I have just received my copy of Modern Pattern Design by Harriet Pepin circa 1942. What a treasure . I have found all the answers for all my pattern making questions. This book is out of print and really should be repubklished . It is available on line at Vintage Sewing but the pattern piece lableing is so small that I decided to splurge on the book itself which isnt a lot better I have to admit. Republishing her book would be a wonderful project for the Tauton press ??? How about it folks?
Her chapter on dart manipulation and adding drape to a design were so easy to understand . Some parts about corseting and the changes to the fashion conscious woman’s figure due to changes in corseting fashion took me back to lacing my Grandma into her stays before church on Sunday . The whole book is wonderful and i really think we should start lobbying Tauton to republish so fellow sewers what do you think?????????
Replies
Hi,
I absolutely agree - that's a wonderful book! Please add my "vote" for this gem to be re-published. I have a copy only because my DH loves to go to resale shops. That's the way I've accumulated/acquired a lot of my older sewing publications. :)
You may be in luck because of the internet. Google, I believe, is working with leading academic libraries to scan their holdings into a vast cyber-library. They are starting with books that are out of print, and that book is in our University library, so maybe it will be included, too.
It has actually been published on Vintage Sewing .com . The problem is with the graphics which have the labeling of the pattern so small that the directions are very hard to follow on a screen The book is also rather lacking in good graphics but is such a clear desription especially on dart manipulation that I think it would really be worth republishing with improved labelling of the lovely old and rather quaint pattern designs. Ah well maybe there just isnt enough interest although the publishing of books on Chanel and Vionnet suggest that there is an interest in the history of pattern making and techniques beyond just eye candy.
This post is archived.