Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book: A Modern Guide to Sewing Fabulous Vintage Styles

by Gretchen Hirsch

Overview

What if you had 23 brilliant patterns to sew wow-your-friends-and-family dresses? What if you could use those sewing patterns in combination to create your own unique style? With Gertie’s help you can!

Every vintage-obsessed sewist dreams of having a closet full of gorgeous dresses. Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book is packed with all the information and patterns you could ever need to create a wardrobe filled with stunning vintage frocks.

The book begins with all the essential techniques for dressmaking and includes instructions and patterns for 23 dresses for a variety of occasions. Elements of each pattern can be mixed and matched, allowing readers to customize the bodice, skirt, sleeves, pockets, and details of each dress for a truly unique creation. Chapters include:

• Getting Ready to Sew
• Basic Dress Construction
• Finishing Details
• Giving the Dress Structure
• Techniques for Special Fabrics
• Fitting

Gertie also includes pattern maps and resources. There is so much you can do with what she offers. She writes in her introduction, “In the book’s pattern envelope are all of the mix-and-match skirts, bodies, sleeves, cuffs, and collars you’ll need for the twenty-three dresses featured here. But remember, this is just a starting point—there are literally hundreds of combinations you can make from your patterns. So, here’s to designing your perfect wardrobe.”

If you love vintage style, you’ll love Gertie, her passion, her sewing patterns, and the fashion you can make for yourself to fill your closet, or for your friends and family. Don’t wait. Get started sewing now!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617690754
Publisher:	STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book
Publication date:	03/08/2016
Series:	Gertie's Sewing
Pages:	236
Sales rank:	566,596
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 9.90(h) x 2.10(d)

About the Author

Gretchen Hirsch is a sought-after teacher and designer with two highly successful sewing pattern lines and a fabric line with Fabric Traditions. She lives in Beacon, New York.

Editorial Reviews

03/01/2016
Hirsch (Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing) is best known for her vintage-inspired designs. Her latest book focuses on dressmaking, and since dresses are a staple of retro-chic wardrobes, it's a good fit. As with her previous books, there's an extensive section on dressmaking skills, including choosing appropriate fabrics, finishing seams, adding structure (including boning and skirt support), and working with special fabrics such as sheers and lace. Fitting is an essential element of making retro garments work, and Hirsch outlines the basics of taking measurements, making adjustments, and creating a muslin. The patterns are presented mix-and-match style, with seven bodice styles (including a variety of necklines as well as a strapless bodice), six skirt styles, and a variety of add-ons, including both long and short sleeves, a peplum, cuffs, collars, and pockets. Hirsch includes 23 designs that combine these elements, with complete instructions for garment construction. The patterns are included on pull-out sheets; sizes range from two to 16. VERDICT Though these garments are less suitable for everyday wear than the ones featured in her previous book, Gertie Sews Vintage Casual, the retro-style dresses will appeal to sewists interested in customizing their own 1950s style frock. Hirsch gives clear explanations of dressmaking techniques, but this book is most appropriate for sewists with basic dressmaking experience.

Library Journal