Kate's Book Reviews

PLEASE don't try to order books from me!  Like the rest of the site, this page is for information only - I do not sell anything!

I'm in the process or reorganizing bits of this page!  Hope you can all still find what you are looking for.

All the books on this page are books I own and have used, and I describe them as I find them.  I am not paid to make my comments.

General sewing books:

Reader's Digest Complete Book of Sewing

ISBN 0-88850-247-8, $30 (£18 from Amazon)

This is about the best general sewing manual I've seen. It covers all the basics, from the equipment you need to reading and completing a pattern. It also covers some household and tailoring techniques. All the explanations and text are easy to follow. This is the new updated version of an old favorite, and contains some information on sergers not included before. Put it in your birthday or Christmas wish list!

Sewing for Dummies by Jan Saunders

ISBN 0 7645 5137 X (Dummies Press, 1999) $19.95 (USA), $27.99 (Canada), £18.99 UK

This is sewing with the scary bits amputated!  Very good for first time sewers who don't want to be put off by a lot of technical jargon and pictures of perfect garments that are too good to be real!  I've been meaning to buy it for a long time, and now I have I'm quite impressed!  It tells total innocents things like why you only get half a pattern in the envelope, what the right and wrong sides of the fabric are, and where to find the selvages, along with the right type of seam for the project and how to finish it off.  Not cheap, but well worth it for the beginner or the teacher of beginners.

I'll Teach Myself Sewing machine Fun  

ISBN 1 880972 04 2

I'll Teach Myself More Sewing machine Fun  

ISBN 1 880 972 05 0 (Possibilities).

These are a couple of good books worth investing in.  They are lots of fun, and a good place to start before kids get to a garment. They are aimed at the 7 - 11 age group, and have activities to follow and pages to fill in.  Access to a scanner and printer or photocopying is useful for some of the pre-printed exercises, so you don't spoil the books.  I like them because they're fun, and the cherub likes the dire and awful jokes!

More advanced sewing:

Vogue & Butterick Designer Sewing Techniques

ISBN 0-801908620-6 $17/£12.99

This is another old favourite! It shows all those techniques for getting your dressmaking to look like the professionals! Very useful for bridal stuff. There is a video to go with it, which is also good.

Couture Sewing Techniques

Claire B Shaeffer.  ISBN 1-56158-497-5  (The Taunton Press, 2001), us$21.95/can$34.00

Just what the sewing physicians ordered when you wanted to up the skills level!  Here are all those secrets that make the difference between knowing what you are doing and an inspired finish.  The ideas are often sneaky and simple, if labour intensive.  This is where having good hand work skills really pays off!  Yes, you CAN get a good professional finish on a machine, but if you want the thing to look like it was made by waving a magic wand, look no further!

Bridal Gowns: How to Make the Wedding Dress of Your dreams

Susan E Andriks.  ISBN 0-935278-51-6 (Palmer/Pletsch 2000), US$19.95

Despite it's rather naïf Mills & Boon romantic novel cover, this is an excellent book, full of great ideas and techniques, and excellent style advice for different figures.  One of the brides illustrated is very large, and manages to look truly wonderful in the finished gown.  I find this very encouraging.  There are also ideas for veils and decorations, and the book finishes with hanging instructions for afterwards!

Shirtmaking: Developing skills for fine sewing

David Page Coffin.  ISBN 1-56158-264-6 (The Taunton Press, 1998), £11.24/US$19.95

I have wanted this for a couple of years, but could only find it in expensive hard back!  Now I've found a paper cover copy, it will be my shirt bible forever!  This is a book that is just as wonderful as everyone said it would be.  The joy of it is that although David started as an amateur, he has the artisan's eye for good technique and good quality, and it shows.  I love the way it is written for ordinary people who DON'T know the vocabulary and techniques, and explains them!  OK, I may be a professional seamster these days, but I'm not afraid to learn from an expert!

Fine Machine Sewing

Carol Laflin Ahles, ISBN 1 56158 153 4 (Taunton Press 1966), $24.95 (USA).

Another gem from Taunton!  This one came to me courtesy of Joy on the news group, and is already a treasure.  It takes the scary stuff out of using some of those arcane gadgets we buy or are gifted with that fit the sewing machine but we just aren't quite sure how to use or what to use them on...  There's a whole chapter on narrow hemming, for example, and lots of ideas for decorating and finishing things so they look really good.  Now I'm just dying to try some out on a fine linen Christening gown or something similar!

(Isn't it scary how Taunton never seem to produce a duff book!  There must be a wizard in the works...  )

Sewing Outdoor Gear: easy Techniques for Outerwear That Works

Rochelle Harper. ISBN 1-56158-283-2 (Taunton Press 2001), $24.95 US, $39.95 Canada, (£15.62 from Amazon)

This one arrived one morning and I had my nose in it most of the rest of the week! It is full of excellent technical advice, very clear instructions, wonderful examples, and the pictures are very good. This is NOT one for the beginner: you don't necessarily need a lot of experience with outdoor fabrics or fleece, but a little helps. This book is aimed at the experienced sewing person with a real need for proper outdoor clothing for mountaineering, skiing, and similar activities. It contains some of the design features you find on the most expensive shop bought equipment. I shall be keeping it close to hand as I complete the DH's Windbloc jacket, and a few others I have to do! Well worth the money!

Specific Techniques:

Just Pockets

Patricia Moyes, ISBN 1-56158-170-4 (Taunton, 1997) $19.95

This is exactly what it says on the cover! All the pockets you could ever need, how to sew them, how to embellish them, and how to get that professional finish! Clear explanations, good illustrations, and some charming photos of the finished item!

Connie Long (Taunton, 1998) $19.95

Another deceptively simple book. Takes all the terror out of lining things! Has some good ideas about using things other than "lining fabric"! Covers everything from tailored garments to knitted jackets and lace.

Easy, Easier, Easiest Tailoring

Pati Palmer & Susan Pletsch. ISBN 0-935278-09-5 (Portland, Palmer/Pletsch 1996) $8.95/£7.95

Traditional and speed tailoring explained. Very easy to follow these techniques. This little book shows you how and where to make the short cuts without compromising on quality. I wish I’d owned it when I made the DH's suit! I shall be using the speed tailoring methods soon, and will keep you posted on how it goes.

Anne Person. ISBN 0-8019-8593-5 (Chiltern Book Company 1994) $19.95

Another excellent book, this one teaches the basics of sewing knit fabrics without talking down to the reader. Good clear instructions and neat drawings. All the patterns used in the book can be bought from Stretch & sew, but the techniques are usable with any stretch or knit fabric. There’s no need to own a serger, though these are included, as these techniques can be done with an ordinary machine. A good book for a beginner, or for one who wants to brush up their techniques. I have it marked as present material, come Christmas!

Serging:

Sewing With Sergers

Gail Brown and Pati Palmer. ISBN 0-935278-25-7 (Portland, Palmer/Pletsch 1991) $8.95/£7.95

The best basic serger book I can find for the price! Takes the mystery and terror out of basic serging, and starts you on the way to fancier stuff! Shows you how to get the best out of your new toy.

The Serger Idea Book

Anne Hesse Price. ISBN 0-935278-18-4 (Portland, Palmer/Pletsch 1989) $19.95/£14.95

This one takes you beyond the basics and shows both how to do some nifty techniques and where to use them. It neatly removes all need to be scared of playing with the tension dials! It also shows what can be done by experimenting with different threads, and gives some ideas about what to try. It even has some ideas for Heirloom serging!!

Creative Serging For the Home

Lynette Ranney Black and Linda Wisner. ISBN 0-935278-27-34 (Portland, Palmer/Pletsch 1991) $28.95/£14.95

This nifty tome takes off with the home furnishings, and away from dressmaking. There are the usual neat illustrations, and some excellent photos to give you some ideas, as well as some rooms that have been Laura Ashley'd to death! At times you get the feeling that they are hunting round for ever more outlandish things to do just to show it’s possible. One or two things in this book might actually be easier done with a basic sewing machine, but then how would we justify the expense of a serger too!

Patterns, fitting, and fabric:

ISBN 1-56158-110-0 (The Taunton Press, 1996) £11.95

This is a compilation of tips from many editions of 'Threads' magazine. It covers all the problems you are likely to encounter and a few less usual ones, by area of body. Very easy to follow, with clear pictures, though some are a little small. This is the essential guide to how to make commercial patterns fit non commercial bodies (i.e. everyone we know!) Though a tad expensive for the size of the book, it’s well worth the cash. A handy one to cart around to sewing classes and to keep by the cutting table.

Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure

Sandra Betzina.  ISBN 1-56158-494-0 (The Taunton Press, 2001), £13.97

This spiral bound volume speaks volumes!  It's full of good tips and ideas for making commercial patterns fit ordinary lumpy people rather than fashion model stick insects!  I really like the clear text and the photo illustrations...  But I see I will have to tidy up my pattern additions!  Sandra's look so much neater than mine!

Pattern Cutting Made Easy, a Step by Step Introduction

Gillian Holman. ISBN 0-7134-8093-9 (London, Batsford Books, 1997)

Takes all the mystery out of an arcane art! Very good for both students and advanced dressmakers looking for a way of getting a better fit. It shows you how to make a basic block and how to manipulate it for style. Handy both for starting from scratch, and to dip into for a quick refresher!

Fabric Savvy

Sandra Betzina.  ISBN 1 56158 573 4  (Taunton 2002), cover price: $17.95 (USA), $28.95 (Canada)

This woman is so knowledgeable she frightens me!  This book is a must for dressmakers of every skill level, from beginners to professionals.  It tells you what you need to know about all the fabrics we use, from care advice and fiber content to advice on which needles to use!  The only thing to watch is the pre-shrink advice: most fabrics in the UK are sold 'needle ready', which means this is unnecessary.  If in doubt, or you want to wash rather than dry-clean a dry-clean only fabric, then follow her recommendations.  Some fabrics will change their appearance and handling characteristics when you do this.  An expensive book, but worth the cash in saved projects!  In the back are some useful hints about hems, details, and sewing techniques mentioned in the text.

Curtains and household sewing:

Lady Caroline Wrey, ISBN 0-7126-4697-3. (London, Ebury Press, 1991. 

Cover price was £16.99 when it was given to my friend next door!)

Very clear explanations and drawings: the book for making your own posh curtains. It shows you all the classic hand finishing techniques, and explains why they work better than machine sewing. It also has some excellent photos to inspire you! If you have a junior stately home, this is the book you need to show you how to make the best of it! I shall be following its instructions when sewing my sister's velvet curtains this week!  (I did - they turned out very well!  I have more to do, so will be back at the book for more ideas!)

Covers for Sofas and Chairs: professional Skills Made Easy

ISBN 0-600-60232-X (Hamlyn 2001) £5.99/US$9.95/CAN$14.95

This is a neat little handy reference with some excellent ideas for making things look better by covering them up!  I have an old tatty sofa I need to get to work on, and this has some great illustrations to give me ideas as well as the basics for construction and fitting.  Hm...  Fitting a chair might be as complicated as fitting a people, but I won't have to worry about sticking pins in them and wriggling! 

The Practical Encyclopedia of Soft Furnishings: the complete guide to making cushions, loose covers, curtains, blinds, table linen and bed linen.

Dorothy Wood.  ISBN 1-84309-455-X (Hermes House, 2002) no cover price.

The title put me off a bit - so unwieldy, and why do people publish books with spelling errors in the titles?  What's so difficult about spelling 'encylopoedia' correctly?  HUMPH!  However, once I bought it (£4.95 from a remainders shop!), I did find it quite comprehensive and less stuffy than most others on the subject.  The techniques are well photographed, if a little small, and the main pictures of finished things look excellent. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow.

Quilty books!

Pauline Brown. ISBN 1-86108-174-X (Guild of Master craftsman Publications, 2000) £14.99

This covers the first stages, from choosing equipment, and the reasons for using some items, through colour combinations, to sample blocks and quilts to start on. There are some fun ideas in here as well as clear explanations of what to do with what, and the techniques for a number of classic blocks.

Alex Anderson. ISBN 1-57120-029-0 (C&T Publishing, 1997), £8.95

A very slim book, but it covers the essentials adequately if not in too much depth. Ideal for those who are just testing the waters. There are some nice sample quits in this book. Some of them are quick projects that the beginner can complete before getting bogged down and put off!

The Weekend Quilter

edited by Rosemary Wilkinson. ISBN 1-85368-930-0 (New Holland, 1997), sorry, no price on this one.

This is an excellent book, full of quick projects that even I can do before I get bored! Some of them are really superb, and each chapter is by a different contributor. One quilt uses tailors fabric samples: I shall be visiting the local tailor to do this one! Another has a lovely design in the shape of a Kimono on it. There’s a section at the beginning on quick quilting techniques: a sort of 'speed quilting' if you like! Some of the more experienced quilters will no doubt recognize the contributors; as far as I can see, there isn't a duff one here! One of the few books I'm allowed to have in hardback!

Mandala Quilt Designs

Katie Pasquini.  ISBN 0 486 28491 3  (Dover Books 1983), cover price $9.95 (USA)

Though this one has been around a while, it still has a lot to offer, and shows wonderful imagination and use of colour.  These are not traditional quilts in any way - not rectangular, come in several sections, and use odd shaped blocks and none at all!  They are vibrant and lively, and I love them!  The instructions and illustrations are clear, but not for beginners!  I'm working my way up to these, and in the meantime, pinching some of the colour ideas!

Show Me How To Paper Piece

Carol Doak.  ISBN 1 56477 204 7  (That Patchwork Place, 1997)  Cover price $7.95 (USA), $12.99 (Canada), £4.96 (UK: Amazon)

This very slim volume looks expensive until you open it!  Then you realize what a treasure you have...  This has started me on the slippery slope to paper piecing!  I have a 'me' day booked, and I shall spend it with this book, making lots of paper pieced hearts!  The center of the book has pages of nice thin pre-printed heart blocks to use, and there's one to copy thereafter in the front.  Rather than the lovely co-coordinated quilt Carol made in the book, mine will be a scrappy one!  OOOOHH!  Fun!

Easy Machine Paper Piecing

Carol Doak.  ISBN 1 56477 038 9 (That Patchwork Place, 1994) Cover price $21.95 (USA), $34.99 (Canada), £12.91 (UK: Amazon)

This one contains the detailed instructions for a whole 65 quilt blocks for foundation paper piecing, in Carol's wonderfully clear manner.  No way to go wrong!  There are foundation blocks to copy, colour photos of finished blocks and quilts, and lots more.  This is one of those books you can dip into now and again for inspiration, or quilt from end to end with equal pleasure and success.  I'm just trying some ideas in my head for future quilts, so forgive me if I seem a tad distracted for a year or two...  

Happy Endings

Mimi Dietrich.  ISBN 0 943574 44 7 (That Patchwork Place, 1987) Cover price $12.95 (USA), $19.99 (Canada), £7.27 (UK: Amazon)

This is another older one that has lost none of it's impact - a real classic!  There are some beautiful ideas here, and never again will I just bind the edges of a quilt!  It may get a plain binding, but only because that's what it wants, not because that's all I thought of!  There are simple explanations of different types and methods of finishing a quilt, and none of them is boring!  I particularly liked the piped edges, the Prairie Pints edge, and the scalloped one!  Now I shall be impatient to finish a quilt so I can play with the edges!

Private Reading!

People have asked me what I read in my 'spare time'.  I don't have 'spare time'!  Reading time is an essential part of every day, and sometimes takes precedence over sleeping.  Like cooking and sewing, it is an essential of life!  Just for the curious, here is a list of some of my favoured authors, in the order in which I think of them!

Diana Wynne Jones (Children's and young adults writer, and author of the books I wrote my MA thesis about.  Great reading for the fantasy and magic fans.)

Dick Francis

Mary Stewart

Mary Wesley (Funny and very keen observer of human nature)

Mary Selby (VERY funny!  Who else could make conception on a motor mower sound perfectly sensible!)

Mary Gentle ('Grunts' looks at all those epic fantasy wars from the point of view of the compulsorily drafted orc!)

(Do you think if I change my name to 'Mary' I'd get a book published?  It might even be good...  )

Barbara Hambly

Phillip Pullman (Brilliant!)

Barbara Erskine (Ghosts and haunting of the weird kind...)

Analog monthly SF magazine

Ellis Peters

Shakespeare (very funny on Scots history...  )

Gene Kemp (Tyke Tyler is just SO real!)

David Eddings (& Leigh!  Mustn't forget her!)

Larry Niven

TS Elliot

Sir Walter Scott

Terry Pratchett

Susan Cooper

Rosemary Sutcliffe

Oh, and hosts of others!  You can't have 120 feet of EMPTY bookshelves in a house!  As you can see, I like fantasy and magic, but will read almost anything so long as it's good!  Never mind anything else, I like reading the dictionary!  Oh, and bus tickets...

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