Customer Reviews

Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion and Fun

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book after reading the review and article in the spring 2010 Stitch magazine. They included the Magic Apron pattern. Based on the review, I expected a lot more in the way of sewing techniques and patterns. This book is really just a reprint of Inspirations, a booklet put out by the Women's Institute and Mary Picken. The information is fun to read and much of it still applies today. However, the patterns are not as numerous as I expected, nor are they varied. 5 of the patterns are for aprons. Others aren't even patterns, just directions for monogramming or an article about cross stitch. The author could have deleted the 2-3 essays at the beginning of each chapter and added more crafting/sewing articles, which is what I purchased the book for. Including some of the lessons so often mentioned in the book would have added to it enormously.

If you're looking for more of a historic peek into the time period, this is a great book. If you're looking for a vintage pattern/techniques book, this is not the book for you.

Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions is a joy to read, and I'm going to have fun trying the recipes, advice and patterns written for the women of our grandmother's (or great-grandmother's) youth. Barickman has created a beautiful book; inspiring and in some cases, as relevant today as it was in the 1920s and 30s. If this seems unlikely, just look at the women embracing the personal satisfaction of learning to cook, create, gain independence, and make the best of themselves, whatever that may mean to them. Read the book and you will understand what I mean.

I bought this book as soon as I found it, reading about it on Amy's site.
It is such a fun and unique book, incorporating wonderful historic articles on daily living with updated projects and ideas.
It is a book I've read over and over, and find something new everytime.
There is really nothing else like it out there, and I am so glad I bought it!

I read this book from cover to cover and I honestly thought several times,"I feel like this book was written just for ME!" I love it! I have enjoyed this book very much; especially that it is laid out according to the Seasons of the year. I love that it has a pocket in the front of each section, to save fabric swatches of your own, or sketches, photos or clippings. It's easy to read, and easy to go back and just browse through the interesting side notes or illustrations. DO NOT skip the introduction, the entire reason for the making of the book and the incredible story behind Ms. Barickman's inspiration. Without that backstory, you will not likely be as captivated.

Aside from my mother, I also have many grand mothers and "aunts" (some to which I am related -- and some not!!) from whom I have acquired bits of fashion knowledge and sewing training. This book is a perfect "capture" of the essence of the influence these women had on my sense of style and confidence. It's one of those books I will treasure, and pass on to my daughter. ~Amy Colburn, Bristol NY

Even though I am enjoying this book especially the illustrations but I think that
it is mis-named. When I think of "notions" I think of sewing implements such as
needle and threads and other sewing notions. It is beautifully put together and reminds me so much of the grandmother that I never knew and what she might have done. It is nice to just pick up a chapter at a time........

The cover is beautiful, content is interesting and useful. My favorite feature about this book is the inclusion of actual articles from vintage publications. I bought this book as a gift for a teen, so I haven't had to chance to read the book in its entirety, but the girl I gave this book to loves it and is very happy with it. This is a great gift for anyone with homemaking/homesteading/vintage leanings.

I love this book.
I love the 1920's and I love sewing, etc.
In my opinion it's not exactly a guide to needlework, etc, as the subtitle suggests. It's more of a delicious read on woman's life in the 1920's.

The book is divided into months and within each monthly segment there is an inspirational article on being the best you can be, an article on food (setting a table, making good soup...), something on the fashion of the day, beauty columns, and more. I am not reading this to learn new recipes or patterns. There are a few of those, but mostly I find it to be an entertaining read with lots of neat 1920's illustrations.

I am so pleased with this vintage notions book. The author did a great job explaining and showing
how things were in the "Yesteryear". I pick it up and randomly look through it. Each time I read
it I discover something new.

R. D.

I actually won this book in a contest. I can't wait to try out the 'Magic Apron Pattern' included inside. The cover is simply delightful; I love the vintage look and feel of it. On the inside are little pockets to hold recipes, patterns and such.

I have been reading a bit here and there before bed time and love the articles written by those can-do women.

So far I've gleaned how to better pies and soups, as well as how a nightly beauty routine helps you wake refreshed.

If you're looking for a 'How-To' book, this isn't the book for you. If, however, you are inspired by yesteryear and would like a fun, informative read... Buy this book!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this wonderfully compiled and visually beautiful book. It draws from old patterns, essays and recipes, yet they are relevant today as they were years ago. It shows a fun side of women's history that I didn't know existed!

It's a great gift for the crafter, repurposer, or lover of vintage.