You would have to be living underneath a rock to not know that the new series of TGBSB is back on the telly (or BBC iPlayer if you are like me). And as with every popular BBC series there is also an accompanying book - "From Stitch to Style".
This book follows the same format as the last, a hardback book supplemented with a separate cardboard pack containing all the pattern sheets.
After comparing the contents there is a little repetition - basic sewing kit, how to use the patterns and some fitting advice. Considering that this book would probably be used as a stand-alone then this is not really an issue.
Apart from the intro, the book is divided up into three chapters:
Chapter One: Foundation - which covers some core sewing skills (simple seams and seam finishes, interfacings, elastic casings, exposed and surface mounted zips, appliqué, sewing with sticky/slippery fabrics and fabric ties and Rouleau loops) and includes patterns for the "Bias Cut Top" featured on Episode One of the new series, and A-line child's skirt, a pretty natty jumpsuit (as modelled by a very lovely older model), the babygrow featured on the show, a child's cape and a unisex kimono.
Chapter Two: Inspiration - Which has a load of patterns and their corresponding hacks and some additional core skills (invisible zips, blind hemming, pleats, lapped zips, bias binding, lining and darts)
Chapter Three: Exploration - Which has even more patterns, including the soft-cup bra pattern and a very nice "Drape, Drape" -style asymmetric jersey top, related hacks and more core skills (snap fasteners, sewing with stretch fabrics, sewing with lace, pin tucking and buttonholes).
The sizing is quite inclusive and goes from a size 8 to a size 20, which is about a 45 1/2-inch bust so lots of FBA-action for me! It's even got a page of style advice broken down into rectangles, pears, inverted triangles, apples and hourglasses. Don't know if I agree with all that nonsense as I think you should be able to wear what the hell you want but it is there if you fancy a look-see.
There are a few children's patterns, a couple for men (shirt, cycle top), with the majority for women including some lingerie.
To round up, this book is really well worth the purchase price. I paid a tenner for it in our local big supermarket chain but it is available on Amazon for the cost of a Big 4 sewing pattern (unless you are in the US of course. Damn those 99 cent sales!). You get a whole wheen of patterns, some good ideas to hack them and some simple and well-illustrated sewing techniques and advice. I was so underwhelmed by the first two books in this series but am so happy to have bought this and the last book, "Fashion with Fabric". Between the two of them you have some great patterns and enough info to hold your hand.
In other news, Sprogzilla and I have been out and about taking advantage of the lovely weather and the festival that is on in the West End of Glasgow at the moment. I love this pic of my wee chicken, she is rocking her mermaid hair.
Hope that you are all having lovely weeks and enjoying life wherever you are!
Kxx
After comparing the contents there is a little repetition - basic sewing kit, how to use the patterns and some fitting advice. Considering that this book would probably be used as a stand-alone then this is not really an issue.
Apart from the intro, the book is divided up into three chapters:
Chapter One: Foundation - which covers some core sewing skills (simple seams and seam finishes, interfacings, elastic casings, exposed and surface mounted zips, appliqué, sewing with sticky/slippery fabrics and fabric ties and Rouleau loops) and includes patterns for the "Bias Cut Top" featured on Episode One of the new series, and A-line child's skirt, a pretty natty jumpsuit (as modelled by a very lovely older model), the babygrow featured on the show, a child's cape and a unisex kimono.
Chapter Two: Inspiration - Which has a load of patterns and their corresponding hacks and some additional core skills (invisible zips, blind hemming, pleats, lapped zips, bias binding, lining and darts)
Chapter Three: Exploration - Which has even more patterns, including the soft-cup bra pattern and a very nice "Drape, Drape" -style asymmetric jersey top, related hacks and more core skills (snap fasteners, sewing with stretch fabrics, sewing with lace, pin tucking and buttonholes).
There are a few children's patterns, a couple for men (shirt, cycle top), with the majority for women including some lingerie.
To round up, this book is really well worth the purchase price. I paid a tenner for it in our local big supermarket chain but it is available on Amazon for the cost of a Big 4 sewing pattern (unless you are in the US of course. Damn those 99 cent sales!). You get a whole wheen of patterns, some good ideas to hack them and some simple and well-illustrated sewing techniques and advice. I was so underwhelmed by the first two books in this series but am so happy to have bought this and the last book, "Fashion with Fabric". Between the two of them you have some great patterns and enough info to hold your hand.
In other news, Sprogzilla and I have been out and about taking advantage of the lovely weather and the festival that is on in the West End of Glasgow at the moment. I love this pic of my wee chicken, she is rocking her mermaid hair.
Hope that you are all having lovely weeks and enjoying life wherever you are!
Kxx
DISCLAIMER: Just for the sake of transparency I bought this book using my own hard-earned. All comments are most definitely personal ramblings of my stitch-crazed mind.
I'm not a sewer but I do enjoy the programme and as I type I'm watching 'Made with Love' on BBC4 about craft - embroidery and paper cutting at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is gorgeous - she clearly takes after her mum.
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
HI Veronica, I seem to have missed that series. I don't generally watch TV but I do try to keep an eye out for the craft programs so thank you, I will try to catch it on iplayer. I am not even sure what paper cutting is. Thank you, Sprogzilla is lovely and she is a great kid, very kind and creative. One of these days I will get her interested in sewing. It's not through lack of trying. Xx
DeleteYou two are so cute! I love her hair!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to read a book review that isn't a promo - not that people don't want to be honest about book reviews, but I do think it's easier when no company is involved! Looking forward to seeing anything you make up from the book! :)
Aww, thanks, Gillian! I got a bit of stick from my Mum about dyeing Sprogzilla's hair for her. I guess it is the old punk in me, it never goes away even if you have to pretend to be a sensible adult sometimes. :) I think that it would be easy to be a bit disingenuous when reviewing books that you had been given from free if they were not great, or even totally rubbish. I have bought books based on some online reviews and wondered if I had bought the same thing as they had read. There are some nice things in this book. I LOVE the peplum dress. Xx
DeleteWonderful post and I just love the photo of you and your daughter. Beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks , Linda. She is a wee sweetie but she hates getting her photo taken. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth to get this one. Xx
DeleteHow gorgeous are you both! I love that picture of the pair of you and your beautiful daughter is rocking those mermaid locks.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've blogged about the book, I was chatting to a friend about Sewing Bee last night and we wondered what the books were like. This sounds like a great addition to my sewing book collection if I can find it cheap enough.
I don't know about you but I'm finding the projects are getting harder. The first couple of series fired up a couple of my non-sewing friends' enthusiasm for giving dressmaking a go but, for a novice, I think chevrons, bras and peplums are enough to put most people off starting to sew. xxxx
Hi Vix, isn't her hair great? It was a much deeper turquoise when it was first done with tie-dyed deep blue and violet ends. It was lovely but has faded to a great washed out turquoise. I am reliving my punk youth through Sprogzilla. The last two books are really worth buying. I think that you can get this one for under a tenner pretty much everywhere at the moment. The 'fashion with Fabric" one has some nice patterns and walks you through sewing with some pretty difficult things. In my opinion the first two are not really worth it unless you can get them from a charity shop. I used some of the patterns from Book 2 to help teach some friends to sew. One pattern was unusable and another was missing notches. It would have been hard to know what to do if you were a complete beginner. I think if you can sew a straight line you can make anything. You make some fab things and from vintage patterns too - they are hard. You would ace these! Xx
DeleteFab pic. I'm not likely to buy the book...in fact, I don't own any 'how to' sewing books, and never have. Just my lovely costume/corset bibles, and they don't count!
ReplyDeleteDaughter's hair is fabbo, I'm quite tempted myself, but I think at my age people might just think I'd gone mouldy...
Thanks you! I have a load of slightly curated sewing books. I don't fall for *all* of the new ones as most are definitely aimed at beginners but I do get the odd one to review on here. I like the vintage ones best. They have loads of info in them especially on tailoring. I have a few corset/costume books, probably all the same ones as you. Oh, talking of corsets I have traced out the Sophia and will cut it out tomorrow. Think that fitting myself will be fun but will follow your lead with the pics. :)
DeletePMSL.......You would look great with hair that colour, definitely not mouldy. I was going to go scarlet again but don't know if I am feeling brave enough. For now there are always wigs. Xx
We've been watching the Sewing Bee too but I think they have already chucked off some of the most talented stitchers! You must have enjoyed watched Jade and her boning though (now that sounds rather like a double entendre!) xx
ReplyDeleteHahaha, Josie, it really does. :) I just watched the latest episode on the bus on the way home. I have enjoyed this series but I don't think that the contestants are as good at sewing as the last lot although bless them, it must be terrifying to be on the show. I really loved Chinello and her gorgeous free-hand pattern cutting. I don't know if you have read her book but it is definitely on my wish list. Xx
DeleteMagnificent post and I simply cherish the photograph of you and your girl. Lovely! :)..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ranthamborejeepsafari.com/