Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Monday, November 27, 2017

The Savvy Seamstress - It's a real book!


This box of books arrived a couple of weeks ago. A slight glitch behind the scenes means that it's taken this long to post about it here. But here is The Savvy Seamstress.


As I've mentioned before, the concept behind the book is that once you have a pattern for a garment, you can keep changing design features on it to make it into many different garments.


For example, a casual short sleeved shirt (or pyjama top) can become a classic long-sleeved shirt with cuffs, collar stand and button placket. These are teeny little boy's shirts, but the same could be done for mens' or womens' garments.


It's the way I make most of the clothes that get made around here - for myself and for my girl - and the same processes can be used for tweaking designs from basic blocks/slopers.


I've already used my book a few times to help explain things to my Fashion students... which is how I originally came up with the idea of writing it.


All the processes are broken down into baby-steps, with cheat's methods for getting a better finish. It's not about couture - more of a blend of industrial fashion production sewing and handmade techniques, which is how I sew when I'm sewing for myself.


I've included simple processes to get beginners started - pockets and closures - but I've included a few more advanced methods, like draping new necklines and making classic shirt collars.There are lots of diagrams and photos to help you through...


It's a strange thing to write a book... to work so closely on a document that you can no longer actually 'see' it. Trying to turn off my critical eye is a tricky thing. But I'm the author and that's what authors do. You are the audience, and I hope that you like it and find it useful. 

Go forth and tweak those patterns. Make beautiful garments!

BTW - my critical eye spotted a little mistake (which makes me feel a bit sick...).
Page 45, Step 1: inside brackets should read "or fuse a strip of interfacing" instead of "sew stay tape". Not a big one, but still... that critical eye. I'm sorry that this slipped through the multiple edits and checks that were made in the making of this book. We did our very best.



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Back to it

Ahhh... back to the school routine.  School holidays are over. 
 
I know that many parents find that a bit sad, but as a small-business-running single parent with a few very pressing deadlines, I must admit to doing a little happy dance (and having a swim) after school drop-off this morning.
 
In preparation for the new school year, one of the holiday projects the girl and I made was a new lunch bag (based on the project in One Yard Wonders... tweaked slightly).
As is our new way of doing things, it was a joint effort (and I was allowed to advise). 
 
The smallest of us did the quilting...

And the largest did the very fiddly bits. 
 
The smallest was so excited as we packed her lunch this morning (I only hope it encourages her to actually eat her lunches, this year...).
 
To get into the study mood, she began a 'research' (or "reserch") book.  I love her synthesis of the books she's reading (and her little back-to-front Fs). 


We also had some lovely mail over the holidays....
These beauties from Lara's new shop....
And almost-edible fabric (and postcard) from Yardage...
 
..and ..ahem...a bit more from Yardage... 

I also finally got around to picking up this book for my little resource library. 

And in between times, I've used evey spare minute (and a few too many graveyard-shifts) working on the new book.
 
I'm looking forward to being able to work in normal daytime hours now, and the girleen is very happy to be back with her friends, and the non-stop stimulation and structure that school provides for her over-active mind.

Back to it, then....

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Now.... where was I?

I've finally emerged from too many flu-hazed days and nights in bed.

Everything is where I dropped it last week, when I gave in and collapsed into fevered delirium.  Now I'm back and there appears to be a new layer of stuff on top of the the debris from what feels like a previous life (one where I was a functioning, working person).  I'm trying to make sense of it all. 
Please excuse me if you were expecting a call or email from me in the last week that hasn't been forthcoming.  I'm slowly getting to grips with the task of catching up, although I'm still not 100% (probably not even 30%.... but that's a great impovement) and the wee girl is still wan and listless and breaking my heart. 

Many thanks to the pattern-testers who have been helping with the development of the new pattern.   We're seeing lots of light at the end of that particular tunnel.

Somewhere before the full force of the flu-daze hit, Addicted To Fabric organised to fly me up to Canberra again before the year is out.  We've locked in the 13th and 14th October.  I think the waiting lists were getting a bit silly (thanks for making me feel so wanted, folks!!), so it now means that if you missed out on the zipper workshop, you'll get another chance to do that one.  We haven't settled on the second class for that weekend, but I'll keep you posted about it (or you can enquire at A2F).

Oh, and in sock news.... ( I just remembered and took these photos under glaring daylight lamp, for want of actual daylight.  Hmmm... it's just not the same, is it?)
It turns out that this lace chart-reading business is not as difficult as I imagined.  The whole thing was going great-guns until the flu bugs brought out the VERY BIG GUNS INDEED and knocked all plans for a sock finish back by about 5 days. 

In non-craft-related news...
If you're at all familar with the author Wendy Orr's wonderful children's books, you may also know that the film of Nim's Island is about to be followed up with a sequel (this time with Bindi Irwin in the lead role as Nim).
What you may not know is that Wendy has just put together a Nim's Island-themed eBook of activities for kids.  Amazon's blurb captures it better than I can, so I've copied and pasted it -

Inspired by a ‘Nim’s Island Coconut Cookbook’ sent to her by a classroom of young fans, Wendy Orr has collected recipes, activities and teaching notes from Nim’s friends around the world.

This is an Australian National Year of Reading 2012 project, with all proceeds going to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. “The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) advocates and raises funds for Indigenous literacy, to improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions.”

I reckon that at $3.50, it's a very affordable way to contribute to something VERY important and (it being school holidays here) will help those of us with primary-school-age kids inject new ideas into the holiday-entertainment repertoire. Win-win.

Wendy was my next-door neighbour when I was a teenager.  She was a young mum then, who had left Canada and the glamour of international travel to follow her heart ...  all the way to a small farm in country Victoria.  (Being a dreamy teenager who was desperate to LEAVE that particular part of country Victoria, I thought she must have loved that husband of hers an awful lot!)*   Wendy was interesting and generous with her time (and she liked sewing), and I loved spending time with her and her kids.  I thought she was fantastic (and I still do), so it's always a thrill to see one of her books in a store (especially this one) and I hope that the new eBook is a great success and raises much-needed funding for a great cause.
 
*And for want of a better picture to finish things off, here's one to explain that line about where I grew up.  I dreamed of art and fashion and nightclubs and people and theatre... and this was pretty-much the 360-degree vista and all the excitement that it offered to an imaginative young mind. 


I think that's where I'm up to on the news front... for now, at least. It's taken hours to write this, for some reason.

Next job is focusing on being well enough to teach in Adelaide on the weekend, and trying to turn this feeling around...
 


I'm off to make myself a hot whiskey, find that book I was about to start reading (pre-flu) and have an early night.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Books and Research ...and your opinion, please....

Anyone who knows me - or reads this blog regularly - would know that I love a book or two.  And if you look closely enough (at all the little bookmarks in the books) you can see that I use my library all the time.
This morning, when I checked my bank accounts, it became clear that the long weekend just gone was indeed a booky one.   There is evidence of spending at Fishpond, Amazon and two local bricks-and-mortar bookshops.  It also included a trip to my studio-library for a few quiet hours of research.
I was totally distracted by this, one of my favorite, favourite books..... I especially love the pages that are like a still version of Downton Abbey (...does anyone else miss dialogue because they're focused on a cuff detail?).
..anyway... it had nothing to do with what I was researching.

I also pulled out my Enid's....

Lately, I have too many ideas for bags, purses, hats and clothing.  For the first time in a long time, I'm scribbling in a sketchbook to get them out of my head.... trying to decide which way to take each idea.... pattern, class... book? 

I was looking through my book collection and online, to see where the gaps are (what's out there and what isn't) and found myself researching children's clothing ...looking at the gap between the elastic-waisted-pants-books and the advanced dressmaking books.  And I was looking at details  - zips, pockets, straps and closures - that can be used to transform a basic garment or bag into something special.

Where do YOU see the gaps?    And - knowing what I do (and knowing that I don't need actual design ideas) - what would you like to see me put into book form? 

Saturday, February 25, 2012

In the Library

Anyone would think my bookshelf could hold more books....
I had an Amazon gift card at xmas time and pre-ordered the Shape Shape book along with the Collette Sewing Handbook.   They arrived yesterday.

I was looking forward to the arrival of both.  I'd looked through Lara's Collette book and had instantly realised that it's a must-have for my sewing reference library.   The Shape Shape book was one I looked forward to as a surprise package, because ... well, it's a Japanese clothing book that promises "garments that can be worn in multiple ways".  My kind of thing, really...

 
 I must say, it's not quite as inspiring as I'd hoped.  I was anticipating the clever-clever design ideas of  Pattern Magic and Drape Drape callibre. 
 There are more accessories, old ideas and basic garments than I'd like to see in a book that promised a bit more...all very beautifully presented with to-die-for eye-candy styling, of course.... but it's a bit light-on for knock-your-socks-off inspiration.
 The Colette book is quite a different kettle of fish.  It's purpose for me is purely to add to my bustin-out-all-over reference library.
 I think the presentation of the information is fantastic, and it covers all the basics for the beginning and developing dressmaker.
 Even though I know most of this stuff, I like to have resources for teaching and references for when I need to check what I know against general-knowledge sewing techniques (or when I've simply forgotten how to do something).  And there's always the possibility of learning something new.
I've noticed that I'm not the only one who sits at the bottom of my stairs and pulls out books, researching as if in a library or browsing as if in a shop.  Friends who drop in, class participants and family members all enjoy my bookshelf.
I just don't think my bookshelf enjoys my book addiction that much.  I think we're headed for another EXPLOSION!

PS.  The yarn-book library is at home.... heading in a similar direction.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Project Management (and the slippery slide to the dark side...)

School holidays have seen me, once again, giving up almost all hope of getting any actual work done at work. I'm just in the studio to pay bills, order stock, answer questions and organise projects to keep a 5-year-old engaged in creative activity.
We decided to turn her accumulating cat-fabric stash into a quilt (with the help of some pre-cut fabric squares from Lincraft). The girleen was actively engaged and creative with the planning stage (including the rule: "Don't cut the cat fabric any smaller!!"). And she was dead-keen about pressing seam allowances....for a while, at least.My no-brainer set-up with the seam guide and quarter-inch foot on the machine failed to entice her to sew. I think she guessed how long it would take.
She preferred to loll about on wheely swivel chairs and give directions....

And play games on the computer I was supposed to be working on.Meanwhile, the quilt top was sewn together in an ad-hoc manner. A bit higgledy-piggledy and a riot of colour (with a few - ie. black - bits that don't quite go...), it suits my mis-matched-riot-of-colour, non-conformist, cat-mad kid to a T.

Now we just have to finish it. And NOW.... where is this going? Not sure.

But I happened to buy Kathreen Ricketson's fab new book* on a whim the other day, and I keep looking through it.... I reckon the pre-cut fabric thing is the hook......

I can't see myself becoming an obsessed quilty type, but am a bit intrigued by the notion of making a quilt that uses some sort of planned cleverness. I can see myself buying a jelly roll or layer cake or two, although I've no idea when I'll find the time to sew it.

*And I finally got around to buying the Perfect Fit, simply as a resource in the (ever-expanding) library.

A complete by-the by....
I've been thinking, that my plan to will my craft book library to the wee girl is a complete waste of a good craft book library. She's a manager, not a grafter. An ideas-girl, not a technician....

She'll go far in her adult life... and will probably delegate her commuter-crochet to any poor unsuspecting passenger who happens to sit next to her on the train.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Craft Fair loot

Don't worry, folks - I haven't taken up scrapbooking. I just bought a bag full of stick-on bling for the smallest crafter in the house. She was so impressed and satisfied with this, I've witheld the stamp set I bought until the next present is required.

I spotted this adorable fabric at Kelani's stand, and thought it would be perfect to make up into teeny-weeny-tiny baby gear for some brand-spanking twin girls I know. I hope I get something made from it before they're walking.


I loitered (and drooled) a bit too long at Prudence Mapstone's stand. Oh. My. Lordy..... if it's yarns you're into....

So anyway, I only spent a small fortune. There are worse habits and more expensive hobbies, non? And what's life without a few little indulgences... and a few skeins of hand-painted linen yarn...?

...and a bunch of to-die-for soft and drapey 100% tencel?



Over at Can Do Books, I found this Crochet Borders Book. A great reference for the ever-expanding yarn-craft library. Handy for make-it-up-as-you-go-along chicks like me, who find themselves without the skills to finish with a flourish. Also good for washcloth gift-making. And then today, I came across these at the op-shop (sort-of-on-the-way to the pattern printers).

Yep - lots of ideas and inspiration. Here's wishing for time to play.

Friday, May 6, 2011

My creative Space ...on a Friday (with Wednesday's planned post thrown in)

...and an unfinished project idea still hanging 'round from Monday and another one from Tuesday. It's been that kind of week.

I finally remembered to get some shirring elastic in (some for the shop and some for Monday's project). Monday's project has now joined the long list of "future blog posts"....


Those of you who have my book may have read that I use shirring elastic to speed up the effect of gathering stitches (often in conjunction with my gathering foot). I'm impatient like that (and it works a treat). Anyway, I thought that you might like some too!



The other thing that I like so much that I've added it to the shop is the point cutter - absolutely fabulous for quickly snipping notches and cutting into corners that the rotary blade won't reach. This Olfa brand point cutter comes with three spare double-ended blades (cleverly hidden in the handle).
In other news, I was heartened to see that what goes around does indeed come around..... This week it was payback time for the sewing machine and it's battery-charger-fitting fitting. (Ahem.... anyone seen where I left my battery charger cord...?).

The man of the house was browsing second-hand bookshops on Wednesday and came home with these two for me. I think the sewing book is a really good resource for beginner's or sewing teachers. Highly recommend it. The knitting book looks really useful too... for people a little more advanced than I am. There's been a constant stream of book-signing.... thanks folks. Considering how many books have already sold, it seems a bit late to start thinking about a book-launch knees-up. (Apparently, I should have thought of it a bit earlier than this.... who'd a thunk it?). I'm at a bit of a loss as to a good location for a book launch and would appreciate feedback from local gals in the know. I don't go out. I don't know anything.


...And I couldn't organise the proverbial party in a brewery


Help.


One of the reasons things have not been done this week, is that I've been doing a lot of business research, development and brochure design. I'm working on the wholesale side of business and also looking into lowering delivery costs..... as of next week, we'll be using courier services wherever we can, instead of the postal service.
This is a huge step forward in our endeavours to flat-rate our postage charges and deliver larger parcels, with insurance, at a greatly reduced cost. Yippee.... (and just a bit more work for me to set it up before Monday...).


So... a pretty full week for me. And no sewing. Next week is another week, non?