The most recent edition of this classic text is kept at the 5th Floor Main Stacks TT515\u00a0.V63 2000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is the book that some friends had as their basic sewing text.\u00a0 It’s a good basic book.\u00a0 The glossaries\u00a0 address how-to for seam finishes, hand stitching, and fabric types.\u00a0 It includes some basic color theory, and has excellent illustrations of fabric layout.\u00a0 One good feature is an appendix of seam finishes, but Denise and I agreed that the diagrams weren’t the clearest, and the information seemed very text-heavy, instead of being presented in simpler step-by-step instructions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reader’s Digest New complete guide to sewing :\u00a0step-by-step techniques for making clothes and home accessories <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ok, so I’m biased.\u00a0 I admit it.\u00a0 This is the book that I used for my first tailoring class about 30 years ago, and I still think it’s the best comprehensive how-to for any kind of sewing project.\u00a0 I still consult it any time I put a zipper in.\u00a0 It has an excellent glossary of fabric types that gives short references to the fiber content and end uses.\u00a0 Denise comments that this is really a great book for anyone who wants to sew, from the newest beginner to the most experience connoisseur.\u00a0 Fitting, tools, and machines are explained.\u00a0 Each technique is described and illustrated very simply step-by-step.\u00a0 The range of construction details presented is impressive.\u00a0 I still have the copy I bought 28 years ago, but the current edition (2010) is so good that Denise just bought herself a copy.\u00a0 And the new one doesn’t have the ’70s-era design projects in the back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Couture Sewing Techniques<\/a> by Claire Schaeffer<\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor Main Stacks\u00a0 TT515 .S483<\/strong><\/p>\n As the title states, this book is focused on couture<\/em>: the development, romance, and construction techniques that comprise the made-to-measure industry.\u00a0 The 1994 edition (see the cover on the left) of this book lacks visuals.\u00a0 It was revised in 2001 and again in 2011 (the cover below on the right), and each version gets more comprehensive and more visually engaging.\u00a0 It’s got a lot of good information, including a good introduction to what “couture” is and how it evolved, as well as a lot of analysis of influential couture pieces, including images of their under-structure and details about how to reproduce them.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the visuals aren’t as clear as some of the other books we discuss, and there is an awful lot of wordy explanation.\u00a0 Despite the great information in the text, even someone as bookish as I am is unlikely to read long paragraphs in a how-to book.\u00a0 This book is intended for an advanced stitcher, and one with an interest in fashion history.\u00a0 Some of the other titles we’re discussing are easier for a beginner or intermediate-level stitcher to follow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gertie\u2019s new book for better sewing :\u00a0a modern guide to couture-style sewing using basic vintage techniques<\/a> by Gretchen Hirsch<\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor, Main Stacks TT515\u00a0.H57 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n This book offers a specific point of view: the central goal is to teach beginners to sew by recreating the vintage-y look of the author, Gertie.\u00a0 Gertie has a blog which you can find here:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.blogforbettersewing.com\/p\/projects.html<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Her sewing book contains a short glossary of some more commonly used fabrics, patterns for some vintage-styled garments, and clear directions in order to make them.\u00a0 What Denise and I like about this book is that it contains a lot of good problem solving how-to information, along with a solid range of simple patternmaking and basic sewing techniques.\u00a0 In addition, she provides clear instructions for finishing and tailoring techniques used frequently in mid-twentieth century ready-to-wear.\u00a0 Gertie also describes the logic behind commercial patterns, like the fact they have an antiquated fitting rubric that still includes a lot more ease than is useful.\u00a0 In answer to these fit issues, she sized her patterns using herself as the standard 8, which is probably more friendly for the larger spread of the current American woman.\u00a0 The illustrations aren’t as clear as the more technically-styled Reader’s Digest\u00a0 ones, but this book may challenge the imagination of the inexperienced stitcher who wants to develop her own style.\u00a0 Plus, she offers insights into the great details that make clothes of the 40s and 50s so funky and distinctive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing<\/a> by Anna Zapp<\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor Main Stacks, TT515 .Z22 2004\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n This book offers good solutions to fit problems, and good real-life images to demonstrate.\u00a0 An odd feature Denise and I noticed is that the examples are all constructed in dark fabrics, which makes it more difficult to see the contrast in the construction layering.\u00a0 The book is very focused on suiting and “professional” clothes, and rather limited in techniques shown, but those it demonstrates are clearly done and have many helpful hints.\u00a0 The book only covers the basics involved in a fusible-interfaced pantsuit, but it is clearly done, including great tips for fitting and adjusting a commercial patterns, and the steps for working the jacket details are also well explained.\u00a0 While it doesn’t offer the most elegant tailoring techniques, it will help the reader construct a suit.\u00a0 This is a good intermediate-level reference for someone wanting to produce a well-fitting garment quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I Love to Sew<\/a> by Barbara Corrigan<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/books.google.com\/books\/about\/I_love_to_sew.html?id=SFkkAQAAMAAJ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor Main Stack\u00a0 TT 712 .C65<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a very simple book with a workbook of basic handstitches.\u00a0 It includes a description of most basic sewing tools such as pins, needles and chalk, but pressing tools are excluded.\u00a0 Denise liked the\u00a0 discussion of how to thread a needle and keep sewing machine oiled.\u00a0\u00a0 After that, however, the book takes an odd turn into crafting applications like fringing fabric, embroidery stitches, and making accessories, like small bags or pillows.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Published in 1974, it reads like a hippie accessories manual for the non-sewing beginner.\u00a0\u00a0 We have a lot of much better books!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Basic Knowledge of Sewing<\/a> by the Juki Corporation<\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor Main Stack\u00a0 TT713 .J85 1991<\/strong><\/p>\n This unusual book is more of a maintenance manual than a sewing guide, including technical adjustments to improve needle placement in order to troubleshoot machine stitching. It includes detailed descriptions of how the different parts of the machine, feed dogs, needles, bobbin, and timing feeds all move in concert to create a row of machine stitching.\u00a0\u00a0 While it describes a particular series of Juki industrial machines (like many found in the C building), it gives a good overview of how lockstitch machines work in general.\u00a0\u00a0 If you’re curious about how the machine works, we recommend you take a look.\u00a0 But for construction instruction, we have much better resources.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sewing 101<\/a> by Creative Publishing International, Inc.\u00a0 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n 5th Floor Main Stacks, TT705 .S465 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n This book comes with a detailed, step-by-step DVD where an unnamed author takes the viewer through the details of making a garment and reading a pattern.\u00a0\u00a0 The video takes time to show the viewer each step of some really basic sewing projects.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The book includes clear photographs of the sewing machine mechanisms, including how a stitch (standard lockstitch machine) comes together, how to thread different kinds of bobbins, how to troubleshoot messy seams, how to finish seam allowances for different kinds of fabrics, plus a rundown of handstitches.\u00a0 Detailed photographs about tools and products are included, with descriptions.\u00a0 I like the fact that it shows types of tools that are readily available in WalMart or Michaels, but still includes some more esoteric tools like the ones we learn to use here at FIT.\u00a0\u00a0 Denise loved the detailed breakdown of how to cut out a variety of fabrics, including working with knits and matching patterns, each with careful pics.\u00a0 I liked the format, too.\u00a0 It’s spiral bound, so it will stay flat easily on the worktable while one refers to it.\u00a0 We both found the photographs of taking personal measurements to be especially clear and understandable, and also appreciated the instructions on how to use a commercial pattern.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, the book walks the reader through some simple items that everyone woman wears, like pull-on skirts, pants, and T-shirts.\u00a0 There’s nothing advanced in here and the clothes are pretty dowdy, but the instructions are clear and solid.\u00a0 Denise immediately bought herself a copy of this one.\u00a0 This book is a comprehensive alternative to the Reader’s Digest Guide mentioned above, especially if one learns better from photographs and film clips than from diagrams.<\/p>\n Other titles in the series are described here:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.creativepub.com\/categories\/232\/Sewing.html<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Apparel: Design, Textiles and Construction<\/a> by Louise A. Liddell and Carolee S. Samuels<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.fitnyc.edu\/volumesandissues\/files\/2013\/09\/voguesew.jpg\")
<\/a>However, several earlier editions are filed on the 5th floor, in the Main Stacks:\u00a0 The Vogue\/Butterick<\/em> step-by-step guide to sewing techniques, published in 1998 is shelved at\u00a0 TT705\u00a0.V64 1998.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>5th floor Main Stacks TT705\u00a0.N48 2002b<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n