Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Gerties New Book For Better Sewing Book Review

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Gerties New Book For Better Sewing by Gretchen Hirsch  RRP$35.00 

Gretchen’s “Gertie” as she is known blog was such a success that it turned into a book.  Gretchen started out making outfits from the 1950’s classic book “Vogue’s new book for better sewing” and I am guessing she saw a niche.

This book is filled with 25 patterns (contained in the front of the book). The styles are all rocked out with the tattoo clad Gertie as the model. If you love a retro pattern then this book is the one for you.

 

 

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Comments

  1. This a really beautiful book, with lots of meticulously detailed techniques, and a spiral spine so that it will lay flat as you work.

  2. Gretchen started out to make herself a better seamstress by using the classic 1952 Vogue Sewing Book. She has reintroduced the proper way to sew couture fashion to a generation that didn’t know it existed, much less how to do it. For this, I adore her and can’t wait to own her book!

Have you read?

Try This Fun Bake Off Drawing Challenge with a Group of Kids

My daughter is 16 and one of her favorite things to do on school breaks is watch The Great British Bake Off. It’s such a soothing show, as well as being creative and fun, and it’s low stakes enough that it isn’t stressful, which is just the thing you need when you’re on a break from school. 

If you don’t have an oven or want to do your own real Bake Off challenges, this baking show inspired drawing challenge from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls is a great alternative. This works best if you have a group of kids to play, but you could also do it along with a child at home. 

The post includes a bunch of different “baking” challenges for kids to draw. As an example: “Draw a dozen delicious doughnuts! Be sure to include at least two different flavors of icing. Challenge yourself to think of as many creative toppings as you can.” 

Give them a set amount of time (maybe 10-15 minutes) to draw their creations based on the prompt. Then have each child present their creation, explaining what they chose to draw and why (and what the different flavors are if it’s not obvious). 

There doesn’t have to be a winner, but kids can vote on their favorites or you can “award” things like most colorful, tallest creation, etc. Sarah suggests if doing this with little kids you can come up with an award for everyone, but there need not be prizes involved. 

With older kids you might do a couple of rounds and pick winners so that you can have a “star baker” just like in the show. 

This is a game that would be a lot of fun for kids of different ages, and you can do it multiple times with the different prompts. 

Get all the details and the challenge cards from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls. 

[Photo: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls]