Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Time for a Giveaway: in Autumn we turn to Tailoring

There are a lot of good sewing books out there but my favorite is the series of Singer Sewing Reference books. They have clear explanations and great photos to illustrate any technique. I have a couple that I bought ages ago in a bookstore but over the years I have found many of them at estate and ASG stash sales. If you see one, buy it!
Topics include Knits, Pants that Fit, Home Dec, Time-Saving tips, Formalwear, and my favorite, Tailoring.  I see they are available on Amazon (search Singer sewing reference library). Books with illustrations (only) just don't do it for me, the way this series photographs the works in process and also shows many alternative methods is really key to my understanding a technique.
I am always on the lookout for these books and this week found one that I already have in my library, so how about a giveaway?

Singer sewing for style cover
The title is a bit misleading because it mostly about technique and construction, and covers a lot of tailoring as well. I don't know how they cram so much into a relatively thin paperback. They include pockets (all kinds), facings, creating a lining, lapels, shoulder shaping, shirt collars etc.
Example of page from the book: how to sew a shirt collar with a stand. That looks a whole lot more comprehensible than the instruction sheet in a pattern. 

Style book page collar stand

Second find for the giveaway and now I will contradict myself! These Palmer and Pletsch paperbacks are only illustrated, no photos but they are good. Very clear. If you are a beginning to intermediate sewist I suggest reading this like a novel - run through the whole book and just let it sink in. Perhaps these P & P books are the graphic novel for the sewing set. Lots of good tailoring info and they include tips on fitting, fusibles and timesaving techniques. 

Palmer book cover

So leave a comment if you would like to be in the drawing for one of these books (random drawing, first name gets first book, second name gets second book.)  International is OK. 

If you are a member of Pattern Review and you liked my Faux French Jacket, I entered it in their Lined Jacket Contest. The voting is now open until the 9th so click over there and vote for me today :). Despite thinking it was an item that would have limited usefulness, I have worn this jacket so many times in the last week and really love it. So all that fringe-making and hand stitching was worth it!

jacket on  me 2

As for my previous post on the potential refashions, thank you for lots of great suggestions and I will report back in an upcoming post. Not sure when I will get to them as I suddenly have quite a sewing to-do list plus I feel like re-organizing my sewing space....eeek.

Beth

Edit:  drawing closed now (11/9, 10:30am Calif. time).  I just did the random number picks and will be posting later this afternoon. 

46 comments:

  1. How sweet of you to give away those books! I'd love to add either to my reference collection. Hearts - Erin

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  2. Both books look fantastic and would be a great resource to anyone who needs more of the sort of info you already share on your blog!

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  3. Fantastic and generous! I see lots of reference on blogs to these, especially the Singer books. Please enter me in your giveaway:)

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  4. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I am always excited about a new sewing book- actually I haven't used any of the Singer books so far. Thanks for your givaway!

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  6. Both of these books look fabulous, thanks for offering them!

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  7. both books look amazing! just what i'm looking for as i'm trying to teach myself tailoring. thanks for doing this giveaway!

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  8. Thank you for the giveaway, Beth! I´m sure the lucky winner will benefit from all the information in there. They look very interesting.
    I´m off to vote, hope I´m not too late!

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  9. Ooh I would love one of these books. I am obsessed with learning as much as I can about sewing. Thank you for this giveaway!

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  10. Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to have one of the books in my library.

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  11. Lovely of you to give these away! Your jacket is fab, too. There are several nice ones, it's great we are allowed 5 votes :-)

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  12. Love your blog, and would love one of the books!

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  13. I'd love to be included. Thank you!

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  14. As my sewing library only has one book, I'd love to be included in the giveaway.

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  15. I actually have Singer's Time-saving Sewing book. It's very useful! I think this one on tailoring techniques should be intriguing as well. And the P&P book sounds good!

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  16. Ooh the lined jacket contest is definitely my favourite of all the PR contests! As soon as all my wedding dress sewing is over - I'm SO totally making another jacket, I miss sewing them. Books like this are really, really hard to come by in my parts... so I'm throwing my card in the hat! Thanks Beth :)

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  17. The Singer Sewing with an Overlock book was included when I bought my Singer overlocker 25 years ago. Agreed, they are terrific reference books but like Poppykettle says, hard to come by - I've never seen another ever! I'd love a go at winning. Thanks Beth.

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  18. Would love to have either book but especially the Singer one. I have a number of these in my library but not that one. Thanks.

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  19. When I first began sewing, a friend strongly recommended I get the Singer Sewing Essentials book. I did, and I still refer to it often, so I am all for adding another book in the series to my arsenal. I don't have any of the Palmer/Pletsch books although I've sewn one of their patterns and loved how it went together. Thank you for the kind giveaway! I look forward to seeing what your fall sewing brings.

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  20. I would love to have either book in my sewing library. They sound really fantastic. Please add my name to the barrell

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  21. Please enter me in the drawing -- I'd love either book! Just had a lightbulb moment with the Singer collar stand page too. Thanks!
    ~Jen

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  22. I would love either book! Love the jacket.

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  23. My sewing library is very tiny, so I'll take any of them. Thanks!

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  24. Wow, great giveaway! Please throw my name in the hat!

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  25. I'd love an opportunity to win one of the books. Thank you.

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  26. I also have a whole lot of Singer Sewing Books but not this one. They both look very interesting. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to make our sewing library bigger.

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  27. I don't have either of these books and appreciate the chance to perhaps add one to the library. Thanks!

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  28. Thanks for the chance to win one of these books - I could use a 'new' reference. Good luck with the PR lined jacket contest!

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  29. These look like great books and I'd love a chance to win either one. Thanks so much. Best of luck in the PR contest!

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  30. Your give-away sounds made for me! I returned to sewing when I retired three years ago and I just can't learn enough! I loved your jacket also and will vote today!

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  31. I missed the Jacket contest as I am still completing my Colette anise Jacket. Today morning I had voted for my favourite ones. and Now I jus realised that your jacket was one of it LOL. Please take my name in the draw ! Thanks

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  32. Loved yr jacket when you first posted it. You have my Vote. I have the Singer books also. great reference books hope my name is picked

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  33. Love your Jacket! I am getting my nerves out to make a lined jacket and these books would help! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. I have never made a jacket, but seeing your jacket go together has inspired me! I would love to win either book...thank you for blogging and for the giveaway.
    PS I voted for your jacket yesterday! :)

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  35. I love those Singer books as well, I haven't seen the one you have. I would love to be entered into the giveaway as both books look like wonderful resources. Thanks for the reminder to vote on PR.....headed over to do that now!

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  36. How generous Beth! I love the Singer series, and do the same as you...when I see one. I grab it for my collection. I'd love to win that book so please enter me. Good luck in the jacket contest. I entered also and really enjoyed the process. The gallery is beautiful, isn't it?

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  37. How coincidental...I was just looking at my copy of Singer Sewing for Style last night! They are a great series! No need to enter me in the giveaway. Good luck...I'll go to PR review now!

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  38. Both of them look like great books! I'd love to be entered. Headed to PR now! Good luck. ~Laurie

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  39. Ohhh, enter me, please! I love your French jacket. You inspire me to get going on finishing my UFO French jacket.

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  40. Put my name in, thanks!

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  41. Any sewing reference book that you recommend is a book I need on my shelves! Thanks for the chance. And, I can't remember whether I ever actually commented on your new jacket, but I just love it! I'm headed over now to vote in the contest!

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  42. I would love either one of these books and I agree, the Singer books are awesome :) thank you!

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  43. Love the jacket! Thank you for the chance to win one of these great books.

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  44. These books look and sound like they either one would be a great addition to my library. I love sewing books! Your jacket is beautiful and I love the fringe!

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  45. I would love to enter the giveaway and have my fingers crossed for the singer book. I actually really need good instruction in those pages right there! I'm glad your jacket is turning out more versatile than expected! It's really lovely.

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