Sunday, January 16, 2022

Weekend Review: The Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses

 

Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses / Connie Long
Newtown, CT: Taunton, c1997
112 p.

This is another title in the Sewing Companion Library, and as always, it's a good one. Connie Long's book on jackets really helped me out with my last project, and now that I'm planning on making a handful of blouses to go with the blazers I'm making, it's time to investigate the tips in this book too. 

This book is really focused on more traditional blouses -- those kind of projects featured on the cover -- blouses that are made with lighter and silkier fabrics. It's not really about button down men's style shirts as much as more delicate ones. For example, in the section on plackets, there is no mention of a tower placket. Just a continuous lap or a slit, or finishing with a cuff or a row of buttons and loops; more traditionally 'feminine' styles. 


Because this topic is so huge there are just basics in each section for the most part, you're not going to find every single variation possible. But the intro talks about selecting fabrics and patterns to suit you, and then looking at the different techniques outlined in the book so that you can choose to do it in a way that makes sense to you from the various offerings. The author says straight up that there isn't just one way to do anything. 


The book is made up of sections on selecting a pattern and fabric, adjusting and modifying the pattern, marking and cutting fabric, and then 13 separate bits on techniques for different areas like hems, cuffs, plackets, collars, sleeves, pockets, closures and so on. 


There's a lot here to refer to and some handy tips in all areas. Like other books in this series, there is a lot packed into relatively few pages, heavily illustrated with photos in all sections as well. While I didn't find it quite as thoroughly laid out as the tailoring book in this series, I still think it's excellent value. As with the other books in this series, recommended. 


6 comments:

  1. After your post on the linings book, and recalling how helpful it is, I found 4 more to add to the collection!

    I got this one on blouses, the tees & tops, skirts, and pants.

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    1. That's great! I am still looking for the pants one.

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  2. For shirts, I think Davic Page Coffin's book Shirtmaking can't be beat! Once I got that, most pale by comparison.

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    1. Yes, absolutely for shirts, David Page Coffin can't be beat!

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    2. Totally agree. David Page Coffin's book is the best for shirts for men or women. I follow his collar and cuff application carefully and my husband's shirts look so nice as do mine. Such a nice curve built into them to make them sit perfectly.

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  3. I have the Lining book and have used it several times to help me with lining, particularly for sleeveless tops and dresses. I have another one but still packed up from our move in Nov/Dec and cannot remember the title. Brain fog!

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