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A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing: Explore 30 Timeless Garments with History, Styling & Tips for Ready-to-Wear Results Paperback – November 8, 2019

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

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Discover the secrets to sewing a stylish wardrobe with staying power! This spirited guide walks you through thirty timeless garments to make for yourself, from the must have button-up shirt, tailored trousers and flattering A-line dress, to the indispensable Modern Classic Pencil Skirt (Size 2-22 pattern and instructions included). With a conversational narrative, the authors have created an engaging, informative guide to modern classic sewing by tracing the origins of each garment, along with styling and sewing tips, charming fashion illustrations by Beth Briggs and a modeled photo gallery. Foreword by fashion historian, Julie Eilber. 
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Sewing blogger Gunn and pattern designer Starr, coauthors of The Tunic Bible, deliver enduring fashion in this clever guide to the DIY creation of tried and true staples of a woman's wardrobe―think pencil skirts and shift and sheath dresses. Each item is presented with quirky illustrations, historical facts, and helpful styling tips aimed at beginner and intermediate home sewers alike. For instance, the authors explain that “making a muslin... eliminates potential technical issues and provides an opportunity to perfect your fit.” Regarding fabric choice, “when sewing a trapeze dress, consider lightweight and sheer fabrics such as chiffon, crepe, lightweight linen, silks, jersey and stable knits.” While perhaps obvious to design students, such advice is invaluable to home sewers. Likewise, Gunn and Starr suggest fabric combinations with the flair of seasoned garmentos: “Metallic linens add shimmer to casual dressing,” and “Chiffon and satin provide a lovely contrast, and work well as tie closures when combined with textiles such as velvet fur.” Including some nods to the sustainability of creating one's own garments that will appeal to eco-conscious sewers, this primer should prove truly inspiring for any crafters interested in creating classic women's apparel. (Nov.) ― Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Sarah Gunn is inspired by the pursuit of a stylish wardrobe. She serves as an ambassador for SVP International (Singer Viking Pfaff) and is a contributor to the Coats & Clark website and PBS series It's Sew Easy. Her blog, Goodbye Valentino, has been recognized by Vogue Patterns Magazine and Burda Style, and she regularly contributes to the Pattern Review website. She lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina. goodbyevalentino.com
Julie Starr is co-author of the award winning "The Tunic Bible" and a favorite contributor to the 400,000 + member website Sewing Pattern Review, where her clothing has won six consecutive annual awards and was profiled as their "Member in Focus". She and Sarah Gunn present fashion sewing workshops and wardrobe trunk shows throughout the U.S., encouraging women to make stylish garments and join the vibrant community of others who share their passion to create. Julie lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ C&T Publishing (November 8, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1617458724
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1617458729
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.46 x 0.55 x 9.57 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
    I waited for this book for months thinking that it includes patterns for all the garments on the cover and more. I already have patterns of all the clothing mentioned in the book but I am always curious for different approaches on patterns. When I first opened it on my Kindle, I searched for the pattern link and pages of how-tos right away and was disappointed to find that there is only one pattern and instruction (pencil skirt) included. I nearly returned it.

    Good thing, I tried to read a few paragraphs. I was delighted to find such content. I just started sewing less than a year ago learning from YouTube, books and magazines. I have a lot of books and patterns purchased from Amazon that I couldn’t review because I’ve never used them. I’ve never sewn them because I find it hard to picture them as finished garments sewn from my growing collection of hoarded fabrics. I’ve always hesitated on starting a project. I’m afraid to have regrets over the end product. I’m scared of wasting my fabrics. But this guide book instantly gave me a lot of ideas on what to do with my fabric and pattern collection. It gave me an idea on how to make my patterns work with other patterns and matching my fabrics to my patterns. Shopping for garments is easier because shops are designed for us to see the many other things that would go with a certain piece. But to sew a collection for yourself that is cohesive is another story. Having a curated closet of garments that would go well together can be a struggle. Personally, this book gives me a wider perspective than what the shops give me.

    I sure will be sewing with intention starting today. And I will only be buying fabrics in amounts and kinds that I will use and will not be buying them just because the print looks nice in my eyes. And finally, I can put my patterns and closet-full of hoarded fabrics to good use.
    47 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2019
    I am just getting into this book, but I'm very pleased. It has a little bit of garment history along with examples of who wore it to jog the memory (depending on your age). There is also information on what type of fabric works best with each garment. This not the usual sewing book. I find this to be inspirational and beautifully illustrated. And, there is a bonus pattern at the end of the book which is awesome!
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024
    In a book about fashion one would expect more than just a few (charming, but) casual illustrations. It’s hard to “imagine “ some of the concepts described and the lack of supporting illustrations or images is frustrating to those readers who do know their meaning- I can’t imagine the consternation for others.

    You can, and should expect better.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2019
    This book fills a gap in the home sewing market in that it focuses on curating a self made wardrobe. I plan to use it as a guide to sew with intention in 2020. In addition the variations and styling tips will help my wardrobe stand out. Well done!
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019
    Enjoying the history and all the info about the different styles.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2019
    I had the pleasure of getting an early look at this book and what a great resource it is! I so love the timelessness of a classic look. Audrey Hepburn is my personal style icon so seeing her referenced in the book just confirmed even more this I was going to find this book a treasure trove.

    I love how they have organized it by individual wardrobe elements and talk about styling each one. And because I am a garment sewist, I love how they include hints about fabric or hem lengths or styling variations in patterns. The gallery in the center of the book shows so many combinations worn on real people with the pattern information and a few other detail in the caption. This is a perfect way to continue the inspiration with enough detail to allow those of us who sew a way to implement the the ideas in our own me-made wardrobe.

    Even if you don’t sew, this is a great style book and has tons of inspiration for how to build your personal classic wardrobe.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2019
    Learning who, where (wear) and when is a fascinating understanding of the history of classic styles! It's enjoyable to learn how far back certain styles began. They then break it down by including pattern numbers, fabric types, sources and quick tips to help YOU create YOUR unique piece. It's not a pattern book but an understanding of how these styles are still current today! I love the unique fabrics and details each of the photos show of fellow sewers embracing the classics yet making the garment current and uniquely theirs. It inspires one to think of all the possibilities a simple style has - change the fabric, add a sleeve, shorten or lengthen the garment - the possibilities are endless. I found the reference books, blogs and websites very helpful and created my own sewing Resource Library. Enjoy the read, get inspired and then GET SEWING!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2020
    The concept of the book is great but the final product disappointing. There is a bit of history of each classic, celebrities that have worn that particular classic, and more than 40 pages of the book contains photos from popular online sewing bloggers wearing one of the classics (all the garments are already available for viewing online, doesn't appear anything new was sewn specifically for the book), which means the "meat" of the book is less pages than you may think.

    There is a pattern included. A pencil skirt with very basic instructions.

    The concept of the book was excellent, I just wish there was more in-depth content.

    Oh, the illustrations are divine!
    17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Fabric lover
    1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2020
    How disappointing. I was so looking forward to this book. One pattern for a straight skirt! the instructions for which are so basic they almost need not be there. Why does it not contain lots of patterns to mix and match. It’s also very US orientated. No UK or EU suppliers listed, except Linton tweed, plenty of text and line drawings plus lots of photos of me made...... nothing exciting. Would I recommend - no. Keep your money for buying fabric
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for people who love sewing!
    Reviewed in Australia on November 28, 2023
    I haven't read it yet, keeping it for the holidays.
    I follow the blog of Sarah and love everything she does. Julie unfortunately does not have a blog but love her style as well!
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    Heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for people who love sewing!
    Reviewed in Australia on November 28, 2023
    I haven't read it yet, keeping it for the holidays.
    I follow the blog of Sarah and love everything she does. Julie unfortunately does not have a blog but love her style as well!
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