Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web's most popular sewing blogs: Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. The blog began as a way for readers to follow Hirsch's progress as she stitched all 14 fashions from the iconic 1950s sewing book "Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing" (a "Julie & Julia"-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, "Gertie'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 Gertie's spirited, modern style.
Praise for "Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing: "
"If you read Gertie'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 Gretchen's sewing knowledge in one place." --Martha Stewart.com
"Like her blog, Hirsch'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, there's plenty to learn from this book." --"Library Journal"
"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." --CraftGossip.com
"White paper templates, not tissue These will make it easier to trace." --"Sew Spoiled"
"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." --ThreadBias.com
"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, you'll love this spread " --"Adventures in Dressmaking"
"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." -- EcoSalon.com
"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." --SewNews.com
"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. It's really helpful to take a peek at how another stitcher finishes her seams and keeps the whole thing hanging together--a very clever touch." --"Tilly and the Buttons"
"We love it, and we're so excited to have it in hand. It's wonderful to be able to infuse some "Gertie style" 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." --"Sew Mama Sew"
""Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing" is a fun, new pattern book, featuring sewing patterns that embody author Gretchen Hirsch's fresh take on vintage style."--CRAFTzine.com

"If you read "Gertie'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 Gretchen's sewing knowledge in one place." --MarthaStewartLiving.com
"This is not down-and-dirty sewing, but studied and time consuming. Which is awesome." --"Angry Chicken"
"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 " --"The Zen of Making"
"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." --"Generation Q Magazine"

"If you are a fan of the mid-century vintage look, this book is a must-buy. Hirsch's instructions are excellent, and use new technologies and techniques that didn't exist 50 years ago." --Examiner.com

Elevate your sewing with a bagmaker's secret-cork fabric! Learn how easy it is to work with cork from the innovative designer behind Sallie Tomato patterns. Sew seventeen projects from purses and pouches to gorgeous accessories and home decor. Using only regular sewing tools, you'll love adding cork fabric accents to everything. Cork comes in a rainbow of colours, and it's eco-friendly, maintenance-free, pliable, and hypoallergenic-making it the irresistible choice for all sorts of handmade gifts.

Sewing superstar, Debbie Shore, has designed 40 gorgeous home accessories that can be made using half a yard of fabric or less. The projects are divided into accessories for the Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen and Bedroom, with a special section for picnics. Clear step by step instructions and beautiful photography make it easy to create desirable projects from a tablecloth, magazine box, chair slip, napkins, napkin ring, oven mitt, apron, tea cosy, cafe curtain and jewellery roll, to a picnic place mat, bread bag and bottle bag, and more. Debbie's flair for design and eye for fresh, beautiful fabrics make these home accessories that readers will make to run up for themselves.

Creating your own, stylish clothing has never been simpler than with this book of beautiful, modern patterns for the beginner sewer. Opening with a chapter completely devoted to the fundamentals of sewing, Sew Beautiful makes sure to start you off with all the information you'll need to get stitching in easy-to-learn, accessible pearls of wisdom from prolific designer and seamstress Kennis Wong. Once you've learned how to take your measurements, select the perfect fabric, and all the different ways to sew a seam or hem a garment, you'll be ready to take on any of the designs her book has to offer. Slip into the luxurious Castlepoint Faux Wrap Skirt on a breezy summer day, or bundle up in the cosy Luxor Dolman Sleeve Sweater for a cold autumn night. Going to a fancy event, but can't find anything to wear? Wow everyone when you tell them your Giza Dress is 100% handmade. And with patterns designed for sizes 00 through 20, this book is filled with projects that are sure to flatter any body type. For the craft-lover who has always wanted to make their own clothes, let Sew Beautiful be your guide to a closet full of elegant staples you'll be proud to wear. This book will include 8 patterns with 15 pattern variations and 60 photographs.

Ornaments don't have to be limited to Christmas time! Learn how to make charming felt ornaments that can be displayed and gifted all year-round with this beginner-friendly project guide! Featuring 20 felt ornament patterns arranged by season, step-by-step instructions, guidance on stitching techniques, and coordinating photography, Felt Ornaments for All Occasions will show anyone how to craft with felt and make meaningful decorations and gifts. From hot air balloons, butterflies, camper vans, and seahorses to foxes, black cats, toy soldiers, reindeer, and so much more, this hands-on guide will make you see felt in a whole new light! Author Sylvia Bird is a designer and maker at Tilly & Puffin where she makes hand-stitched ornaments and home decor and offers a range of sewing kits and patterns.

This vintage how-to manual-the first modern American sewing book-provided turn-of-the-century seamstresses with clear instructions for altering patterns, hand-sewing stitches, and creating shirt-blouses, skirts, wedding and evening gowns, coats, maternity wear, undergarments, children's clothing and other apparel. Today's sewing enthusiasts will learn about such lost arts as boning a bodice, creating bust enhancers and other time-honored techniques. An indispensable archive for costume historians and anyone interested in replicating the fashions of yesteryear.

If you have been invited to a baby shower, want to show your support for new parents, or want to make something pretty for your own lovely baby, then Made For Baby is just the book you're looking for! The arrival of a new baby is not only cause for celebration, it's also an opportunity to make handmade gifts. Sewing personalized presents for babies is more popular than everhere, and there's nothing more heart-warming than an exquisite handmade keepsake for a little one. You will find 20 beautiful projects including bibs, blankets, diaper bags, cute stuffed toys, and much more to transform your child's room into a joyful playground. Many of the projects are fat-quarter friendly, so it can be a great way to use up scraps of fabrics you have! The projects are presented with beautiful photography and charmingly illustrated step-by-step instructions. It is perfect for beginners while also giving the more experienced crafter inspirational ideas and patterns.

Create over 30 cute felted animals with this easy-to-use needle felting book. There's something for everyone in this needle felting book, and all the projects are easy to make. Great for all levels, beginners can learn the basics and experienced felters can pick up tips on how to work with new colors and details. Thorough instructions for each project show you how to take wool roving to make the basic shapes and blend them seamlessly. A special step-by-step section shows you how easy even the most complex piece can be, and how any small figure can be made into an accessory you can carry or wear. These cute miniature animals range from the wonderfully realistic to enchantingly adorable. Included in this book are: An Elephant all decked out for festival day A Queen's Guard and a Dutch Girl in traditional dress A Mama Kangaroo with her Joey An enchanting Teddy Bear Cute accessories featuring foods and flags from different lands Felt scenery to set the stage for your felt creations And a lot more! The projects range from about 2-4 inches high and instructions are included for turning a few of your felt creations into fun dangly accessories. A full lesson takes you through one of the projects from beginning to end, covering all the basics to ensure that you have all the skills you need to make any fuzzy friend you want. Put your felting needle to work!

Stitched Textiles: Nature is the fourth title in this successful theme-based series. It contains an extensive section on techniques, featuring step-by-step guides to machine- and hand-stitching, attaching embellishments and found objects to your work; painting and printing on fabrics including cotton, silk and Khadi paper; and using objects found in nature, such as leaves, to make unique and iconic prints. The book includes three beautiful, inspirational projects based on different facets of the natural world: Ocean, Rainforest, Botany, Birds and Animals. Stitched Textiles: Nature also features examples of the author, Stephanie Redfern's own intricate and detailed works based on nature, exploring the means by which the pieces have been created, and the wonderful stories behind Stephanie's journey as an artist. The wealth of information and visual stimuli in Stitched Textiles: Nature is intended to inspire the reader to create their own works inspired by nature. Stephanie begins by exploring the use of sketchbooks and study pages; progressing to picking out iconic elements from sketches and photographs; and eventually assembling a stunning, personal piece of stitched textile work on fabric or on cotton-blend Khadi paper; applying handstitch in metallic threads; machine stitch in whimsical and beautiful patterns; embellishing with natural beads or found objects.

Over 575 illustrations detailing 59 different garments, mainly for women. Introduction and brief instructions.

This pattern book features step-by-step instructions on fitting and sewing pants for women of all body types using the twin techniques of tissue fitting and fabric fitting. Important sewing choices are highlighted, including choosing fabrics, selecting appropriate alteration tools, and finding styles that are most flattering. The fit-as-you-sew process of making pants is illustrated with progressive photographs and step-by-step illustrations. A variety of styles are covered, including non-roll, expandable, and contour waistbands; side seam and patched pockets; and easy hems and cuffs. This updated second edition features refinements to the fitting and sewing information and has added instructions on the fitting and sewing of jeans and no-side-seam pants.

Zakka is a Japanese design aesthetic that combines usefulness with beauty and style. In this book, Sedef Imer has created a collection of simple, pretty, and handy projects inspired by the art of Zakka to help organise and beautify your home. Suitable for all levels of sewists, you will be inspired by these fun and easy-to-sew projects that will brighten and adorn your home.

Fuse two of your passions - knitting and felting - to create gorgeous, woolly animals filled with character. In this incredibly inspirational and unique book, Catherine shows you how to knit, wet felt and needle felt 20 cute creatures that you, your friends and family will love! Whether you love lions, rave over rabbits, are awed by alpacas, crazy for koalas or head over heels for Highland cows, there is a stunning variety of animals for you to choose from and make. Only basic knitting skills are required (cast on, cast/bind off, knit, purl, increase and decrease) and the wet felting process is simpler than you think! Then, once you've stuffed and sewn them up, you'll see how easy it is to needle felt details onto your velvety friend to create a fun and realistic creature! Whatever your skill level, a friendly and comprehensive techniques chapter is included on knitting, wet felting and needle felting, all accompanied by clear, fully-illustrated step-by-step instructions - so you can dive into your designs with confidence and creativity. The tools and materials needed are basic, easy to source and cost very little, making these fuzzy critters perfect for beginner crafters, or more experienced knitters and felters looking for fresh ideas and effortless projects.

"Haute homespun out of the Deep South." That's how Vogue magazine has described the fashion of Natalie Chanin. Alabama Stitch Book brings us a collection of projects and stories from her clothing and lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin, known for the cutting-edge twist it puts on tried-and-true sewing, quilting, and embroidery techniques, applied mostly by hand to recycled cotton jersey.This long-awaited book from Chanin begins with her story. After living in New York and Vienna for over 20 years, she began to transform cotton T-shirts into high fashion using the needlework skills she learned as a child in Florence, Alabama. When she moved home, Chanin hired local women (many of whom had worked in the state's now defunct textile factories) to stitch her couture collections with her.What follows is a step-by-step guide to the stitching, stenciling, and beading techniques used in the 20 projects showcased in the book: T-shirts, skirts, and corsets that are sold at chic shops around the world, plus a journal cover, sampler quilt, and tablecloth, among others. Also included are a pullout stencil, perforated postcard for bead-embroidery, and reusable patterns. Throughout are Robert Rausch's beautiful photographs set against the back roads, farms, and homesteads of the rural South.

30 easy-to-make, stylish decorations all made from felt. The book includes templates, a comprehensive techniques section, guide to embroidery stitches and beautiful hand-drawn illustrations to accompany every project. The fabulous projects include mug hugs, hanging decorations, seasonal decorations, pillows, ornaments, wall-organisers, brooches, children's toys and much more.

This is a fantastic new free-hand cutting technique giving quilters the opportunity to let their creativity run wild. Save those scraps! Discover the joy of creating collage-style quilts without rules and measurements with this fantastic new free-hand cutting technique from award-winning quilter Susan Carlson. "Serendipity Quilts" features four beautiful, colour-rich projects that go from beginner to advanced, giving quilters everywhere the confidence to let their imaginations run wild and create the quilts they've always dreamed of.

Count down to Christmas with Debbie Shore. Sew unique, personalised advent calendars for your loved ones, and fill them with their favourite festive treats and handpicked goodies that they'll really treasure. There are 20 designs included, from traditional flat-pocket calendars to hanging cones and festive pouches, for both adults and children alike, along with a treat-filled calendar for the family dog! The book contains all the techniques needed to make the calendars, and every project is shown clearly step-by-step, with helpful tips and advice throughout. Using Debbie's friendly and easy-to-follow instructions, it's time to get crafty and create a new festive family tradition!

A comprehensive introduction to the basic techniques of pattern design for clothing. More and more women are making their own clothes but there are few comprehensive references available. For the most part, dedicated sewers have had to adjust standardised patterns or muddle their way through foreign-language books. In Practical Pattern Making two pattern-making experts and designers introduce the basic techniques of creative pattern design for clothing. It is intended to help fashion students, designers and enthusiastic sewers develop and create a variety of styles, regardless of complexity. The book uses photographs, examples, diagrams and templates to explain all of the techniques, formulas and professional tricks to create a custom-tailored skirt, suit or dress. The tutorial style poses questions that encourage problem-solving.Features include: * How to measure the body, with 13 illustrative photographs * Blank professional worksheets to copy and use * 40 scaled pattern templates with all markings * How to draw and mark a sized pattern with darts, pleats and so on * Modelling and draping to design and fit a pattern * Working with fabric grain and bias * Photos of garments in process and finished * The 40 garment selections begin with a basic skirt and progress from a fitted jacket and suit to an asymmetrical balloon dress, flounce dress, tissue dresses and more. All require just a few pattern pieces.

Containing 6 wonderful step-by-step projects and ideas for many more, this highly practical guide is aimed at those who are new to doll making, as well as more experienced needlecrafters. It contains the best of Jan Horrox's previous titles: Introduction to Making Cloth Dolls and Making Fantasy Cloth Dolls. Jan's beautiful dolls are exquisitely made, yet by breaking the process down into easy-to-follow steps, they become surprisingly easy to achieve. Full of character and life, Jan's dolls are made using a wide range of colourful fabrics, trims, ribbons and buttons and are ideal for using up scraps and oddments of materials. There are clear, step-by-step instructions for making hands and feet, making hair, and needlesculpting and painting the exquisite faces to really bring the dolls to life. There are also instructions for making webbed fingers and delicate fairy wings as well as a mermaid's tail. Full-size templates for all the body pieces are supplied at the back of the book. With 6 projects to choose from, including fairies, wood nymphs, mermaids, witches and a steampunk doll, this book provides all the means and inspiration you need to make your own gorgeous dolls.

Melissa walks you through the process step-by step, from a comprehensive lesson on drawing the face, to translating your sketch into fabric, to stabilising the piece with stitching, to incorporating your stylised face into a finished project, whether it's a pillow, tote, shirt, or stretched canvas. Learn how to make a variety of eyes, noses, lips, hair, and face shapes, as well as how to create facial features in just the right proportions. You'll be amazed by how much the final portrait resembles your subject.