Sunday, November 15, 2015

Book Reports; Books catalogued under 'dressmaking'

Almost done with the dresses....six more to go
Meanwhile....

The Seattle Public Library allows me to put a hold on lots and lots and lots of books at one time, and sometimes I forget if I have read it or not.
This time, I took photos of the stack to remind myself if I had read it or not.

My pal D (librarian to the stars!) could not stop laughing at me while I did this, pulling them one at a time and taking photos of this massive stack (the entire stack is not shown, just the ones I wanted to pay attention to).

Yes, you can laugh in my library branch.

I want to like this. I keep trying. The term "bodymap" can be replaced by "sloper".
It's a friendly introduction to the process.


It just doesn't click for me. 


Points for using gingham for the photos, and using a real sized human.




A fine bibliography I keep checking out assuming it is something else. Someday I am going to need this, and it will have been deaccessioned. Ew.

All I know is that it is catalogued under dressmaking. Illustrates just what it shows on the cover (plackets and welts) and uses contrasting colored fabric to make it all pretty dang clear. The pocket section is pretty nice.
The fly was confusing. As ever.



If you like a faux engraved style of illustration, this is for you. Merchant and Mills is a pattern and notions company.
This book is another 'THIS is how you should sew' manual, plus two of their patterns (the blockier ones) and a lot of Advice Writ In Stone.
There's a blog post or two about that theme, just no time right now.


Covered this already, and yes, there are 800 illustrations.


Not so different from the Helen Armstrong book, but covers the basics. Pretty easy to pick up a used copy for easy reference, and it's structured like a textbook.


I would not say sensational, but it's worth a peek. It's got a couple sweet ideas.

I should mention the Time/Life sewing series has some damn fine tips in it as well. The Leather book is really well done.



As "this is how to sew" books go, it's aim is to get the reluctant teen sewist going right away. Surprisingly well assembled introduction to sewing for young fashion conscious folk. It's about building a wardrobe, but there's some 'be your own person' stuff that I like.




It's good enough. Nothing new. 


Marcy and Lynn, rather average results. You'd think "Hey, it's a Tilton! Gonna be cool!", you'd be wrong.


I do love this mission statement

Basic book about altering the basic sewing block to fit women. Trouble is, it assumes you know what the specific problem is and how much to alter the pattern; it does not show how you determine the problem to begin with. "Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting" by Sarah Veblen solves this problem nicely.


Dover Books reprint of a sewing manual, with some good deets and deconstruction of authentic victorian items. It's going on the 'more later' list. If the library gets rid of it, I'll buy one, but for now they can store it for me.

More techniques for beginners.

There is nothing, NOTHING wrong with books for beginners. I enjoy reading them, I still learn lots and lots. 
I just read them a whole lot faster....




1 comment:

  1. Wish my library had this big a selection on how-to-sew-and-fit books. They have the Merchant & Mills but it's not one of my faves. They do have a lot of sewing inspiration books, which I love checking outl like you, I figure "why buy when I can borrow and see if it's one I love and want for my own?"

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