July Book Reviews
Practical Sewing Techniques by Ruth Sleigh-Johnson
This book is quite different from most of the sewing books I’ve read in that it is not a project book, more a sewing lesson in a book. The book guides you through different techniques used in making/repairing/upcycling clothes such as inserting zips, making button holes, pleats, tucks, darts, pockets, cuffs, sleeves and collars.
It shows you different ways of doing the things mentioned above, and includes instructions for hand sewing in many places too, accompanied by diagrams and colour photos. There are also useful tips on using your machine, choosing and using equipment and fabric and using commercial patterns.
The last couple of chapters show you how to make basic garments (trousers, skirt, dress, nightie) and how to upcycle your clothing. All in all this book is a great addition to your collection if you either plan to make new items for your wardrobe or repair/upcycle your existing wardrobe.
This book is published by A & C Black and can be purchased on Amazon here.
Love Stitching by Jan Constantine
This book consists of embroidery and appliqué projects from designer Jan Constantine. The projects are mainly for the home, cushions, throws, rugs etc as well as a few bags. Difficulty wise they range from simple to more complex so there should be something for everyone.
I love that he
r designs are so colourful and striking; the items you make would really become feature pieces in your home. The projects are split into 4 themed categories: Love & hearts, In the Country, Flying the Flag and Beside the Sea. They are all well written with large accompanying photos and lovely colourful diagrams. There’s also tips and templates at the back of the book.
If you are looking for bold contemporary projects to make for your home then this is the book for you.
This book is published by Jacqui Small LLP and can be purchased on Amazon here.
Silk Shading by Sarah Homfray
This is another book from Search Presses brilliant Royal School of Needlework Essential Stitch Guides, and I’m happy to report lives up to the quality of the previous books. These books are concise, well written and illustrated and take you through everything you need to know for that particular technique.
The book starts off by taking you through the history of the technique, the materials, threads and equipment needed as well as explaining the basic stitches. The book then shows several examples of silk shading in more details, with good quality photos, colourful diagrams and useful tips peppered throughout. The end of the book gives you further ideas for your own designs.
If you’ve ever wanted to try silk shading this book is a brilliant place to start. To look inside this book please click here.
This book is published by Search Press and can be purchased from their website here.
Second Skin – Choosing & caring for textiles and clothing by India Flint
This book aims to make us think more about the clothing we choose to wear, where it came from and what effect it’s being made has had on the plant. It talks about the price of fashion and of manufacturing that we the consumer often don’t think about. Also the latter half the book is dedicated to telling us how we can be more eco-friendly and make our clothes last longer, or turn them into something else.
I think that this book would teach something to every reader, whether it be about the procedure & chemicals used in the manufacture of clothing, about how many clothes we need, or how to look after the clothes we already have.
It covers in details the various materials used in clothing, advice on making y
our own clothes, prolonging the use of the clothing you already own, refashioning and dyeing.
All of this is interspersed with anecdotes about the author’s own life and experiences, and those of her family. This book is a very interesting, factual read with useful tips and advice. I found the first few chapters a little hard going, a lot of information to process, but found the second half of the book of a lot more interest to me, the practical things that you can do to get more from your current wardrobe. If you have an interest in making eco friendly choices with your wardrobe then this book would be ideal for you.
This book is published by Murdoch books and will be released on the 1st of August. You can pre-order it here.
