Synopses & Reviews
The Book A lively how to and why to sew tutorial that marries attitude and instruction while teaching everything you need to know:
- How to find the right machine, and become one with it
- Essential skills, from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern
- Preparing a workspace
- The Ten Fabric Commandments
- Laying out and cutting patterns
- With step-by-step instructions and full-color photographs and illustrations throughout
The Projects- Cuddle-Up Cardigan
- Tender is the Nightie
- Foxy Boxers
- Canine Couture Coat
- Cape Mod
- Power Tie
- Tokyo Tie Bag
- Lucky Scrap Scarf
- Naughty Secretary Skirt
- Founcy Tank Top
- Knockout Knickers
- And more!
The Patterns Includes ten original patterns—an $80.00 retail value—rated from One Spool (easy) to Three Spools (advanced Beginner) and designed to build skills.
Review
"This is the sewing book I've been waiting for! Like the hippest home-ec teacher on the planet, Diana Rupp guides readers through every step of the process. It's fun, it's inspiration, it's everything you need to know."
—Debbie Stoller, author of Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
Synopsis
It's hip (think Project Runway), it's hot (with a potential audience of 45 million), and it's coming from exactly the right publisher (remember Stitch 'N Bitch and Generation T). Introducing S.E.W, the beginning sewer's bible.
A reinvention of the postwar sewing how-to, here is a hold-your-hand guide that marries attitude and instruction, that speaks the language of today's crafters while teaching them everything they need to know from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern. Diana Rupp, the author, comes from a long line of crafters, and parlayed her passion into a career as the founder of Make Workshop, a unique DIY school that's been written about in Elle, Budget Living, BUST, Real Simple, Time Out, Vogue Patterns, and more. In S.E.W, Rupp brings the workshop home: buying the right machine; setting up a space and furnishing it with the right tools; introducing fabrics—manmade vs. natural fibers, wovens vs. knits, color theory, buying vintage fabric on eBay; the art of laying out a pattern and cutting; and becoming one with your machine, from best posture to seam allowances, buttonholes, zippers, and the finer points of hand-sewing.
Then comes the fun: 25 amazing projects, 8 with patterns included, all handled with clear, step-by-step instructions—gingham wrap skirt, gauchos, drawstring pants, silky top, downtown hobo/laptop bag, patchwork throw, dog sweater, unisex boxers, vintage apron, more.
Synopsis
Learn to make a classically tailored suit that fits perfectly and will never go out of style with this step-by-step guide. From selecting the fabric to the final fit, readers will be guided through the entire process of making pants and jackets for men and women. The book includes over 200 color-coded diagrams that clearly depict the construction process.
About the Author
Peg Couch is an amateur seamstress and book acquisition editor at Fox Chapel Publishing. She served as the style editor for Tree Craft.
Fox Chapel Publishing crafts information for a hands-on world. With over 350 backlist titles, two magazines and over 35 new books each year - Fox Chapel specializes in educating and inspiring crafters working in a variety of mediums including sewing, woodworking and others.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Basics
*Tools and equipment
*Selecting and Preparing Fabrics
*Hand stitches for tailoring
*Understanding patterns
*Laying out, cutting and marking
Chapter 2: Women's Suit
*Fitting jacket and pants in muslin
*Preparing jacket
*Preparing pants
Chapter 3: Man's Suit
*Jackets
*Pants