The Act of Sewing: How to Make and Modify Clothes to Wear Every Day

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Express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for you and your body!

Maybe you learned to sew in school and have a sewing machine, but it hasn’t seen the outside of the closet since your last move. Or maybe you are completely new to the craft, with a lot of enthusiasm, but no idea how to thread your machine. No matter where you’re coming from in terms of experience, this sewing workbook offers four basic patterns–two tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants–that empower you to express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for your body type.

After explaining the basic concepts of sewing and construction, 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip then provides suggestions for mixing the basic patterns together to create new garment iterations as you gain confidence–structural adjustments such as full bust, no bust, long torso, big, small, etc., as well as a range of possible alterations and embellishments including sleeves, pockets, hems, and more! Going beyond simple pattern instructions, this book will make sewing garments accessible for every body type–each pattern comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. With inspiring essays on Sonya’s sewing philosophy that speak to the slow and ethical fashion movement, this will be the go-to guide for all aspirational and seasoned sewists.

From the Publisher

Learn the Basics of Sewing

Tools

As with any pursuit, there’s always a balance between making sure to have the right tool for the job and making do with whatever might be on hand. You will learn what tools are absolutely necessary, items that would be nice to have, and notions you might only rarely use.

Terminology

Whether or not your sewing knowledge is in need of a refresh, you will be introduced to basic terminology including: stitch settings, tension, seam allowance, pinning, backstitching, basting, and gathering.

Fabric

Whether you walk into your local store or browse from fabric online, the wide choice is quite staggering. When choosing fabric for a project, it is important to consider the type of garment you’re making as well as the mechanics of how clothing works.

Start with Four Foundation Patterns

Top

If you are new to sewing, this simple top with built-in sleeves will make a great entry point for making your first garment.

Skirt

This skirt hits just below the knees, and the elastic waist makes it as easy to wear as it is to sew.

Trousers

Trousers are a basic element for every handmade wardrobe.

Shirt

The set-in sleeves give the garment a more tailored look at the shoulder while still having a relaxed fit.

Make It Your Own

Adjustments

The four foundation patterns are the springboards, and they are ripe for adjustment. Now you can learn different ways to tailor the garments to your unique body shape or fit preferences.

Modifications & Embellishments

There’s a uniqueness gained from sewing your own clothes. Why have a closet full of things that you’re lukewarm about, when you can make and remake those items that you feel great about?

Combining Patterns

Be bold and alter to your heart’s content! Completely change the structure by combining the patterns to create even more iterations. Put them all together to create garments as unique as you are.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roost Books (April 27, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1611808332
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1611808339
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.75 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.18 x 0.79 x 10.16 inches