do. As a matter of fact, one of Sandra's principles is to ignore the
- pattern directions and just do what you know is right - this is the book that
- teaches you what's right. For example, you should just find out how to make a
- really great welt pocket, and do that everywhere you want a welt pocket. Or
- figure out how to ease the sleeve, or how to add ease to it. (Sandra makes an
- exception for Issey Miyake, by the way, and she is right on that too) [mahe]
-
- This is the best book for pointers on recovery. Of course, it's best to
- follow her advice from the start. But if you don't and you get yourself into
- trouble, she can usually help you recover. She understands what you go
- through, and she doesn't try to conceal the fact that she often doesn't buy
- enough material, or sometimes messes up something. The Saga of the White Suit
- at the end of the 2nd book is priceless, it had me on the floor (it was under
- 'project burnout'). [mahe]
-
- The books contain copies of articles so each topic contains a number of
- articles that are short one or two page descriptions of specific problems and
- solutions. The articles are arranged by subject. The first book has a general
- index; the second book does not.
-
- The address is:
- Power Sewing
- 185 Fifth Avenue
- San Francisco, CA 94118
- voice (415)386-0440 fax (415)386-0441
- Prices are $16.95 for volume I, $19.95 for volume II, and $3.00 postage &
- handling. (March 1992)
-
-
-
-
- NZ:
-
- _The Busy Woman's Sewing Book_ , _The Busy Woman's Fitting Book_ and _Slacks
- Fitting Book_ by Nancy Zieman. $9.95 each. Book + video $34.95. From the
- creator of the _Sewing with Nancy_ show on PBS. Several people including
- [cfeem@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Eleanor Midkiff)] have reported that they find
- Zieman's books useful and helpful. Zieman also has a large number of videos
- and her store even has a video rental program. The rental program is not
- cheap, but I believe it is a good way to get a vast amount of instruction in a
- short period of time. Nancy's Notions; 333 Beichl Ave; PO Box 683; Beaver
- Dam, WI 53916-0683; 1-800-833-0690.
-
-
- T:
-
- Taunton Press has two new books called _Great Sewn Clothes_ and _Fit and
- Fabric_. Each is paperback, 128 pages, about 140 photos, about 60 drawings
- and $16.95 ($29.95 for both). From the information in the ads, these appear
- to be books that contain approximately two dozen articles from the first four
- years of Threads magazine. I've read most of these articles and referred to a
- number of them when trying to perfect a technique. All are well written and
- well illustrated. If you do not have access to the first four years of
- _Threads_, these book are probably very useful and interesting! Taunton Press;
- 63 South Main Street; Box 5506; Newtown, CT 06470-9976; 1-800-888-8286
-
-
- OOP:
-
- The following books have been recommended in various places, often in articles
- in Threads magazine. Most are out of print.
-
- Clothing for Women (Lippincotts Home Manuals). Laura I Baldt. c. 1927.
- Includes draping, etc. (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- The Dressmaker. Butterick. 1911. (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- Dress Design: Draping and Flat Pattern Making. Hillhouse & Mansfield. (Ref:
- Threads #15, pg. 10) Definitely Wonderful!! Lots of draping examples.
-
- Sew the French Way. Line Jaque. c. 1961. (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- Complete Book of Dressmaking. Ann MacTaggert. c. 1975. (Ref: Threads #15, pg.
- 10)
-
- Clothing Construction. Evelyn Mansfield. c. 1953. (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- Modern Tailoring for Women. Francis Mauck. c. 1948 (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- Creative Dressing. Kaori O'Connor. c. 1980. (Ref: Threads #15, pg. 10)
-
- Modern Dressmaking Made Easy. Mary Brooks Picken. c. 1940. (Ref: Threads #15,
- pg. 10)
-
- Women's Institute of Dress Design. series of books from 1910 - 1930.
-
- There are a couple of other out of print series. Time-Life did a series on
- sewing back in the 1960's and Vogue did one in the late 60's or early 70's. I
- have seen some of the Vogue books and they seem to be fairly interesting and
- useful.
-
- Diane Barlow Close recommends _Draping and Designing With Scissors and Cloth_,
- 1920's and 1930's. This is a two volume set from The Women's Institute
- series, used by coutures of the era. A reprint is now available from: Body
- Blueprints; 1734 Scott St., St. Helena, CA 94574. $18.95 + $2 s/h each vol.
-
-
- End of Part 1
-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- /\ /\ | lfabans@adobe.com (Lara Fabans)
- . . |--------------------------------------------------------------
- = = | Adobe Systems, Inc Publishing Division
- v |
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --
- - Lara Fabans - Adobe FrameMaker UNIX Platform QA 408-536-6610
-