Ahahhh to be fair I have no evidence of Janet Arnold having said the thing about the books being intended to sit out on tables--I've only ever heard her successor Jenny Tiramani say that. 😂
I got rid of my coffee table and placed two treadles there. I do have evidence of them being used as coffee tables in the past. Some books on the top of them would look just FAB!!! They attract the eye too, so more will want to pick the book up. Seriously though, there are some elaborate designs in books for making lace, and fabric coverings of all sorts, for types of home sewing machines. They protect them in the windows sunlight from bleaching, dust , and all mater of goods placed on them.
I love your explanations and flip through. This reminds me of.... Cook books. *Reader digest sewing. = better crocker red plaid book. (Learn the basics, how to cook.) *Janet Arnold = America's test kitchen / cooks illustrated (get super nerdy and precise, refine your techniques) *Sketchy/closeup and detail = Joy of cooking / Julia Child-Mastering the art of French cooking. (Gormet Chef detail and textbooky) *Pinterest recipes = fashion plates (pretty pretty pictures for inspiration.) !! It all depends on where you are in your cooking & sewing journey!!!
If you are new to sewing and have a machine: read the manual! Then test out everything it does, you dont have to "make" anything, just practice threading and running the fabric though. If something goes wrong/could be better - google/youtube *your machine* and the issue/'how to...'. Sewingpartsonline has good video tutorials of how to use presser feet!
It's pretty easy to get most manuals online too now, if yours has gone AWOL & if your machine is vintage, there are FB groups who have collated volumes of info about restoring & servicing them.
fun story; my first sewing machine was my moms (from before I was born) and she didn't know how to use it. there was no manual, and its tension spring was broken. I learned to sew on that machine when I was like 13, and I still use it to this day (I got it serviced, and repaired five years ago). This machine is called an omega, which means absolutely nothing, it is closest to a necchi 535FA. I have learned how to take this thing apart, and how to fix everything on it (my dad is a mechanic and I credit him for my mechanical/tinkering ability). this has helped with troubleshooting why something is off. I love my old beast.
Woohoo! Thanks for the heads up. I checked the School of Historical Dress website and they are preparing color versions of Patterns of Fashion 1-4 to release in 2021.
I started sewing just two years ago af 24. I found the Better homes and gardens book at the thrift store and several other antique sewing manuals from the 50s and before. Those types of books literally hold your hand the whole way! They are great! The only problem is the language, I am good at reading "proper english" and had a rough time with one book from....I think it was from close to 1930. Once I got used to the way it spoke though, it has been super helpful!
Those OG homemaker books from WW2 and before are the BEST, because they just assume as a core premise that the reader will be sewing, making, cooking, cleaning and setting up house from scratch, and that clear, extended instruction may be required for those who didn't have the 'privilege' of being taught how to do all of that from the time they could toddle on their own, lol. But seriously, I have one somewhere that goes from making basic meals to sewing an entire wardrobe to cleaning literally anything and everything that can be cleaned to building and upcycling basic furniture and household design and organization. And it's aimed at late teens early 20s women. The level of competence, energy and physical strength the assumed average 17 year old woman of the time will have is frankly somewhat intimidating to modern eyes. :-D
Definitely, older books are more helpful. Anything pre 1980s, when colour printing became much cheaper, explains thing much better. The same principle applies to cookbooks.
My mom does the same thing for that book! She picks them up every now and again at thrift stores or garage sales for $1 or so. A good book doesn't have to break the bank.
I watched this video just because I enjoy your videos and hanging out but this has been so helpful because the books that so many people suggest make me choke and panic. And if I'm completely honest, I've been actively avoiding buying Patterns of Fashion just simply because I do not have a cutting table or a sewing machine... I have the floor and my hands... I don't think Janet Arnold would be happy if I kept them on the floor and neither would I! XD Books live in bookshelves. It keeps them safe from damage.
I haven't done any costume/fancy dress sewing yet, I'm a quilter 😀 But I enjoy your videos, how you're honest about the good & ooopsie moments, your sense of humour & your geeky nerdy pride! (I'm an HP, sci-fi, manga, dragon loving, LotR addict) And seeing you flip through a book or magazine & sigh with bliss, joking that it's like porn, oh yeah that's my kind of humour hahaha
MEE TOO! I just left my first comment here and was reading some of the others. Im a Quilter/Needle pointer and found found her thru the CoCovid weekend. I follow Bernadette Banner (Seriously Check her out, its like sewing porn). Im working on a reproduction quilt using the patterns in the Kansas Star newspaper and only using techniques/fabrics(Reproduction) that would have been available at that time. (1928-53) I wanted it to be as historically accurate as possible, hence why I happened upon the plethora of historical costuming content on UA-cam.
Can you or @Renee Ross recommend any quilting youtubers that are sort of like Costuming Drama? I want to get more into it but don't have anyone local to reach out to.
@@reneeross8181 My cousin had recommended Bernadette Banner to me & then through her I found Noelle, & I now I'm recommending Noelle back to my cousin 😊 Lots of happiness in the sewing world 🧵😀
@@jenniferb585 I don't have many quilters that I follow yet, but Angela Walters had a channel called The Midnight Quilt Show which was a lot of fun. She hasn't added to that one in a while, has a separate one under just her name. But the Midnight Quilt Show episodes are fun, beginner friendly, & drinking wine while quilting is encouraged 🍷 hahaha
Sorting by size is a totally valid option! Due to space limitations, that is exactly how most of my books are sorted too! I've also got a shelf overhaul coming up, secretly looking forward to it as it is an excuse to look through my collection and find things I've not seen a while. Also, thank you for the common sense book suggestions!
Space limitations are a thing! I now also sort by size. Back when I had heaps of space and an entire wall of bookcases (and it was a pretty big wall), I had all my books meticulously organised, alphabetical by author, and then by release date within author. I live in an apartment now. I had to donate almost all of my books, keeping only one bookshelf worth. That was hard.
For costuming in detail I have one of those clear plastic sheets with grid on it. I made the grid in illustrator and printed it on the OHP-sheet so I can just lay it over the page I want to make. It really just made the book plug and play ^^
Costume in detail doesn’t have any patterns, but costume close up and the cut of women’s clothes does. That’s a good idea! (And also they should have just printed the book with one)
It does rather necessitate some creative...organisation. I’ve shelved DVD’s and books in the same Benno-system. It took a *while* to fit everything in, in alphabetical order, *and* making it look decent... :D
I do have a pet peeve and a hint for the soft cover books. I hate that they don’t stay open so you can see close printing to the binding; especially if you have it laying open on your sewing table. I take my books like these to something like Kinko’s/Fed-Ex Office. There I have the spine cut off, as close to the spine as possible. Then they bind them with spiral binding. I don’t loose any of the info AND it’s more user friendly. They lay flat and you can make notes in them etc . 😀
I have one of those wire contraptions for holding cookbooks open, but they don't work as well if you're laying the book flat. Great idea on the binding!
Paperback books were originally created as a cheaper option for a market who didn't have their own home libraries & couldn't afford to buy & keep hardback books. Their positives are affordability & portability & the negatives are that they don't have the weight to hold open by themselves & they suffer more from handling as a result, so they don't last as long as a hardback copy. Hardback is still more expensive to make than paperback & now with electronic options, loss through piracy is a major problem, so most publishers opt for the cheapest way to get a book out to a larger market - paperback, but they'll often make a limited amount in hardback. Imho, if it's a decent quality book that will be handled often & that I'm already willing to fork out reasonable money for, then another $20 for the hardback version makes for a sensible investment.
I agree. It's great to be able to look up actual techniques if you need an answer or if you want to try and be as historically accurate as you can, but the risk is to slip and slide into research procrastination and panic freeze. Plus, many of us don't have the money or the shelf space for books. And costube is a fantastic resource!
@@aliceg5327, research procrastination is such a beast! 😭 I'm wanting to sew my first kirtle (circa 1300s-ish), which shall also be my first dress ever sewn. I have tumbled down so many academic rabbit holes and weird textile word forests! 😂😭
@@uncrnsprklfrts5720 as a person who's made a few kirtle's I would like to suggest you buy some inexpensive cotton in a color you like and just start in on the first one bumbling and moaning the whole way. recognize that this will not be a masterpiece, but you can practice all the things you want to do on the masterpiece without feeling like you've ruined your good linen. eyelets, some french seams, Where to put openings! etc. gussets, and on and on, it free's you to both screw up and practice and learn. Also look for fellow costumers in your area. Okay I dont normally jump in with comments, but since I've been there thought I"d pipe up. and the readers digest book is fantastic, also their needlework and crochet, :)
I too learned to sew with the help of "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" and recommend it for a beginner, they also have one for needle work that has a lot of wonderful information. These books are great, and unless you have, or have had, a sewing mentor it is very difficult to even know what you don't know!
I'm a librarian and have shelved by size. In the library. It's much more pleasing to the eye than seeing larger books shelved sideways. Of course, I then put them in alphabetical order by author then title; or in Dewey then author then title order if they were nonfiction.
Ditto, I think I need a shopping day. My only actual sewing book is the needlecraft encyclopedia. It covers a bit of everything from tatting to machine sewing, enough to give you a taste for what you like. Which kinda work for me cuz I like everything.
I learned to sew by reading dress diaries and trying to replicate what those costumers were doing. Oddly enough, the first sewing book I ever bought was Patterns of Fashion 4 lol. I was also lucky enough to have people I could ask for advice in my local SCA group. Because all the sewing I was doing was for historical reenactment purposes I pretty much never used a sewing machine, which is bad in terms of speed of production but excellent for making you really good at hand sewing. I only properly learned how to use a sewing machine and overlocker when I went to fashion school
I sort books by size but that's because I have cheap ikea shelves and large/heavy art books that need to go on the bottom because of their weight. I have a book problem with dreams of having a dedicated library room. Someday, my extremely esoteric books will come out of storage in all their classical glory.
Any sorting method is valid a long as it's not spines-to-the-wall LOL (I sort my books by type but for fiction the sacrilegious thing I do is split up series sometimes D: I sort by how much I like them, so I have "fave" "meh" and "to read" shelves, but also a "banished" shelf corner. I have a couple of series where most of the books are on the "faves" shelf and the last book is in the "banished" corner with the DNFs because it betrayed me lol. Since the faves shelf is like a "comforting to look at and maybe re-read for fun," I don't want to be reminded of the bad ends when looking at that shelf, but don't want to get rid of them either so they go on their own, which is maybe childish but, y'know, I'm an adult who gets to do what she wants with her own bookshelves :p)
I just found out that my library has an AWESOME collection of sewing books! I have Patterns of Fashion 1 on hold right now and I'm really excited to pick it up along with Creating Couture Embellishment. Yay libraries when you spent all your $$ on fabric!
I agree with you one those books, it's almost a little mean to recommend them to beginners. They are more like #lifegoals but a bit down the road type of books.
New subscriber here! I had discovered your existence during last year's costume college, but you were so cool on the panels of CoCoVid this year that I checked your channel out again and I really like it here. Also, I've actually started sewing in the meantime so there's that. I have to admit, I started laughing when you pulled out Costume Close-up as not for beginners. Because I am definitely a beginner, but I do have that book. I specifically want to make the swallow-tailed jacket though, so I can be a posh maidservant in our historical riding/show team. And my 18th century stays, which I just finished, and are actually the 5th piece of clothing I've ever made in my life actually turned out really OK. I used Redthreaded's pattern, made a mockup, adjusted the size of the front panels because my boobs are really tiny (tmi? If so, sorry) and the final version fits quite well. Who knew I could adjust patterns successfully? Not me. So I'm having a great day! But I will almost definitely be drawing out a grid though. And buying gridded pattern paper. Because, gulp, the jacket is outer clothing. Welp.
I am a technical drafter, I wonder if there is a market for tracing patterns in book to the size you need. Because it's the kind of thing I can do in about 5 minutes even without a grid
As a size 26 in street clothes YES. I have a degree in physics and lots of Math skills I can do it but time is limited. I want the fun of making and having the clothes not spending much of my sewing time making a pattern to start.
@@amiwalton9645 in the same time I am not a pattern maker. I can only scale up the pattern but you would have to do a muck up and adjust it to your own body......so you would still have to deal with some headache lol
@@YanickaQuilt makes sense, and that has been my area of issue. I scaled up a pattern for me and while some parts were great other parts where wonky. It was a big for pattern. I have hope that some of the historical pattern companies migjt be better as they use extent garments and more body away blocks. Todays patterns just all seem to add x inch inches for the next size. Thats fine for the waist but my shoulder are not 6 inches broader then 3 sizes down. I will find a way!
Thank god at long last, some one who thinks the same as me on those books, I looked though two of those books the other day and thought why have I even got these books 😱, there just reference but no help to pattern or even make the the clothes if you have no pattern training. Jason from England 🤓
One book that I recently got that I think would fall under the same category as the POF books is Jill Salen’s corset book. There’s one corset in there that I want to make as my first corset (eventually, this is waaaaaaaay down my project list). The extant corset it’s patterned from has something like a 24” or 26” waist. Mine is 46”. That’s going to need a lot of work to get it to fit. I’m definitely not tackling that until I’ve leveled up my sewing game some more!
Having a great many books at least 4 bookcases full, mostly historical books. I decided to during lockdown to reorganised them, well I did not need to tidy halfway through. But I also discovered that the middle shelf did not move. Good Job
eBay/thrift stores has tons of vintage sewing basics books from sewing machine and pattern companies well under $25...start there. I have been sewing for forty years and still use them. I of course have advanced books but they are tailored to what I know I am interested in or want to learn. ...because I have experience and know my comfortable skill set. Sewing should be enjoyable not overly frustrating. Even with my many years of sewing I still get stumped...basics always help me through.
Well I am a very beginner beginner, so I can't really recommend anything, but I really enjoy the Bertha Banner book! I learned how to honeycomb from there and the pocket pattern in there (the one that Bernadette is using in her walking skirt) is amazing! I used it to put pockets in my fast fashion skirt that did not have any so that I can make people jealous of my enormous pockets. And also it is simply a very good read especially when she is throwing some shade on some type of seam finishing (german rolled seam I think) that looks very clumsy in here opinion!
The Agnes Walker book--is that the one you also got from Bernadette? I've looked at hers and Bertha Banners and feel as though I'm learning a lot, even though I've been sewing for many years! Good luck as you continue on this sewing adventure!
@@kjtherrick4031 Oh! That's the book that had that pattern for the combinations! I have to admit I really underestimated that book. Flipped through it right now and it sounds amazing! Thank you so much for recommending it!
I used to do all my book, movie, cd’s (remember them?) by author/creator and title......then I had a kid. So yeah You Do You! Any way that makes you happy!
I haaaaate the Janet Arnold booklets for their weird shape. And I refuse to call them books, because you can‘t even put them into a book shelf properly. So they‘re not books. 😁
Totally 100% agree with you, you need to learn to walk before you can run. We had an old Singer treadle with the coffin lid when I was born & I wouldn't leave it alone, so I was given working miniature metal machines as a toddler. Then I too learned to sew from my Gran, before I started school - nearly 50yrs now. You build on those skills every time you sew. Lately I've encountered many new blogs and YT channels, each fully-armed with their new books, new sewing machines and plenty of inspiration, but sadly none with any sewing skills. While their enthusiasm is truly admirable, it's not great viewing if they don't learn to sew first. I don't imagine it's much fun for them either; struggling with learning the basics of sewing, while juggling basic video production and beginners costuming all at the same time.
Hello. I am a crocheter who also knits and I learned to knit because of 1 pattern I had to make, but I had to do my time on washcloths before I could make a round shawl with the northern constellations in it. Had I tried to learn on that, I wouldn't knit now. Probably the same for sewing (I hand sew some, like linings for purses and took machine sewing in high school [back in the pre-general internet days {like 1993}]). Anyways, I enjoy your videos. On another note, I just change my bookshelves from alphabetical by author and them chronological by series to arranged by genre then the above style...yours doesn't bug me so much, but the by color style does so much. As to things I like to read, science, PNR/urban fantasy, sci-fi (though more of the character driven rather than the science driven), things that skirt genre edges. I use audio books on the weekend (taking a youtube break) and I am currently reading Out of Time by Lynn Abbey (a 50 librarian finds out she's got a weird talent...how often do you get a middle aged 'chosen one'? ^^) in paper (no audio for it that I've found) and up next on my audio is probably The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness by Sara Ramey. Anyways...this is long...
I am with you in the PoF format, this is crazy. I have had some of them for decades now, and it shows badly. I use them and have really them a lot. Not beginner friendly, not something I would reference all the time because I do OTHER STUFF. Ok, I guess the format makes Very Ranty.
Ugh, that Dracula book has been on my list for ages! Eiko Ishioka's work was incredible. btw, I have a master's in library science. I've worked in public libraries with Dewey cataloging, academic with LOC, and archives with their own systems. At home though? We all have our own method! It's whatever makes sense for your brain. I've met people who organize by color, by shape, who label and don't label, who have piles on the floor...whatever works for you. I just moved so my cataloging system is "disarray."
I don't know if you're late or early, but here we are! That book at the start is GLORIOUS. I did some similar bookcase searching yesterday, and found my inspiration for the Foundations Revealed costume contest in one of my favourite childhood books! Obscure European myths are the BEST.
I think I'd place myself just into mid-range. I've made a Truly Victorian bodice, skirt, and overskirt (1890s), but I still feel like a beginner in many corners of sewing. This video definitely added a couple books to my wishlist
As you flipped through the first book I was waiting for 1830s Corona Prevention Sleeves to flip past. That still has me in giggles from the last video. I organized my trimmings yesterday. I don't have enough space in my studio apartment for more than 10 books. So I have the ones I know I am not going to be using much in well-labeled catalog boxes in my storage. Ikea has some good sturdy ones and I also put silica packs in with them to make sure they stay dry. It's a great way to have all the books, but not all of them in a sewing space if room is becoming limited.
The Tudor Tailor is good, So is Medieval Garments reconstructed and the Medieval Tailor's Assistant for those interested in pre-17th Cent. I also Like Blanche Payne, if you can get it, and Boucher's 20,000 years of Fashion.
I've recently become interested in medieval and Tudor garments and bought the Medieval Tailors Assistant and The Tudor Tailor. I think they're both really good books.
Just what i wanted to hear, don't need to leave the books on the coffee table. I just got rid of the coffee table to fit in two more treadles lol. I hear some people just leave their sewing machines on book shelves....terrible..just terrible.
@@invadersin5203 We collectors call them impromptu display cases, hmmm now a collection of machines and books to go with them in this type of display case i think could catch on. Where do poor books go if there is no coffee table OR bookshelf is the question!!!
Big agree on the patterns of fashion sizing though. I recently reorganised my bookshelves because i had to move around my room and i have *big* bookshelves, and yet the single patterns of fashion book uses so much room if i lie it flat. I've only got a temporary solution at the moment, i'm going to have to find somewhere better to stack it once i get more editions.
Costuming drama: begins to plot organizing books by size Those of us with even a touch of OCD: NOOOOOOOOOOO! (But I love how you called it during the intro LOL)
@@Costuming_Drama I started typing the NOOOO about the same time your warning came up LMAO I did stay, though, and watched the flip books. You have some amazing books!
I was conflicted any time I tried to tidy up my bookshelf. My OCD sides fought each other, one desperately trying to alphabetise everything & the other totally freaking out because that makes the books look so damn untidy! I eventually donated most of the books & gave the bookshelf to my son. Problem solved! Now, years later, I'm renovating my craft room & freaking out about where on the wall to put the new shelves for the newer books.
As a beginner I find pattern much more helpful than books. Book on extant garments are purely inspirational at this point. I love my Readers Digest sewing manual.
I'm a reader's digest fan, very helpful, also I've got the British Harmony series, which come in all sizes, for sewing quilting etc. My learning experience is: 1) Grandma, 2) best friend next door (thanks Patty) who became an upholster, 4) sewing class in Jr High School, 4) bodgery from some nameless historical fashion book from the library in the 80's, 5) big 4 patterns (thanks Simplicity and McCalls), and then after a 25+ year break, youtube. I like the inspirational books, but I stick to the straight forward ones to learn from. I agree entirely with your suggestions for beginners, and in particular, it is probably better not to get too many different ones at first, because there are many many ways to do a lot of different things, e.g. sleeve setting, zipper insertion, and it gets confusing until you get your own rhythm going. Great video, I seriously can watch people organize books all day. Seriously I can.
That structural fixed IKEA shelf is the bane of us all. The way home bookcases are sorting by size is sort of a must. I do group by subject on the respective shelves, although to be honest I sort of have subject bookcases - all the art books in one, my history books in another, sewing in a third. Janet Arnold books are VERY inconveniently sized but the content makes up for it. Thank you for sharing your books with us all.
The Reader’s Digest books on sewing and needlework are excellent for beginners! I’ve been working with one form of string (thread, twine, rope, yarn, you name it) or another since I was five. I learned fairly basic hand sewing at 12, and machine sewing at 14, and I STILL refer to those books at 46. I love the books you showed, but even being comfortable drafting patterns, I’m still intimidated by several. I don’t know why altering existing patterns intimidates me, but drafting stuff out of thin air doesn’t? Maybe I’m scared to screw up someone else’s idea, but not my own? I dunno. Loved your rant! Yes, those books will be invaluable resources when, and if, I level up, but in the meantime I’d rather have my hand held through the process. Be well, friend!
In the realm of sewing books I would recommend... Not for a brand new sewer, but if someone wants to start a business in the realm of sewn products or just sews a lot and wants to get faster and better at sewing, Kathleen Fasanella is a clothing manufacturer who has written a book called The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Because of her book, I'm now able to sew 95% without pins, and setting in sleeves is easy with her method (I have noticed nearly everybody on costube complain about this). You also get access to her forum where you can find fabric manufacturer information, techniques, ask questions, etc. It's been super helpful and 100% worth it for me.
This video was very helpful thank you so much for making it.I have an idea of a few books I want to get. I have been sewing for years. These books look like they're full of new techniques and wonderful tips, that will help on my journey to historically accurate clothing.
I think the reason people recommend those books to beginner costumers is because people who learn sewing first and costuming second think of costuming as a different skillset than sewing. Yes, costuming (typically) requires you to be able to sew, but it's not the same thing - so if you don't ask if someone's a new sewer as well as a new costumer, you may end up recommending books for new costumers who already know how to sew. Given that the alternatives I've found with an acceptable degree of accuracy are vague sketches in 1890s newspapers and descriptions + fashion plates/mail order catalogs... Also: the best thing to keep books from falling over is more books next to them. ;)
I’ve always said, “To each their own.” When it comes to organization! I go by subject and then height of book within that subject. My DVDs are alphabetical, so if I know what I want to watch I don’t have to search for it!
Dear Noelle, Thank you so very much for understanding that there are a lot of people like me that are beginning and get intimated by stuff we don't understand yet. I'm learning and I love to sew but if I try to run before I can walk I will get discouraged. I love your videos. Thank you for being so cool. Mona from Saint Louis
The way I use Costume close-up is with a gridded pattern paper that is transparent enough to see the sketch through, transfer it to that, and then I either draft it to my size from there, or directly on the fabric if the pattern is simple enough. If I could figure out what it is called in my language I would want to find and use a gridded clear plastic sheet. But yeah, I agree that it is not a book for beginners. I have sewn for... almost thirty years, and at this point the book is easy-ish to use for patterning (the brevity of the sewing instructions is still a challenge though since I'm fairly new to historical sewing). Ten years ago the patterning would have been a nice challenge, ten years before that almost impossible, except I am a stubborn person who likes math. When I started, I wouldn't even have understood that it was a pattern. Admittedly I began sewing when I was six or eight depending on whether meddling with my parent's sewing counts, and I don't think many kids could go directly into pattern drafting by scale and grid, and maybe maybe some adults can if they are already into that sort of thing for one reason or another, but it is not an easy place to start. Too many things to learn at once.
l like the book shelf editing video. My mom has that hot pink, black and white book.ill have to check it out .I think she got it a library old book sale . Or as a grocery store give away program back in the 1960 -70's. She once got a set of dishes at grocery store that way.. she still uses those dishes. 😁
@@invadersin5203 I remember those green stamp cataloges. It was like a wish book. I think they did a Brady bunch episode about stamp books. I think the girls wanted a sewing machine. Can't remember what the boys wanted . They had a to build a house of cards for the winner. Ha ha. Ha ha....
My most used sewing book is still ‘Sewtionary’, because the various seams and terminology falls out of my head even if I know how to do something up to a certain point. Also, the Stitch and Bitch books are great, I taught myself a bunch of stuff out of them! I stuff stuffed animals in my bookshelf holes, or (unlit) candles XD
Leena Norms also does it by color. As long as you can find them, and let's face it, it fits, who cares? I've watched my husband and his vinyl try every orientation and classificatory system known and unspoken of. I think it is so much effort to do it in the first place, you get an A just for the process.
PS - I found Costume in Detail on Abebooks for about $35, bringing it into the "reasonably priced" range. For skill descriptions, I like to use "beginner", "advanced beginner" and "intermediate"...just like swimming lessons at the Y. :D
Noelle, thank you for being one of the few people to be sane enough to tell people that Patterns of Fashion is not a good idea for people new to sewing to begin with. They are excellent, don't get me wrong, but I have been sewing for years and still struggle with drafting patterns.
Readers Digest is 100% the best newbie sewing book in any edition! I also love their Needlework guide which is out of print but can be found very cheap on EBay or used book stores.
I am going to post on instagram the plight of books in our house, in most rooms, including the kitchen. All order, no order, adults, children, archaeology, literature, fiction, crafts crafts crafts, cookbooks (oh yeah). Oh, the basement too. I can't say no and I can't throw away, and my husband can only throw mine away :). The only reason there isn't a book shelf in the bedroom is that we are allergic ;).
I have like an int he middle opinion about the book size from Janet Arnold. I LOVE the size so that I can open it up on the table and really get a good view when working with them - but I also put them on my shelf when not in use, lol! I definitely think that they aren't really a "beginner book" but I also find so much inspiration int hem and so much useful information. I may not use them to work out of but when I'm unsure of a shape of a pattern piece or wanting inspiration for silhouette and decoration I open them up.
Oh that one with no gird would drive me bonkers?! I use a 1940’s DuBarry sewing skills book and a 1950’s Singer Sewing book (since those are my periods of choice).
I need to do this....I need to KonMarie the bookshelves at the end of the hall (again) and make room for my quilting and costuming books. I like the idea of organizing by size to make them fit the shelves.
Construction instruction sounds like something from Schoolhouse Rock; "Construction instruction what's your function, hooking up sleeves and collars, and waistbands....."
Thanks so much for sharing this Noelle! I’ve been sewing for over a decade and I wish I knew of these books back then so I could break bad habits early! And I’m sorry Noelle but I’m one of those people who loves drafting patterns from scratch and just winging it... and it magically works out and somehow fits just fine... 😂 but seriously thanks for sharing these books and I 10000% agree with you on the patterns of fashion books. *practical book shapes please!* ❤️
Thanks for the book recommendations! Three suggestions for your books: (1) get some metal, nonskid bookends in different heights for your shelves (Amazon, Office Depot, maybe Walmart) because they hold books well and don't eat space; (2) try to put get your Patterns of Fashions books to go across books of the same height so that they can lay flat and won't warp in the wavy pattern as they were laying when you took them off your newly arranged shelves to discuss; you might also be able to stand these--if not too tall--on their spine; and (3) if you don't already have one, start a database of the books you own. The latter is extremely helpful because you can include multiple columns in a database that you can search as needed but don't have to print. Plus, should you move, you can write which book is in which box on your list. I own hundreds of books on many, many topics, and such a list has been a lifesaver. Another worthwhile book for seamstresses of all expertise levels (IMO) is Claire Shaeffer's "HIgh-Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers." Singer also produces sewing books that are helpful.
I mentioned the Patterns of Fashion dilemma to my very smart husband who suggested you make pockets to hang down the side of your bookshelf for them to go in!
@@Costuming_Drama I'll field that, two loops at the top of the pockets to hang on two of the stick on hooks in the higher weight category, some of the heavy duty ones hold over five kilos, so two together is over twenty pounds!
Thank you for giving recommendations for beginners and places/skills to start! I tend to be a person who tries to run before they can walk, so I’m glad for the advice lol
I also have strong opinions about books that don’t fit on bookshelves. Frustrates me to the point that I won’t buy them. I don’t have a coffee table or a dedicated work space. My sewing machine goes on my kitchen table when I sew. Books live on my bookshelf.
You had me cracking up whenever you were talking about Jannette Arnold lol Do you know of a UA-camr who teaches you to resize patterns? That’s something I wanted to start working on ;-) That was a good video, thanks for the giggles.
I love Janet Arnolds books, hate the fact that they do not sit on a shelf nicely. I have mine on the shelf same as you because how else? On my sewing table doesn't work. And thank you for the rant I occasionally fall into the trap of suggesting costuming books (earlier period than these) but without asking sewing experience so I will change that. :)
I was anxiously waiting for the moment you realise that the middle shelf is not movable. I wanted to yell: "Don't do that, it won't work!" Because I've made the same mistake at least a dozen times because basically my work room and sewing room and even my room back at my parents' place have that exact shelf xD Thank you for your recommendations, my books wish list just grew more and the flip through made it easier to decide which ones are actually usefull for me. My personal favourite as inspiration is the museum catalogue "Grosser Auftritt: Mode der Ringstrassenzeit" from the Wien Museum, which focuses on end 19th century/Turn of the century fashion and has A TON of close up photos of Belle Epoque dresses. As I do mostly steampunk and historical inspired stuff the japenese "Gothic & Lolita Sewing Books" (actually not a book but a magazine) and the older Gosu Rori magazine are amazing. As the name suggests it's lolita fashion but since it draws a lot of inspiration from historical and more specifically victorian era it has loads of cute blouses, bloomers, dresses and the like. They usually have one or two patterns with a photo guide, but most will need some construction. But the pictures and step-by-step guides are super good so you don't need to know Japanese to work with them (I can't read a single word and I LOVE them). EDIT: Totally forgot "Das Buch der Wäsche", a reprint including paper patterns of white work from around 1880-1910 including bathing suits, notes on what to do during that time of the months and what a young woman should have in terms of linen and bed sheets etc. as dowry.
I'm lucky because my mom has like 50+ years of experience and all of her sisters know how to sew as well. My mom has made things from pillows to all my Figure Skating dresses, to even a Wedding dress. So she's my go to. My favourite books so far are the American Duchess books and The Tudor Tailor. The Tudor Tailor got me into drafting and I actually enjoyed it (It's how I got through the month of May during lock down). So if you are ready to do some historical dressmaking and the Tudor era is your thing I can't recommend it enough. Also if you have access to it and the extra money classes are probably a good way to go or even a guild. My mom is part of the local Quilters Guild and they are some of the loveliest ladies. I went on a bus tour with them last summer and we had a great time exchange ideas and knowledge.
Costuming Drama Opps, that is quite possible. I’ve been working through it and the area I’m in is part of the Atlantic Canadian bubble, so it can be easy to forget. I do second UA-cam though. Lots of great information on here.
I guess I should go actually read my copy of Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing since mostly what I consider sewing has generally been "muddling through till it looks ok enough to wear"! And Bun Helsing (Netherland dwarf rabbit who always wants cuddles when I'm about to start sewing something) will be happier about that since I need two hands to sew and only one to read, which leaves one hand for bunny-skritching.
I learn so much from you and now I've started reading your comments because they are so informative. Do you ever feel that there is just too much information, too many shiny things, pulling you away from working on your own costuming? I think I need to stop collecting lovely ideas, books, lovelier fabric and just sit down and sew. Thanks for a fun video. I'll chain myself to my sewing machine now.
I totally agree with your take on these "must haves" for beginners... because people are totally missing the point of these books, the basic premise, of these books with gridded patterns taken from extants. It's really funny that you released this video the same day as mine about book recommendations... ;) and next week I'm tackling books with gridded historical patterns, as a separate category. Because they just don't belong with "normal" book discussions.... and absolutely not useful for beginners, unless they just want to feel intimidated. 😬
I love seeing your books ❤️ I had to get rid of all my books when I moved, so I'm slowly building a new collection 😢 I don't remember what books I used when I was learning to sew, I just kind of did it and asked my mom questions when I didn't know something. Then again she says I taught myself to read the same way 😂 I'm working on drafting now and I agree, not having a grid is cruel! I wonder, if they're the same grid size throughout the book could you make an overlay to clip to the page you're using?
That first book is so yummy! I remember a bunch of early costume history and fashion history books at the UCSB library in about 1980, and I didn't steal any of them, because I am pious and righteous and now sort of sorry. Sort of, but I couldn't afford to buy them, even if they were on sale. Sigh sigh sigh.
What an amazing book collection! The Singer sewing books sooooo brings backs some memories for me. Thank you for sharing your collection, I found a few that I will seek out ✂️
I have a bookshelf that has fixed shelves and they are not all equally spaced. So I also sort books by size a bit or sometimes have books horizontally to have books grouped the way I want. While I do love me some organization, as long as I can find what I need 🤷♀️
I've been sewing for 51 years. Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing...YES! Awesome book along with the Bishop Method for the next step. The Singer series are also excellent.
Oooo, fellow electroswing fan!!! Have you checked out Parov Stelar's Princess album? It has some phenomenal electroswing songs! Also, thanks for the book tour!
That BOOK FLIP THROUGH AT THE BEGINNING THOUGH..... honestly I want all the books but I have a severe tendency to obsess over random and out-of-my-league projects that I've seen once so book buying is dangerous lol because if there's any possibility of a crazy project I will get hooked (example: I'm currently making an 1890's style strawberry dress... without a pattern.... despite having never worked victorian before.....)
I kind of disagree with your opinions on those books. If you are first starting to sew, then no, these books are not for you. However, if you already know how to sew, have experience working with and altering patterns, and are just starting historical costuming, then these books are incredibly valuable (and, of course, I would add my favorite, Period Costume for Stage and Screen). I mean, maybe not Cut of Women's Clothes, because those ungridded patterns are pretty annoying (I definitely drew a grid out in my copy for a pattern once). But definitely Patterns of Fashion is a must-own. And Costume in Detail is a whole different resource, and I think everyone should own a copy (and it's not expensive, either).
Personally I like when going the fictional route C.J. Archer "The Ministry Of Curiosities" series is one of my favorites as well as Deanna Raybourne's "Veronica Speedwell" books series.
First off...HUGE THANK YOU for all your hard work on COCOVID! Thank you for myth-busting the usual recommended books on YT. You just saved me a ton of money. My Mom had the RD sewing book and i learned a lot from that, alas i started with sewing Barbie clothes so i probably dont use the best decision making paradigm. I did however just buy my first vintage sewing book from an antique shop; Lippincott's Home Manual Clothing for Women 2nd edition 1924 from Columbia University Teachers College. I think it's a keeper.
I LOVE books and have lots, but I wouldn’t really recommend any to beginners. I remember trying to learn to net/knit from a book, then switching to video/a teacher and it being SO much easier. I usually say after you know the basic stitches (Stanley Hostek’s book Hand Stitches is my go-to there but Jennifer Rosbrugh’s got a course and Burnley & Trowbridge have videos), check out Jennifer Rosbrugh’s courses. She walks you through patterns, and it’s historical. My other #1 reference but not for beginners is Claire Shaeffer’s Fabric Sewing Guide. I hope they reprint All About Wool, All About Silk, and All About Cotton!
As one of those people in the beginner category on the cusp of intermediate ("novice"?), I really appreciate this video. I've been sewing casually for a long time, started costuming in earnest last year, and I pretty much learned to sew via Google and UA-cam videos. I picked up Patterns of Fashion 1 and 3 last year (right before they disappeared off the face of the planet, thankfully) but N-O-P-E. Beautiful books, I'm just not there yet. I recently picked up a book at a flea market, Modern Tailoring for Women by Mauck, 1947. Reads like a textbook and walks you through step-by-step how to construct fitted coats, jackets, and slacks. Super useful for my current outerwear project.
Ahahhh to be fair I have no evidence of Janet Arnold having said the thing about the books being intended to sit out on tables--I've only ever heard her successor Jenny Tiramani say that. 😂
I got rid of my coffee table and placed two treadles there. I do have evidence of them being used as coffee tables in the past. Some books on the top of them would look just FAB!!! They attract the eye too, so more will want to pick the book up. Seriously though, there are some elaborate designs in books for making lace, and fabric coverings of all sorts, for types of home sewing machines. They protect them in the windows sunlight from bleaching, dust , and all mater of goods placed on them.
I’m still saying “suck it Janet!” To that book format!! 🤣🤣😂🤣
I love your explanations and flip through. This reminds me of.... Cook books.
*Reader digest sewing. = better crocker red plaid book. (Learn the basics, how to cook.)
*Janet Arnold = America's test kitchen / cooks illustrated (get super nerdy and precise, refine your techniques)
*Sketchy/closeup and detail = Joy of cooking / Julia Child-Mastering the art of French cooking. (Gormet Chef detail and textbooky)
*Pinterest recipes = fashion plates (pretty pretty pictures for inspiration.)
!! It all depends on where you are in your cooking & sewing journey!!!
I love your way of thinking! Great analogies!
“What is that? Mid butt crack?” This is why I’m a subscriber.
This. So much this.
If you are new to sewing and have a machine: read the manual! Then test out everything it does, you dont have to "make" anything, just practice threading and running the fabric though. If something goes wrong/could be better - google/youtube *your machine* and the issue/'how to...'.
Sewingpartsonline has good video tutorials of how to use presser feet!
It's pretty easy to get most manuals online too now, if yours has gone AWOL & if your machine is vintage, there are FB groups who have collated volumes of info about restoring & servicing them.
Experienced sewers also benefit from RTFM. It can help you realize what your machine can do.
fun story; my first sewing machine was my moms (from before I was born) and she didn't know how to use it. there was no manual, and its tension spring was broken. I learned to sew on that machine when I was like 13, and I still use it to this day (I got it serviced, and repaired five years ago). This machine is called an omega, which means absolutely nothing, it is closest to a necchi 535FA. I have learned how to take this thing apart, and how to fix everything on it (my dad is a mechanic and I credit him for my mechanical/tinkering ability). this has helped with troubleshooting why something is off. I love my old beast.
Woohoo! Thanks for the heads up. I checked the School of Historical Dress website and they are preparing color versions of Patterns of Fashion 1-4 to release in 2021.
I started sewing just two years ago af 24. I found the Better homes and gardens book at the thrift store and several other antique sewing manuals from the 50s and before. Those types of books literally hold your hand the whole way! They are great! The only problem is the language, I am good at reading "proper english" and had a rough time with one book from....I think it was from close to 1930. Once I got used to the way it spoke though, it has been super helpful!
Those OG homemaker books from WW2 and before are the BEST, because they just assume as a core premise that the reader will be sewing, making, cooking, cleaning and setting up house from scratch, and that clear, extended instruction may be required for those who didn't have the 'privilege' of being taught how to do all of that from the time they could toddle on their own, lol. But seriously, I have one somewhere that goes from making basic meals to sewing an entire wardrobe to cleaning literally anything and everything that can be cleaned to building and upcycling basic furniture and household design and organization. And it's aimed at late teens early 20s women. The level of competence, energy and physical strength the assumed average 17 year old woman of the time will have is frankly somewhat intimidating to modern eyes. :-D
The language of sewing. I too need an interpreter .If you show me the steps I get it . That's why UA-cam is good for me.
Definitely, older books are more helpful. Anything pre 1980s, when colour printing became much cheaper, explains thing much better.
The same principle applies to cookbooks.
I have a 1970s sewing manual from Vogue and I would sacrifice virgins to it it's so awesome, it's always on my desk
@@sonipitts what is the name of said book?
Every time I see a copy of the Readers Digest book I buy it to give away because it is the best learn to sew book I have ever read. I am a seamstress.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
My mom does the same thing for that book! She picks them up every now and again at thrift stores or garage sales for $1 or so. A good book doesn't have to break the bank.
I watched this video just because I enjoy your videos and hanging out but this has been so helpful because the books that so many people suggest make me choke and panic. And if I'm completely honest, I've been actively avoiding buying Patterns of Fashion just simply because I do not have a cutting table or a sewing machine... I have the floor and my hands... I don't think Janet Arnold would be happy if I kept them on the floor and neither would I! XD Books live in bookshelves. It keeps them safe from damage.
I haven't done any costume/fancy dress sewing yet, I'm a quilter 😀 But I enjoy your videos, how you're honest about the good & ooopsie moments, your sense of humour & your geeky nerdy pride! (I'm an HP, sci-fi, manga, dragon loving, LotR addict)
And seeing you flip through a book or magazine & sigh with bliss, joking that it's like porn, oh yeah that's my kind of humour hahaha
MEE TOO! I just left my first comment here and was reading some of the others. Im a Quilter/Needle pointer and found found her thru the CoCovid weekend. I follow Bernadette Banner (Seriously Check her out, its like sewing porn). Im working on a reproduction quilt using the patterns in the Kansas Star newspaper and only using techniques/fabrics(Reproduction) that would have been available at that time. (1928-53) I wanted it to be as historically accurate as possible, hence why I happened upon the plethora of historical costuming content on UA-cam.
Can you or @Renee Ross recommend any quilting youtubers that are sort of like Costuming Drama? I want to get more into it but don't have anyone local to reach out to.
@@reneeross8181 My cousin had recommended Bernadette Banner to me & then through her I found Noelle, & I now I'm recommending Noelle back to my cousin 😊 Lots of happiness in the sewing world 🧵😀
@@jenniferb585 I don't have many quilters that I follow yet, but Angela Walters had a channel called The Midnight Quilt Show which was a lot of fun. She hasn't added to that one in a while, has a separate one under just her name. But the Midnight Quilt Show episodes are fun, beginner friendly, & drinking wine while quilting is encouraged 🍷 hahaha
Sorting by size is a totally valid option! Due to space limitations, that is exactly how most of my books are sorted too! I've also got a shelf overhaul coming up, secretly looking forward to it as it is an excuse to look through my collection and find things I've not seen a while. Also, thank you for the common sense book suggestions!
Space limitations are a thing! I now also sort by size. Back when I had heaps of space and an entire wall of bookcases (and it was a pretty big wall), I had all my books meticulously organised, alphabetical by author, and then by release date within author.
I live in an apartment now. I had to donate almost all of my books, keeping only one bookshelf worth. That was hard.
One more voice for limited shelf space requires sorting by size.
For costuming in detail I have one of those clear plastic sheets with grid on it. I made the grid in illustrator and printed it on the OHP-sheet so I can just lay it over the page I want to make. It really just made the book plug and play ^^
Costume in detail doesn’t have any patterns, but costume close up and the cut of women’s clothes does. That’s a good idea! (And also they should have just printed the book with one)
that's what we do for drawing & painting from reference pics, much easier to be able to re-use a grid than to have to re-draw grids over & over again.
That's where I have it from - my mom is an art teacher :D
that structural middle billy bookshelf shelf has ruined so many fantastic shelving plans...
Indeed.
It does rather necessitate some creative...organisation. I’ve shelved DVD’s and books in the same Benno-system. It took a *while* to fit everything in, in alphabetical order, *and* making it look decent... :D
I'm staring at my bookshelf right now, and you're so right.
I do have a pet peeve and a hint for the soft cover books. I hate that they don’t stay open so you can see close printing to the binding; especially if you have it laying open on your sewing table. I take my books like these to something like Kinko’s/Fed-Ex Office. There I have the spine cut off, as close to the spine as possible. Then they bind them with spiral binding. I don’t loose any of the info AND it’s more user friendly. They lay flat and you can make notes in them etc . 😀
I have one of those wire contraptions for holding cookbooks open, but they don't work as well if you're laying the book flat. Great idea on the binding!
I have done that for cook books and music books for my piano. Haven’t needed to for any sewing books yet but I definitely love this option!
Paperback books were originally created as a cheaper option for a market who didn't have their own home libraries & couldn't afford to buy & keep hardback books. Their positives are affordability & portability & the negatives are that they don't have the weight to hold open by themselves & they suffer more from handling as a result, so they don't last as long as a hardback copy. Hardback is still more expensive to make than paperback & now with electronic options, loss through piracy is a major problem, so most publishers opt for the cheapest way to get a book out to a larger market - paperback, but they'll often make a limited amount in hardback. Imho, if it's a decent quality book that will be handled often & that I'm already willing to fork out reasonable money for, then another $20 for the hardback version makes for a sensible investment.
Beginning to sew is daunting enough without being faced by those books.
I agree. It's great to be able to look up actual techniques if you need an answer or if you want to try and be as historically accurate as you can, but the risk is to slip and slide into research procrastination and panic freeze. Plus, many of us don't have the money or the shelf space for books. And costube is a fantastic resource!
@@aliceg5327, research procrastination is such a beast! 😭 I'm wanting to sew my first kirtle (circa 1300s-ish), which shall also be my first dress ever sewn. I have tumbled down so many academic rabbit holes and weird textile word forests! 😂😭
@@uncrnsprklfrts5720 you have all of my sympathy. Good luck to you! And don't forget to have fun with it! 💜
@@uncrnsprklfrts5720 as a person who's made a few kirtle's I would like to suggest you buy some inexpensive cotton in a color you like and just start in on the first one bumbling and moaning the whole way. recognize that this will not be a masterpiece, but you can practice all the things you want to do on the masterpiece without feeling like you've ruined your good linen. eyelets, some french seams, Where to put openings! etc. gussets, and on and on, it free's you to both screw up and practice and learn. Also look for fellow costumers in your area. Okay I dont normally jump in with comments, but since I've been there thought I"d pipe up. and the readers digest book is fantastic, also their needlework and crochet, :)
Hahahaha true that, that’s why I watch UA-cam videos for knowledge and inspiration
I too learned to sew with the help of "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" and recommend it for a beginner, they also have one for needle work that has a lot of wonderful information. These books are great, and unless you have, or have had, a sewing mentor it is very difficult to even know what you don't know!
I'm a librarian and have shelved by size. In the library. It's much more pleasing to the eye than seeing larger books shelved sideways. Of course, I then put them in alphabetical order by author then title; or in Dewey then author then title order if they were nonfiction.
After watching this video, I realize I don't have enough books 😊🤔
Ditto, I think I need a shopping day. My only actual sewing book is the needlecraft encyclopedia. It covers a bit of everything from tatting to machine sewing, enough to give you a taste for what you like. Which kinda work for me cuz I like everything.
I learned to sew by reading dress diaries and trying to replicate what those costumers were doing. Oddly enough, the first sewing book I ever bought was Patterns of Fashion 4 lol. I was also lucky enough to have people I could ask for advice in my local SCA group.
Because all the sewing I was doing was for historical reenactment purposes I pretty much never used a sewing machine, which is bad in terms of speed of production but excellent for making you really good at hand sewing. I only properly learned how to use a sewing machine and overlocker when I went to fashion school
I sort books by size but that's because I have cheap ikea shelves and large/heavy art books that need to go on the bottom because of their weight.
I have a book problem with dreams of having a dedicated library room. Someday, my extremely esoteric books will come out of storage in all their classical glory.
Any sorting method is valid a long as it's not spines-to-the-wall LOL
(I sort my books by type but for fiction the sacrilegious thing I do is split up series sometimes D: I sort by how much I like them, so I have "fave" "meh" and "to read" shelves, but also a "banished" shelf corner. I have a couple of series where most of the books are on the "faves" shelf and the last book is in the "banished" corner with the DNFs because it betrayed me lol. Since the faves shelf is like a "comforting to look at and maybe re-read for fun," I don't want to be reminded of the bad ends when looking at that shelf, but don't want to get rid of them either so they go on their own, which is maybe childish but, y'know, I'm an adult who gets to do what she wants with her own bookshelves :p)
I just found out that my library has an AWESOME collection of sewing books! I have Patterns of Fashion 1 on hold right now and I'm really excited to pick it up along with Creating Couture Embellishment. Yay libraries when you spent all your $$ on fabric!
Good call!
Jealous. My library has a very poor selection of sewing books.
@@pamholt4490 You Should see if they have interlibrary loan! That's where the ones I'm getting are from.
I agree with you one those books, it's almost a little mean to recommend them to beginners. They are more like #lifegoals but a bit down the road type of books.
New subscriber here! I had discovered your existence during last year's costume college, but you were so cool on the panels of CoCoVid this year that I checked your channel out again and I really like it here. Also, I've actually started sewing in the meantime so there's that.
I have to admit, I started laughing when you pulled out Costume Close-up as not for beginners. Because I am definitely a beginner, but I do have that book. I specifically want to make the swallow-tailed jacket though, so I can be a posh maidservant in our historical riding/show team. And my 18th century stays, which I just finished, and are actually the 5th piece of clothing I've ever made in my life actually turned out really OK. I used Redthreaded's pattern, made a mockup, adjusted the size of the front panels because my boobs are really tiny (tmi? If so, sorry) and the final version fits quite well. Who knew I could adjust patterns successfully? Not me. So I'm having a great day! But I will almost definitely be drawing out a grid though. And buying gridded pattern paper. Because, gulp, the jacket is outer clothing. Welp.
I am a technical drafter, I wonder if there is a market for tracing patterns in book to the size you need. Because it's the kind of thing I can do in about 5 minutes even without a grid
Uh, yes. I’d pay for that service...
Well for you ,if you need , just ask. Like I said it's quite easy for me and I'll be happy to help in exchange for the please of watching your vlog 😁
As a size 26 in street clothes YES. I have a degree in physics and lots of Math skills I can do it but time is limited. I want the fun of making and having the clothes not spending much of my sewing time making a pattern to start.
@@amiwalton9645 in the same time I am not a pattern maker. I can only scale up the pattern but you would have to do a muck up and adjust it to your own body......so you would still have to deal with some headache lol
@@YanickaQuilt makes sense, and that has been my area of issue. I scaled up a pattern for me and while some parts were great other parts where wonky. It was a big for pattern. I have hope that some of the historical pattern companies migjt be better as they use extent garments and more body away blocks. Todays patterns just all seem to add x inch inches for the next size. Thats fine for the waist but my shoulder are not 6 inches broader then 3 sizes down. I will find a way!
Thank god at long last, some one who thinks the same as me on those books, I looked though two of those books the other day and thought why have I even got these books 😱, there just reference but no help to pattern or even make the the clothes if you have no pattern training. Jason from England 🤓
As a total beginner the grid-less patterns made me go NoPe...
You know you can draw your own grid on cellophane or tracing paper & just sit it on top? It's what us painters do, then you can keep re-using it.
One book that I recently got that I think would fall under the same category as the POF books is Jill Salen’s corset book. There’s one corset in there that I want to make as my first corset (eventually, this is waaaaaaaay down my project list). The extant corset it’s patterned from has something like a 24” or 26” waist. Mine is 46”. That’s going to need a lot of work to get it to fit. I’m definitely not tackling that until I’ve leveled up my sewing game some more!
Having a great many books at least 4 bookcases full, mostly historical books. I decided to during lockdown to reorganised them, well I did not need to tidy halfway through. But I also discovered that the middle shelf did not move. Good Job
eBay/thrift stores has tons of vintage sewing basics books from sewing machine and pattern companies well under $25...start there. I have been sewing for forty years and still use them. I of course have advanced books but they are tailored to what I know I am interested in or want to learn. ...because I have experience and know my comfortable skill set. Sewing should be enjoyable not overly frustrating. Even with my many years of sewing I still get stumped...basics always help me through.
Well I am a very beginner beginner, so I can't really recommend anything, but I really enjoy the Bertha Banner book! I learned how to honeycomb from there and the pocket pattern in there (the one that Bernadette is using in her walking skirt) is amazing! I used it to put pockets in my fast fashion skirt that did not have any so that I can make people jealous of my enormous pockets. And also it is simply a very good read especially when she is throwing some shade on some type of seam finishing (german rolled seam I think) that looks very clumsy in here opinion!
The Agnes Walker book--is that the one you also got from Bernadette? I've looked at hers and Bertha Banners and feel as though I'm learning a lot, even though I've been sewing for many years! Good luck as you continue on this sewing adventure!
@@kjtherrick4031 Uh I have not checked out this one yet! Thank you very much for the recommendation and also for your kind words!
@@kjtherrick4031 Oh! That's the book that had that pattern for the combinations! I have to admit I really underestimated that book. Flipped through it right now and it sounds amazing! Thank you so much for recommending it!
I used to do all my book, movie, cd’s (remember them?) by author/creator and title......then I had a kid. So yeah You Do You! Any way that makes you happy!
I haaaaate the Janet Arnold booklets for their weird shape. And I refuse to call them books, because you can‘t even put them into a book shelf properly. So they‘re not books. 😁
Totally 100% agree with you, you need to learn to walk before you can run. We had an old Singer treadle with the coffin lid when I was born & I wouldn't leave it alone, so I was given working miniature metal machines as a toddler. Then I too learned to sew from my Gran, before I started school - nearly 50yrs now. You build on those skills every time you sew. Lately I've encountered many new blogs and YT channels, each fully-armed with their new books, new sewing machines and plenty of inspiration, but sadly none with any sewing skills. While their enthusiasm is truly admirable, it's not great viewing if they don't learn to sew first. I don't imagine it's much fun for them either; struggling with learning the basics of sewing, while juggling basic video production and beginners costuming all at the same time.
Hello. I am a crocheter who also knits and I learned to knit because of 1 pattern I had to make, but I had to do my time on washcloths before I could make a round shawl with the northern constellations in it. Had I tried to learn on that, I wouldn't knit now. Probably the same for sewing (I hand sew some, like linings for purses and took machine sewing in high school [back in the pre-general internet days {like 1993}]). Anyways, I enjoy your videos.
On another note, I just change my bookshelves from alphabetical by author and them chronological by series to arranged by genre then the above style...yours doesn't bug me so much, but the by color style does so much.
As to things I like to read, science, PNR/urban fantasy, sci-fi (though more of the character driven rather than the science driven), things that skirt genre edges. I use audio books on the weekend (taking a youtube break) and I am currently reading Out of Time by Lynn Abbey (a 50 librarian finds out she's got a weird talent...how often do you get a middle aged 'chosen one'? ^^) in paper (no audio for it that I've found) and up next on my audio is probably The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness by Sara Ramey.
Anyways...this is long...
I am with you in the PoF format, this is crazy. I have had some of them for decades now, and it shows badly. I use them and have really them a lot. Not beginner friendly, not something I would reference all the time because I do OTHER STUFF. Ok, I guess the format makes Very Ranty.
Ugh, that Dracula book has been on my list for ages! Eiko Ishioka's work was incredible.
btw, I have a master's in library science. I've worked in public libraries with Dewey cataloging, academic with LOC, and archives with their own systems. At home though? We all have our own method! It's whatever makes sense for your brain. I've met people who organize by color, by shape, who label and don't label, who have piles on the floor...whatever works for you. I just moved so my cataloging system is "disarray."
I don't know if you're late or early, but here we are! That book at the start is GLORIOUS. I did some similar bookcase searching yesterday, and found my inspiration for the Foundations Revealed costume contest in one of my favourite childhood books! Obscure European myths are the BEST.
I think I'd place myself just into mid-range. I've made a Truly Victorian bodice, skirt, and overskirt (1890s), but I still feel like a beginner in many corners of sewing. This video definitely added a couple books to my wishlist
The School of Historical Dress Facebook page said that they would hopefully be re-publishing in 2021
As you flipped through the first book I was waiting for 1830s Corona Prevention Sleeves to flip past. That still has me in giggles from the last video.
I organized my trimmings yesterday. I don't have enough space in my studio apartment for more than 10 books. So I have the ones I know I am not going to be using much in well-labeled catalog boxes in my storage. Ikea has some good sturdy ones and I also put silica packs in with them to make sure they stay dry. It's a great way to have all the books, but not all of them in a sewing space if room is becoming limited.
The Tudor Tailor is good, So is Medieval Garments reconstructed and the Medieval Tailor's Assistant for those interested in pre-17th Cent. I also Like Blanche Payne, if you can get it, and Boucher's 20,000 years of Fashion.
I've recently become interested in medieval and Tudor garments and bought the Medieval Tailors Assistant and The Tudor Tailor. I think they're both really good books.
Just what i wanted to hear, don't need to leave the books on the coffee table. I just got rid of the coffee table to fit in two more treadles lol. I hear some people just leave their sewing machines on book shelves....terrible..just terrible.
I display my machines on my bookshelf in my room , cos I have 7 and they don't all fit on my desk :p so I can swap them if they are on my bookshelf
@@invadersin5203 We collectors call them impromptu display cases, hmmm now a collection of machines and books to go with them in this type of display case i think could catch on. Where do poor books go if there is no coffee table OR bookshelf is the question!!!
Big agree on the patterns of fashion sizing though. I recently reorganised my bookshelves because i had to move around my room and i have *big* bookshelves, and yet the single patterns of fashion book uses so much room if i lie it flat. I've only got a temporary solution at the moment, i'm going to have to find somewhere better to stack it once i get more editions.
If you stand the book up would book ends hold it or are the books too heavy?
Costuming drama: begins to plot organizing books by size
Those of us with even a touch of OCD: NOOOOOOOOOOO!
(But I love how you called it during the intro LOL)
Hahahah you were warned!!
@@Costuming_Drama I started typing the NOOOO about the same time your warning came up LMAO
I did stay, though, and watched the flip books. You have some amazing books!
I was conflicted any time I tried to tidy up my bookshelf. My OCD sides fought each other, one desperately trying to alphabetise everything & the other totally freaking out because that makes the books look so damn untidy! I eventually donated most of the books & gave the bookshelf to my son. Problem solved! Now, years later, I'm renovating my craft room & freaking out about where on the wall to put the new shelves for the newer books.
Fallyovery is definitely a word. Honestly I found my sewing machine manual to be super helpful with learning to sew.
As a beginner I find pattern much more helpful than books. Book on extant garments are purely inspirational at this point. I love my Readers Digest sewing manual.
I'm a reader's digest fan, very helpful, also I've got the British Harmony series, which come in all sizes, for sewing quilting etc. My learning experience is: 1) Grandma, 2) best friend next door (thanks Patty) who became an upholster, 4) sewing class in Jr High School, 4) bodgery from some nameless historical fashion book from the library in the 80's, 5) big 4 patterns (thanks Simplicity and McCalls), and then after a 25+ year break, youtube. I like the inspirational books, but I stick to the straight forward ones to learn from. I agree entirely with your suggestions for beginners, and in particular, it is probably better not to get too many different ones at first, because there are many many ways to do a lot of different things, e.g. sleeve setting, zipper insertion, and it gets confusing until you get your own rhythm going.
Great video, I seriously can watch people organize books all day. Seriously I can.
That structural fixed IKEA shelf is the bane of us all. The way home bookcases are sorting by size is sort of a must. I do group by subject on the respective shelves, although to be honest I sort of have subject bookcases - all the art books in one, my history books in another, sewing in a third. Janet Arnold books are VERY inconveniently sized but the content makes up for it. Thank you for sharing your books with us all.
Yay! A fellow Alexander McQueen fan! If I had all the money in the world, my closet would be full of OG McQueen awesomeness.
The Reader’s Digest books on sewing and needlework are excellent for beginners! I’ve been working with one form of string (thread, twine, rope, yarn, you name it) or another since I was five. I learned fairly basic hand sewing at 12, and machine sewing at 14, and I STILL refer to those books at 46. I love the books you showed, but even being comfortable drafting patterns, I’m still intimidated by several. I don’t know why altering existing patterns intimidates me, but drafting stuff out of thin air doesn’t? Maybe I’m scared to screw up someone else’s idea, but not my own? I dunno.
Loved your rant! Yes, those books will be invaluable resources when, and if, I level up, but in the meantime I’d rather have my hand held through the process. Be well, friend!
In the realm of sewing books I would recommend... Not for a brand new sewer, but if someone wants to start a business in the realm of sewn products or just sews a lot and wants to get faster and better at sewing, Kathleen Fasanella is a clothing manufacturer who has written a book called The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Because of her book, I'm now able to sew 95% without pins, and setting in sleeves is easy with her method (I have noticed nearly everybody on costube complain about this). You also get access to her forum where you can find fabric manufacturer information, techniques, ask questions, etc. It's been super helpful and 100% worth it for me.
Thank you!
This video was very helpful thank you so much for making it.I have an idea of a few books I want to get. I have been sewing for years. These books look like they're full of new techniques and wonderful tips, that will help on my journey to historically accurate clothing.
I think the reason people recommend those books to beginner costumers is because people who learn sewing first and costuming second think of costuming as a different skillset than sewing. Yes, costuming (typically) requires you to be able to sew, but it's not the same thing - so if you don't ask if someone's a new sewer as well as a new costumer, you may end up recommending books for new costumers who already know how to sew. Given that the alternatives I've found with an acceptable degree of accuracy are vague sketches in 1890s newspapers and descriptions + fashion plates/mail order catalogs...
Also: the best thing to keep books from falling over is more books next to them. ;)
I’ve always said, “To each their own.” When it comes to organization! I go by subject and then height of book within that subject. My DVDs are alphabetical, so if I know what I want to watch I don’t have to search for it!
Dear Noelle, Thank you so very much for understanding that there are a lot of people like me that are beginning and get intimated by stuff we don't understand yet. I'm learning and I love to sew but if I try to run before I can walk I will get discouraged. I love your videos. Thank you for being so cool. Mona from Saint Louis
The way I use Costume close-up is with a gridded pattern paper that is transparent enough to see the sketch through, transfer it to that, and then I either draft it to my size from there, or directly on the fabric if the pattern is simple enough. If I could figure out what it is called in my language I would want to find and use a gridded clear plastic sheet. But yeah, I agree that it is not a book for beginners. I have sewn for... almost thirty years, and at this point the book is easy-ish to use for patterning (the brevity of the sewing instructions is still a challenge though since I'm fairly new to historical sewing). Ten years ago the patterning would have been a nice challenge, ten years before that almost impossible, except I am a stubborn person who likes math. When I started, I wouldn't even have understood that it was a pattern. Admittedly I began sewing when I was six or eight depending on whether meddling with my parent's sewing counts, and I don't think many kids could go directly into pattern drafting by scale and grid, and maybe maybe some adults can if they are already into that sort of thing for one reason or another, but it is not an easy place to start. Too many things to learn at once.
l like the book shelf editing video.
My mom has that hot pink, black and white book.ill have to check it out .I think she got it a library old book sale . Or as a grocery store give away program back in the 1960 -70's. She once got a set of dishes at grocery store that way.. she still uses those dishes. 😁
We have crockery, glassware and utensil give aways here. You collect stamps and redeem them for items
@@invadersin5203 I remember those green stamp cataloges. It was like a wish book. I think they did a Brady bunch episode about stamp books. I think the girls wanted a sewing machine. Can't remember what the boys wanted . They had a to build a house of cards for the winner. Ha ha.
Ha ha....
My most used sewing book is still ‘Sewtionary’, because the various seams and terminology falls out of my head even if I know how to do something up to a certain point. Also, the Stitch and Bitch books are great, I taught myself a bunch of stuff out of them! I stuff stuffed animals in my bookshelf holes, or (unlit) candles XD
Leena Norms also does it by color. As long as you can find them, and let's face it, it fits, who cares? I've watched my husband and his vinyl try every orientation and classificatory system known and unspoken of. I think it is so much effort to do it in the first place, you get an A just for the process.
PS - I found Costume in Detail on Abebooks for about $35, bringing it into the "reasonably priced" range. For skill descriptions, I like to use "beginner", "advanced beginner" and "intermediate"...just like swimming lessons at the Y. :D
Noelle, thank you for being one of the few people to be sane enough to tell people that Patterns of Fashion is not a good idea for people new to sewing to begin with. They are excellent, don't get me wrong, but I have been sewing for years and still struggle with drafting patterns.
Same!
Omg I miss all my books. Hubby has them in boxes downstairs because we literally have NO room for bookshelves to handle all my books.
Booo
I think you should have "visiting hours" once a week where you go take 1 book out and enjoy it for a week, then put it back & do the next ! ;)
Readers Digest is 100% the best newbie sewing book in any edition! I also love their Needlework guide which is out of print but can be found very cheap on EBay or used book stores.
I am going to post on instagram the plight of books in our house, in most rooms, including the kitchen. All order, no order, adults, children, archaeology, literature, fiction, crafts crafts crafts, cookbooks (oh yeah). Oh, the basement too. I can't say no and I can't throw away, and my husband can only throw mine away :). The only reason there isn't a book shelf in the bedroom is that we are allergic ;).
I have like an int he middle opinion about the book size from Janet Arnold. I LOVE the size so that I can open it up on the table and really get a good view when working with them - but I also put them on my shelf when not in use, lol! I definitely think that they aren't really a "beginner book" but I also find so much inspiration int hem and so much useful information. I may not use them to work out of but when I'm unsure of a shape of a pattern piece or wanting inspiration for silhouette and decoration I open them up.
I love the first ‘sketchy’ book. I’d buy that just to look at all those lovely sketches.....
Oh that one with no gird would drive me bonkers?! I use a 1940’s DuBarry sewing skills book and a 1950’s Singer Sewing book (since those are my periods of choice).
The books from your grandma are so aesthetically pleasing I could cry😭
I need to do this....I need to KonMarie the bookshelves at the end of the hall (again) and make room for my quilting and costuming books. I like the idea of organizing by size to make them fit the shelves.
I see that Alexander McQueen book, swoons! I love these kinds of videos and your book collection is goals!
Construction instruction sounds like something from Schoolhouse Rock; "Construction instruction what's your function, hooking up sleeves and collars, and waistbands....."
😂🤣
Thanks so much for sharing this Noelle! I’ve been sewing for over a decade and I wish I knew of these books back then so I could break bad habits early! And I’m sorry Noelle but I’m one of those people who loves drafting patterns from scratch and just winging it... and it magically works out and somehow fits just fine... 😂 but seriously thanks for sharing these books and I 10000% agree with you on the patterns of fashion books. *practical book shapes please!* ❤️
You are the magical unicorn!!!! 🤣😂
RD complete guide + vogue was like my whole childhood
Thanks for the book recommendations! Three suggestions for your books: (1) get some metal, nonskid bookends in different heights for your shelves (Amazon, Office Depot, maybe Walmart) because they hold books well and don't eat space; (2) try to put get your Patterns of Fashions books to go across books of the same height so that they can lay flat and won't warp in the wavy pattern as they were laying when you took them off your newly arranged shelves to discuss; you might also be able to stand these--if not too tall--on their spine; and (3) if you don't already have one, start a database of the books you own. The latter is extremely helpful because you can include multiple columns in a database that you can search as needed but don't have to print. Plus, should you move, you can write which book is in which box on your list. I own hundreds of books on many, many topics, and such a list has been a lifesaver. Another worthwhile book for seamstresses of all expertise levels (IMO) is Claire Shaeffer's "HIgh-Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers." Singer also produces sewing books that are helpful.
I mentioned the Patterns of Fashion dilemma to my very smart husband who suggested you make pockets to hang down the side of your bookshelf for them to go in!
He is smart!!
Can you ask him how I should attach said pockets to the bookshelf 🤣
@@Costuming_Drama I'll field that, two loops at the top of the pockets to hang on two of the stick on hooks in the higher weight category, some of the heavy duty ones hold over five kilos, so two together is over twenty pounds!
Thank you for giving recommendations for beginners and places/skills to start! I tend to be a person who tries to run before they can walk, so I’m glad for the advice lol
Ahhh I'm glad you posted today! I just woke up from a rough dream, so crafting and listening to friendly book recommendations is great!
I hope you feel better soon! Rough dreams suck!!
I also have strong opinions about books that don’t fit on bookshelves. Frustrates me to the point that I won’t buy them. I don’t have a coffee table or a dedicated work space. My sewing machine goes on my kitchen table when I sew. Books live on my bookshelf.
You had me cracking up whenever you were talking about Jannette Arnold lol Do you know of a UA-camr who teaches you to resize patterns? That’s something I wanted to start working on ;-) That was a good video, thanks for the giggles.
Hmmmm not really!!
I am seeing the news about all the fires. I hope you and everyone keeps safe. ♥️
We are so far! Thank you!
I love Janet Arnolds books, hate the fact that they do not sit on a shelf nicely. I have mine on the shelf same as you because how else? On my sewing table doesn't work. And thank you for the rant I occasionally fall into the trap of suggesting costuming books (earlier period than these) but without asking sewing experience so I will change that. :)
💖💖
I was anxiously waiting for the moment you realise that the middle shelf is not movable. I wanted to yell: "Don't do that, it won't work!" Because I've made the same mistake at least a dozen times because basically my work room and sewing room and even my room back at my parents' place have that exact shelf xD
Thank you for your recommendations, my books wish list just grew more and the flip through made it easier to decide which ones are actually usefull for me.
My personal favourite as inspiration is the museum catalogue "Grosser Auftritt: Mode der Ringstrassenzeit" from the Wien Museum, which focuses on end 19th century/Turn of the century fashion and has A TON of close up photos of Belle Epoque dresses.
As I do mostly steampunk and historical inspired stuff the japenese "Gothic & Lolita Sewing Books" (actually not a book but a magazine) and the older Gosu Rori magazine are amazing. As the name suggests it's lolita fashion but since it draws a lot of inspiration from historical and more specifically victorian era it has loads of cute blouses, bloomers, dresses and the like. They usually have one or two patterns with a photo guide, but most will need some construction. But the pictures and step-by-step guides are super good so you don't need to know Japanese to work with them (I can't read a single word and I LOVE them).
EDIT: Totally forgot "Das Buch der Wäsche", a reprint including paper patterns of white work from around 1880-1910 including bathing suits, notes on what to do during that time of the months and what a young woman should have in terms of linen and bed sheets etc. as dowry.
I'm lucky because my mom has like 50+ years of experience and all of her sisters know how to sew as well. My mom has made things from pillows to all my Figure Skating dresses, to even a Wedding dress. So she's my go to. My favourite books so far are the American Duchess books and The Tudor Tailor. The Tudor Tailor got me into drafting and I actually enjoyed it (It's how I got through the month of May during lock down). So if you are ready to do some historical dressmaking and the Tudor era is your thing I can't recommend it enough.
Also if you have access to it and the extra money classes are probably a good way to go or even a guild. My mom is part of the local Quilters Guild and they are some of the loveliest ladies. I went on a bus tour with them last summer and we had a great time exchange ideas and knowledge.
Uhhh but there no classes because we are in a pandemic?
Costuming Drama Opps, that is quite possible. I’ve been working through it and the area I’m in is part of the Atlantic Canadian bubble, so it can be easy to forget. I do second UA-cam though. Lots of great information on here.
I guess I should go actually read my copy of Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing since mostly what I consider sewing has generally been "muddling through till it looks ok enough to wear"! And Bun Helsing (Netherland dwarf rabbit who always wants cuddles when I'm about to start sewing something) will be happier about that since I need two hands to sew and only one to read, which leaves one hand for bunny-skritching.
I learn so much from you and now I've started reading your comments because they are so informative. Do you ever feel that there is just too much information, too many shiny things, pulling you away from working on your own costuming? I think I need to stop collecting lovely ideas, books, lovelier fabric and just sit down and sew. Thanks for a fun video. I'll chain myself to my sewing machine now.
Yes! All the time!
Same here! At least I'm pinning a skirt to a bodice while I'm watching Noelle. :-)
I totally agree with your take on these "must haves" for beginners... because people are totally missing the point of these books, the basic premise, of these books with gridded patterns taken from extants. It's really funny that you released this video the same day as mine about book recommendations... ;) and next week I'm tackling books with gridded historical patterns, as a separate category. Because they just don't belong with "normal" book discussions.... and absolutely not useful for beginners, unless they just want to feel intimidated. 😬
I love seeing your books ❤️ I had to get rid of all my books when I moved, so I'm slowly building a new collection 😢 I don't remember what books I used when I was learning to sew, I just kind of did it and asked my mom questions when I didn't know something. Then again she says I taught myself to read the same way 😂 I'm working on drafting now and I agree, not having a grid is cruel! I wonder, if they're the same grid size throughout the book could you make an overlay to clip to the page you're using?
That first book is so yummy! I remember a bunch of early costume history and fashion history books at the UCSB library in about 1980, and I didn't steal any of them, because I am pious and righteous and now sort of sorry. Sort of, but I couldn't afford to buy them, even if they were on sale. Sigh sigh sigh.
Hello again, I still haven't finished the last video 😊
What an amazing book collection! The Singer sewing books sooooo brings backs some memories for me. Thank you for sharing your collection, I found a few that I will seek out ✂️
I have a bookshelf that has fixed shelves and they are not all equally spaced. So I also sort books by size a bit or sometimes have books horizontally to have books grouped the way I want. While I do love me some organization, as long as I can find what I need 🤷♀️
I've been sewing for 51 years. Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing...YES! Awesome book along with the Bishop Method for the next step. The Singer series are also excellent.
Oooo, fellow electroswing fan!!! Have you checked out Parov Stelar's Princess album? It has some phenomenal electroswing songs! Also, thanks for the book tour!
That BOOK FLIP THROUGH AT THE BEGINNING THOUGH..... honestly I want all the books but I have a severe tendency to obsess over random and out-of-my-league projects that I've seen once so book buying is dangerous lol because if there's any possibility of a crazy project I will get hooked
(example: I'm currently making an 1890's style strawberry dress... without a pattern.... despite having never worked victorian before.....)
I kind of disagree with your opinions on those books. If you are first starting to sew, then no, these books are not for you. However, if you already know how to sew, have experience working with and altering patterns, and are just starting historical costuming, then these books are incredibly valuable (and, of course, I would add my favorite, Period Costume for Stage and Screen). I mean, maybe not Cut of Women's Clothes, because those ungridded patterns are pretty annoying (I definitely drew a grid out in my copy for a pattern once). But definitely Patterns of Fashion is a must-own. And Costume in Detail is a whole different resource, and I think everyone should own a copy (and it's not expensive, either).
But your not disagreeing with me. Thats exactly what I said. 🤣😂
@@Costuming_Drama lol. I guess not. But they are fine for beginner historical costumers, just not beginner sewists. :)
Great video!!!!! Such good information it is invaluable thank you so much!
Personally I like when going the fictional route C.J. Archer "The Ministry Of Curiosities" series is one of my favorites as well as Deanna Raybourne's "Veronica Speedwell" books series.
First off...HUGE THANK YOU for all your hard work on COCOVID! Thank you for myth-busting the usual recommended books on YT. You just saved me a ton of money. My Mom had the RD sewing book and i learned a lot from that, alas i started with sewing Barbie clothes so i probably dont use the best decision making paradigm. I did however just buy my first vintage sewing book from an antique shop; Lippincott's Home Manual Clothing for Women 2nd edition 1924 from Columbia University Teachers College. I think it's a keeper.
I LOVE books and have lots, but I wouldn’t really recommend any to beginners. I remember trying to learn to net/knit from a book, then switching to video/a teacher and it being SO much easier. I usually say after you know the basic stitches (Stanley Hostek’s book Hand Stitches is my go-to there but Jennifer Rosbrugh’s got a course and Burnley & Trowbridge have videos), check out Jennifer Rosbrugh’s courses. She walks you through patterns, and it’s historical.
My other #1 reference but not for beginners is Claire Shaeffer’s Fabric Sewing Guide. I hope they reprint All About Wool, All About Silk, and All About Cotton!
As one of those people in the beginner category on the cusp of intermediate ("novice"?), I really appreciate this video. I've been sewing casually for a long time, started costuming in earnest last year, and I pretty much learned to sew via Google and UA-cam videos. I picked up Patterns of Fashion 1 and 3 last year (right before they disappeared off the face of the planet, thankfully) but N-O-P-E. Beautiful books, I'm just not there yet.
I recently picked up a book at a flea market, Modern Tailoring for Women by Mauck, 1947. Reads like a textbook and walks you through step-by-step how to construct fitted coats, jackets, and slacks. Super useful for my current outerwear project.