The Sewing Place

Resources => Publications => Topic started by: Lyn-J on April 09, 2017, 20:47:37 PM

Title: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lyn-J on April 09, 2017, 20:47:37 PM
Any recommendations?

ETA: Any Book on anything sewing related.

I'm working on linkie list- I'm giving Amazon links - but of course the books wil be available on ebay, etsy and the like.

Dressmaking

The Vogue Sewing Book (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=vogue+sewing+book) the older the better with this one
The Sewing Book - Alison Smith (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alison-Smith/e/B002LFSXQA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1492415401&sr=1-1)
Dressmaking - Alison Smith (https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Dressmaking-Alison-Smith/1409384632/ref=la_B002LFSXQA_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492415405&sr=1-2)
The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dressmakers-Handbook-Couture-Sewing-Techniques: Lynda Maynard/dp/B00M0KBLQU/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492070030&sr=1-7&keywords=couture+sewing+techniques)
Time Life's The Art of Sewing/ The Professional Look (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=.+Time+Life%27s+The+Art+of+Sewing%2F+The+Professional+Look&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3A.+Time+Life%27s+The+Art+of+Sewing%2F+The+Professional+Look)


Fabrics

Claire Schaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Claire-Shaeffers-Fabric-Sewing-Guide-ebook/dp/B005065CPM)
More Fabric Savvy: Sandra Betzina (https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Fabric-Savvy-Resource-Selecting-x/dp/1561586625/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1495737487&sr=1-1&keywords=more+fabric+savvy)

Fitting

Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Fast+Fit+by+Sandra+Betzina)
Fit for Real People by Palmer & Pletsch (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Fit+for+Real+People+by+Palmer+%26+Pletsch&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3AFit+for+Real+People+by+Palmer+%26+Pletsch)
Fitting & Pattern Alteration by Liechty et al (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Fitting+%26+Pattern+Alteration+by+Liechty+et+al&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3AFitting+%26+Pattern+Alteration+by+Liechty+et+al)


Pattern Drafting

Natalie Bray's Pattern Drafting Books (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=natalie+bray)
Julie Cole's Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=.Julie+Cole%27s+Patternmaking+with+Stretch+Knit+Fabrics&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3A.Julie+Cole%27s+Patternmaking+with+Stretch+Knit+Fabrics)

ISSUU links
Metric Pattern Cutting for Women's Wear by Winifred Aldrich (https://issuu.com/orsaminore/docs/metric_pattern_cutting_for_women_by)
Metric Pattern Cutting for Men's Wear by Winifred Aldrich (https://issuu.com/susule/docs/1405182938metric_c)
Pattern Cutting and Marking Up Volume 1 by Martin Shoben and Janet Ward (https://issuu.com/sasa47/docs/pattern_cutting_and_making_up)
Dress Pattern Designing by Natalie Bray (https://issuu.com/tallerbioarq/docs/dress_pattern_designing)
More Dress Pattern Designing by Natalie Bray (https://issuu.com/tallerbioarq/docs/more_dress_pattern_designing_by_nat)


Overlocking

Sewing with Sergers by Gail Brown and Pati Palmer. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Sewing+with+Sergers+by+Gail+Brown+and+Pati+Palmer.&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3ASewing+with+Sergers+by+Gail+Brown+and+Pati+Palmer.)

Patchwork/Quilting

Tailoring

Tailoring: a step-by-step guide (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781845430573/Tailoring-Step-by-Step-Guide-Creating-Beautiful-1845430573/plp)
Tailoring (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Tailoring-singer-sewing-reference-library-series-first/6709930960/bd)
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lilian on April 09, 2017, 23:27:45 PM
What sort of sewing are you looking for, Dressmaking or general household?  I only have old books, but one by Ann Ladbury called 'Sewing' cover all sorts, hand sewing and machine sewing.  I am not au fait with any modern books.

Someone else will probably be more help  :)
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: UttaRetch on April 10, 2017, 07:10:50 AM
I can recommend both (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sewing-Book-Alison-Smith/dp/1405335556) books by Alison Smith.  The sewing book is by way of an overview, but 'Dressmaking' is devoted to garment making.  There is some overlap, so you need to decide which is more useful to you.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61NrHxJMMVL._SX423_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61vx4m3FGbL._SX413_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)

Readers' Digest also do well regarded sewing books and you can sometimes copies in charity shops.  The illustrations may be a bit old fashioned, but the information is sound.

I passed up the opportunity to buy a Vogue 1970's sewing book for £1.50 and regret it now.

Edited for updated information.


Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Holly Berry on April 10, 2017, 11:09:51 AM
If you're looking for fitting books I would recommend the Palmer Pletsch series. They do Fit for Real People, and one on trousers(pants), jackets and knits. I have learnt such a lot from these books.

If you are looking to draft your own patterns, for beginners Natalie Bray.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Efemera on April 10, 2017, 12:49:51 PM
Best book I've used is the Vogue sewing book..I must have bought it 30 years ago, if I do need to know anything it's usually in there.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: UttaRetch on April 10, 2017, 15:39:56 PM
I let this

(http://i.imgur.com/ZpDw9Ch.jpg)

published in 1970 go.  Of course, it was gone when I went back to the charity shop.  :(
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: DaisyChain on April 13, 2017, 09:05:26 AM
As others have said, the Alison Smith books and Vogue Sewing are excellent. I also really like this Lynda Maynard book. It’s got lots of detailed photos on how to finish edges. I refer to this one a lot.  8)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dressmakers-Handbook-Couture-Sewing-Techniques/dp/B00M0KBLQU/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492070030&sr=1-7&keywords=couture+sewing+techniques
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: b15erk on April 13, 2017, 09:33:12 AM
Reader Digest, Fit for Real People and several very old sewing books which I also refer to now and again.

I have a lovely book called The Art of Manipulating Fabric which is full of useful and decorative techniques - lots of heirloom stuff, but other really neat stuff as well.

There's a cracking little overlocker book too, but offhand I can't remember the name.

Jessie
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Holly Berry on April 13, 2017, 10:15:01 AM
There's a cracking little overlocker book too, but offhand I can't remember the name.
Jessie

Is it the Singer one? I have this one and it's excellent, even though I don't have a Singer overlocker.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: b15erk on April 13, 2017, 10:33:41 AM
No, it's this one: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fabric+manipulation&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=_zbvWPXmHNHHXu7kqYgE#q=overlocker+books&safe=active&tbm=shop&spd=5522997681626573536

It taught me a lot when I started to use my overlocker.  I think a lot of people use the Bernina workbooks as well.  I think Morgan put a link up to them, on the old TSF.  I'll see if I can find it as a lot of people found the workbooks very useful.

Jessie
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Marniesews on April 13, 2017, 10:42:59 AM
No, it's this one...

There's a long list of books on that link, Jessie. I have the small Sewing with Sergers book by Gail Brown and Pati Palmer which is all black & white inside but full of useful info so I wondered if that was the one you meant?
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Marniesews on April 13, 2017, 11:29:23 AM
Like Lillian, my all time favourite book is Ann Ladbury's Sewing but I do have other favourites too. I agree with Utta about Alison Smith's books and you can often find these in The Works at very good reductions so well worth checking there if you're on a budget.

A small pick of my other favourites would include:
Claire Schaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide, not only to help with identification but lots of useful information on best uses, construction advice/techniques and practical sewing settings (most appropriate needles, threads etc.)
Lynda Maynard's The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques which has so many examples that can be incorporated into everyday sewing projects.
Time Life's The Art of Sewing/ The Professional Look It's part of a series and a good set to look for in second hand book shelves. It's very much diagram based but very understandable for that too.
Julie Cole's Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics is one of very few I've found for knit fabrics but has proven to be just what I needed. It gives three different versions of each block for low, medium and high stretch which is perfect for me as I wanted them for casual knits for me and my DD but also for tight-fit lycra dance costumes too and there's a big difference between the two!  Expensive certainly but it's opened up a world of opportunities.

I'm attaching pictures as, if you're anything like me, you'll recognise the cover more easily than the title or author.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: b15erk on April 13, 2017, 11:59:47 AM
Sorry MS.  It's Sewing with Sergers by Gail Brown and Pati Palmer.

I thought it was very good.

Jessie
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: UttaRetch on April 13, 2017, 12:08:26 PM
If you are into tailoring, there a couple of rather nice little books with lots of good photographs: Tailoring: a step-by-step guide (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781845430573/Tailoring-Step-by-Step-Guide-Creating-Beautiful-1845430573/plp) and; Tailoring (https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Tailoring-singer-sewing-reference-library-series-first/6709930960/bd) from the Singer sewing reference library series.  I bought both of these from charity shops.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Holly Berry on April 13, 2017, 13:17:12 PM
Sorry MS.  It's Sewing with Sergers by Gail Brown and Pati Palmer.

I thought it was very good.

Jessie

Yes, I've got that one too
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: CarolC on April 15, 2017, 18:37:35 PM
Another vote for the 1970s/80s Vogue Sewing book!! The illustrations are hilarious now, but the text is exceptionally useful for just about everything. They also did a good fitting book.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lyn-J on April 15, 2017, 22:09:19 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions I'll make a list of them in the top thread. Soon!

Is the Quilter's Bible (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quilters-Bible-make-quilt-much/dp/0715336266) any good?
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lyn-J on April 16, 2017, 12:48:09 PM
There is a question posed at the beginning of The Vogue Sewing Book
Quote
what image would you like to convey: elegant sophisticate, sweet romantic, perky gamin, tailored classicist, avant garde dazzler?
Ever since I read this many years ago, I've been trying to work it out, and today I got it!
Muddling Through! -<
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Ploshkin on April 16, 2017, 13:41:25 PM
I wouldn't know perky gamin if I fell over it (are you sure it's not porky gammon?)  I think I'd have to be just about with it
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lyn-J on April 16, 2017, 13:52:49 PM
I wouldn't know perky gamin if I fell over it (are you sure it's not porky gammon?)
Ah mystery solved - that had me laughing out loud!
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Ellabella on April 16, 2017, 14:06:52 PM

Is the Quilter's Bible (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quilters-Bible-make-quilt-much/dp/0715336266) any good?
[/quote]

I like it, it has clear instructions for all the basics, without a lot of padding.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Marniesews on April 17, 2017, 01:45:10 AM
I wouldn't know perky gamin if I fell over it (are you sure it's not porky gammon?)

I only associate 'gamin' as a description I've seen used for boyish cropped-hair actresses such as Audrey Hepburn and Leslie Caron. Not sure if perky was included but I suppose I see what they mean.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Didi on April 17, 2017, 08:26:47 AM
I have a lovely book called The Art of Manipulating Fabric which is full of useful and decorative techniques - lots of heirloom stuff, but other really neat stuff as well.


I have that one as well, it may have been recommended by you on the old forum a few years ago, it is a lovely book I also have the Palmer and Pletsch Fit for real people
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: So Chic on April 28, 2017, 16:29:33 PM
I like the Easy Guide sewing books published by Taunton Press, which means they are quite expensive if ordered direct from them but there seem to be a lot of second-hand copies around on line. 

I have a shelf full of sewing books along with a shelf full of cookery books; I keep thinking I should have a cull of all of them but can't bring myself to dispose of any of them.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on April 28, 2017, 20:07:47 PM
For fitting, I refer to most:
Fast Fit by Sandra Betzina
Fit for Real People by Palmer & Pletsch
Fitting & Pattern Alteration by Liechty et al

For sewing, these have been my best references:
The Complete Book of Sewing (published by DK in 1996) I believe Alison Smith is the author of the current iteration of this book. I can't recall the expert/author associated with my version. At any rate, I believe the versions to be similar. I really like mine.
The Dressmaker's Technique Bible by Lorna Knight
The Sewing Answer Book by Barbara Weiland Talbert
Power Sewing Step-by-Step by Sandra Betzina
 
These are three older books that I've picked up within the last year that I wish I had when I started sewing. I'm still very glad to have them now:
Reader's Digest that has been mentioned several times already
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction
Simplicity Sewing Book from 1958

 
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on April 28, 2017, 22:43:47 PM
Others have mentioned a few books that I have in my ISSUU stacks to read that I haven't gotten to yet. I think I want these for my library, but I'm so grateful to be able to look at them first to see if I they will be sensible purchases for me.
Here are links to the free online books on ISSUU for anyone else who is interested:
Metric Pattern Cutting for Women's Wear by Winifred Aldrich (https://issuu.com/orsaminore/docs/metric_pattern_cutting_for_women_by)
Metric Pattern Cutting for Men's Wear by Winifred Aldrich (https://issuu.com/susule/docs/1405182938metric_c)
Pattern Cutting and Marking Up Volume 1 by Martin Shoben and Janet Ward (https://issuu.com/sasa47/docs/pattern_cutting_and_making_up)
Dress Pattern Designing by Natalie Bray (https://issuu.com/tallerbioarq/docs/dress_pattern_designing)
More Dress Pattern Designing by Natalie Bray (https://issuu.com/tallerbioarq/docs/more_dress_pattern_designing_by_nat)


There are lots of other titles available, too!
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Jo on May 25, 2017, 13:12:12 PM
Thank you so much for posting the link to ISSUU. So many nice books! :)
By the way, I spent some time adding sewing/patternmaking books to a stack. If anyone would like to access it, you can find it here: https://issuu.com/ioanadumitrescu2/stacks/61d1f0082cba43a5af0ac7dda15ed972
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: maliw on May 25, 2017, 19:40:23 PM
I use this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Fabric-Savvy-Resource-Selecting-x/dp/1561586625/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1495737487&sr=1-1&keywords=more+fabric+savvy
as much as anything. It's a great reference book if you're not sure how to treat your fabric - needles, sewing foot, tension etc
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Marniesews on May 28, 2017, 01:00:51 AM
Others have mentioned a few books that I have in my ISSUU stacks to read that I haven't gotten to yet.
I've got a couple of Natalie Bray's but not these specific ones. Thanks for the links, elephun, I do use Issuu but I don't recall seeing any of these the last time I looked so I'll bookmark them.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on May 28, 2017, 03:06:14 AM
Thank you so much for posting the link to ISSUU. So many nice books! :)
By the way, I spent some time adding sewing/patternmaking books to a stack. If anyone would like to access it, you can find it here: https://issuu.com/ioanadumitrescu2/stacks/61d1f0082cba43a5af0ac7dda15ed972

Nice idea to share stacks! Here is the link to my library: https://issuu.com/elephun (https://issuu.com/elephun)
I made several stacks, but they are all sewing and pattern related, so I might combine them into one stack at some point.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on May 28, 2017, 03:11:43 AM
I've got a couple of Natalie Bray's but not these specific ones. Thanks for the links, elephun, I do use Issuu but I don't recall seeing any of these the last time I looked so I'll bookmark them.

Which books do you have by Natalie Bray, Marniesews?
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: maliw on May 28, 2017, 16:55:47 PM
I had a look at the Issuu list and I was surprised how many of these books, or very similar I've got. trouble is I just love books. :|
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on May 28, 2017, 18:15:51 PM
I love books too, maliw!

It is nice to be able to point someone to a particular page in a book when I think it will answer their question, so when I find books I already own on ISSUU I usually save them anyway.

I think my favorite way to use ISSUU is to actually get a look inside out-of-print books, or other books that are in print, but not in the bookstores we have left, or books that don't have the "look inside" feature on Amazon. Then I can figure out whether I want to purchase the book, how hard I want to try to track it down, and how much it's worth to me.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Sewingsue on May 28, 2017, 19:10:02 PM
I love books too, maliw!

It is nice to be able to point someone to a particular page in a book when I think it will answer their question, so when I find books I already own on ISSUU I usually save them anyway.

I think my favorite way to use ISSUU is to actually get a look inside out-of-print books, or other books that are in print, but not in the bookstores we have left, or books that don't have the "look inside" feature on Amazon. Then I can figure out whether I want to purchase the book, how hard I want to try to track it down, and how much it's worth to me.
I had never heard of ISSUU and I can't quite work out how it works. Any info gratefully received  0_0
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Lyn-J on May 28, 2017, 20:07:30 PM
Thank you for the for the ISSUU links, Elephun
I've never seen this before
I need to do some perusing  :D
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on May 28, 2017, 22:20:29 PM
I'm not an expert on ISSUU, but I'm more than happy to share what I have figured out.

There are thousands of publications available for anyone with a web connection to view for free on ISSUU. You don't have to have an ISSUU account, but accounts are free and enable you to save related publications in a "stack" so you will be able to find them easily in the future. It can be a little hard to find publications you are looking for since things are posted worldwide and might not have the keywords you expect. It's nice to be able to save them in a stack. You can have multiple stacks, too.

I have found searching on pattern drafting, sewing, needlework, etc to be fruitful.

There is a teeny bit of a social media aspect to it because you can follow publishers and you can follow another user's stack. For example, I follow burda style, and I follow The McCall Pattern Company and my own Pattern Drafting stack has 4 followers. I don't know who they are, I just know the number of followers.

I generally see these types of publications on ISSUU:

Magazine previews posted by the publisher in order to entice readers to buy the full magazine.
Magazines posted by the publisher, excluding the "extras"  meant to entice readers to buy the full magazine with the extras.
Scans of magazines posted by someone other than who I know to be the publisher.
Scans of magazines that are now in the public domain posted by any interested party that wants to scan and publish them.

Current book previews posted by the publisher in order to entice you to buy the book.
Scans of currently in-print books posted by someone other than who I know to be the actual publisher.
Scans of out-of-print versions of currently in-print books by someone other than who I know to be the actual publisher.
Scans of books that are now in the public domain posted by any interested party that wants to scan and publish them.

Catalogs published by retailers.
Graduate student's self-published work.
Professional's self-published portfolios.

I'm not very comfortable when I see currently in-print magazines and currently in-print books that have been posted by someone who is not obviously the rightful publisher. Likewise, with out-of-print versions of currently in-print books. I choose to use these only as a tool to help me decide whether to purchase the book/magazine or not, rather than reading these cover-to-cover. In my mind, it's kind of like a flip-through at the book store. 

If others have concerns with copyright, you can see the publisher's name in ISSUU and decide for yourself. I believe that there is a process for authors and content owners to follow with ISSUU if there is any misuse of their work, as well.

I hope that helps!


Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Sewingsue on May 28, 2017, 22:23:41 PM
Thank you, Elephun.
Oh dear, more temptation to spend time online  ;)
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Marniesews on May 28, 2017, 22:55:32 PM
Which books do you have by Natalie Bray, Marniesews?
I'm on holiday this week so I'll have to wait until I get home to answer this as she's done a few with similar titles.
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: elephun on May 29, 2017, 00:43:23 AM
Have a good holiday, Marnie!
Title: Re: Good Sewing Books
Post by: Jo on May 29, 2017, 10:39:49 AM
Does anyone have Fabric for Fashion: The Swatch Book (http://"https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Fashion-Swatch-Clive-Hallett/dp/1780672330/ref=dp_ob_title_bk")?

It looks very promising for me, as I only order fabric online. Are the swatches relevant?
Edited to add: I found the book on amazon Uk for about 9 gbp, new: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/ol/1780672330/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all
So I went ahead and got it :D