The Sewing Place

Resources => Publications => Topic started by: RJR_38 on July 23, 2019, 21:43:37 PM

Title: Book advice
Post by: RJR_38 on July 23, 2019, 21:43:37 PM
I have been quilting and making bags and little house bits for a little over 2 years now but have decided to bite the bullet and have a go at sewing clothes.

My parents and sister clubbed together for my birthday to buy me a course called ‘make a dress in a day’. It is meant to teach the basics which is what I need! I go on this next week.

I’m looking for a book that I can be reading while I am on my clothes making journey. Particularly one that will tell me about different fabric types (as I have stuck with 100% cotton until now). For example I saw some lovely cotton jersey in the shop today but I have no idea what I would use it for. Does anyone have any recommendations of books I should buy? A ‘sewing bible’ if you will
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: sewingj on July 24, 2019, 07:39:14 AM
The Sewing Book by Alison Smith is excellent and covers just about everything you would need to know about dressmaking and more. There is a section devoted to all different fabric types.
 Look out for the "new edition" - the projects in the back are nicer than those in the earlier version.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Pearl on July 24, 2019, 09:21:50 AM
I did a course like that, @RJR_38 , and I wore the dress home.  I have since done a ten week course of evening classes which was less successful.  I have the book that sewingj recommended  I’ll be watching your progress with interest. 
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: So Chic on July 24, 2019, 09:58:46 AM
A lot of members recommend the Readers Digest book on sewing and you might find a second hand copy somewhere.  However, there is no single book that covers everything and I'm sure I'm not the only one with a shelf full of sewing books and I use them all.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: wrenkins on July 24, 2019, 10:29:41 AM
A lot of members recommend the Readers Digest book on sewing and you might find a second hand copy somewhere.  However, there is no single book that covers everything

The Readers Digest comes close.  :)
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Greybird on July 24, 2019, 10:30:19 AM
I have only some old copies of Ann Ladbury books, which go very cheaply on Amazon. I refer to them often and find them useful.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Ohsewsimple on July 24, 2019, 10:30:42 AM
Agree with @So Chic I have loads of books and they all get used for something.  Readers digest is a good all rounder but Alison Smith is good because of the photos which I prefer to diagrams.  Also look for any of the Singer books as they have photos and are very good. 
Have a look in the library and grab whatever is there.  Then you can decide if any of those are for you.   Also have a look at Bluprint, Craftsy as was, there are beginners dressmaking classes in there.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Elnnina on July 24, 2019, 11:10:10 AM
RJR_38 have you considered going to Aylesbury where the Country Library Reserve collection is housed, it was downstairs from the main reception area of County Hall.  I was amazed at just how many sewing books there were down there and you can borrow them.  These books are usually the last editions held in the county thus they hold on to them.  Maybe give them a ring first to find out exactly where they are situated in case they have moved, and also any restrictions - I was told only so many people can be down there at any one time and if already full then you have to wait, and of course you can wait a long time.  Sadly though a long time ago Bucks changed their lending time to three weeks, and I found three weeks was not really long enough especially when reading and trying out some of the techniques in those books - I came home with 12 books.  The books borrowed can then be returned via your nearest local library.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: HenriettaMaria on July 24, 2019, 12:26:02 PM
It's old now and the photos of models wearing garments are *so* Abigail's Party but I've had this for 40 years and I still refer to it - sometimes turns up in second-hand shops.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Singer-Sewing-Book-Jessie-Hutton/dp/0601086627/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=singer+book+of+sewing&qid=1563967075&s=gateway&sr=8-16

Jersey is not a good fabric for a beginner - it requires special handling and the rules of fitting are different from those for wovens.  Other fabrics you could start with are

* poly-cotton (good for lightweight blouses, shirts and summer dresses/skirts but get at least 60% cotton)
* Vyella (a lightweight soft wool for winter shirts and blouses)
* small-scale gingham - good for learning about grain and pattern-matching and good for shirts, blouses and aprons
* brushed cotton, whether plain, printed or check (good for more pattern matching and winter blouses and pyjamas)
* lightweight wool mix (60 - 80% wool) - good for skirts and trousers
* ticking - find this in the furnishing fabrics section.  Good for aprons and if it's striped, good for a bit of pattern matching if you add pockets.
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Efemera on July 24, 2019, 13:05:51 PM
The Vogue Sewing Book...there’s lots of cheap ones about.

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/vogue-sewing-book/GOR002167278?keyword=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvOP06sHN4wIViUHTCh2AGApHEAQYAyABEgL63vD_BwE
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: RJR_38 on July 24, 2019, 18:41:04 PM
Thanks everyone. I have ordered the Alison Smith book - and Amazon offered it same day delivery at no extra cost so... I should have it in time for bed!

Elnnina I had no idea about the county reserve library - I will look into this as it is so close for me!

Henrietta, thanks for the information about fabrics. I will also see what they recommend on the course, I have sewn with upholstery fabrics and a range of foams and other things for bags but they don’t have to be fitted in quite the same way. Ginghams and woollen fabrics don’t really appeal as they are not the type type of clothing I wear. I wear a lot of dresses in bold brints and usually in vintage styles. I am told that they and full/half circle skirts are some of the easiest things to make but we shall see!

Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: b15erk on July 25, 2019, 09:57:27 AM
Readers Digest is the one I go to first, although it is a bit old fashioned now, and some techniques look very old fashioned.  But, the principle is usually the same.

I also use YouTube if I need a technique clarifying, there are some very good tutorials on there.

Jessie
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: So Chic on July 25, 2019, 11:31:08 AM
@RJR_38
Just re-read your original post and realised that you were asking about fabrics.  The ones I have and use are Fabrics by Ann Ladbury and Fabric Savvy and More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina. 
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: RJR_38 on July 25, 2019, 17:44:36 PM
Thanks so chic - I shall take a look!
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: WildAtlanticWay on July 26, 2019, 14:20:09 PM
Hope it’s not too late but if you’re interested, I bought quite a few very inexpensive sewing books from The Works a while back.

https://www.theworks.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyerpBRD9ARIsAH-ITn-u9RSZafkTObvfW_Wf8BzHQkTKjXXzbql2D3LB8bhRFWsjgT3zA2MaAgwyEALw_wcB&q=sewing%20books&pg=3&top=4243
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: Acorn on July 26, 2019, 15:57:05 PM
I'e bought a few lovely sewing books from The Works in the last few weeks, too (and many more in the past!)
Title: Re: Book advice
Post by: RJR_38 on August 01, 2019, 08:32:00 AM
Thanks. Yes I have looked in our Works before and picked up a few - I will continue to keep my eyes open. I knew that I wanted something a bit more substantial this time!

Frustratingly my sewing course was moved from yesterday to next week as they had too few people signed up in the day I chose!