tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post1105200259145733065..comments2024-03-27T22:07:57.614-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: My Ten Favorite Sewing BooksCarolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-78921518060038757552007-09-02T17:56:00.000-04:002007-09-02T17:56:00.000-04:00You're a bad influence on me. First I bought a ne...You're a bad influence on me. First I bought a new sewing machine, then a dress form, then I got a new job (so I could afford more stuff ;-p), and I just ordered this book. Yours is still my favorite sewing blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-90889588040175751402007-08-28T09:54:00.000-04:002007-08-28T09:54:00.000-04:00How come I want everything I see in your blog? Are...How come I want everything I see in your blog? Are you the Joneses that I'm supposed to keep up with?<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you don't live next door! I'd go broke trying to be just like you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02588163317389814730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-10662973611221708062007-08-26T07:11:00.000-04:002007-08-26T07:11:00.000-04:00You have a great selection of sewing books! I alre...You have a great selection of sewing books! I already have most of the books you listed as favorites since like you I've been collecting them. My favorites are the Claire Chaeffer's books (I have most of them) and the Susan Khalje's. I also love vintage sewing books and the one I treasure the most is Clothing Construction by Evelyn Mansfield.Tanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01073735708031525696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-71140256385030830502007-08-26T05:29:00.000-04:002007-08-26T05:29:00.000-04:00Carolyn, this is a great list. When I restarting s...Carolyn, this is a great list. <BR/>When I restarting sewing for myself I wanted to acquire more skills. Till then I only had two basic Knip and Burda books, which are fine for basic techniques, but I wanted more information on fitting and the more advanced techniques. <BR/><BR/>As I could not find good Dutch books I started with Power sewing from Sandra Betzina, which was so inspiring.<BR/>Now I own a few books that are helpfull to me and mention those in the sidebar of my blog (I second the idea of Beth to do that too). <BR/><BR/>Your dress making book seems to me a 'must have'. Look forward to the other reviews of your books, so that I can extend my wish list. It is so difficult to buy (expensive) books when you have no idea if it is worthwhile (but more than $100 is too expensive for me).Sigridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16187364244385056641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-51820922761188227072007-08-25T16:38:00.000-04:002007-08-25T16:38:00.000-04:00great list, made a note to check a couple of those...great list, made a note to check a couple of those out, Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-79935807920914548302007-08-25T13:10:00.000-04:002007-08-25T13:10:00.000-04:00"Decorative Dressmaking" is one of the best for br..."Decorative Dressmaking" is one of the best for brainstorming. I include along with it "Easy Style" by Elsebeth Gynther and the Kate Matthews books you mentioned. I think there is something about the way these books are designed that makes them so inspiring. The variety of illustrations and photographs and the degree to which they are…unclear or simple, allows the mind toreally take the information and run.<BR/>My latest library addition: "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" by Helen Joseph Armstrong.<BR/><BR/>WHOA-Mommy!Anna R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03900196845196932912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-54364830303537506502007-08-25T11:09:00.000-04:002007-08-25T11:09:00.000-04:00Well, thanks to you, Carolyn, I'm a little poorer ...Well, thanks to you, Carolyn, I'm a little poorer than I was 10 minutes ago, having tracked down a reasonably priced copy of That Book. At least it's not my fault. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-24581040787456905052007-08-25T08:47:00.000-04:002007-08-25T08:47:00.000-04:00fantastic list, Carolyn. "Decorative Dressmaking" ...fantastic list, Carolyn. "Decorative Dressmaking" looks like a real prize - and now there are hundreds of us searching for a copy!robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17333892070928000033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-48198799833656283402007-08-25T06:47:00.000-04:002007-08-25T06:47:00.000-04:00I have just been over to Amazon and Decorative Dr...I have just been over to Amazon and Decorative Dressmaking starts at $104!! I think you have just increased the price...lolVickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529416439720810403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-42698201282445018272007-08-25T06:45:00.000-04:002007-08-25T06:45:00.000-04:00Great collection. My favourite jacket book is the...Great collection. My favourite jacket book is the Cecelia Podolak book too. And I have a few others as well. You are tempting me with that Decorative Dressmaking book!Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529416439720810403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-7290847866067124232007-08-24T19:42:00.000-04:002007-08-24T19:42:00.000-04:00Wow, Carolyn, I have a lot of the same books. You...Wow, Carolyn, I have a lot of the same books. Your last book I have never seen or heard of before that I can recall. It looks like a great book to have as part of a sewing library. I really look forward to your "book reviews".Linda Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12655695696943452993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-83499013593245018682007-08-24T19:35:00.000-04:002007-08-24T19:35:00.000-04:00I am really in trouble now. I peeped in at your b...I am really in trouble now. I peeped in at your blog today and when I saw the title I said "oh no". I am a real book fiend. I am leaving this comment even before I read the post. I'll let you know later what your list inspires me to put on my MUST HAVE LIST.Faye Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02781186043996633965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29712114375788414842007-08-24T18:18:00.000-04:002007-08-24T18:18:00.000-04:00You have a wonderful collection, and you've pointe...You have a wonderful collection, and you've pointed out a few I'll have to look for. I would include in my Top 10: Clotilde's Sew Smart and David Coffin's Shirtmaking. For Best Supporting Role in a Series: the Time-Life books published in the 70s. Each one is bound in a fabric appropriate for the book topic: tweed for Tailoring, Corduroy for sportwear, snakeskin vinyl for Novelty Materials, etc. Some of the info is outdated, but as collector's items, they're fun to have. I've been finding them at used bookstores online and locally. Ah, the thrill of the hunt!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29042123507229689682007-08-24T17:07:00.000-04:002007-08-24T17:07:00.000-04:00Great post - I have a few of those. The two I rea...Great post - I have a few of those. The two I really like and use in my sewing are Bridal Couture by Susan Khalje and Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Schaeffer.Summersethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00364235843222794829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-67523602453620960332007-08-24T16:18:00.000-04:002007-08-24T16:18:00.000-04:00I must have scored big! I just bought Decorative ...I must have scored big! I just bought Decorative Dressmaking (hardcover) 2 weeks ago from an Amazon.com seller for only $3.99! There are about 12 copies available right now on Amazon and some have reasonable prices, I think (less than $30).<BR/><BR/>Someone at Pattern Review was gushing about it and when I found it for only $4, I decided to add it to my collection. It is extremely inspiring, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>JulieDr. Julie-Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17089005785568027219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-18299307745687352482007-08-24T12:06:00.000-04:002007-08-24T12:06:00.000-04:00What a great library you have! I plan on adding s...What a great library you have! I plan on adding some of these titles to mine.Erica Bunkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07023668349294387098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-33809911600113313962007-08-24T11:21:00.000-04:002007-08-24T11:21:00.000-04:00Carolyn - I have that Decorative Dressmaking book,...Carolyn - I have that Decorative Dressmaking book, I also have the same 3 Weekend Sewers books which I love. My next book purchase is going to be the vogue book. I recently sent that to friend who is just getting started sewing. ggMariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03393380099409765165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-70684824830575641062007-08-24T11:09:00.000-04:002007-08-24T11:09:00.000-04:00Thanks for posting your list. I've just started to...Thanks for posting your list. I've just started to get sewing books and some of the ones listed are already on my "to get" list.<BR/><BR/>I think the Decorative Dress Making will have to go near the top!!<BR/><BR/>Can't wait to read your thoughts on the others.Janiméhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08026290749080406453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-4141356475044393992007-08-24T10:48:00.000-04:002007-08-24T10:48:00.000-04:00There are a lot of sewing resources on vintagesewi...There are a lot of sewing resources on vintagesewing.com. My favorite sewing book is Make It Your Own, by Ronda Cheney. http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Star-Wear/dp/0801983800/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6186360-4304015?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187966711&sr=1-1<BR/>This was the first book I ever saw that explained and showed how to change patterns to add pleats, godets, and other decorative details.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-5906113984438842092007-08-24T09:34:00.000-04:002007-08-24T09:34:00.000-04:00This is a very good list of sewing resources. I g...This is a very good list of sewing resources. I gave my Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing along with a sewing machine to my daughter-in-law a few years ago--I freaked when I saw the machine sitting on the floor--but I don't believe she has used them yet. To be fair, a family of 4 lives in the tinest home of about 600 sf.<BR/><BR/>One of my favoite books, which I have had since he mid-80's is "The Custom Touch," Creative Guide to Sewing Techniques by Mary J. Wadlington. It is still available at Amazon.com at a very reasonable price. This books teaches, in a very friendly, common sense manner, how to take your basic block and draft your own patterns and then provides you with construction order.<BR/><BR/>I'd love Decorative Dressmaking, but can't afford right now.patsijeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362426384481772370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28302536837128315732007-08-24T08:37:00.000-04:002007-08-24T08:37:00.000-04:00I think this list would be a great and useful addi...I think this list would be a great and useful addition to your sidebar. <BR/><BR/>I only have The Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing and I've never read it cover to cover. I've only used it for reference though it has gotten me out of many a jam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-47855221549377692252007-08-24T06:55:00.000-04:002007-08-24T06:55:00.000-04:00Great list, Carolyn. I have all the books except ...Great list, Carolyn. I have all the books except for the Weekend Sewers series. Yes, I even have Decorative Dressmaking which I love and would never part with. I would like to add two other books which I find invaluable, Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide and David Page Coffin's Shirtmaking.MarilynBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15065506338445261303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-1593621826644150632007-08-24T00:27:00.000-04:002007-08-24T00:27:00.000-04:00You have a great collection! I have several of the...You have a great collection! I have several of the singer books and love them!Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818182968849661620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-80813466397640317952007-08-23T23:37:00.000-04:002007-08-23T23:37:00.000-04:00What a great idea for a post!I have all but 2 of t...What a great idea for a post!<BR/><BR/>I have all but 2 of the books on your list! My sewing, craft, and fashion books take up almost a full wall of my sewing room. I guess when I'm not sewing, I'm reading about sewing...<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to your posts that go through each book!NancyDaQhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609215745927535353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-43934660153230302112007-08-23T23:15:00.000-04:002007-08-23T23:15:00.000-04:00I have many/most of the books on your list and lov...I have many/most of the books on your list and love them too. I especially like Painless Sewing. When I first started getting back into sewing, this was a great resource for me.Nancy Winninghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01291320098379550586noreply@blogger.com