This year I started working with vintage patterns. So why not buy a old sewing book and see if we’re doing anything different than previous sewers?
This book doesn’t have an ISSN number but is registered with the Adelaide Post Office and there’s no date. I bought this on ebay in May and it comes up from time to time so I’m guessing it was a high school text book. The school I went to was a home economics girls school so it’s no wonder I’ve stayed with sewing. Most of the girls in my year pursued other things 🙂
If you don’t want to spend a lot on patterns, this book goes through the basics to make your own pattern blocks.
Fit was and still is an issue for dressmakers.
The photos are classic black and whites but they are do explain dressmaking techniques well.
At the moment I’m working on piping and this book has got that covered.
Recyling and mending was also something dressmakers did.
Recycling is now a trend as well for eco-friendly sewers.
Coletterie also reviewed a classic like this, and this prompted me to review this book, before it slipped my mind 🙂
velosews 
Looks like an interesting book, I've got the old Singer Book at home, very thick which has been a great resource at times.
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Aaaaah! I got this out of the library when I first started sewing! I made a sloper from it but then I found Metric pattern drafting by winifred aldrich and stuck with that because everything was in cm! I have a small collection of vintage sewing books (including some drafting ones). They're just so pretty!
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Ha! I have this book too, though without the nice dust jacket, and I find it useful. It has nice illustrations about things like bound buttonholes and plackets. You inspired me to get it out again and read it over dinner. Thank you!
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I've been reading during lunch and it's a great resource.
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What a gem! Something to keep for always… I think I am a very old fashioned seamster since I tend to avoid new-fangled gadgets in my sewing. I made an exception for the overlocker though 😀
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What a treasure to have in your sewing library. I have a Vogue Sewing book from 1976 that I wouldn't part with for anything.
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Love that kind of book! What a great find!
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Hah! I also have this book (mine was an ebay purchase as well). I think I have at least half a dozen old text books now, it's time to stop!
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I have that book as well. It is stamped “Eltham High School Library” so your guess it was a text book is probably spot on. I use it all the time as a sewing resource and adore the illustrations. It covers so much and isn't it so wonderful how these sewing techniques are so timeless. Mine was a gift from my mother in law when I started to get back into sewing seriously last year so I treasure it not only for its content but also for the history it holds. The buttonhole/fastening section is great as well.
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