Do you follow Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing? Undoubtedly you've heard of it. Well now there is a book! I received a copy I've been able to thumb through and there's one to giveaway to you too!
There is plenty to love about this book. Similar to her blog, it is chock-full of sewing techniques. I will definitely be curling up with this book to learn better approaches to hand sewing, buttonholes (I love bound buttonholes!) and other tailoring techniques. For instance, she includes three different methods for securing darts so that the points lay as flat as possible--who knew?! I feel like I can construct most things but I love the idea of the inside of a garment being every bit as beautiful as the outside. That's the difference in quality clothing--don't you think?
Another thing to love: the book comes with printed patterns for a wardrobe of vintage-inspired clothing including:
- The Pencil Skirt
- The Portrait Blouse
- The Sultry Sheath
- The Scalloped-Waist Skirt
- The Bow-Tied Blouse
- The Sweetheart Sundress
- The Wiggle Dress
- The Shirtwaist Dress
- The Suit Jacket
- The Coat Dress
Aren't you inspired already? I have really been wanting to do some sewing for myself and I'm not sure I can go another season without a pencil skirt! Gertie's version looks especially flattering with its high curved waistband. It would be great in a classic grey. Or a print.
And how great is this wiggle dress? I love the short-sleeved version. Wouldn't it be fun in this bold butterfly print? I bought the fabric this summer not quite sure what I would do with it, but a dress for myself would be pretty fabulous.
Each of Gertie's designs come with full instructions, which reference her techniques section. So smart! And they each include some variations, which means more possibilities, but also more confidence as she walks you through how to make alterations to the original patterns.
Oh, and the book itself it beautiful to look at. I love the photos of Gertie modeling her designs. It also includes great instructional photos and illustrations, as well as beautiful vintage-inspired illustrations throughout.
Would you like a book?
**To enter (just one entry each this time) leave me a comment and let me know what appeals to you most about Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing. All the skills you could acquire? A particular pattern? What would you sew? **
Giveaway closes Thursday the 20th and then I'll pick a random winner! Good luck!
I would love to have all the patterns in Gertie's book! Hope I win! Love your blog too!
ReplyDeleteI would love tu have patterns for the coat dress, and I'am sure that I could learn lots from thin book. Here in Croatia we haven't lots of literature for selflearning how to sew. I use Burda magazin but It's in German lenguage wich I don't know, so I improvising lot's.
ReplyDeleteI would say the skills.
ReplyDeleteI love her retro but wearable looks. I need to sew more for myself.
ReplyDeleteThe pencil skirt looks like a dream! What cute photography in the book too! I'd love to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI've just been getting into sewing and I think this book would give me that added confidence and be that go to reference book to get me sewing more!
ReplyDeleteI always have trouble with a few little things like sewing a lining to a bodice of a sleeveless dress and then magically turning the shoulders inside out. It would be nice to have tricks like that, step by step, for the moment I need them!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would SO love to win this book! I have a heap of vintage fabric my mother-in-law gave me that I've been looking for the right patters for. It would be great to also have specific instructions so I don't go ruining a irreplaceable fabric!
ReplyDeleteI love her retro look, and her writing style is just great!
ReplyDeleteI adore those retro designs! I'd love to try my hand at three or four :-)
ReplyDeleteThat high waisted pencil skirt is just perfection! I'd love to try making it!
ReplyDeleteI love all the patterns, but especially the pencil skirt. I love Gertie's blog and have been really excited about the book!
ReplyDeleteHow classic and stylish her whole approach is. As a young girl I always wanted to dress "retro" because it appealed more than hip hugger jeans!
ReplyDeleteI could definitely use a resource for more sewing techniques. I am proficient at sewing, but haven't been trained (except from what I've read online), so I could really learn from this book!
ReplyDeleteI would love to acquire more sewing skills, especially when it comes to sewing clothes. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely need more skills! I've been wanting to add a shirtwaist dress to my wardrobe. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI need help with skills. But everything else looks awesome too!
ReplyDeleteOh wow this is an amazing giveaway! I love Gertie and her stile, I would love to have this book and make the pencil skirt and the wiggle dress. Being a 9-5 gal I think these would make super cute work cloths that could easily make the transition to evening. Good Luck to all!
ReplyDeleteOh wow this is an amazing giveaway! I love Gertie and her stile, I would love to have this book and make the pencil skirt and the wiggle dress. Being a 9-5 gal I think these would make super cute work cloths that could easily make the transition to evening. Good Luck to all!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and Gertie's blog! Her book has been on my wish list since it came out. I think it's a great modern resource!
ReplyDeleteWauw, what an amazing book. I would love to have this! I an very curious about the patterns, especially the wiggle dress. Hope I am a winner. Love, Mij
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage style - I'm just not built for today's clothes. I'd love some tricks for finishing. It always bothers me when the inside edges are raw. And that "Wiggle dress"? Totally gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI would love this book! I want to improve my apparel sewing skills ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn some new sewing techniques! Her book looks very engaging and like lots of fun! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI did not grow up in a home where there was sewing done, so I am definitely a self taught seamstress. I have learned from trial and error, so it would be nice to have a book at my fingertips to help me learn the correct way! Thank you...and FYI one of my favorite parts of the book that you have shown is Gertie modeling!! How cute!!
ReplyDeleteI mostly make little girl clothing but have a friend who would LOVE this book. She loves doing vintage things. I would give it to her for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBA batyl@tx.rr.com
I love the retro patterns she sews. She is very talented and I would be in sewing heaven if I won this book. I have put myself on a book/pattern buying diet. I am not allowing myself to buy anymore unless they are for a specific class I am taking.
ReplyDeleteI would love it for the skills! Got a new sewing machine and the book would inspire me even more! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the patterns for sure.
ReplyDeleteI am new to the world of sewing and so really appreciate all the step by step photos in this book. It is nice for the visual learner!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Lisa
Fun. I haven't followed her blog, but I will now! I really like the idea of bulwarking my basic sewing skills, and the tips on altering retro patterns.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful patterns! However, the techniques are what I've been looking for. I enjoy sewing and would love to learn to sew better! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI think I would spend hours just leafing through that beautiful book, and dream I all the possibilities... Then I would have to go fabric shopping.... :-)
ReplyDeleteLearning techniques making things I actually want to make, and there are actual patterns!!
ReplyDeleteAny of the dresses would be the priority for me! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteAlways something to gain from visiting your blog Anneliese!!
ReplyDeleteI'd so love to win a copy of this book!! I'd benefit from learning the right way to do things - right now, being self-taught and all, I just wing it most of the time.
As you say - beautiful on the inside and out!
Even though the patterns are retro now they seem edgy. This book appeals to my interest in wanting to know how to construct garments in the most professional and beautiful way possible. Please pick me!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you make! I think that butterfly fabric is really fun. :) I've been needing a pencil skirt for about a year now; well, probably longer but I didn't know it. HA.
ReplyDeleteI would say the patterns and the skills. I'm just a newbie so I need all the help I can get! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love how she is vintage inspired.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to improve my sewing skills :)
ReplyDeleteI love her vintage style and detailed instructions! This looks like a great book!!!
ReplyDeleteI love vintage dresses and would love to be able to learn how to fit one perfectly to me!! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI really want to learn all the necessary skills to make apparel be confident at it. I also love the vintage aspect of her book! :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughters, 13 and 11, are learning to sew and have become obsessed with the vintage “Nancy Drew” look since seeing the movie last year and reading all the classic books. They are frustrated by the lack of appropriate patterns available for their age group – they prefer more modest clothing that doesn’t look too old for them. They would love to have this book to help them create their “visions” of fashionable attire!
ReplyDeleteHer patterns appeal to me - lovely book.
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking for books that can improve my sewing, but honestly, it's all about the patterns!
ReplyDeletegertie brings a great modern touch to vintage! i love the patterns in this book, especially how she shows how they can be adjusted. i'm really looking forward to gaining these sewing skills!
ReplyDeletekensey (mooskidoo9@aol.com)
Would love to have this book....great stuff in there!
ReplyDeleteI love that she includes many patterns and helps beginning sewers get better!
ReplyDeleteMost of my sewing is self taught so I would like to learn some proper techniques. And the patterns looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe coat dress sounds like something I would love to sew. I have been sewing since I was a child but am basically self taught...I am sure there are things I could learn! Thank you for the opportunity...I love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn all that this book has to teach me! Thanks for the chance to win and the info on this book!~
ReplyDeleteI'm enthralled with the idea of variations on each pattern .... love making something fresh and different each time!
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting to sew apparel (typically, I sew quilts), so this book would be perfect!
ReplyDeletelroghair (at) aol (dot) com
I'm a beginner and the detailed explanations look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book for two resons. I have been making my own clothes since I was eleven , but I lost my mojo for a few years because I was so overweight nothing looked good on me . I have lost 42 pounds and I have a renewed love for preety clothes and sewing something other than doll clothes and quilts. The patterns in this book all look wonderful. The second reason is my 7 year old grandbaby. She loves hand sewing , is very interested in all things related to sewing { I SWEAR IT SKIPS A GENERATION) This girl is a reader and I gave away all my sewing books years ago. I just gave her a sewing machine and she could use this book to learn life long skills.
ReplyDeleteI want to make clothes of better quality, and I think Gertie's book will teach me the techniques!
ReplyDeleteplus I want that wiggle dress pattern.
Oh I so hope I win! Thanks for the giveaway!
I want to learn all the techniques!
ReplyDeleteI love that the book comes with patterns, and the fact that Gertie references the techniques section in the instructions. That's a major plus for someone like me :)
ReplyDeletedefinitely to tips for improving basic skills
ReplyDeleteI've just started sewing this year and could learn so much from a book like this! And the patterns are an awesome bonus!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn new techniques to make better quality clothing.
ReplyDeleteWould love to get some of those techniques to make quality garments.
ReplyDeleteOHHH! I want this something fierce! I taught myself how to sew, so I LOVE learning techniques and seeing learning the "right" way (not just the way I started doing it because it gets the job done). I would love to have this!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to make the wiggle dress and learn how to best set in sleeves
ReplyDeleteThe techniques would be great but I really really love the pencil skirt and the dress!!! Oh the beautiful dress!!!!
ReplyDeleteOOOOHHHH! I would LOVE this book!! For the techniques and that darling pencil skirt!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win one!
I would love to win a book! I'm always looking for new tips and tricks!
ReplyDeleteJust to be able to create apparel would be awesome! Any tips and tricks from this book would come in handy for me!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks amazing, I love the vintage eye candy. I would love to make some of those garments. Beautifully done. Thanks for offering a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks adorable and inspriting! Just what I need to keep me busy while my kindergartener is at school.
ReplyDeleteVery detailed instructions book. Great!
ReplyDeleteI need a reference book like this to brush up on skills I learned a long time ago and then didn't use for years.
ReplyDeleteI spied this at Powell's this weekend and instantly fell in love! I like how she discussed how to work with vintage patterns and the number and variety of pattern included. This book is so different than what's on the market already, such a great addition and I hope to own it soon!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh it's all about textures, I love fabrics and sewing and all that tied up in a book, definately blissful!
ReplyDeleteI really want to learn some more "correct" techniques.
ReplyDeleterebekahricker (at) yahoo (dot) com
I love the vintage style!
ReplyDeleteSuperj
Of course I love all of the patterns she has in the book, but I am really excited to read it. She is always so down to earth and understandable, I think that I will catch on with her teaching, as opposed to some books that I feel lost in as soon as I pick them up
ReplyDeleteI love Gertie's Blog and would love a copy of her book. I love vintage styles and would love to make me a few pieces of clothing for a change. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHi! I need to improve my sewing skills, and I would love make a blouse for me!!! Thank´s!!!! Érica
ReplyDeleteThis book looks awesome!!!! I love Gertie's style. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
ReplyDeletePage
pez9375 (at) yahoo (dot) com
There is always more to learn about sewing. I would love to have this book as a reference and be able to use the patterns and new ideas.
ReplyDeleteI love to sew, but don't have alot of sewing skills. I would love this book so I would have a reference to help me sew neater and I'm sure it would make sewing less frustrating. Sounds like this book is just what I need! Thank you for the giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteI love vintage and retro and sewing! Would love to have this book, it looks great!!!
ReplyDeleteOoh la la... What's not to love!?! I promise to give this baby of yours a wonderful home.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can barely sew anything, so yes: I'll take any lessons I can get, and I've heard she is great!
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage-style patterns! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage-style patterns! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI definately need to do some selfish sewing! I love that skirt! Im ready to get out of sewing elastic waistband skirts
ReplyDeleteI love Gertie's style so trying out the patterns would be great. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I still consider myself very much the novice at sewing, and I am a big fan of vintage styles (I still have a sheer over dress that was my Mum's from the late '50's because I can't bear to part with it).
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible giveaway!
Boy is that the question of the year, Would I like Gertie's book? Yes please. I love her blog and her videos are so informative, I would like to add this book as a reference resource for my future sewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great review.
i love the fact shes curvy and not only that but the patterns suit her(mine)n and many more womens figures im newbie to the sew world would be great if i won
ReplyDeleteI would make that bow-tied blouse, it is such a beautiful staple for any wardrobe, but still special enough to show your personal style.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. And I love how Gertie styled it with a red skirt. Might just have to copy the exact look!
Eleanor
eleanorkrause87 at gmail dot com
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginner at sewing and want to create a business in sewing and I think gertie's book will really help me, the inspirational patterns and how she writes is really easy to understand.
Sofia
www.lovalafashion.blogspot.com
Inspiration to sew something for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great book to own, it would definately be for the new skills to learn (and of course the patterns too) and that they are all in one book to always refer to. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletei would like to learn to sew all the blouses. i think gertie is amazing. thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYay! The book has been on my wish list since it was first announced.
ReplyDeleteI love the bow-tied blouse and the pencil skirt. It would be perfect to get all the great sewing tips and advice into a book to look at over an over. (And over and over.)
I'm excited to learn some new techniques for sewing--I'm a novice and a new book for inspiration would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteOops, I forgot my email address--I'd love this book for all the new ideas.
ReplyDeleteWow, this book looks wonderful. I also love to make the inside of clothes look beautiful -- pretty from inside out! The wiggle dress is pretty fantastic -- I might have to put aside baby sewing projects for that one!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book! I'd love to have it!
ReplyDeleteThe techniques are definitely my favourite part. It makes such a difference to the finished garment, and once you've learned them - you can apply them to any pattern. I think I would reference this book quite often - how exciting :)
ReplyDeleteWhat appeals to me about this book is the retro styling. I love the era and to have those patterns and be shown how to make them would be awesome. Love her blog! She's so fun.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh I love that retro style! I would love to sew some patterns of the book. That pencil skirt will be lovely!
ReplyDeleteI would sew everything from this beautiful book!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the book - I would try the pencil skirt first!
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn new skills. I'm a beginning sewer and have been too intimidated thus far to do any clothes making though I desperately want to. (All of my projects are home decor.)
ReplyDeleteI adore Gertie's blog and would love to read her new book. The clothes from the 40s and 50s always have such attention to beautiful details, something I hope to learn from Gertie's book.
ReplyDeleteI have my eye on the Bow-Tied Blouse as a first project to make.
I would love the book so I can make myself the sweet heart sundress. It just sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to make clothing as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
ReplyDeleteI just recently started sewing again and I would love a copy of this book. I just recently found Gertie's blog and am a fan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
I'm dying to get my hands on a copy of this book. I've followed Gertie's blog for a while and love learning those awesome techniques. Plus who doesn't love basic patterns with options for variety? Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn sewing techniques, as opposed to winging it all the time. It's easy to whip up something for a kid, but clothes for me require more thought and care to ensure they...actually fit. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
pneuwarum @ gmail dot com
I love retro clothing but could use some work on my sewing skills too.
ReplyDeleteThis looks incredible! I think the section on sewing retro 101 would be the neatest to read - I love retro clothes and could always learn more about sewing!
ReplyDeleteI am a visual learner so all of the pictures is just what I need.
ReplyDeleteI love vintage inspired clothes and am teaching my self to sew. This book sounds perfect!
ReplyDelete