Sew Vintage: New Creations from Found Fabrics [Paperback]

Jennie Archer Atwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Textile lovers will delight in this inspiring book that shows how to turn vintage fabrics into beautiful garments and lovely accessories. It includes tips on working with fragile, stained and tired textiles, and overflows with creative ways to mix the old with the new.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sewing with vintage textiles provides a unique way to connect with the past while exercising creativity to arrive at something brand new. Fabric magician Jennie Atwood clearly has a knack for turning old tablecloths, hankies, dishtowels, ties, sweaters, and other flea-market finds into exquisite blouses, jackets, pillows, bed linens, table skirts, purses, and children's wear. In Sew Vintage, Atwood offers extensive general directions on design and construction, exploring methods for altering commercial patterns, simple draping techniques on a dress form, finishing details, and further embellishments with beads, buttons, appliqués, and lace. She also explains how to find and clean vintage pieces (wisely cautioning us to steer clear of real antiques) and how to develop a layout that takes best advantage of inherent features, such as running an elaborate tablecloth border along the front and hem of a shirt. Fairly simple step-by-step projects incorporate vintage fabrics in home accessories like potpourri bags and show how to create children's clothing that allows for growing room. Note, however, that the book's major emphasis--garment construction--presumes at least intermediate sewing skill. But anyone with a bit of experience and a desire to look at old fabrics in inventive new ways will enjoy Atwood's confident guidance and the many lovely photos that exhibit her wonderful creations. --Amy Handy

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561584452
• ISBN-13: 978-1561584451
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sew vintage, July 2, 2002

By 

J. Meyer "book lover" (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sew Vintage: New Creations from Found Fabrics (Paperback)

This is the book I have been waiting for. I have many old fabrics that I didn't know what to do with - well, I know what to do with them now that I have read this wonderful, well written, fun to read book. It is organized wonderfully, illustrated beautifully and filled with many, many easy to sew ideas, not to mention all that you will learn about taking care of your old textiles. Ms. Atwood does a wonderful job of helping us learn how to use our old fabrics that are sitting in closets and not being put to use. I love this book - every sewer should have it. It is also very reasonably priced for all of the information that is packed into it. Do yourself a favor and order it now. You will not be sorry. Even if you are new to sewing or an old pro. this should be on your bookshelf. It would also make someone very happy to receive as a gift.
Jackie Meyer

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Turn Old Linens into Clothing and Decorative Home Items, May 28, 2005

By 

Duster (Florence,AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sew Vintage: New Creations from Found Fabrics (Paperback)

If you're looking for a how to book for taking vintage linens and sewing them into useful items, you've found it in this book. Moderate sewing skills are required, as well as a sewing machine.
Some of the items are small enough to be made out of damaged linen pieces that don't have any antique value.

The projects can be broken down into these catagories-Women's Tops, Children's Dresses, Gift Bags, Pillows, Curtains,& Simple Purses. These projects are nicely done and the end results are tasteful enough to actually wear or use.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This Book is Not For Me, January 7, 2010

By 

Tracie "Tracie" (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sew Vintage: New Creations from Found Fabrics (Paperback)

This book has good information however the projects appear to be a little dated. I was hoping the projects would focus more on sewing things for the home and not so focused on sewing garments from vintage linen.