My Rowenta is leaking. It's been leaking for a minute and I've been gingerly prodding it along. Last weekend, was too much for me though and I decided that it's time for my baby to be replaced. Now I know that some people get annoyed when their irons start to leak after a few years but I've put mine through the paces and realize that a household iron is NOT suppose to get that kind of a work-out. So I carted another one home tonight. I bought it from the Williams Sonoma in the Time Warner Center and I was surprised that it cost the same as the one I bought from Bed, Bath & Beyond 4 years ago!
While I was there, I went upstairs to Borders and looked in the Crafts section. Sewing books have changed alot since I first started buying them. I think the books that I bought years ago were more technique driven or fit oriented. Sewing books today seem to be all about the fast, quick and flashy! This of course is just my opinion and if it helps bring younger people to the Art of Sewing then I'm all for it!
I did buy two books. You know I didn't leave without something right! *LOL* I bought the new Wendy book, "Built by Wendy Dresses" by Wendy Mullin which has been reviewed all over sewing blogland.
Regarding my last post, I'm glad that other people use sewing journals too. They really are a valuable resource and interesting to review your progress a few years later.
Finally, thank you to everyone who have left such wonderfully nice comments on my last two garments. I haven't worn either of them to work yet but I probably will this week.
...and as always, more later!
I like the pattern drafting book, or at least the cover and what it is about. I may have to go looking for this myself. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeletethe second book looks good enough to add to my library.
ReplyDeletewhen I look in the new book section at the library all that appears are books about fast, easy and in an afternoon. we are not the market obviously.
Nice book purchases. They do look interesting. Good luck with the weekend sewing :)
ReplyDeleteCan you put a review of the books up when you get a chance? I'd like your thoughts on them.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading your blog for about a year or so, though this is the first time I have commented. Thank you for your time and dedication to this blog.
I always browse the craft book section and you are right about the newer books being geared to quick fast and easy lol
ReplyDeleteI don't buy many books though, I've been requesting from the library more now.
Please let us know how you like the books.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the pattern drafting book too. I'll have to check that one out. I agree with you on keeping a sewing journal. Although I don't "technically" keep one, my blog is centered around logging 10,000 hours of sewing time---so it's my sewing journal of sorts. Thanks for all your helpful info and I love reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteI've had bad luck with Rowenta irons. I know they are not supposed to last forever, but they always fall ill before I think they should.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to take a closer look at the Lee Hollahan book. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
I agree that the sewing books have changed. They used to be about technique and providing a good foundation for sewing. Now they all seem to be about "quick and dirty" sewing. I really don't see transferable skills being taught.
ReplyDeleteI just love my vintage sewing books! There really haven't been any in the last few years that I've had any interest in buying. However, I did just order these two from Amazon on your recommendation. :-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, haven't seen the second book. Looks interesting. My Rowenta is leaking in a big way too. I bought a Black & Decker dry iron as a back-up until it fails completely.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. Sewing books today are the young, flashy, unstructured quick study. If it brings young people into sewing,wonderful. I have looked at a few and they are just a little too un, well, unskilled, if you know what I mean. But when I started out, I was surely unskilled, enthusiastic but unskilled.
ReplyDeleteI want to make another dress, but want to do something different and think the books you recommended may be what I need. Looking forward to your review of the books.
ReplyDeleteI purchased the Shark Intelligent Electronic Iron, so far its been almost 2 years and holding up.
I'd also love to see a review of the second book-- I do have a tendency to play with patterns, but if I can learn to do it in a more intelligent manner than just winging it, I'm all for that!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a kick back from Amazon. I bought the book because of your recommendation. It is a topic that I'm interest in, but your recommendation was the clincher.
ReplyDeleteOn the Iron, my DH pointed out how much I am using my Rowenta compared to how I used my other irons. Also that ~ I ~ me, myself, I and no one else, misthreaded the stopper. When I "did the numbers" comparing the number of hours I used my Rowenta compared to the number of hours I used my previous irons, well I bought the more expensive 8030 from Allbrands.
Chiming in to say, would also love to hear your review of the two books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the sewing inspiration!
I've been eyeing that first book as well as her book focused on knits. Hmmmm, I do have a B&N giftcard burning a hole in my pocket.... ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm always on the hunt for new sewing resources + I had no idea there was a third 'Built by Wendy' book! And I must say, I just adore the 'Fat Day' dresses - you look stunning!
ReplyDeletexo
raven
The book How to use, adapt and design sewing patterns, How is it..can you take a few pictures of the inside of the book so that we can get a better ideal about what the book is offering?? Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand "fast & easy" because if you pick an easy pattern that looks like a bag in the diagram - it will look like a bag on you! Hear, hear for darts, t-shirts with center back seams, a nicely top-stitched pocket. I would rather spend the extra time. And also with finishing - today's patterns don't even tell you how to finish the seams - like flat felling a crotch seam or using a French seam on light-weight blouses. Little hints would be nice - like to put bias tape on the exposed waistband, etc. We spend alot of money on our machines, notions, patterns, fabric - I want a finished garmet that looks nice - I don't want someone to say with a sarcastic knowing voice - oh, did you MAKE that? The 2nd book you got looks interesting - will have to look into it.
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