Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch’s modern reinvention of a simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. “Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web’s most popular sewing blogs.” —Creativebug In the ‘50s and ‘60s, Simplicity released their popular line of Jiffy sewing patterns, which had minimal pattern pieces and simple constructions, yet were chic enough for fashion-conscious customers. This approach appeals now more than ever to stylish women who are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives packed with family, work, school, and countless other obligations. With the lessons offered here, you can make a Popover Dress, Chemise Dress, Swirl Dress, Boatneck Dress, and Patio Dress. Everything you need is included: pattern maps, finished garment measurements, and more. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm. Chapters include: Supplies and Tools Fabrics Getting Ready to Sew Dress Construction: The Basics Dress Construction: Essential Skills Trims and Flourishes Fitting Hirsch writes in her introduction, “So why did I write this book? Because I want to show that it’s possible to cultivate real sewing skills without spending days or even weeks on a project. Sewing more projects means more practice!” The vintage aesthetic of these projects will appeal to beginner and expert crafters alike. They stand on their own as great examples of retro fashion. They aren’t just simple sewing projects. So, don’t wait. Start sewing! Includes color photographs and illustrations Also available: Gertie Sews Vintage Casual Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing Gertie’s New Fashion Sketchbook

In the '50s and '60s, Simplicity released their popular line of Jiffy sewing patterns, which had minimal pattern pieces and simple constructions, yet were chic enough for fashion-conscious customers. This approach appeals now more than ever as stylish women are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives filled with family, work, school, and countless other obligations.Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch's modern reinvention of this simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm.

Every vintage-obsessed sewist dreams of having a closet full of gorgeous dresses. The follow-up to the popular Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing and Gertie Sews Vintage Casual, Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book is packed with all the information and patterns you could ever need to create a wardrobe filled with stunning vintage frocks. The book begins with all the essential techniques for dressmaking and includes instructions and patterns for 23 dresses for a variety of occasions. Elements of each pattern can be mixed and matched, allowing readers to customize the bodice, skirt, sleeves, pockets, and details of each dress for a truly unique creation.

The mid-20th century was an amazing time for American women's fashion! Following the war, women started looking to American designers rather than French couture houses for inspiration and to demand clothing they could move in, even play in. In this follow-up to Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing, Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch celebrates the classic casual styles that icons like Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Rosie the Riveter made famous--think wide-legged trousers, fitted capri pants, beach rompers, shorts, knit tops, jeans, and day dresses. In Part I, Hirsch introduces key techniques for sportswear construction--from working with knit fabrics to the intricacies of pant-making--and in Part II, she showcases a 30-plus-piece vintage-inspired casual wardrobe.

Sheets of patterns are in an envelope inside the front cover, each sheet is doubled sided.

Over 100,000 copies sold 'A tapestry of strong characters and accomplished writing' Herald Scotland It is 1911, and Jean is about to join the mass strike at the Singer factory. For her, nothing will be the same again. Decades later, in Edinburgh, Connie sews coded moments of her life into a notebook, as her mother did before her. More than a hundred years after his grandmother’s sewing machine was made, Fred discovers a treasure trove of documents. His family history is laid out before him in a patchwork of unfamiliar handwriting and colourful seams. He starts to unpick the secrets of four generations, one stitch at a time.

An indispensable volume for beginning and advanced sewers alike that guides readers through necessary equipment, techniques, fabrics and more. First published in 1978, Reader’s Digest’s popular Complete Guide to Sewing has become the standard stich-and-seam reference book for both beginner and seasoned sewers. Now, Reader’s Digest has refreshed this tried-and-true volume for the modern era, adapting it to current trends while preserving the comprehensive, practical and inspiring content within. Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing gives sewers of every experience and comfort level everything they need to know to create the wardrobe of their dreams and beautify their homes with original decorative accents. Clear, simple instructions written by experts in the field tell you what to do and how to do it. Plus, thousands of illustrations and diagrams throughout the book’s 384 pages illustrate each stage of the process. Key elements of the book include: A detailed list of the basic equipment you’ll need before getting started sewing. Tips for choosing the right fabric for your project. A step-by-step photo guide that shows you how to take measurements. Instructions in a variety of essential hand-stitching techniques. 20 timeless projects— more than half of them new to this edition—to practice your skills including shirts, dresses, bags, and more. Plus, the book has received endorsements from a variety of trusted sources: “…and I always recommend the Reader’s Digest Guide to Sewing. It’s very comprehensive and very user-friendly.” —Tim Gunn “…abundant and precise line art, enticing photographs, simple-to-follow instructions and valuable information on tools, supplies, materials and techniques.” —The New York Times “A woman who takes sewing seriously, or who wants to learn to sew, won’t want to be without this book.” —Portland Oregon Journal “Here is everything you always wanted to know about sewing—a veritable encyclopedia of stitching facts.” —The Austin American Statesman

"STC Craft, A Melanie Falick book" -- Title page.

A guide for sewing enthusiasts of all levels, written by a regular contributor to Stitch magazine, demonstrates how to draft a skirt pattern for custom fits and incorporate alterations into four basic silhouette styles, outlining essential techniques while explaining how to redesign each skirt for distinctive looks. Original.

This DIY sewing book presents a fabulous new collection of lightweight wraps that are easy to sew and look fantastic! Stylish Wraps Sewing Book provides full-sized patterns that can be used to create 22 timeless wraps to keep the chill off--and look great in the process. All of the sewing projects can be made in a few hours for a fraction of what you would pay for a finished piece in a store. It's easy to mix and match different fabrics and styles to suit your individual style, meaning there's nothing to stop you from sewing your own clothes! Here are just a few of the fashionable pieces you can make with this book: Edgy, yet classic hooded cape Flowing draped jacket or vest Loose-and-light linen or wool coat Simple, feminine, lightweight poncho Ruffled bolero or classic blazer Coat dresses to emulate Kate Middleton's style And much more! The patterns are easily adjusted for size, and the soft, loose lines work on any figure. Whether your tastes run trendy or ultra-classic, this exceptional home-sewing book has something for you!