Sewing Basics For Every Body Publication day!

It’s finally here, the day that my new book Sewing Basics for Every Body is set free into the world!!

Even though this is my fourth book, I still get a bit tense on publication day. It’s a  long process planning and writing a book and since June 2018 when the book was first commissioned it’s been my baby, safely protected from the world!  But, as they say, to truly love something you have to set it free so hopefully I’ve done my job well enough and created a book that can stand on its own in the big wide world.

I hope those of you that pre-ordered copies have started to receive them and I hope that you will love it as much as I do.  If so, I’d be really grateful if you could spend a few minutes writing a review on Amazon.

Here’s a reminder of what you are getting:

Five basic patterns printed full-scale (colour coded) on pull-out pattern sheets at the back of the book. If you missed any, have a look at the 5 blog posts before this one for a full introduction to each pattern and the variations that can be made from each one.

The patterns are designed to be unisex and will fit the following body measurements:

• chest 81-126cm (32 to 49 3/4 ins)
• waist 66-111cm (26 to 43 3/4 ins)
• hips 86-131cm (34 to 51 1/2 ins).

Comprehensive instructions are also included for how to adjust the patterns if needed, to accommodate different sizes and proportions.

This is my most wide ranging book yet in terms of techniques, meaning this section is even longer than my other books and includes:

• pattern adjustments
• choosing, pre-washing and cutting fabrics
• extensive tips on pressing
• seams, including preparation, 3 methods for finishing seam allowances, seams in knitted fabrics, understitching, topstitching, edge stitching, stay stitching
• hems, including preparation, 2 methods for hemming woven fabrics and 3 methods for hemming knitted fabrics
• preparing, sewing and pressing darts
• preparing and sewing 2 different types of pleats
• inserting a fly front zip
• attaching fixed waistbands
• attaching elasticated waistbands
• sewing on buttons
• marking and sewing buttonholes
• patch pockets
• front hip or cut-away pockets
• in-seam pockets
• welt pockets
• 3 different collars
• hand printing a stencil (the scissor stencil on the Felix t-shirt is included on the pattern sheets).

In addition to all these techniques, within the project instructions you will learn even more:

• lining a coat
• sewing an open-ended zip
• my fool-proof method for attaching a t-shirt neckband
• making and attaching hoods
• sewing raglan sleeves
• sewing set-in sleeves
• sewing a shirt cuff and placket
• how to finish a shaped shirt hem neatly
• sewing a shirt yoke
• sewing a mandarin collar
• sewing a fly covered button stand on a shirt
• making and attaching a standing coat collar.

As with all my other books the project instructions and techniques are presented in my clear, jargon-free, step-by-step illustrated style.  Remember, I’ve been teaching people to make their own clothes since 2007, I know the things that are likely to catch you out and I make sure they don’t.

If you didn’t pre-order, you can buy a signed copy from me here, or get one in person at the launch event at Sew in the City on Sunday. Of course you can also get an unsigned copy from all good bookshops; online as well as bricks and mortar.  I’m guessing it will be available in most libraries too.

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!!

I’m looking forward to seeing what you make from it!  If you are in the habit of sharing your sewing online, don’t forget to use the hashtags: #sewingbasics and for the individual projects #makingfelix #makingrowan etc etc.

As I’ve said before, a book is not the work of an author alone, I am blessed to work with some amazing people on my books and I want to send big thanks and big love to the following people for helping me to create this one: the team at Cico Books especially my amazing editor Anna, Julian Ward for such stunning photography, Nel Haynes for getting inside my head to style all my samples so perfectly, George and Dawn at Fabworks for generously providing me with such beautiful fabrics, our five gorgeous models (particularly Stefan-Pierre, Krystal and Marian) and the two venues we used for shoots – Copperdollar Studios in Brighton and Studio Boardroom in London.