Sewing Books Every Sewist Needs
Sewing books for beginners and seasoned sewists. Books are full of techniques, free patterns, and so much more.
Let's talk books. Sewing books, that is. Big books, little books, tall books, small books. Whether you're new to sewing or a seasoned seamstress, it's a good idea to have a few books on the subject. This list may even spark your sewjo. These 5 are the ones I reach for most often. The internet is a great source however, if you need to refresh your memory on a specific technique, I urge you to reach for a book. Time is precious and you shouldn't spend it filtering through blogs or Youtube videos. The answer is going to be within one of these books. Each book in this list offers something different. Let's dive right in.
1. The Sewing Book by: Alison Smith
This is the first sewing book I bought when I first started. Well, I think I asked for it for my birthday, but it was my first sewing book. It is the go-to sewing bible if you will. It has information on all the things. Tools, fabrics, techniques, and seam finishes, it's all in there. It is a little older so, you'll have to ignore the dated photos.
Bonus: It has patterns at the back of the book for you to make as well. Yay for patterns!
The images are clear and concise and it's a top choice for many sewists. If you're a visual learner, grab this book, you won't regret it.
2. Gertie Sews Vintage Casual by: Gretchen Hirsch
You knew I'd have to throw a Gertie book in, right?
This is my favorite pattern book. If you've hung around here long enough, you know I'm a huge Gertie fan. HUGE! If she had a band, I'd be a groupie. No joke. I have all of her books but, this is my favorite by far. I have kids and can't always wear big, fluffy, glittery dresses to live my best life. I usually wear more casual 1940s styles. High-waisted pants and a tucked-in top are my go-to style pieces.
I've made multiple patterns from this book and will continue to do so until I can't sew anymore. LOL
She shares sewing techniques and guides you through fabric choices. If you're a 1940s and 1950s fan, you need this book. It's her best!
You can check out her old blog here. Her new blog is over here.
Click here for a post on a few things I've made from her book.
3. One Yard Wonders by: Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins
Need a gift for someone? Only have a yard of fabric to use? This book is your best bet. It has 101 patterns for things to make with only 1 yard of fabric! Yep, you read that correctly, only one yard of fabric.
We all have at least one yard of fabric in our stash, waiting to get used. This book has patterns for aprons, toys for kids and pets, other pet items, and even clothes!
It's a great beginner-friendly book too. I've had this for years and pull it out whenever I need a quick handmade gift idea. The holidays always creep upon us. Grab this book and start making gifts now. This might give you new ideas for everyone on your list. And, why not pick up an extra copy for your niece who recently learned to sew?
4. The Colette Sewing Handbook by: Sarai Mitnick
This is another pattern designer sewing book. I love Colette patterns. They are feminine without the fuss. The 5 patterns in this book are sweet and simple. She shows you how to create a scalloped hem, which you will love. The patterns are beginner-friendly as well. This book makes a wonderful gift for any sewist, new and seasoned.
Sarai has a blog that she is no longer on but, everything is archived.
She has, however, created an online sewing community and is very active in it. Seamwork, have you heard of it? It's is a great membership sewing community. It also has classes and patterns too.
5. Tilly and the Buttons: Stretch by: Tilly Walnes
If you love wearing cozy knit fabrics, you will love this book. Tilly's style blends modern with vintage to create something for everyone. If you've never sewn with stretch fabrics, she shows you how. From picking out the perfect fabric to the seam finishing. You don't even need a serger! She includes patterns for dresses, overalls, tops, and bottoms. The patterns aren't difficult and you can wear the clothing every day.
This book is also beginner-friendly. She will walk you through needle choice and stitches as well.
I've recently made a Freya dress with star and moon fabric. It was such a fun pattern to sew!
Tilly Walnes also has an active blog, chock full of great information and more patterns.
I’m wearing my Freya dress with 3/4 sleeves made with Starry night knit fabric from JoAnn. Such a fun and easy pattern from her book.
Other Books You Might Enjoy:
You can find all these books online and in bookstores. You may even score a copy in a used bookstore.
Each book pictured below offers different options. I love visiting the bookstore and rifling through all the sewing books. I never leave empty-handed.
Hope this gave you some sewing inspiration. When I want to sew but, don't have a project in mind, I grab a small stack of books. Plop down on the couch with a warm beverage and just look through them. Flipping through the pretty pictures seems to get my sewjo train started. Toot-toot!
Let me know in the comment section if you have any of these books. Or, share some of your favorites instead.
Happy reading,
Annette
Easy Tips for Storing Fabric
Store your fabric neatly and discreetly. Organize it by type, color, or project.
Fabric, glorious fabric. We stash yards and pieces here, there, and everywhere.
Are your closets bursting with bags or stacks of fabric? Maybe they are still in the shopping bags from the store. Or, you have everything nicely folded and organized in plastic bins.
Take a second and think about your fabric. Is it hidden and out of site? Is it rolled up in the linen closet, boxed in the garage, or maybe you have all your ducks in a row and it looks as pretty as a peach?
Heck, maybe you're not a fabric hoarder and none of this pertains to you.
Welp! I'm a fabric lover. I love feeling it, buying it, and then trying to decide what to make with it. Hi, my name's Annette and I'm a fabric addict/ hoarder/ stasher.
Cue the audience: "Hi, Annette."
Photo by Erica Lancaster
Stash-busting projects are always my go-to for gift-giving. Use what you already have on hand. All that fabric took precious time to shop for. Use it, if you can. If you can't use 40 yards of fabric on one gift, then make sure it is accessible to you and stored properly.
Do you prewash your fabric? I'm guilty of not doing this. I'm ashamed to admit it too. There's nothing worse than diving into a sewing project and spending time and energy making something, only to find that it doesn't fit after it got washed.
So, I have started washing my garment fabrics right when I buy them. As soon as I get the fabric home, I launder it. That way, everything gets preshrunk, clean, and ready to be transformed! I do not prewash cotton fabric if I'm making non-garment items, I prefer the stiffness of the fabric while sewing. I should probably wash everything, but.... hey, I'm not perfect.
photo by Erica Lancaster
“I collect vintage machines that I find beauty in. I’m a hoarder of all things sewing. ”
photo by Erica Lancaster
I'll save my collection of vintage sewing machines for another post though.
I am lucky enough to have a whole sewing space. It's not a room, just space. I share my sewing life with workout machines, game consoles, and the computer. The computer is okay to stay though, I use it daily. Some day I'll have a huge She-shed (or bedroom) and it will be decked out in all things sewing. One can dream, right?
Let's get back on topic.
After my fabric is washed and dried, I'll hit it with the iron. No, not literally. Get rid of those pesky wrinkles and you'll have an easier time folding.
I buy 2 yards or more when shopping for garment fabric. 2 yards is a good amount to make a skirt or most tops like my Rita Blouse. The fabric is usually 60" wide as well. Fold it together lengthwise (hot dog), then again so you have a really long and narrow piece. Now, this depends on where you'll be storing your fabric so my particular method, might not work for you.
Take a wide quilting ruler that is 5" wide and use as a template. I've seen some people use comic book dividers, narrower rulers, etc. Use what you have on hand or make your own object out of cardboard. I then "roll" my fabric over the ruler and get the size I want. I store my fabric on IKEA shelves in 2 stacks. I can see everything I have.
I often find random fabric from the remnant section at my craft store. Friends and family who know I sew, give me bags of fabric and notions as well. I wash those pieces and fold what I want, donate what I don't want.
I'm constantly going through my fabric stash to donate as well. Things go out of style. You might be over that fairy cotton print you planned on making something for little Suzie with- who is now 30. Life is a cycle and change is good. Donate what you don't want. It'll make room for new pretties.
I keep my smaller pieces in baskets. I also keep pieces that are leftover from previous sewing projects. This helps remind me:
A. I've already sewn with this fabric, so I must like that particular fabric.
B. This is an odd piece, so don't try and make a shirt with it. Use only for small projects.
Fabric scraps go in my big glass jar. These are where the tiny pieces the size of my hand go to die. Anything smaller, I toss in a bag to donate.
Leave a comment down below if you know of places that take scraps of fabric. H&M does, but that's the only place I'm aware of.
I organize other fabrics that I don't reach for on the daily, in a more discreet way. I do have an Etsy shop and sell handmade items as well. I used to make custom baby items, so I have minky, fleece, and flannel for that. I keep those fabrics folded nicely, but hidden. They take up a few drawers that I can pull out and find what I need quickly.
I also keep felt pieces in a drawer, less organized but it works.
If you don't have a designated sewing space, and you use a temporary space to sew in. Store your fabric in clear bins and stack it in a nearby closet. You will see everything you have and it will be convenient to grab. Make sure they are folded neatly so you can tell what everything is.
I store all my items that are ready to sell in clear bins for my shop. It keeps smells out of the fabric and I can see my inventory.
If you'd like, take it one step further and organize fabric by type. Store knits together, quilting cotton, etc. Or store by color. Whatever makes it easier for you and gets you sewing will take loads of stress off your shoulders. Sewing is supposed to be fun! And fabric storage should be too. ;)
Leave a comment on how you plan on storing your fabric. And, where you donate scrap fabric. We all have fabric we could donate.
XO,
Annette