Known for her sewing tutorials with a vintage twist, Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch covers key techniques and tips in her book Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing (STC Craft, 2012). As an extension of her blog (blogforbettersewing.com), this book starts off with all the key skills needed to make the perfect garment. These chapters include how to sew retro, prepping, essential techniques, stabilizing and tailoring, patternmaking, and fitting. This book is suited for all skill levels, from beginner to experienced. All will be able to learn the basics while appreciating the use of vintage techniques. Each section is thoroughly explained with step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and images that can be easily followed. Gertie explains all of the minor details and by the end of the first section, you will be able to whip up some vintage-inspired garments included in the second half.
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Part two of this fabulous book teaches how to make apparel that brings you back to the 1940s! Tucked behind the front cover are all the patterns needed to make a variety of fashionable wardrobe essentials. The lessons in the beginning of the book provide the foundation to create versatile dresses, skirts, and blouses. Although many of the patterns were inspired by Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing, Gertie’s added touch gives these pieces a vintage and couture look. Get creative with the following patterns: pencil skirt, portrait blouse, sultry sheath, scalloped-waist skirt, sweetheart sundress, and more!
HOW TO WIN
To enter, leave a comment explaining why you would like to win Gretchen’s latest book by 11:59 p.m. on September 29, 2013. The winner will be chose at random, notified by email, and annouced the week of September 30th.
Good luck!
It would really help with my favorite fashion era. She know so much!
I follow Gretchen's blog and I love her helpful tutorials! She has wonderful style and technique tips to offer! Am so excited about her book, and win or loss I will have that book on my shelf!
I would love to win this book! id make almost every pattern. everything is so pretty
This looks like just the book for me. Even the cover looks as though I'd posed for it.
As I have said in my profile, I have just purchased a new sewing machine and am beginning to sew again after years of only mending and concentrating on my career and traveling. Once again at age 79 I want to become creative in the area of sewing. I need to acquire as much new information as possible to become familiar with all the new innovations and materials in the field of sewing. I feel that Threads magazine will be very helpful (I just subscribed.) and I would like to add Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing to my library. Thank you for your consideration.
Have a love affair with the 40's era clothing. Recently made a 40's Hepburn pair of pants and a chic blouse with an unmistakable era collar. Next project on the cutting board is a 1940's Advance's 2930 Jacket - can't wait but am nervous - seams intimidating -- would love to have this book !!!
LOVE this book! I discovered Gertie thru her patterns. Sewed the shelf bodice dress and was hooked!!!!! I've checked the book out thru my local library but would love to havey own copy!
I would love to make and wear the garments in this book. Gretchen creates great tutorials!
This book looks like just what I need to kickstand my sewing: a little vintage flair! I'd love to win a copy!
I'm really into 50's fashion lately...I love the retro Vogue patterns...and I really enjoy the details in the cloths. This book looks very inspirational and a good way to expand my skills. Thanks
I am putting together a series of free classes to teach women living on a fixed income how to improve quality of life on a shoestring.
I'll be including recipes for healthier foods, simple exercises for pain management, but will be focusing on designing and constructing a wardrobe for better fit and self-esteem building.
This book would be a tremendous resource.
This book sounds like some very good reading......am always amazed that there is still yet things that I don't know how to do, or perhaps just a better way of accomplishing them. I know that I would benefit a great deal from this book!
Feminism became more and more assertive after WWII and with that, a sudden explosion of classy and beautiful garments came out, both ready-to-wear and in patterns. Women were able to express themselves through clothing and also assert their beauty through those styles. Gertie has the great idea with this book but also her creativity with making patterns and inspiring readers. This girl has it going on, and I could too!
I like the styles in the book.
I can't get my hands on 40's patterns! This book would be perfect!
Gertie is all knowing!!!!!
The world needs more 1940s glamour. I'd love to work my way through this book!
I would love to have this book! I am getting into sewing vintage reproductions and costuming and could really use it. I follow her blog and love what Gertie does!
It would be a inspirational book to have.
At 42, I am just learning to sew. I have always looked at the styles of the 40's and 50's and thought the fit was perfect. I would like to sew like that.
I'm a huge fan of the 40s and vintage looks. Id love to win the book for more direction on how to fit this style clothing for myself.
I really want to learn to sew clothes. Pre-made patterns don't fit me, and starting from scratch to learn the right way to make clothes will be great!
Gee. I haven't had a real lesson since 8th grade, sometime during the Middle Ages. Okay, not really that bad but having some help would be greatly appreciated.
It would be wonderful to have this book in my library of sewing books. I can always learn new things from her.
I love to sew and I also teach garment sewing and I learn new things from so many places...like Gertie's book. :)
I do cosplay and would use the information for future costumes.
I love Gertie! This book has been on my Barnes & Noble wish list since it came out. Since I didn't get it for Christmas last year or my birthday this year, maybe I can win it?!! How so!!
I love to sew and have done so for over fifty years, but am basically self taught. I think this would be a great resource book and I would learn a great deal from it. I would love to win it. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would love to be the winner!
It would be great to have a reference for vintage techniques, especially since I recently acquired a number of vintage patterns.
dear gertie,
would love to have a copy of your book as my local guild has started a garment group, and we are always looking for fresh ideas to heighten our couture wardrobe!
thanks!
I would love to win this book with the patterns included.
Pick me! Pick me! I would love to have as your awesome sewing research book.
OOPS! I mean resource.
Lately I have been looking at pictures of my mother's era and 1940's style, so the timing of this giveaway is perfect.
I taught myself to sew many years ago when I was pregnant with my fist child (he is 52 yrs old now). Every time I sew something I discover how much I still need to learn at age 77. This book seems to have many answers to the many questions I still have.
I love Gertie! and as it is my birthday today, I have just splurged on myself and signed up for the Threads insider subscription.. What a great present it would be to receive this fabulous book as a bonus as I am currently in the process of teaching a group of young women to sew their own 50's swing and dance dresses!
I find Gretchen's blog terrific. I'm self-taught and a relative newbie, so I know I'd learn a ton from her book!
I'm always sewing, always up for new ideas, always learning so... I'm always very interested in new books!
I would love to have this book! Got my fingers crossed. ;)
I have been a subscriber and an admirer of Gertie for years now! I would love this book as I am teaching myself to sew and craft at home on a very frugal lifestyle budget!
This book will help me to better create, design, sew and mend my wardrobe and for others also!
I would love this beautiful and practical book!
Blessings!
From
Debra J Webb
http://www.heartsonnet.wordpress.com
I would love to win Getters book as I love retro fashion and am in the process of improving my sewing skills. I have sewed for many years mostly for my daughters but as they are growing older, I would like to make more professional clothing for them. Keeping my fingers crossed...
I love Gertie' sewing technics and I have learned alot from her courses. That is why I would love to win her book
I am always trying to learn to sew better
Love love love vintage. And I have a Lot of hats to wear with what I could create with the info in this book
Love the retro look and love Gertie's style. I would love to win her book.
If it is truly fashion, can it ever be truly "vintage"? Love all that stuff.
Love Gertie and her style. Would love to try something new.
Love the retro style, now if only I could shrink my waist enough to totally rock that silhouette! I'm working on it!
I love what a free spirit you are, I hope your book inspires me to be more of a free spirit. Enjoy life!
Sure hope I win this book, I know it will be of great help to me.
Would be nice to win this since I don't have any updated sewing books.
This book is one for intermediate to advanced seamstress.. It would suit my skill level currently .. Hope I get lucky to win it :)
Great gobs of goose grease Gertie! Got'ta stop gabbin' and get goin' sewing ;)
Dressmaker details of past decades have always intrigued me, but I feel I could use help to pull it together. Gertie's book- especially with the included patterns- is just the ticket to get back to making fashion fun. I'd love to take the trip! The book is on my Christmas wish list.
I love the 1940's fashion and I so want to improve my sewing skills! This book would be amazing to have. So awesome!
For years I've mended jeans and sewn curtains, but I'd love to start sewing for myself again. This book just might motivate me!
Being "blessed" with Betty Grable curves instead of Kate Moss flat panels, I love how Gertie presents retro styles that function for today's woman. If I win, it would become one of my well themed copies in my sewing library!
I would like to do more selfish sewing and love vintage styling. I need this book! Thank you.
This book sounds as delicious as the designs. Cute as a kitten. Would there be any discussion on bias?
I love her style and her no-nonsense approach to sewing. Would love to win, thanks for the chance!
Would love to have this wonderful resource book!!!!
Wonderful sewing book with so much to learn. Awesome to have some of the good patterns to make.
I am ready for Gertie's lessons. I would love this book.
I like Gertie's instructions, she definitely has done her research and her fair share of sewing vintage clothing. I would love to have this book in my library!
I'm new to sewing and would love to learn more about making clothes with such clean lines and classic silhouettes. All the better to compliment my curves. I would love this book!
I would be so happy to get Gertie's book! I have always loved the 1940's styles -- even when we were wearing mini-skirts as teenagers. I make American Girl Doll clothing and have an on-line shop. I would probably devote the whole shop to that era if I could.
I would love to try all the new sewing technics which are in this book, perhaps I am lucky this time..
I enjoy the fashion silhouette of the retro style. Would enjoy reading the book detailing the sewing of these styles. Thanks for the opportunity!
There are books that inform, books that educate, and then there are books that are a pleasure to look at. This book I am confident would do all three, and I would really love to have a copy.
I love Gertie's style, sewing and pretty books and this piece is all in one! it would be definitely improve my skills.
Henry wants me to win Gertie's New Book. He told me so. He knows how much I like Gertie's style and respect her talent. He knows I'm always looking at her blog. (And I bribed him with kitty treats to say so.) Congratulations on the new book, Gertie! You go, girl!
I'd love to have this book to improve my sewing skills.
I'm always looking to add new skills books to my sewing library and so would love to win this book!
Wow !!!!!! To win Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing would help me in sewing classes I am preparing as well as for my personal use ! I love sewing and learning !!!! Hopefully you will choose my name so I will experience all of the above !!!!! Linda
The revival of this decade´s fashions are so wonderfully retro, yet fitting modern´s curvier bodies, as Gertie does. This book would be an awesome resource to have.
Hi Gertie,
I really would like to have your sewing book. I am retro (older) and am returning to sewing. I would like to relearn techniques I used many years ago.
Jackie
A great book!
My granddaughter is a big fan of vintage fashions. She would love this book.
My sewing time is valuable to me. Any sewing tips to cut through the waste of time with mistakes and make quality decisions would be wonderful. Thank you.
Love Gerite's style. Back into sewing after a long time off. I love anything and everything that will help in my sewing progress!
I love vintage fashions of all ages and would jump at opportunity ti improve my construction skills, this looks just right.
As a 'vintage' myself, I'm sure Gertie's style would suit mew well!
I would like to win this book because it sounds like a fascinating read!
Gertie's crafty class was great, and I learned advanced skills, but they *felt* easy.
I follow her blog and have taken her Craftsy class. Would love, love, love to have her book! Her sewing is fresh and full of valuable fitting and construction tips. I could go on and on, but you already know her amazing talents. Thanks for the contest opportunity! Love you THREADS!
I would love to add this book to my collection!
Im learning how to sew, and every dress i look at, it turns out to be vintage, i would love to sew vintage.
Gertie has some great ideas. I would love to be able to look at them whenever. This would be a great reference book to have. Thanks!!
I checked this book out of the library last winter and found the advice on bodice fitting and moving darts very helpful and easy to understand. I would like to have my own copy so I can use the patterns and have it as a reference.
I desperately want to learn to sew for myself, and this book sounds like it has some great instruction!
I would love to have this book!! I love sewing, I have a shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/Liquidshiva
I love 40's and I wanna add some vintage look to my shop.
Thank you!!
I am trying to improve my sewing skills and this book would be a godsend.
I'd love to learn more about sewing vintage and make a lot of garments from the book. I am also a big fan of Gertie's blog, she made a lot of wonderful garments.
So, I'd be very happy if I win this book :)
Love sewing books and this looks different with updated vintage styles. Would love to win!
I have three adult daughters who LOVE the dresses, etc.,I make for them. I love sewing and sewing books, and am always amazed at how much I don't know about sewing. Plus, Gretchen is adorable and a great teacher.
I'm SO ready to get back to sewing after a long hiatus, and just LOVE vintage clothing (still have many of my Mom's *unprinted* patterns from the 1940s!). This book looks WAY cool!
What a treasure this would be to add to my growing collection of information on techniques used for costuming. I have friends that would get in line to have a peek at it if I had a copy too.
AND... totally fab idea including some period patterns in the cover of the book for the user to view and use. Great addition!
40's are my favorite style in patterns! Gertie is so helpful & inspirational. I'd love to be best friends with her, but owning her book would be awesome too! Thank you for this giveaway. <3
I love Gertie and would super love to have her book.
I love sewing dresses and have many patterns from the 60's and 70's. Some I have reproduced in the 2000's. Love to learn more and I am going to look for Gertie's blog!
I love Gertie's blog! She has fantastic tutorials, and I think her pattern designs are great too. I would love to learn some new techniques while making vintage inspired clothing.
I am in need of some expert advice on how to improve my sewing skills. I have come to a point in my life - where I am lacking confidence, and need a charge to get me going. I would really appreciate a copy of your book, because from what I see of your garments, - they are really what I want to make.And why not learn - the secrets - from one of the best!!
Thank you
Kathleen
I would love to learn more about sewing vintage clothing. Woo hoo Gertie!
This looks like a fun book to add to my sewing shelf. Lots of fun and fab designs - how fun to win this book!
have a dose of the autumn blues and am in desperate need of some inspiration cos sewing has the magic ability of really brightening me up. Down to desperate measures here.
I just want to show my support for Gertie. I met her here in Nashville for the "Golden Age of Couture" exhibit at the Frist Center and she is a delightful young woman.
I love her blog and I love vintage! I would love to win his book so I can recreate some vintage fashion!
Thanks! Reyna
You go, Gertie! Thanks for a great edition to the sewing book world. I would love to have your take on vintage couture.
Would love direction on vintage techniques. The styles were so elegant.
I would love this book. My projects have a "made by loving hands" look and every book I get teaches me another trick to lose that look.
I LOVE to try and incorporate vintage inspired pieces into my wardrobe and have a small collection of dresses I've made using vintage patterns and novelty fabrics! I'd love to add this book to my reference shelf!
I would love to have this book to help me sew the kinds of things my daughter likes and wants to wear.
I would love to win it for a friends daughter - she loves this style and enjoys tweaking vintage garments. She would find a lot of inspiration from this talented lady.
I grew up in the 70's and learned to sew vintage styles from vintage patterns (what I would not give to have them now!). I would love to learn better techniques to make my sewing even better.
I have been embarking on creating my own patterns and I would love to have this book as a reference and a in inspiration!
Though I am an experienced seamstress, I have rarely ventured into the world of vintage sewing. However, with all the buzz in recent months, I am finding myself more and more drawn into the world of vintage sewing and vintage wear. I have found that sewing vintage means sewing with a different frame of mind, to a certain extent. I am hopeful that this book would assist me in learning all I need to know to make beautiful and amazing garments that honor the tradition of vintage sewing.
I love Gertie's blog! She is sharing so many great sewing tips and ideas with her readers. I would love to win this book because I'm very interested in vintage sewing and this book is so inspiring. I find vintage clothing more flattering. I have recently started sewing after a long break. This book will be an essential addition to my sewing library! Thank you, Threads!
I love to sew - or at least I used to love to sew. I purchase patterns and fabric all the time but it's been so many years since I have actually sewn anything that I am worried that I may have forgotten how. A book like this would be a great help in getting me "back in the saddle".
Would love to win this! what fun sewing inspiration!
I've been sewing off and on all my life. I remember that green and white striped elastic waist skirt for 4H. I've always wanted to improve the finer details and Gretchen's blog , Threads, and the new book help to accomplish that goal.
I've found a dozen or more old vintage patterns (real ones!) and I would love to have this book to help decipher these relics!
The world needs more Vintage! There is nothing like it! :)
I have books MAKING VINTAGE ACCESSORIES and MAKING VINTAGE BAGS by Emma Brennan in my sewing book collection. I make vintage bags and accessories for myself and friends. I have added vintage appliques to eveningwear for one occasion. I would surely like to add Gertie's book to my collection and try my hand at making some vintage oufits to go with my bags and accessories and add her book to my vintage collection.
I would love to have this book. I love learning about sewing and I have a daughter who is majoring in Fashion. I'm sure we would put the book to good use.
The first ever lesson I did on making vintage inspired dress was using Gretchen's video tutorial , easy to follow and techniques that Iam now using in all my sewing.
I have been sewing for a loooong time, but I am always ready to learn, learn, learn! This book would be a great asset to my sewing library.
I'm just now taking Gertie's Craftsy class "Sew Retro: The Perfect Bombshell Dress" and I have all of her Vogue patterns. I would love to know the vintage techniques behind her styles and how to make them my own.
I would love to win this book giveaway for several reasons! Firstly, because I simply adore Gertie's blog... And also because I am an ongoing, self-taught sewer currently learning how to sew and design clothing styles which both myself & my teenage daughter would be proud to wear. And our favourite style of apparel??? Why, vintage, of course! Thanks for the awesome giveaway as well as your helpful & inspirational blog & newsletters!
I have recently discovered Gertie's blog; I would love to have her book!
I love Gertie's style and attitude, and I'd love to have her book to use and to share as a reference book with my friend who teaches costume design at the local performing arts high school.
I've always admired Gertie's skills. Would love to have this book.
I would love to win Gretchen's book because it would bring by the memory of sewing with my mother. I would to sit at her feet when I was five and cut the scraps she would drop on the floor to make them fit my Barbies. I actually made my first dress when I was 11 years old and had such great memories of sewing with her. My mom past away when I was 12. She had a style that was elegant and fashionable for the 70's. I think Gretchens's style will give me the style of my mother fashion sense and take me out of the box.
I would love to win Gretchen's book because it would bring by the memory of sewing with my mother. I would to sit at her feet when I was five and cut the scraps she would drop on the floor to make them fit my Barbies. I actually made my first dress when I was 11 years old and had such great memories of sewing with her. My mom past away when I was 12. She had a style that was elegant and fashionable for the 70's. I think Gretchens's style will give me the style of my mother fashion sense and take me out of the box.
Oh what a delight it would be to win this book.
Oh, to win Gertie's book would be such a joy...Please, pick me! I need to learn to sew vintage designs, too~
Gertie's blog is excellent! I'd love to see her book!
I was just about to buy Gertie's book on Amazon. Being a beginner sewer who is teaching myself or how this book would be useful to add to my already growing sewing library.
I would love to win because I do not yet have a sewing book and I love all things retro and vintage!
Would love to win this book as it could definitely improve my sewing skills!
I've only been seeing about a year and the bug bit me HARD! I'd love Gertie's book for all the great tips and techniques that will help me expand my wardrobe with the style and fit perfect for me.
Ugh. *sewing. Lol auto correct!
I love the styles Gertie sews, and would love to have her book for work with.
What great news that you have a new book!!!! Even if I don't win I'll buy it for sure!! I love you work and your style.
I love her style. I'd love to win her book
Such fun design! Love to win this book!
I like her tutorials, I usually learn a lot with them, so I think her book will be as good as them.
I really like these styles! It would be so much fun to create them with this book! Thank you for the chance!
This looks like a great book for inspiration. The difficulty will be whether to buy it for myself or my daughter, or both of us.
Love to learn something new, love the style
I like Gertie's blog and the clothes she makes. I want to give this book to someone who like the fifties and sixties. And want to make this kind of clothes.
Monique
I've looked at this book. Would love to have it.
fabulous looks. Would love to beef up my skills!
I have a weird shaped body and need all the help I can get!
I would love to win this book to give to my best friend who is a new sewer. I'm teaching her how to sew garments. She is 68. You are never to old to learn. We have gotten together once a week for about 3 years now. She won 7 blue ribbons at the fair this year and 3 other ribbons.
I have a small sewing business so won't enter things at the fair as I don't think it is ethical or fair to the unprofessional people, although I see it done all the time.
I am taking Gertie's Craftsy lesson "Sew Retro". I like the way Gerti teaches. I hope to get this book to learn more from her.
I would love to work with this book. It would help make things even more fun.
I loved her tutorials on the blog and the book would be one for the keeps, for any sewing enthusiast,and surely for a crazy one like me !
Would love to sew using the Vogue patterns & information in this book. I continue to make most of my wardrobe--especially the nicer pieces. Thanks. Rita
I have a passion for sewing and a passion for books!A sewing book by Gretchen?...Can't be beat!!
I was lucky to be able to attend a seminar with Ms. Hirsch at a sewing expo, and was very impressed. I have all her Butterick patterns and would love to have the book to help me make new "vintage" garments.
This was my beautiful mother's fashion era, and I would love to have this book to help me introduce the 1940's to my beautiful granddaughter.
I love vintage sewing and my daughters are a beautiful palette to paint on. I would love to win this book and learn some new skills from the best in the business. It would make my birthday on the 28th even more special :-)
This would be a fine addition to my sewing library.
I like Gertie's approach.
I've been a quilter for a number of years and want to branch into sewing clothes Gretchen's book looks like it will be a great help!
Wow, this is a take me back to the 1950's moment. I learnt to sew when I was 9 and my mother would recycle her dresses and coats and make something 'glamourous' for us, using brocade fabrics, chenille bathrobes etc. As I am thinking and looking back, our patterns were so awesome. The angles, the bias cuts, all of those patterns were so flattering in the day. I would like to have Gertie's new book to assist me in some vintage sewing. By the way, considering that I grew up with a Great Aunt Gertie(my father's mother's sister),even the name of Gertie's book brings up some wonderful memories of kin folk.
I would love to have this book!!! I finally have a place to really spread out and sew, and I've lost 2 pounds, and still counting. I am just itching for inspiration and to really get down and enjoy some detail work!
SewingSadie writes: This book sounds like it would be both fun and challenging! At age 59, I have just started sewing again this summer, since my Jr. High School years - you do the math.....! I have started a collection of books that show how clothes are made, using your heart and soul - ie: Claire Shaeffer, Tomoko Nakamichi, and the many talented people who post on Pintrest. This book would be an invaluable addition to anyone's collection! May the best person win!!!
Have been makeing rockinroll dresses for my sister in law. This book would be such a help.
I am always devouring new(to me) techniques and tips to take my sewing up a notch.
I have always loved the vintage look. I wish it would come back in style.
It is more lady like and elegant. Nothing pretty in my opinion, seeing so much cleavage and exposure of the breasts that we are seeing nowadays. The fashion industry has too many 'follow the leaders' gals that buy whatever. If they started to make vintage again, gals would buy the clothing. I would love to win this book.
I have always loved the vintage look. I wish it would come back in style.
It is more lady like and elegant. Nothing pretty in my opinion, seeing so much cleavage and exposure of the breasts that we are seeing nowadays. The fashion industry has too many 'follow the leaders' gals that buy whatever. If they started to make vintage again, gals would buy the clothing. I would love to win this book.
I would love to add Gertie's book to my sewing inspiration library. Thanx for the opportunity to win this fabulous book. [email protected]
I have been a big fan of Gertie's for years now. Hers was the first blog I ever started following. I had her book on my "wish" list since she announced she was going to make it. Due to many other things being more pressing, it still has not made it from my "wish" list to my "buy" list. Gertie explains everything so well that I have even recently signed up for her sew-retro bombshell dress class.
Oh, vintage sewing. How fun. I'd love to win this book.
I would like to win Gertie's book because I have become hooked on her blog. I need a distraction. Like so many fellow addicts I suspect that if we spent less time "following" Gertie we might actually get some flipping sewing done and have something to wear at the end of it instead of drooling over her latest dress. I might even finish the pad stitching on the coat collar. If I won the book I would try to go cold turkey on the blog and not follow for at least a whole month, well maybe a week - ok two days, but that would be it.
I just love Gretchen's teaching style!
I would love to win this book as this case is 'what is old is new again'! The chance to have these great tips and information by such a fantastic person as Gertie would be a great add to my ever growing library of apparel books!
Why wouldn't I want this book? Gretchen is the reason I got onto threads & craftsy in the first place! She inspires me to care about my sewing.. to take the time to do it right.. to finish it in such a way that no one would find fault with it.. her aesthetic is an inspiration.
Here in Ug (Uganda for the uninitiated) wide skirts and vintage fashion are not even on the radar but thanks to her... I have developed a a keen interest in vintage fashion!
I really want this book!!
I love vintage and retro, and have studied flat pattern design and historical design. I'm just taking tailoring now, so I think I am ready to benefit from such a superb book. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
I'm 73, so I am vintage and used to sew these vintage fashions when in high school, but one is never too old to learn to sew better or faster, so I would love this book.
I really enjoy and learn techniques from Gertie. I don't own any sewing books. I've been sewing for thirty years and this is the one I would love to own.
Couture is what separates the sewing techniques of the masses from those of the seamstresses who enjoy the intricacies of sewing. I would certainly appreciate having this retro approach to couture at my fingertips, to learn and execute the fine couture of the 1950s era. Thank you.
I am a huge fan of her blog. I have been following for years and would love to see what she put in the book.
I just adore her blog and admire her work....I'm such a fan. She provides not only inspiration but also wonderful sewing guidance. I look forward to using her book. It would be great to get a complimentary copy from Threads, but if not I still will purchase the book because I can only imagine how good it must be. I'm very excited.
Resourceful addition to the library, would love to read and learn from it!
I learned how to sew from my grandmother in 1959. She learned how to sew in the 1890's so she was not very up to date at the time. I then learned to sew differently in home economics class in high school which was in the 1970's. So in there, I really would like to learn how they did it in the 50's! I think any book is helpful and I am always trying to learn something new.
I have followed her blog for a long time. And if this book is just half as amazing as her blog then ...wow! ambrerose at aol dot com
I have a 1950's cocktail dress pattern that I came with the Vogue label in it. (yes I paid more than I should have, but it was too beautiful and fulfilled another life fantasy..:-)) so now I need help making this dress with wired collar and bias whatever...
sounds like a great reference manual. I love hand sewing and couture techniques. Very interested in seeing what it contains.
I find it realy hard to find clothes I want to wear, this book might be the answer!
I was inspired by your video tutorial on a vintage dress and decided to make my daughter's prom dress. Now I'm on the roll and need more info ...
I was inspired by your video tutorial on a vintage dress and decided to make my daughter's prom dress. Now I'm on the roll and need more info ...
I have been out of sewing for seven and one-half years taking
care of my sister-in-law who had Alzheimers. Now I am so
anxious to learn all I can because I am so rusty and feel like terminology/methods, etc., has surpassed me...but I am
trying so hard. I have been trying to find a video somewhere
on how to make a good pair of ladies pants and it seems so
impossible. I would like to win this book, perhaps it would
help me and give me ideas. Please consider me for any kind of help with getting back into my sewing.
Ann Montgomery ([email protected]
Love the modern twist on Vintage. I adore the vintage style dress but don't want to look dated or copy-catish. This book looks like it would be great.
I LOVE Gertie's blog and I would love to have a copy of her new book. Everything she makes turns out so well and she has the greatest tips and techniques!
It would be great to have this book. I borrowed it for a week, and my daughter showed an interest in it; hopefully it will encourage her to start sewing again. Thanks!
I love to Sew Retro! would enjoy this book to the max --
I've recently started Swing dancing and this would be great for creating vintage looks for the dances!
I love modern vintage. hope to win.
I am learning how to sew (finally at the age of 67) :). I just discovered Threads Magazine and am enthralled by what I have learned so far and the scope of what I have yet to learn. Needless to say, I am loving the journey. I am especially interested in couture techniques (I am soaking up the techniques from the Insider videos )and believe that Gertie's book will help me create clothing that doesn't scream homemade. Even though I am a "toddler" so to speak in sewing--I have great expectations and I believe this book will help me along the way! That is why I'd be thrilled to win! :)
Would love to add this book to my library!
I learned about Gretchen on Craftsy and have been looking at her abilities to create something remarkable. I'd like the opportunity to have her book and create for myself. I found her blog and have been doing some of the tutorials and found it gave me a better understanding of what I want to do. Win or lose, I will acquire her book for the scalloped waist band alone.
Clever girl! Great tutorials. Witty and charming. Full of fun.
I sew retro costumes for the Swing St. Louis Show and love to dress vintage,
Lacy
There's a reason they're called classics. This guide sounds like it has everything to get started with some great, basic garments and the instruction to build on them. I'd love to have this book.
Ive ben sewing off an on for years I can the finished project but I have trouble getting there I know this book would show me the missing pieces
I just can't get enough of sewing instruction. And I just can't get enough of Gertie! This book would be well used in my sewing room .... maybe even more used than my seam ripper!
I love Gretchen's ingenuity and skill. I have frequented her blog and would love to have her book!
I am beginning to start sewing again and wou love to have this book.
i'm always looking for ways to improve my sewing!
Gretchen is sew inspirational.
Im new to sewing so trying to learn as much as i can
Nipped-in waistlines are a great style on me, so I'd love to have these patterns!
gerties books are great!