The Act of Sewing


Book Description

Express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for you and your body! Maybe you learned to sew in school and have a sewing machine, but it hasn't seen the outside of the closet since your last move. Or maybe you are completely new to the craft, with a lot of enthusiasm, but no idea how to thread your machine. No matter where you're coming from in terms of experience, this sewing workbook offers four basic patterns--two tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants--that empower you to express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for your body type. After explaining the basic concepts of sewing and construction, 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip then provides suggestions for mixing the basic patterns together to create new garment iterations as you gain confidence--structural adjustments such as full bust, no bust, long torso, big, small, etc., as well as a range of possible alterations and embellishments including sleeves, pockets, hems, and more! Going beyond simple pattern instructions, this book will make sewing garments accessible for every body type--each pattern comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. With inspiring essays on Sonya's sewing philosophy that speak to the slow and ethical fashion movement, this will be the go-to guide for all aspirational and seasoned sewists.




Sew Beautiful


Book Description

8 Patterns, 18 Variations, 1 Stunning New Wardrobe Stitch your way to a stylish new wardrobe with this collection of beautiful, modern patterns. Whether you are a seasoned seamstress looking for fresh projects or just beginning your sewing journey, you’ll learn something new from prolific designer Kennis Wong’s expert advice and accessible pearls of sewing wisdom. In Sew Beautiful, elegance and simplicity go hand in hand as Kennis guides you through 8 different patterns, each a closet staple you’ll be proud to wear. Well known for helping her readers find their most flattering fit, Kennis carefully designed each pattern for sizes 00 through 20, guaranteeing a finished garment that suits your taste, style and body type. And with 18 variations spread across these designs, there are so many options to mix and match! Slip into the luxurious Castlepoint Faux-Wrap Skirt on a breezy summer day, or bundle up in the cozy Taktsang Dolman Sleeve Wrap for a cool autumn night. Going to a fancy event but can’t find anything to wear? Wow everyone when you tell them your Palermo Tiered Dress is 100 percent handmade. With Sew Beautiful in your crafting corner, a vibrant custom wardrobe is at your fingertips. If you are experiencing issues accessing or downloading the Sew Beautiful ebook pattern files, please contact [email protected] with proof of purchase for assistance.




Building the Pattern


Book Description

The fashionable Finnish sewing duo are back with a second book that shows you how to create a coherent capsule wardrobe - complete with a collection of 20 garments that are easy to make, wear and combine. Complete with stunning photography, clear illustrations and instructions, Scandi sisters Laura and Saara offer up an enticing selection of tops, dresses, skirts, and trousers for the modern seamstress. Using the five essential building blocks, choose, customize and adapt the designs in this book to create a variety of flattering garments for every occasion that suit your style and fit your figure. Taking you beyond the patterns featured in this book, Building the Pattern offers expert advice on how to achieve the perfect fit, alter the designs and add your own personal twist. Discover how to create clothes with care, build your sewing repertoire and embrace the slow fashion movement. Six full-size pattern sheets are included in this neat package. The patterns are in a range of sizes from UK sizes 8 to 22 (US size 2 to 18 / 34 to 50 EUR sizes), with concise information on measuring yourself and technical sewing tips to sew for your shape.




Print, Pattern, Sew


Book Description

Create bold block prints for a completely custom wardrobe--print fabrics, customize patterns, and sew garments that truly express your own style. This book offers: • Clear how-to instructions for carving motifs from soft blocks, plus 13 designs to get you started • A guide to printing on fabric and construct repeating patterns • 13 projects and full-size patterns for garments and accessories for a complete hand-printed wardrobe Infuse your everyday style with more color, more pattern, and more personality. Printmaker and textile designer Jen Hewett presents her distinctive process for block-printing yards of fabric with garment sewing in mind. Explore the process of designing and printing fabric through step-by-step instruction on carving blocks and printing pattern repeats. Hewett makes creating custom, hand-printed fabric approachable and doable. Inspired by her California home, Hewett's designs reference the plants and landscape around her through botanical motifs, organic shapes, and a bold graphic quality. Paired with a playful use of color, the pattern designs here offer the perfect place to start with block-printing. Once you've printed your fabric, it's time to sew. With sewing patterns for simple garments and accessories, you'll discover the play between fabric and finished project and work toward building a highly customizable wardrobe. With step-by-step photos, clear instructions, and full-size sewing patterns this is a complete guide to sewing clothes that truly reflect your style and personality.




Stitch & Sew


Book Description

“Chock-full of ideas for producing accessories that incorporate embroidery. Readers get a two-for-one primer on the basics of embroidery and sewing.” —Publishers Weekly Revive your love for hand stitching with thirty fresh embroidery designs! Showcase your needlework on five pretty, practical projects—a drawstring bag, clutch, flex case, change purse, and zipper pouch. Learn beginner to advanced embroidery one stitch at a time, testing your thread choices in a lively sampler notebook on textured fabrics like chambray, yarn-dyed linen, and canvas. Each project is shown with six unique motifs and color stories to inspire your own artistry. “A wonderful resource as it is filled with wonderful bag patterns as well as multiple embroidery patterns . . . The instructions are very clear and the patterns are simple enough that even a beginner like me was able to get wonderful results. There is some amazing embroidery out there, but if you’re looking to learn how to stitch many simple to intermediate stitches, this book is for you.” —The Sewing Librarian “The book is great with instructions on how to embroider if you haven’t before . . . this has me wanting to see other books by Aneela Hoey.” —Jo’s Country Junction




Clotilde's Sew Smart


Book Description

Whether you want to create a tailored jacket, sew a collar that lies flat, fashion a one-of-a-kind special-occasion outfit or learn the subtleties of working with faux leather, the information is in this book. You will also find detailed instructions based on Clotilde's years of experience and sewing expertise. It's like having Clotilde in your sewing room to answer your questions as you plan and create each new clothing project.




Sewing For Dummies


Book Description

Learn the basic skills and techniques you need for successful hand and machine sewing Over the past ten years, interest in sewing has grown. If want to learn how to sew or to improve your skills, Sewing For Dummies is the book you need to get started. This complete guide to sewing basics teaches you basic hand stitches and sewing machine operation, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations. You'll work your way forward to develop the skills to create or repair clothing and furnishings that fit your personal style, your measurements, and your aesthetic. Find great patterns in stores and online, give thrift store finds new life, and learn about cool new fabrics and sewing trends. You'll also get an overview of common sewing mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can take up this relaxing, creative hobby with confidence. A full-color insert brings the text to life. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment you'll get when you use your new skills to create wonderful handmade pieces. Learn hand and machine sewing skills, starting with the basics and working your way up Choose the right sewing machine for your needs and follow step-by-step tutorials to master its use Makes repairs and alterations to keep your wardrobe current Learn about online sewing resources and get ideas for finding fabric and patterns This Dummies guide will help anyone who wants to learn basic sewing skills or brush up on what they already know. Sew a button back on your jacket, make pillowcases from an old dress, alter that great vintage dress to fit like a glove, and complete any other sewing projects you can dream up.




Sewing the Curve


Book Description

Learn to sew a wardrobe of confidence-boosting clothes with Sewing the Curve, even if you've never picked up a needle before! When you're curvy or plus size, it can be hard finding clothes that fit well and express your personality – but learning to sew can also be intimidating, especially if you're not in the size range of most beginner sewing patterns. In Sewing the Curve, Jenny Rushmore, the body-positive, plus-size founder of Cashmerette, will have you sewing fantastic clothes – that fit! – in no time, with 6 full-size sewing patterns (UK sizes 16–36/US size 12–32/EUR sizes 44–64) including a wrap skirt, swing dress, quilted jacket and knit pants, to learn with. Start with core skills, from threading a sewing machine, to understanding sewing patterns, and measuring yourself accurately, and then once you've mastered the basic techniques, learn how to put them to the test, and sew your first garment – one you will love to wear, because it's designed for bodies just like yours. By the end of this book, you'll be able to sew clothes with ease and confidence, in any style or fabric, that fit and express your unique style. Sewing the Curve is the perfect companion for Jenny Rushmore's plus size fitting bible, Ahead of the Curve.




S.E.W.


Book Description

A how-to manual for sewing beginners covers how to choose and use equipment and materials, laying out fabrics and patterns, and tricks and advice for cutting and sewing.




Sew Your Own Activewear


Book Description

A sewing expert and marathon runner offers sewing patterns and blocks, as well as step-by-step instructions to help you create your own amazing activewear. Make your own unique activewear sewing wardrobe that’s perfect for your workout. Choose from thirteen different styles including yoga pants, crops top and running leggings designed by activewear sewing expert, and marathon runner, Melissa Fehr. Whether you’re a runner, a cyclist or a gym bunny, or you’re simply looking for the perfect pair of slouchy leggings for elegant lounging, this collection of sewing patterns is for you. Learn all about how to choose the correct fabric for activewear sewing and discover expert tips on working with performance fabrics like Lycra and spandex. Before you know it, you’ll have a truly unique workout wardrobe to wear while you work up a sweat!