In the Library

Anyone would think my bookshelf could hold more books....

I had an Amazon gift card at xmas time and pre-ordered the Shape Shape book along with the Collette Sewing Handbook.   They arrived yesterday.

I was looking forward to the arrival of both.  I'd looked through Lara's Collette book and had instantly realised that it's a must-have for my sewing reference library.   The Shape Shape book was one I looked forward to as a surprise package, because ... well, it's a Japanese clothing book that promises "garments that can be worn in multiple ways".  My kind of thing, really...

 

 I must say, it's not quite as inspiring as I'd hoped.  I was anticipating the clever-clever design ideas of  Pattern Magic and Drape Drape callibre. 

 There are more accessories, old ideas and basic garments than I'd like to see in a book that promised a bit more...all very beautifully presented with to-die-for eye-candy styling, of course.... but it's a bit light-on for knock-your-socks-off inspiration.

 The Colette book is quite a different kettle of fish.  It's purpose for me is purely to add to my bustin-out-all-over reference library.

 I think the presentation of the information is fantastic, and it covers all the basics for the beginning and developing dressmaker.

 Even though I know most of this stuff, I like to have resources for teaching and references for when I need to check what I know against general-knowledge sewing techniques (or when I've simply forgotten how to do something).  And there's always the possibility of learning something new.

I've noticed that I'm not the only one who sits at the bottom of my stairs and pulls out books, researching as if in a library or browsing as if in a shop.  Friends who drop in, class participants and family members all enjoy my bookshelf.

I just don't think my bookshelf enjoys my book addiction that much.  I think we're headed for another EXPLOSION!

PS.  The yarn-book library is at home.... heading in a similar direction.

This Is... my current reading matter

Yes... I'm still reading it! I started it a few weeks ago, and with the few spare minutes I get to read every few evenings, it'll be a few weeks before I finish it. I love this book - a History of Embroidery (from a feminist perspective). It's great. I'm SUCH A GEEK.

I'm a "one at a time" kinda gal, and always feel compelled to finish the book. I tend to alternate between modern literary fiction and other genres like history, classic literature and short stories. I have SO LITTLE TIME to read that I get very annoyed if I don't love what I'm reading - it feels like a waste of precious time and brainspace (I feel the same about TV and films).

The books I spend MOST of the time with are children's books. I really wish my wee girl liked The Cat in The Hat as much as I do.

I also skim a lot of sewing books on a regular basis. I'm building a sewing reference library for myself (and for people who come to my classes). This book arrived from Amazon the other day, and is a winner. It's a fabulous resource for people who are TEACHING beginners and if you're a beginner who wants to learn all about sewing machines and how to use them, then this is the book for you! It's a really clear reference book that you can easily find all the basics of sewing explained - with lots of photos and diagrams.

Thanks Angela for This Is, and thanks to My Champagne Dreams for the theme this week.

On My Desk.... Wednesday

This is a very well-traveled and much-loved pincushion (that I use as a NEEDLE cushion). Originally handmade and bought in Lithuania (where - quite coincidentally - we had an order from today) and gifted to me by my friend Orla when I lived in Ireland. She and her husband Seamus are very dear to me, and this pincushion reminds me of them every time I use it.

Still making hats.... The one on my desk here is a winter version in heavy cotton moleskin fabric. I've put a straight grain binding on it to pull the brim up into a sharp curve. (Did you know you can run straight grain strips through the bias tape maker just the same as bias tape? Wish I'd known that one about fifteen years ago...makes binding hats a LOT easier!!!).

My Clover Seam Ripper is never too far away. I actually have THREE.... strategically placed around the studio so I never have to get up from a work position (Oops, my secret is out. I'm not JUST a sewing geek - I'm a LAZY sewing geek...!!).

This book has been doing the rounds between Leah's and my desks. It's a good 'un. Full of handy tips (with a title like that, who'd have guessed it?). It's like the book version of this list - with diagrams. NOTE: I bought my copy secondhand on Amazon, but everytime I try to open up the page there to get the link for you, my computer crashes....!!?.

And Oh, Happy Day... Blue, blue sky and TWO parcels from Z&S Fabrics... what more could a winter-weary sewing chick want? Cheered me up, no end. I'm in love with the Flutterby range by Tula Pink for Moda. Really unique prints in great colours.

More desks at over at Kirsty's....

At last!!!!

You have NO IDEA how long I've been trying to get my mitts on this one...
I borrowed a copy from the library a few years ago, and have wanted a copy for myself ever since. It's a tricky one - out of print and collectable.

Having let the opportunity to buy a second-hand copy for $49 slip by a year or so ago, I suddenly found myself unable to get my hands on a copy for under $150.... I realised my folly and and the quest became a MISSION!!! (I try not to dwell on the tragic $56 Ebay copy, which I missed out on by $1 because I got the auction end-time wrong...).

Ok, I'll admit it now - I'm a bit of a sad case who should get out more. This is a book about the history of embroidery, for goodness sake!! It's written from a feminist perspective.

Anyone who has read The Subversive Stitch would know that it's also a cracking read, with lots of floor-stealing quotes and fascinating insights into both craft and history. It's incredibly relevant to my choice of career and life... Besides, I keep trying to be clever and quote fascinating bits of it in embroidery workshops... but have a shocking memory and can never get them right because I only ever read it ONCE.

From the back cover of the book.... my favourite -
"...while embroidery was employed to incalcate femininity in women, it also provided a way to negotiate the constraints of the feminine role. "Polly Cook did this, " states one eighteenth century child's sampler, "and hated every stitch she did in it."

Anyway - a copy came up on Amazon for $69 plus $12 postage.... better than the $250 it'd cost to buy here. I hit "ADD TO CART" and got terribly excited.... and then waited... and waited..... and waited.... and emailed the sellers... and waited.... and waited... and started to worry.... and it finally ARRIVED!!!! Yipppeee!!


More reasons to be cheerful - my sister also brought over another Enid Gilchrist mag yesterday. I've kept the other two since childhood - and they were vintage even then. I love them. I can't quite bring myself to put them away on the bookshelf yet.

Yep - I should get out more.

Amazon Logic

Does anyone else wake up in the morning and see "Your Order From Amazon" in your inbox, and wonder what your thinking was the previous night.... did you really need THREE new books...? I'm such a sucker for their sophistocated software!! The power of the suggestion "You might like this TOO" is way too much for me. I just have to click "Add to Cart".

When I feel like a bit of retail therapy - I mean "need to research something" - I venture to browse my wishlist to see if there may be a used or second-hand copy of something useful at a bargain price. It inevitably leads to an hour or so's browsing, a big dent in my credit card, the purchase of a few new books that I hadn't planned on buying and another six books in my Wishlist..
Leah was being squeezed out of the office by the expanding "resource library", so I made a trip to Ikea (oh dear... the homewares version of Amazon!) and got a bookshelf for the studio. The bottom shelf has kids books in it - middle shelf is sewing magazines (and a few kids books) and the top shelf is ... ummmm two thirds of my craft book collection. A third of them wouldn't fit and are still on the office shelf... and there are (oh this is getting embarrassing...) thirteen books on the way. Oops.