Hey Q-bies! This is Tracy. Before I get to my review of Gertie’s New Book For Better Sewing, I want to share a funny story with you. I read an awful lot of quilting and sewing books so I can let you all know which books you absolutely HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY THIS INSTANT! As I was reading Gretchen Hirsch’s book, I had to leave the room for a moment. When I came back, this is what I found.
And this…
Mind-blowing, I know! Silly boy… But he had this helpful layman’s review of Gertie’s New Book For Better Sewing: “This is a really good book. She has a way of explaining things so that even a non-sewer like me understands what she is saying. Plus she is a Betty*!”
*”Betty” is Jay’s term for cute girls who dress in this vintage Betty Page style.
There you have it! A completely, non-partial review. And if you’ve ever found one of your non-sewing family members deeply engrossed in one of your quilty or stitchy books, tell us about it! We love “sewing in real life” stories!
Without further ado, here is my “official” review. ~ Tracy
Gertie’s New Book For Better Sewing
By Gretchen Hirsch
STC Craft
www.blogforbettersewing.com
207 pgs, Hardcover, $35.00
It all started with a blog and a love of vintage clothing. Gretchen Hirsch had a desire to wear all the lovely clothing of the fifties but had a hard time finding vintage outfits that fit her (don’t we all!). Luckily, she knows how to sew. With her blog, she wanted to work through Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing, published in 1952 (much like food blogger Julie Powell and her adventures with Julia Child’s book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which were later documented in the book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen and the film Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep) .
With this book, Gretchen wants to uncover and preserve the “forgotten skills” of sewing these vintage styles. She is encouraging and patient as she guides you through each skill in this book. She shares tips for fitting, drafting your own patterns and creating underlining and boning.
This book overflows with pictures, drawings and diagrams to ensure your sewing success. She also includes a whopping 25 patterns, making this book a steal! Sure to be a reference for your sewing room and guaranteed to be a resource you turn to for zippers and buttons…even if you don’t make a single pencil skirt.
COMMENT #1
That looks like a totally cool book! Probably something I could have used when I was fighting with the zipper in a little bag I made last week….