Friday 29 October 2010

The Sewing Bible

The sewing Bible by Wendy Gardiner is one of those books that everyone who sews needs.
It is a great resource of all the techniques you wanted to know, but felt silly asking.


Lets be straight, its not the only book you can buy that offers this sort of advice, but in my opinion it is more inspiring than you basic how to manuals.

This is because each skill is shown in terms of its practical use and it is explained in a way that actually works.

You know you look at some instructions and you have to turn the page 45° and then back again, and then have a quick look on the net for clearer answers before walking away and having a cry?
Well there's none of that non sense here!
It's like being guided by your favourite aunt, all that's missing is the tea and cake, but you get my drift.

Throughout the book there are photos of outfits you can buy as patterns and sew using the techniques inside, so you can apply the theory to the practical, using the same pattern.
This is the only downside. 
I wanted to make up something, I was inspired, but the book didn't include any patterns, just pictures of them.
It has links to the patterns, it has a resource page, in fact it has a great resource page, but I would have liked a pattern or at least a discount to a pattern. 

The glossary section is also very good, combining trouble shooting tips, types of fabric, terms, stitches, blimey! loads of stuff, its like the blaggers guide to sewing! 
You could stand your own at the WI if you only memorized the glossary!

The other nice thing was the clothing explanations, the top ten dress styles was particularly useful, explaining ten types of dresses, the best types of fabric to use to get the best results and the level of skill needed for each.
Wendy does this for jackets, Trousers, skirts, tops and blouses.

There were times when I felt that it was a branding exercise, apart from the usual Janome machine, which all sewing technique books seem to have,  there were lots of pictures of well know makes, blurred but obvious and that was a bit annoying, but then if I didn't know who made the best scissors, or the best thread I would be grateful for the tip off, so I am probably just being a bit anal, but I still think if the brands get a good deal, then you, the reader should get one too.

On that point, I contacted the publishers David & Charles and asked for a copy to review and giveaway, and they were nice enough to say yes!
I am going to match this niceness and I am going to add one of the patterns to the giveaway, this lovely dress:


New Look 6799
I found this image on a great site called Pattern Review.com

So, what do you do to enter? Well its simple:

1. Follow this Blog & leave a comment to let me know
2.Within that comment, tell me what sort of craft book you would like to see published

That's it, easy peasy lemon squeezy!

If you already follow hooray and thank you! Of course you can enter :)
Also, this is open worldwide, so don't be shy now!

I will keep this giveaway open until Fireworks night, November 5th

Good luck!

Bonnie
:)

22 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie, blogs like yours will surely help with the backlash against Uber-cheap high street fashion and lead to a dress making revival. It's the zips I find tricky!! Sue x

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  2. Thank you for the review; the book seems fantastic! And the dress is lovely! I'm fairly new to sewing and I have a lot to learn so any book with clear and detailed instructions that teaches me how to use patterns makes me happy. I certainly need to learn to read patterns - first time I tried to make a dress ended up with a dress 2 sizes larger than mine :(
    Oh, and I'm a follower, of course! :)
    Thanks for the chance!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  3. What a thoughtful, balanced and useful review! I'm only just getting into sewing so this book sounds perfect :-) The craft book I'd like to see published is the one I'm going to write one day..... ;-) And yes, I follow! x

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  4. I'm following you! The craft book I would like to see published (but may already exist) is one on sewing knits with a "normal" machine. I'm assuming it can be done with a regular machine. The book needs to be picture heavy with explanations following each picture.

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  5. I'm a follower!I'd like to see more craft books aimed at the intermediate sewer! the novice and the advanced seem far better catered for!
    Gill

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  6. hiya fab fab giveaway love the review too Missy!! I have to say I do love a good craft book I would love a book for sewing with silk with lots of photos and supplies lists.... xx

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  7. New follower!
    I'd love to see a book on pattern drafting.

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  8. amazing :) i'm your 55th follower! [special nbr!]
    i would like to see a craft book on handbags/shoulder bags...
    thx for offering this review, book and gorgeous dress pattern! loving it :)

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  9. Fantastic giveaway!
    I'd like to see a craft book on pattern altering (I get so discouraged when I spend hours on sewing, and it's beautiful...and I hate the way it fits on me!
    I follow your blog via GFC.
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  10. Love that dress but I don't think it would look that great in my size - I'd like to see a book for big girls (and I don't mean tall) ;) I'm following

    vintagemum[@]hotmail dot com

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  11. Hi there, I've become a follower on Google reader, from a recommendation from Missy Mao Mao blog. Glad I have found you, it's a great blog! I haven't seen this book before, but it sounds great from a clothes sewer's point of view. Interesting that it doesn't include ANY patterns at all, as most design books feature some. Would love to see a review on a book regarding pattern altering!

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  12. hello, newly following here & loving your blog & what an amazing giveaway!!

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  13. Lovely giveaway, I'd like to see a craft book on retro/vintage looks with a modern twist as I'm abit of a 60's/70's chick at heart :o)

    Good Luck with your giveaway

    xXx

    @KokokelliWomble

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  14. Looks like a great book and how nice of you to offer it up for a giveaway.
    In a craft book I would like many features, closeups and descriptions on dealing with the details or nicely finishing garments. Things like, invisible zips, bagging out tops, bias trims, pockets, buttons...you know the stuff that usually goes in the too hard basket.
    So nice to have found your blog,
    Jay xx

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  15. hi,I would like to see a book with a DVD included to better explain sewing techniques and proper measurments and patterning. Also add a tips and tricks section to get the perfect finish.
    would def like a copy of the book
    thanks
    aliza

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  16. This looks like a pretty good book to have for sewing - I like the sound of the trouble shooting tips. I'd like to see something using a basic pattern that you know fits wells, and how to make simple changes to necklines, sleeves, etc to get different looks from the same pattern.

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  17. Hi Bonnie, I thought I'd enter your fab giveaway! I'd really like a book on making little felt items - I'd like to know how to sew little things, and know what kinds of ways I can decorate them.

    I hope your daughter feels better soon - not much fun being ill.

    Take care,
    Jane xx

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  18. Hi Bonnie, thanks for the Giveaway tip off! Not only was my Mojo on holiday when it came back I couldn't log onto my Blog - life eh! What a great book, of course I am a faithful follower - I love your Blog, it is always so interesting! :) The sort of craft book I would love to see is stuff to sew for boys & men! Such as accessories, gifts, simple clothes (Ts etc). Emma x

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity Bonnie. I have added myself to your follower list and Do enjoy visiting your blog. Would love to have a book published on how to print your own material.

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  20. Hi Bonnie,
    Nice review.
    I reckon you should write a book wiht lots of lovely 70s patterns slightly updated for today - with nice new fabrics and up to date styling.
    Keep up the great blogging!
    Helen

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  21. Hi Bonnie, i'd love to be in with a chance of winning the book. I need all the help I can get. I'm trying to learn new techniques at the moment to help me improve and i'm on a massive learning curve x

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  22. Hello everyone!
    Thank you for entering.
    The giveaway is now closed and I will announce the results tomorrow!
    Good luck everyone!
    Bonnie
    :)

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