How To Sew Clothes: Contents
PROLOGUE
Sewing and Abundance
PART I. SEWING WHYS AND HOWS: What to sew and how to begin
Chapter 1. What You Might Want to Sew, and How, and Why
Simple clothes—about the patterns in this book—hacking and improvisation—tops— jackets—pants—dresses—complicated and specialized clothes—bags—what do you really like to wear?— gardening and birthday cake—so why do you sew your own clothes, Amy and Amelia?
Chapter 2. Get Your Workshop Set Up
What do you do in a sewing workshop?— where are you going to sew?—where we sew—sewing on the kitchen table, cutting on the floor—what you definitely need—a more advanced tools list—choosing a machine—serger: a special kind of sewing machine—what are notions?—a note on thread—make it your own!
Chapter 3. How a Garment Is Sewn, and Washed, and Worn
A top-of-the-mountain view—general order of operations for sewing garments—sewing and pressing—clean finishing—wash your garment so it becomes fully itself—learn from wearing—looking at clothes with new eyes—how it all comes together
Chapter 4. First Seams, First Seam Rips
Hello, sewing machine—how to sew a straight line—how to sew a seam—pin the middle—pin it to win it—backstitching— how to press, the sewing way—seam ripping! hooray!—finishing—stitches and their uses, and the different feet—you probably won’t break it—why isn’t it working?—personal vs. perfect
Chapter 5. It’s All About the Fabric
Against overwhelm—drape, weight, ease—a taxonomy of fabrics—fabric parts and terms—fabric grain, and why it’s important— where to get it—investigate!—fabric types, applied—wear the colors and prints and stripes you are drawn to—surface design— spending money on fabric—start easy—really, it’s all about the fabric
Chapter 6. How to Begin
A helpful prep checklist—choosing your project—how to measure yourself—reading a pattern size chart—size charts are arbitrary, it’s all about the ease—what if I’m between sizes?—get the pattern ready—a pattern inventory—how to trace and use the patterns in this book—adjusting the pattern—hacking sewing patterns—gather fabric and notions— fabric prepping—test garment/muslin— reading sewing instructions—ironing your fabric before you cut—finding the grain and laying out the fabric—reading pattern markings—arranging pattern pieces on the fabric—taking a deep breath—sew sew sew!—what sounds fun?
PART II. THE BOX TOPS:
The Box Top, Box Dress, and Variations
Chapter 7. The Box Top
How to choose a size—choosing fabrics—what you need—pattern adjustments—fit guidelines—cut your fabric—shoulder and side seams— finish arm opening—neckline binding—hem—finished
Chapter 8. Long Sleeve Box Top
Pattern adjustments—cut your fabric—shoulder seams—sew sleeves—side seams— neckline binding and hem—finished
Chapter 9. Ruffle Box Top or Ruffle Dress
Fabric thoughts—pattern adjustments—add length to make a ruffle dress—cut your fabric—sew the top like a regular box top— sew ruffle—attach ruffle—hem—finished
Chapter 10. Box Top Variations
French seams—split hem—high-low hem— box dress—belt—patch pockets—extra-deep hem
PART III. THE CARDIGAN COAT: The Cardigan Coat or Jacket
Chapter 11. Cardigan Coat or Jacket
Measurement chart and sizing for cardigan coat—fabric types—fabric amounts—some options for using less fabric—choose your finishing method—trace your pattern— pattern adjustments—fit guidelines—cut your fabric—finish and sew center back seam—shoulder and side seams—finish wrists—finish back neckline—hem front neckline edges—finish bottom hem—add pockets and finish
Chapter 12. Quilt Coat
Prepare pattern and make adjustments—cut your fabric—sew the body—finish wrist openings—finish back neckline and hem— add pockets and closures—finished
Chapter 13. Variations on the Cardigan Coat
Cut the sleeves separately—shawl collar— crewneck-ish front—simple collar—curved hem—wrap closure—buttons and snaps— ties—belts—hanging loop—flat-felled seams—make it reversible—special touches— prequilted fabric—thick or fluffy fabric tips
PART IV. ALL WELL BAGS: Carry what you need
Chapter 14. Sewing Bags
Really, it’s all about fabric and materials— sturdy bag fabric sourcing—how to customize bags for you—pocket ideas for bags—making your bags fancy—our best bag tips
Chapter 15. Simple Pouches
Open top pouch for a phone, device, or journal—fold-over pouch—drawstring bag set
Chapter 16. Book Bag
Prepare straps—sew bag body—make it 3D, the simple way—baste straps—sew hem and straps
Chapter 17. Half Moon Zip Set, Flat Pouch, and Stand Up Pouches
No-fear zippers—zippers, and finding what you need—the half moon zip—the flat pouch—the stand up pouch
Chapter 18. Party Purse
Make your strap—prepare pocket and other pattern pieces—sew zipper—sew pocket— add in your strap
PART V. SOME BASIC SKILLS: To take you far
Chapter 19. Things to Use Over and Over
Bias binding a neckline or armhole—bound edges or seams on a quilt coat (or on a quilt)—make your own binding strips— French seams—flat-felled seams—split hem—high-low hem—extra-deep hem— patch pockets—belts—ties and straps— hanging loop—sewing a buttonhole— installing snaps—the joy of tags
Chapter 20. Things That Will Serve You
Tracking your projects, and keeping a sewing notebook—how to save a project—how
to slowly work, and sew smarter—indie patterns—how to tile together a PDF pattern—tracing patterns from existing garments—double-checking your patterns with a ruler—speeding things up with a serger—pink serger thread
Chapter 21. How to Continue
Prioritize by excitement—a note on beginner projects and what to do with them as you grow in your sewing skills—how to avoid making things you don’t love—permission to not love everything you’ve ever made—how to find sewing books you like, and an ode to the sewing sections of the library—sewing friends—taking classes—finding the ways you work and learn best—clothes are never perfect—refining your work—ebbs and flows—little secrets
PART VI. MORE: A few useful notes
Chapter 22. Everlasting Scraps
How to reuse and repurpose—giving bags as gifts—sewing tools that you can sew yourself—sewing stuff that isn’t clothes or bags—a list of small project ideas, for scraps
Chapter 23. Sustainable Fabric Sourcing
Sourcing locally and secondhand— deadstock—curtains, tablecloths, bedding, and other ideas for finding fabric—finding secondhand cardigan coat fabric—on having a “stash”—sourcing new fabrics
Chapter 24. All Is Well
About Amelia and Amy—about All Well—more from All Well, and where you can find us—some things that inspire us—be it ever so humble—more warmth, for everyone
PATTERNS IN ENVELOPE
Find HOW TO SEW CLOTHES at Amazon, Bookshop, Powells, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Book Depository, Indigo and bookstores near you.
Finding How to Sew Clothes outside of the U.S. is totally possible! You can get the book through Amazon (for example, the UK and Australia) as well as other major retailers with international reach. Book Depository, Waterstones, and Bookshop ship internationally. Or try asking at your local bookstore! They should be able to get a copy for you. (The ISBN is 9781419762024!) Measurements in the book are given in inches and metric.