Weekend Review: Sew for Yourself

Sew For Yourself / Ingrid Bergtun & Ingrid Vik Lysne
Atglen, PA: Schiffer, c2023.
240 p.

This is a charming book, written by two Ingrids from Norway (it was first published in Norwegian). It focuses on using upcycled fabrics to make a wide variety of garments, based on five patterns that are included with the book. The patterns run from XS to XXL (or, from a chest/waist/hip of 32/26/36" to 46/41/50")

There are seven sections of garments -- pants, tops, shirts, shorts/skirts, dresses, jackets and a jumpsuit -- plus one on bags and one on small scrap projects (scrunchies, hats, makeup pads). Each of the garment chapters includes variations on the core pattern, which I suppose brings the options up to the "50 Garments" referenced on the cover. 

The book also includes a section on basic sewing technique, on why and how to use (and find) second-hand fabrics, and tips on repairing and remaking. There are also lots of bright clear photos of the two Ingrids modelling each design. They are clear about the source of each project, whether a hand-embroidered tablecloth, a curtain or a blanket -- or other clothing that's been upcycled. 

I thought this was a bright and cheerful book, quite accessible in the level of instruction. The garments are pretty interesting, not all just shapeless boxy fits, and the adaptations to the basic patterns do make quite distinct garments. Their discussion of the kinds of fabric that might work for the patterns is also useful to anyone who isn't already a practiced sewist. 

There is also a section at the end that is a nod to all their sample sewists for the book, with thumbnail photos of each person plus their IG handles, if they have one. Fun to explore a bunch of new sewists online thanks to this! Even though this is now a couple of years old, it's new to me, and I enjoyed looking through it. I find it interesting to see the vibe of sewists from elsewhere in the world, and this was a fun read.