Want to make a new garment? Don’t have access to a sewing machine? This post is a book review of “Hand Sewing Clothing” by Louisa Owen Sonstroem.
Introduction
My friend Brenda doesn’t have a sewing machine. That doesn’t stop her from sewing clothing and other items. My hand sewing experience is limited to small projects and mending. I wanted to learn more so I bought “Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide” by Louisa Owen Sonstroem.
What’s the book about?
Hand Sewing Clothing teaches you why and how to hand sewing clothing. The book is divided into three major sections.
1) Essays
This section is approximately one quarter of the book. Learn why sewers with and without access to sewing machines may choose to hand sew their clothing. Read how the Industrial Revolution and invention of the sewing machine changed clothing production in the last 250 years. Understand how the choices you make about clothing can have lasting effects on the planet.
2) The Basics
This section is approximately half of the book. Learn what tools you need to hand sew clothing, how to stop and start a line of stitches, and how to baste. Practice specific stitches and techniques for seams and hemming based on the instructions and illustrations. Read how to sew buttons, button holes, binding, gathers, interfacing, and zippers. Decorate with chain stitch and/or french knots.
3) Applied Skills
This section is approximately one third of the book. Get your pattern, select your fabric, baste your muslin together and check the fit, plan your hand sewing, cut out your good fabric, and hand sew your garment. Specific examples of projects hand sewn with woven and knit fabrics are provided.
Conclusion
“Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide” by Louisa Owen Sonstroem is well written. I love the line drawings; their whimsical nature make this book fun to read and they do a great job illustrating sewing techniques. I learned a lot about hand sewing stitches and hems that will help me with future mending and possibly hand sewing clothing.
Have you considered hand sewing clothing? Do you have hand sewing clothing resources to recommend? Comment below and/or Pin me for later!
Tanya
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