As I may have mentioned, I work for a company with ties to the publishing industry. So I'm around books all day long, and I get to see new craft books, including books about sewing. I hate to sound jaded, because I love books and want people to keep buying them, but I think most sewing books are largely underwhelming. I'm talking about the ones that feature easy projects and have too many pillows and ugly skirts. Bleh.But I am in love with Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. It features just the right balance of stylish clothing, accessories and stuff for the home; it's well-written and beautifully photographed. More important, the instructions and diagrams are simple and easy to follow. Pattern sheets, à la BWOF but less complicated, are included. This would be the perfect book for someone who is a beginning sewist or returning to sewing. Include some fabric and it would make a wonderful gift. I'm thinking of making the Yard-Sale Skirt (long and swishy) and I know Stacy made Kai's Shirt for her little Gerber baby boy. [Note: If you do purchase this book, visit Heather's blog and print out the errata notice before you begin any project.]
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Last week was a tough one for us baby boomers, losing two icons of our youth. No one can get me on the dance floor faster than Michael Jackson. Period. And going to college in the late seventies in Texas, where her fame was omnipresent and every guy I knew had her poster in his dorm room, I desperately wanted to be as awesome as Farrah Fawcett. So in tribute to MJ I just may move making this Vogue military jacket up on my fall sewing list. Any thoughts on appropriate Farrah tribute patterns?
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I feel like giving away some nifty stuff this July! I'll be shopping in the garment district and picking up some tailoring and dressmaking supplies to give away each week in July, starting the week of July 6th. To be eligible for the random drawings you must be a follower of this blog in Google Friend Connect as of July 5, 2009. Just click on the "Follow" button at left.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Finished! My faux-Chanel jacket is done and as I write this I hope to wear it to lunch with some sewing friends who're in town. Maybe I can persuade one of them to take a photo of me in it so I can show you later this week. Stay tuned!
24 comments:
I liked Weekend Sewing too. I bought a copy for my niece as a shower gift. (I used to have a Jaclyn Smith haircut in college. And my sister - a blonde - has a Farrah cut) Since when I think of Charlie's Angels I think of bikinis, I'll have to give the subject of an homage outfit a little more thought since I'm pretty sure you don't mean a bikini
I am thinking of some 70's Charlie Angel outfit-- short shorts or perhaps a poly knit dress, of course, low cut and drapey. Need to revisit a few episodes!
I have heard great things about the Heather Ross book esp. her use of elastic thread for shirring. Recently she gave a great tutorial on the Martha Stewart show.
have fun today!
When I think of Farrah, I think of 2 outfits: either a white cotton batiste bohemian-ish dress with a v-neck and fitted waist, or... (like Cindy said) a poly knit dress in red with a deep v-neck (like the swimsuit poster). Good luck, and have fun at lunch (I'm so jealous)!!!
Thank you for the book review. I tend to bypass this type at the bookstore.
I remember trying to get my hair to have "flybacks" like Farrah's and I also remember watching the Motown Anniversary when Michael came out and did the Moon Walk.
First, I love the jacket. A friend of mine had the red "Beat It" leather jacket when we were in 4th grade and he admitted this week on Facebook that he still has it (he had the glove too but lost it one day at recess). I covet that jacket and told him I wanted it but alas I think I will need to seek out a pattern if I were to get my hands on anything like it.
Second, here are some Farrah Ideas that I culled from my own collection, if you wish to use one I can trace the pattern off and send it to you:
http://www.who2.com/photos/Farrah-Fawcett/Farrah-Fawcett_0004.html
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=3476564&id=626050609&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=3476500&id=626050609&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=3476563&id=626050609&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=3476558&id=626050609&ref=mf
Thanks so much for the book recommendation. It sounds like a great book. I will be passing it on to my beginning sewing friends.
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
I'll have to check out that book! I always loved Farrah's style! Especially her hair! :) I had that style part of high school, then switched to Christy Brinkley...
For Farrah's clothing, I usually picture some flouncy top that is off the shoulder on at least one side and close fit jeans. Ruffles... Or the cute pantsuits that were big in the 70s. For today's woman, they should not be one piece...
I was looking at pictures of MJ just yesterday and thinking how it would be cool to copy one of his jackets (in particular, a red leather jacket with tons of zippers). Can't wait to see your Vogue.
I have this book checked out from the library right now. I can't wait to make the Everything Tote.
Farah Fawcett - that hair - and that pin-up poster with that hair! Most of the 70's stuff was big tall collars, long, waisted jackets and the only thing I like today is those cross-over V-neck tops - although they were mostly blouse-y, but I think you could get away with something like Burda 8361 or maybe Vogue 2968 (although this looks more Stevie Nicks-ish).
And I vote for a group shot this weekend!
Funny, the death that hit me harder than Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett this week was that of veteran music journalist Swells (Steven Wells). I had professional contact with him over the years, and knew of his cancer after he moved to Philly 5 years ago, but even I was caught by surprise. And he's written THE best columns about his cancer that I've ever read. I think I laughed out loud and guffawed about 6 times. Fuck the "oh what a brave survivor" crap - Swells saw it all for what it was, and he's very much missed.
Please take some time to read one of his last articles here. It'll forever change the way you treat people with cancer.
I think I would enjoy this book as well. Thanks
I agree with your opinion about sewing books. It seems the focus is on gaining new sewers, and that's a good thing.
Is the jacket not a lot like the popular, blingy military jacket by Balenciaga? Don't remember if he in fact made it, but it is pretty popular with the gliterati, having seen it on several stars(not in person of course) No, maybe it's Vuitton? Anyway, it has a lot of braid connecting the buttons.
Good to know about the book, as I'd never make any of the projects in the books I've seen. Talk about loving hands at home.
I think a red tank or dress. I always think of the poster with the red swimsuit.
As you know, I have a small collection of Farrah-esque patterns! I always wanted to be slinky like she was and tried to torture my stick-straight hair into her signature style.
I'll have to check out Heather's book. I love adding new books to my library!
Michael Jackson was just epic. Those band leader jackets were something else. As for Farrah... I was thinking the peasant blouse, jeans, and platform sandals, or the iconic red swimsuit. Can we hope for feathered hair, too? ;)
For Farrah, the off the shoulder white peasant blouse and/or something red, low, and tight! One of these could probably flatter all of us. The other could probably only flatter her.
Love the military/Balmain/MJ inspired jacket. For Farrah I would think slinky,short, peasant type......I love the jacket idea.
I had my hands on that book at our local Chapters store....should have picked it up. Next trip in :)
For Farrah it's gotta be the swimsuit! I hope you can get your friends to do photos. It is SO NICE to have a photographer.
I purchased Weekend Sewing from B&N a couple of months ago. It has very strong ratings on amazon. I'm a booklover, too. Before I paid, I took a very good look at it to make sure it was suitable for beginners--for me it is. Clear instructions, good pictures, very conversational and motivating.
Haven't been able to use it yet, but hope to before the summer ends. An excellent book for any sewing level.
Maggie wants you to make her one of these military style jackets.
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