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The Colette Sewing Handbook: 5 Fundamentals for a Great Sewing Experience [Hardcover-spiral]

Sarai Mitnick (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
RRP: £16.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 25 Nov 2011

A great plan, a great pattern, a great fit, a great fabric, and a great finish: These are the five fundamentals for perfecting any sewing project. Sarai Mitnick, an independent pattern designer setting the high water mark in the industry, shares her knowledge of these fundamentals and offers five beautiful projects to go with them.

  • Powerful instruction: A former expert in user experience in the tech industry, Sarai Mitnick's Colette Patterns line has gained a great deal of respect for comprehensive, clear instruction.
  • Comprehensive resource: The chapters cover sewing techniques, planning and fitting, working with patterns, working with fabrics, working with linings, finishing techniques--in essence, each chapter focuses on what the entirety of another book might cover.
  • Gorgeous package: Pitch-perfect combination of illustration, step-by-step photography and beautiful project shots, all with a clean, lovely design.
*Disclaimer: eBook does not include Tissue Enclosures as enclosed with print book.

Frequently Bought Together

The Colette Sewing Handbook: 5 Fundamentals for a Great Sewing Experience + Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing: A Modern Guide to Couture-style Sewing Using Basic Vintage Techniques
Price For Both: £24.94

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Product details

  • Hardcover-spiral: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Krause Publications; Spi edition (25 Nov 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1440215456
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440215452
  • Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 2.3 x 25.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

This may be the first book of its kind that I actually read from cover to cover." --"Darling Adventures""

About the Author

Sarai Mitnick is owner of Colette Patterns and majors on modern sewing patterns for design-orientated sewers. She has written for Design Sponge, Modern Seamster, The Storque and DIY City Magazine and her mission is to share the joy that sewing can bring. Sarai lives in Portland, Oregon and her work can be viewed at www.colettepatterns.com
Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab & Fun 28 Dec 2011
By Clare Sager
Format:Hardcover-spiral
I may not be a beginner dressmaker, but I have found this book both useful and a pleasure to read. I tend to pick up lots of sewing guides and the like and still the Colette Sewing Handbook has what others are missing:

* A focus on dressmaking. Many sewing introduction books are more generic, so they might show you how to make a cushion, but they don't necessarily explain how to set in a sleeve. Sarai Mitnick shows you exactly how.

* Clothing patterns that are actually stylish, unique and that you'd actually want to make and wear. But if you know about Colette Patterns, then you'll expect this already. I'd recommend having a look at the five different patterns and checking out what other stitchers have made online to get some inspiration and an idea of whether you would make these designs.

* A discussion not only of how to make items, but how to decide what to make to suit you. I've seen this in books on style and buying clothes from the likes of Gok and Trinny and Susannah, but this is the first time I've seen this kind of advice in a sewing book. And it's blooming important! If you're going to spend hours of your time (not to mention your hard-earned cash on fabric and supplies) on an item of clothing, it's pretty disheartening to find that it doesn't suit you (I speak from experience!) or that it simply doesn't suit your lifestyle. Again, Mitnick comes up trumps with some friendly pointers to set you off in the right direction.

Some of the other things I love about this book: it sits flat when it's open, so you can refer to it while sewing; Sarai Mitnick's tone in writing is encouraging and conversational, without being in your face with fake, over the top enthusiasm and exclamations; it is very pretty, which makes it an utter pleasure to read through and dip into. There are many other things I could mention, I'm sure, but I'll let you discover these for yourself. Enjoy.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great value in every sense 14 Jan 2012
By E.Powell
Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase
In economic terms alone, the purchase of this book is a no-brainer. Colette patterns retail for US $18. But I agree with all the other reviewers that there is plenty more besides, and I believe that whatever your skill level you can learn something, be inspired, and become more creative in your approach to sewing through this book. It doesn't claim to be a comprehensive manual, but there seems to be enough here for a beginner to get started and make progress. And in case you are thinking from the cover that it might just be a designer putting a stylish pretty pastel gloss on the tired fromula of 'learn to sew with a few basic designs', no no and no. I particularly like the emphahsis on adaptation of patterns and fitting as an essential part of dressmaking, alongside the sewing techniques - so often writers concentrate on one or the other. So, if you weren't lucky enough to receive this at Christmas, treat yourself now, and kickstart your 2012 self-sewn wardrobe!
Note the included patterns are sized rather differently from the big commercial pattern companies. The bust sizes are 33in to 46in, drafted with a C cup. They are on thin pattern tissue paper, and tracing off is recommended.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! 20 Feb 2012
By Bibbles
Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been trying to start sewing for quite some time now and have always found some excuse not to. I wanted this book to give me the push to finally create a piece from start to finish. And it did!

The instructions are very clear for a beginner, the spiral bound is super practical, the level of detail is about right and the little pattern pouch is very handy. I have only made the skirt in the book, but the process was almost painless and it looks good on! Note that the pattern paper is super thin - definitely handle with care.

I think the garments included in the book are cute (the opinion of a 30 year old, who loves dresses and has a serious shopping habit), although I wish the top was different, but each to their own. I would looove if Colette made a second book with more patterns - coat, jacket, etc so one can really build a closet. Lastly, the options of customizing the included garments are endless and the book gives some ideas already, which is great if you particularly like a pattern.

I am really happy with this product, it is my first experience with Colette patterns and now I am a fan. Recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Good instruction
Although I have yet to make anything from this book - I have read it in details and feel this will be very useful when I do start dressmaking. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Jj2805
3.0 out of 5 stars Great tips for a dressmaking beginner, but the patterns are awful!
I'm a dressmaking beginner, and bought this book on the basis of its great reviews. It is indeed a lovely book. Read more
Published 13 days ago by emmington
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for aspiring dress makers
Really good introduction with clear step by step instructions and lots of great tips on how to achieve a perfect finish to your garments. Some nice full size patterns too.
Published 14 days ago by anna pope
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Love this book - it is beautifully laid out and as a beginner I love the fact that that all the terms are explained clearly - really easy to follow instructions for patterns -... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lindsey
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book1
This is a comprehensive guide to all the little tricks which turn a good garment into a super one. An ideal present for anyone who likes sewing.
Published 3 months ago by Mr Rags
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Beautiful
I am not an experienced sewer (although I am not a novice and have made some clothes and a pair of curtains!! Read more
Published 3 months ago by redpixie
5.0 out of 5 stars Patterns are included inside!
Book is just great. Pictures are easy to understand, language is clear as well and the best thing is that sewing patterns are inside in the envelope (great dress and skirt for me). Read more
Published 6 months ago by Justine
4.0 out of 5 stars lovely sewing tutor
Lovely book debated about buying but glad I did. Good illustrations and instructions.Patterns included to encourage you to use skills. Read more
Published 7 months ago by debster
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
I really like this book, have yet to try any patterns but am really enjoying the wealth of knowledge on topics such as fabric and fitting. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Drias
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
This is a fantastic book for any level of sewer. I'm an experienced sewer, but I think this book has got something for everyone. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Pink Peregrine
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