Synopses & Reviews
Gretchen andldquo;Gertieandrdquo; Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the webandrsquo;s most popular sewing blogs: Gertieandrsquo;s New Blog for Better Sewing. The blog began as a way for readers to follow Hirschandrsquo;s progress as she stitched all 14 fashions from the iconic 1950s sewing book
Vogueandrsquo;s New Book for Better Sewing (a
Julie and Juliaandndash;esque experiment for the modern sewist). It quickly became a place for Hirsch to share tutorials and lively posts about sewing as it relates to fashion history, pop culture, body image, and gender. An extension of the blog,
Gertieandrsquo;s New Book for Better Sewing is a hardworking reference title packed with lessons on couture techniques and customization, as well as an inimitable pattern collection featuring 25 wardrobe essentials and variations inspired by vintage fashion and Gertieandrsquo;s spirited, modern style.
Praise for Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing:
andldquo;If you read Gertieandrsquo;s New Blog for Better Sewing, you already know that Gretchen Hirsch is all about teaching basic sewing skills that some of us (guilty!) may have skipped right over when we learned to sew. Now you can find all of Gretchenandrsquo;s sewing knowledge in one place.andrdquo; andmdash;Martha Stewart.com
andldquo;Like her blog, Hirschandrsquo;s book is like a chat with a friend who happens to be an expert seamstress. Even if the vintage-inspired garments aren't your style, thereandrsquo;s plenty to learn from this book.andrdquo; andmdash;Library Journal
andldquo;The styles are all rocked out with the tattoo-clad Gertie as the model. If you love a retro pattern, then this book is the one for you.andrdquo; andmdash;CraftGossip.com
andldquo;White paper templates, not tissue! These will make it easier to trace.andrdquo; andmdash;Sew Spoiled
andldquo;I personally love the finishing details on well-made garments and found this book to be a fantastic resource for adding techniques to my repertoire.andrdquo; andmdash;ThreadBias.com
andldquo;Maybe my faaavorite part of the book is the Vintage to Modern dictionary. If you ever use vintage patterns or shop for vintage or retro-y clothes, youandrsquo;ll love this spread!andrdquo; andmdash;Adventures in Dressmaking
andldquo;The featured wealth of skills in a range of garment-sewing techniques are perfect for the home sewer with a thirst to learn how to create pieces for her own wardrobe.andrdquo; andmdash; EcoSalon.com
andldquo;Her new book is an excellent extension of the blog that includes a fantastic collection of nine patterns to create your own vintage-inspired wardrobe.andrdquo; andmdash;SewNews.com
andldquo;One of my favourite aspects of the book is that it pulls back the curtain on construction and reveals what the insides of the garments look like. Itandrsquo;s really helpful to take a peek at how another stitcher finishes her seams and keeps the whole thing hanging togetherandmdash;a very clever touch.andrdquo; andmdash;Tilly and the Buttons
andldquo;We love it, and weandrsquo;re so excited to have it in hand. Itandrsquo;s wonderful to be able to infuse some andldquo;Gertie styleandrdquo; into our sewing. All the projects are great, and the layout of the book is really easy to use and navigate. It has a great vintage, yet modern look.andrdquo; andmdash;Sew Mama Sew
andldquo;Gertieandrsquo;s New Book for Better Sewing is a fun, new pattern book, featuring sewing patterns that embody author Gretchen Hirschandrsquo;s fresh take on vintage style.andrdquo;andmdash;CRAFTzine.com
andldquo;If you read Gertieandrsquo;s New Blog for Better Sewing, you already know that Gretchen Hirsch is all about teaching basic sewing skills that some of us (guilty!) may have skipped right over when we learned to sew. Now you can find all of Gretchenandrsquo;s sewing knowledge in one place.andrdquo; andmdash;MarthaStewartLiving.com
andldquo;This is not down-and-dirty sewing, but studied and time consuming. Which is awesome.andrdquo; andmdash;
andldquo;Since most women are a size bigger in the hips than in the waist, the pattern proportions in the book are already adjusted to take this difference into account. When I read this in the sizing guide, I actually got out of my chair and did a little happy dance. Three cheers for patterns that are actually shaped like the women who will be using them!andrdquo; andmdash;The Zen of Making
andldquo;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 donandrsquo;t make a single pencil skirt.andrdquo; andmdash;Generation Q Magazine
andldquo;If you are a fan of the mid-century vintage look, this book is a must-buy. Hirschandrsquo;s instructions are excellent, and use new technologies and techniques that didnandrsquo;t exist 50 years ago.andrdquo; andmdash;Examiner.com
Review
andldquo;Not just a guide to sewing clothes such as cigarette pants, flared skirts, wrap dresses, pinup sweaters, and shift dresses, Hirschandrsquo;s volume explores the fashion landscape of the period as well as the particular challenges of sewing vintage. The book comes with basic patterns and instructions for multiple variations.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Complete with fun illustrations, great photography, and step-by-step directions, the author eases readers in with an illustrated fashion history primer and devotes five chapters to telling us everything we need to know to rock our attempt to sew a vintage wardrobe. With thick paper patterns included in a bulging pack inside the back of cover, this book delivers a massive amount of value well worth the cover price.andrdquo;
Synopsis
Sewers who have ever longed to create clothing with the distinctive look of haute couture will love this book. They'll learn the finer points of hand sewing, shaping, and finishing for a high-end, professional look. This book is for all sewing enthusiasts who appreciate fine workmanship.
Synopsis
The author of "The Fabric Sewing Guide" presents ideas for adding the elegance, detail, and polish of haute couture to home sewing. Detailed instructions and illustrations make high style a snap. 92 color photos. 39 b&w photos. Charts.
Synopsis
The world of haute couture is a place where only a privileged few can ever hope to reside, right? Wrong. Fashion historian Claire B. Shaeffer opened the door to this exclusive realm in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, the industry bible, Couture Sewing Techniques, has been revised and updated throughout — with new photos and a chapter on specialty fabrics. No one can unravel couture garment construction the way Schaeffer can, from the art of hand sewing to mastering edge finishes, from classic closures to shaping a garment for a perfect fit. Readers learn all the basics — and more importantly: how to apply the techniques — on skirts and sleeves, pockets and jackets, evening gowns, and more. Gorgeous photos, clear illustrations, and concise language combine to make this the most complete couture-sewing course available.
Synopsis
A nationally known sewing expert introduces readers to the world of haute couture, sharing the craftmanship of the most skilled artisans in the world, including those in the workrooms of Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Givenchy, and Baleciaga. Photos and illustrations.
Synopsis
The mid-20th century was an amazing time for American womenandrsquo;s fashion! Following the war, women started looking to American designers rather than French couture houses for inspiration and to demand clothing they could move in, even play in. In this follow-up to
Gertieandrsquo;s New Book for Better Sewing, Gretchen andldquo;Gertieandrdquo; Hirsch celebrates the classic casual styles that icons like Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Rosie the Riveter made famousandmdash;think wide-legged trousers, fitted capri pants, beach rompers, shorts, knit tops, jeans, and day dresses. In Part I, Hirsch introduces key techniques for sportswear constructionandmdash;from working with knit fabrics to the intricacies of pant-makingandmdash;and in Part II, she showcases a 30-plus-piece vintage-inspired casual wardrobe.
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About the Author
Gretchen Hirsch is the author of Gertieandrsquo;s New Book for Better Sewing and creator of Gertieandrsquo;s New Blog for Better Sewing. She has a pattern line with Butterick and a fabric line with Fabric Traditions, and teaches sewing around the country and on PBSandrsquo;s Itandrsquo;s Sew Easy, Craftsy.com, and Creativebug.com. Her work has been featured in Sew Stylish, Vogue Patterns, Threads, and Stitch, and on jezebel.com.