While I’m away on holiday I thought I’d keep you all entertained with a series of posts on books I’ve bought over the past year or so and never really quite talked about. Not a single one of them is a “beginning sewing book”, either, so for those of you who are a bit sick of seeing the same books being released over and over, well, you’re in for a treat this week.
First up is a book which I talked about a while back when it was released as an e-book, but I thought it was worth a revisit as it’s just been released in print.
The print edition has the same content as the e-book, with full colour photos and really very excellent advice on both fitting and construction that I just haven’t seen elsewhere, in print or online. If you missed my earlier review, the condensed version is that this is really what you need in order to make a bra pattern fit you, and then sew it all together. I’ve sewn with Kwik Sew bra patterns before and even though their instructions are held up to be really good, it doesn’t even come close to the level of detail in this book.
Plus, she tells you how to make a muslin (toile) so that you don’t get all the way to the end of sewing a gorgeous bra, only to find out in the final step it doesn’t fit properly. Which is what I usually end up doing, and then getting discouraged and not sewing another one for months (speaking of, I’m probably due for another spate of bra sewing soon!)
The only thing the book is missing, really, is an actual bra pattern, but Norma’s gone and released her very own bra pattern recently (after nearly a year in development!), which I’ve bought and am super keen to try out after my holidays. Kathy has already made two bras from it already, which makes me want to try it more. And god knows I’ve got enough of a lingerie sewing stash already, so it’s not like I’d have to buy any supplies!
Oh but back to the book… Holy crap, I’m on the back cover! And in spectacularly good company…
(I still stand behind that – the Bridge Test is just golden!)
You may also have seen Norma’s article in the September 2014 Threads Magazine (#174) on how to sew a foam cup bra – this information isn’t covered in the book and so it’s worth grabbing this edition of the magazine while it’s still current (and cheap).
I was sent a complimentary print copy of the book since I tested it before its release, but I bought the bra pattern and Threads magazine myself.
Up tomorrow – a book on fabric!
I’m currently on a much-needed holiday through Central Europe, ending with running the Berlin marathon. I’m trying not to work while I’m away, so I’ll respond to anything non-urgent once I’m back. Thanks!