I have a great many sewing books, but my oldest and sentimental favorite is the very same Mary Brook Picken, SINGER SEWING BOOK that April Mohr loves. My copy also first belonged to my mother, and looks to be in about the same shape.

I love to sew functional collars for my dogs, but the most unusual thing I've sewn lately was an easter bonnet for my chihuahua. It was pretty cute. The things grown women will do.

What a tremendous to do! I'm in the camp of those who enjoyed the article when it first came out. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at the time, but I think it was the absolute freedom of Brook's creativity. I've gone back to that article several time since it was published.
Yes, I am taken back by the apparent lack of construction skills exhibited in the article, but I admire how Brook plunged right in, creating without the okey-dokey of the sewing world! After viewing her web site, I see that she has already come a long way, and is selling clothes for others to wear.
I teach sewing, and I judge sewing. Yes I use conventional standards to judge, that's what's expected in state fair competition.
However, the measure of how much joy a soul derives from creation is usually found well beyond a perfectly turned seam. My job as a teacher is to pass on valuable skills, but in no way does that entitle me to prevent the exploration of trends I don't deem valuable.
Just a few days ago, while sifting through my disorganized pile of sewing information and notes, I came across color photo-copies of two little scrap-dolls sewn together by a a 6 or 7 year old child during free sewing time at summer sewing-camp. I am still overwhelmed by her use of color, form, and ragged bits of left-over fabric to make such beautiful, compelling objects.
Yes, I strongly believe that clothes should both fit well and hold together well. I don't think I'd like to wear a loosely-constructed garment that looked as if it were about to fall off my body. But, I always enjoy getting a glimpse inside of someone else's creative process.