I love summer. Finally, our mornings are free to do the weekly library thing again! Yeah! Anyway, I’ve been checking out a few books also. I hope (for the sake of my sewing students and friends) to review some of them here. Here’s the first:
Vogue Easy Sewing by Lynn Ferrari and the Butterick Company, Inc.
Published 1985
ISBN: 0-06-181128-9
Some Chapter Headings:
Easy Wardrobe Planning
Fabric Dos and Don’ts
How to Press
How to Sew by Hand
I liked:
A great detailed “Needle and Thread Chart” on Page 31.
The chapter labeled “How to Press”, which had good guidelines, but even better pictures and diagrams! This section included fool-proof instructions for pressing darts, gathers, pleats, sleeves, hems, and seams. Probably the best pressing instructions I’ve seen.
The chapter labeled “How to Sew By Hand”, which included only a few stitches (back stitch tacks, slip stitch, blind stitch and thread chain), all essential to any sewer.
The last section “Easy Sewing Techniques” that is broken down into chapters based on the techniques that “scare” some sewers, including bands, buttonholes, darts, pockets, sleeves and zippers.
My dislikes:
There is no information on invisible zippers or collars with a stand.
Conclusion: This is a great reference for any sewer that has progressed past pillows and PJ pants and is now ready to tackle garments. The book is really easy to follow and has great illustrations for the techniques. I’ll tell you again–I love the pressing chapter! One small warning–you’ll have to look past the mid-1980s photos in the middle of the book. Gotta love shoulder pads!
Would I buy it for myself? Absolutely. I’ve already looked it up on Amazon.
So…I’ve re-evaluated my plan. Here’s the plan: Brown Fabric: Simplicity 3631 View C This jumper will be really cute alone, with a top under it, or with the jacket.
Pink Linen: Simplicity 3631 View B This pink jacket will be cute over the jumper, or over the pants I’ll make. Plus, it will go with all 4 of the bottoms I made during the Big Contest.
Khaki Linen (from stash, not pictured yet): Hot Patterns Sugar Babe Set Pants I love these pants!
Vanilla Jersey Knit that I will have to purchase: Vogue 8451 (That I will also have to purchase)
I had the most successful shopping trip this weekend–and I didn’t buy anything! I tried on lots of styles and quickly found the things that I liked (and that flattered me). Then, back at the hotel, I looked at my mini-wardrobe plan. Yuck!
So, now I’m looking at patterns again. These are similar to the clothes I loved in the dressing room. Now to decide on a 4-part wardrobe:
I saw this top as the bodice on a full skirted dress. Loved it!
These puffed sleeves are really cute!
I like this tank.
White shirts were everywhere!
I like this top sleeveless and banded or belted.
The shirt in the top left hand corner is much cuter when made in a great fabric. I’ve looked over it before because that blue is quite tragic.
I love a good contest! They seem to motivate me to finish a project. So…
Here is my entry for PR’s mini-wardrobe contest.
The rules only call for 4 pieces, but this 6 will combine to give me 8 more new outfits, including a Sunday set. If I need to drop 2 to finish in time, I’ll drop the pink skirt and the knit top.
As with the wardrobe contest, I am shopping entirely from my stash. However, if I don’t have enough khaki twill, I will be running to the store. I must have another jean skirt for the summer!
I saw this top as the bodice on a full skirted dress. Loved it! 
These puffed sleeves are really cute! 
I like this tank.
