Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution [Hardcover]

Judi Ketteler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2010

Sewing never goes out of style, and today it is more popular than ever! Sew Retro offers twenty-five stylish, vintage-inspired sewing projects—beautiful bags, essential skirts, unique pillows, and more—that are a pleasure to sew, thanks to easy instructions, helpful diagrams, and a pocket of ten full-size patterns.

 

This fun, inspirational book also uncovers sewing’s colorful history, from the introduction of the sewing machine to the modern DIY movement, and features interviews with today’s hottest fabric and pattern designers, including Amy Butler, Betz White, Barbara Brackman, Emma Brennan, Judie Rothermel, and Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics. Filled with gorgeous project photography and quirky vintage illustrations that bring the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, and beyond to life, Sew Retro celebrates sewing yesterday and today.

 

Learn more about Sew Retro and enjoy bonus projects and tutorials at www.sewretrothebook.com!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Sew Retro is the perfect combination of everything we love about sewing and vintage style! We get the best of both worlds as we travel through the ages making charming projects inspired by our sewing history that are fun, fresh, and stylish!”

—Amy Butler, author of Amy Butler’s In Stitches

 

“Judi’s retrospective of sewing illustrates one of my favorite quotes, ‘Fashion is evolutionary, not revolutionary.’ Her nostalgic stroll through generations of stitching is both fascinating and inspiring!”

—Betz White, author of Sewing Green

 

“Sew Retro beautifully combines vintage aesthetics with simple sewing projects, perfect for the crafter, collector, and everyone in between.”

—Amy Karol, author of Bend-the-Rules Sewing

About the Author

Judi Ketteler is never happier than when she’s merging her two passions: sewing and writing. Judi is a regional contributor for Better Homes & Gardens and has written about sewing, decorating, and other inspiring DIY projects for magazines including Creative Home, Decorating, Do It Yourself, and Quilts & More. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband, son Max, two cats, and a basement full of fabric and glue guns.

 

Learn more about Judi at www.judiketteler.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; First edition (July 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760336873
• ISBN-13: 978-0760336878
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. My first books were about trees, cats, and Mary Lou Retton. I'm lucky enough to be able to write for a living now (quite often about trees, sometimes about cats, but not very often about Mary Lou Retton). I write for lots of fitness magazines, like Health, Self, Women's Health, Runner's World, Natural Health, Fitness, and others. I also get to write all kinds of cool decorating, design, and DIY stories for places like AOL.com, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Gardens, Do It Yourself, Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living, HGTVPro.com, Kitchen & Bath Ideas, Remodel, Quilts & More, Window & Wall Ideas, and others.

My mom taught me to sew when I was 16, and it's been fabric love ever since. I thoroughly enjoyed writing Sew Retro! Not only did I get to research all about the history of women and sewing, I also got to design projects and them see them beautifully photographed! I hope that you enjoy the book, and that it provides endless sewing inspiration.

I live in Cincinnati, Ohio with my husband, Allen, my 19-month-old, Max, and a new baby on the way. When I'm not sewing or writing, I love to garden, teach Max baby yoga, do Pilates, and run. Find more about Sew Retro at www.sewretrothebook.com, and more about me at www.judiketteler.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 75 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Did not inspire me... at all. August 31, 2010

By Tara OT

Format:Hardcover

I just received Sew Retro in the mail. I was super excited about it after reading the reviews.
It is OK... really only OK.
A majority of this book is a history of sewing; I think that part of it is pretty interesting. I enjoy reading about how the times are reflected in art (I consider fabric, and the uses of, to be artistic expression).
I was not impressed with the patterns. There is a victorian pincushion (cute), and elegant shawl (I feel like a pattern for this is silly, as it is a triangular shaw), sewing basket, needle case (blah), opera bag, flapper apron (this was nice but didnt knock my socks off), smart felt hat (could not imagine wearing this ever), patchwork potholders (a bit boring), change purse, cafe curtains, tea party tablecloth, ribbon embellished napkins, hostess apron (this was my favorite, cute little half apron), mod gathered pillow (a pillow with gathers in the front, perhaps just show the technique), pretty little purse (I liked this one too), table runner (with an abstract bird applique), handkerchief bag (nice idea, i will probably use this since i have my grandmothers vintage hankerchiefs), not so mini skirt, coasters, easy elastic headband, patchwork throw (good first quilt), saturday afternoon skirt (cute basic a-line skirt). farmers market bag (basically the handkerchief bag minus the kerchief with the addition of a front pocket), catch all caddy, and a scarf.

There wasnt anything in here that inspired me. I never looked at my sewing machine eagerly. If I had looked at it I wouldn't have purchased it.
I like Amanda Blake Soule's two books, and Martha Stewart's sewing book. They both inspired me; I have made several things from Soule's books, and am gathering materials to start one from Martha.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Mix of Patterns, History and Designer Bios June 23, 2010

By Sweetsong

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I received the book today and read most of it already, with the exception of the designer biographies which I will read later. The artwork is inspiring--especially the vintage photos,just makes me want to sew! (book lays flat)

The book is arranged in order of historical events both in the sewing industry and history in general. The latter effected the former immensely, especially in the lives of American women and Judi Ketteler explains this in the text in an easy-to read, but not boring manner.

Scattered throughout are vintage-type patterns (the author does include some pieces in an envelope)for twenty-five items. What a fantastic idea that was! Will be making the sewing basket as soon as possible. Ms. Ketteler also gives tips on sewing fabrics, purchasing vintage fabrics and re-purposing how-tos.

The time line was interesting, although I beg to differ with the author's assertion that Michelle Obama is a "fashion icon." There was somewhat more politics than history as the book entered into the '60s through the 2000s, but that's okay...

Only complaint: the first few page of my book were not caught up in the ring binder at the top. They will most likely rip easily, but not a problem that would make sending the book back worthwhile.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought August 11, 2011

By Sanssouci572

Format:Hardcover

The book begins with an overview of how sewing, using sewing machines and patterns came about from the point of view of women who were sewing. Another reviewer stated that she found the political commentary negative and unnecessary. I disagree--I found it amusing. For instance, in one example, a dilemma presented itself in regards to advertising sewing machines for women when women did not normally use machinery. It was like reading the script for Mad Men, 100 years ago and moving forward.

Like the other reviewers, I was disappointed in the patterns. Because the cover showed a drawing of a woman wearing a retro-dress, I assumed that the sewing projects would be clothing, dresses and so forth. Or perhaps, how to adjust or read retro patterns.
These patterns are for someone who has never sewn at all. They are mostly variations of sewing a square: square pot holders, and so forth. Pillow case type patterns--that level of difficulty.Patterns you could draw yourself with a ruler or print out for free. It was quite a disappointment, as the rest of the book is so nicely presented.