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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?

Cross Stitch Patterns for Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of fasting, prayer and religious reflection, and adding some Ramadan cross stitch to the mix is sure to help you reflect on the season. Check out these Ramadan cross stitch patterns to stitch before or during the month.

Lanterns are a common symbol of Ramadan (probably because the fast is broken at night, so you need some festive light), and lanterns decorate this Ramadan cross stitch pattern from Dizzy Digital Craft Co. The pattern is 173 by 173 stitches, which comes out to 12.36 inches of 31.39 cm square on 14 count fabric. It uses seven colors.

Or you can just stitch some really colorful, dramatic lanterns for Ramadan that you can use to decorate the house all year. This design from Sawanita uses 25 colors to make the lanterns look like they are glowing. If you want to stitch it on 14 count fabric it will come out toe about 15 by 19.46 inches, or 38.1 by 49.9 cm, as the stitch count is 286 by 201. I love the blue fabric used in the sample but you could also use white or cream.

This crescent moon and star design from Tatreez HubRana gives Ramadan cross stitch a folk are twist, with the design being made out of motifs inspired by the classic Moon of Bethlehem design. It’s perfect to stitch up and hang in a 12-inch hoop, as the design is about 10.7 inches (21.2 cm) tall.

This set of Ramadan cards to cross stitch from World of Cross Stitching includes some for Ramadan and some for Eid (which is the end of Ramadan). Designed by Perry Abdel-Hadi, there are six charts in all and they are all 80 by 80 stitches. That’s 5.75 inches or 14.5 cm square.

Or you can stitch up a Ramadan bookmark to remind you of the season while you read. This design is from Povitrulya Handmade and includes lanterns and a moon as well as the words Ramadan Mubarak. The pattern uses eight colors and measures 30 by 99 stitches. It’s meant to be worked on 16 count fabric for a finished measurement of 5.1 by 7.9 inches, or 13 by 20 cm.