Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution

I am a beginning sewer. I have a few sewing books (Amy Butler, Lotta Jansdottir--I hope I'm not slaughtering her name, some French-inspired sewing book). This book is different from those books, but I like that. Most other sewing books are all about the projects; arty photographs and patterns and maybe a couple sentences from the author about the project itself. Those books are great for merely flipping through and daydreaming about projects. This book, on the other hand, offers projects plus a ton more. I love reading and learning about how sewing and women's approaches to sewing has changed since the advent of the home sewing machine. Love looking at the vintage ads. REALLY love reading the interviews with some of the big name sewers (including Amy Butler). It makes me feel like I'm not crazy or just following a trend (or driven by hormones--I just had my second baby in just over two years) because I decided to learn how to sew. Reading this book makes me feel like I'm a part of a tradition that has lasted centuries of women using their creativity to make things that they want and need. (I totally don't get what that one reviewer was talking about when she said it was political, by the way. I think she was reading stuff in to the text that simply isn't there.) And then, in addition to all that, are the projects!! I particularly love the patchwork quilt, the hostess apron, and the cafe curtains. I think it's so cool that she has one project for each era she discusses. They feel very accessible to me, which I love, but I can see how that means that they're too basic for someone who is really skilled. I still think long-time sewers would love this book though, because they'd learned a lot about sewing that they didn't know before because of the historical perspective. I think it's a must-have for any sewer of any level to have in their library. And finally, I "liked" the Sew Retro page on Facebook and the author has been great about offering bonus projects and cool giveaways and such.

I'm in love with almost every project in Sew Retro. They're cute, colorful vintage perfection. I've already dug my sewing machine out of the back of my closet with plans to start the fabric coasters. I was delighted to read interviews with some of my favorite crafty ladies, including fabric designer Amy Butler. And I even found myself enjoying all the information on the history of women and sewing. These sections are written in a really approachable way, so it doesn't feel like you're reading a textbook. It's a nice over-sized book with full color pages and great photography. Plus, the spiral binding makes it easy to follow along with the instructions when you finally stop reading long enough to dig into one of the projects. There's also a handy little pattern packet hidden in the back of the book. Some of my friends will definitely be getting Sew Retro projects for Christmas!

I received the book today and read most of it already, with the exception of the designer biographies which I will read later. The artwork is inspiring--especially the vintage photos,just makes me want to sew! (book lays flat) The book is arranged in order of historical events both in the sewing industry and history in general. The latter effected the former immensely, especially in the lives of American women and Judi Ketteler explains this in the text in an easy-to read, but not boring manner. Scattered throughout are vintage-type patterns (the author does include some pieces in an envelope)for twenty-five items. What a fantastic idea that was! Will be making the sewing basket as soon as possible. Ms. Ketteler also gives tips on sewing fabrics, purchasing vintage fabrics and re-purposing how-tos. The time line was interesting, although I beg to differ with the author's assertion that Michelle Obama is a "fashion icon." There was somewhat more politics than history as the book entered into the '60s through the 2000s, but that's okay... Only complaint: the first few page of my book were not caught up in the ring binder at the top. They will most likely rip easily, but not a problem that would make sending the book back worthwhile.

I had flipped through this book in a book store before purchasing it online. Clearly, I didn't actually read the text, but I thought the idea was really neat. For each decade or (several decades) depending on the style period, there is historical information and a few patterns that represent each style periods. The patterns are pretty cute, they seem fairly simple to make, and some of the information is very interesting. My biggest issue is the heavy feminist anti-homemaker viewpoint of 90% of the text. It doesn't seem to fit with a sewing book that is supposed to teach you to sew things. By the time I was done reading it I felt guilty for wanting to sew or do anything remotely domestic. I get that that in our "modern" times we think differently and we sew for different reasons but boy the feminist rant got really old. I have to say that I was pretty disappointed. A book that could have been informative, fun, and lighthearted ended up being so political and stripped all the joy out of it. On a positive note, I just won't read the text but be a blissfully repressed, oppressed, and suppressed (as the feminists would say) homemaker sewing some really cute patterns from this book.

I almost didn't buy this after reading some of the reviews. It was said that the patterns are simplistic and the text too political, but the book just kept calling me back until I bought it. I am very glad I did. I will admit, that yes, the patterns are geared more towards beginner sewers. Even me, I consider myself more of an advanced beginner, could have easily knocked these patterns out, so I doubt there will be anything that will challenge my more experienced sewing siblings. Beginner sewists however, would likely find some fun projects within the selection included in the book. But to me, the book was worth it for the interesting retrospective on sewing. Of course politics are discussed in the book, politics permeates our lives and has a direct impact on the movements within each generation. But never once did I read something that I though would be offensive to either a conservative or a liberal, unless the mere mention of a Republican, or perhaps the Gay Rights or Feminist Movement, offends you. I enjoyed the quick chapters of how sewing changed in each decade. I would recommend this as a lovely gift for you or another sewist, regardless of skill level, who enjoys everything vintage.

I have been sewing for 59 years, and have hundreds of books on sewing, embroidery, embellishment, pattern making, fabric manipulation, etc., and the creative process. I found this book refreshing in it's approach to the history of sewing machines, and it's affect on the sewing process. I read it from cover to cover. I am a historic costumer, and loved the all vintage inspired projects, especially the 10 full sized patterns that were included, with the book. If you are serious about sewing, and looking for fun, and easy projects to complete, then this is the book you must have. If you think the projects are too simple, then let your creative juices flow, and make each project unique to you.

Body of text is incremental in size and extremely light, causing tremendous eye strain. Text accompanying all pattern illustrations throughout the book is even worse. It is all magnified on Amazon.com........yet, in reality it is not even readable. And their quality of the paper vs. the ring-binding makes it close to impossible to turn a page without tearing. There are excellent sewing books out there. SEW~RETRO is _not_ one of them.

From the cover (by which you should never judge a book) it would seem that the projects would be more of a fashion and clothing oriented design. Unfortunately it is mostly just craft ideas. Accessories and nicnacs are fun and all, but I was looking more at the design and styles of retro clothing. As this book has nothing to really do with it asside from the bits and pieces about the history involved with the sew at home revolution. So I would not recomend this book to anyone looking for what I was looking for. It does have good infromation about the history of home sewing projects and very precise instructions, so it still gets 2 stars.

A very good service orderd on the 11th jan and recieved on wednesday 14th january. This book was brought for a birthday present for my mum who loves all the vintage items and had a sewing machine for christmas and cant wait to start sewing some of the items in tge book. A very happy customer thank you :)

Fabulous book, I'm delighted I purchased it. I've read the introduction and have almost everything I need on the list to get started. I've been through all the patterns and I love them. I'm really looking forward to personalising my home and my wardrobe :)

I brought this as I am very interested in retro sewing patterns and making retro clothing and accessories. There are a few nice patterns in the book and they are explained quite well, but nothing you couldn't find online for free. I found it touches on little bits of everything from the history of sewing to fabrics used though the years but there wasn't enough information to make it a true reference book and the simplicity of the patterns included left me feeling a little lacklustre. I wanted to know about little details that would give my patterns that retro feel, and I didn't really get that from this book. I think experienced sewers would find this is missing something exciting and have probably made a lot of the patterns early on, although they might appreciate it as a gift for a rainy day read. Beginners may like this book if they want to try retro sewing without buying expensive patterns, and to learn a little about sewing through the years without going in to too much detail. It's a nice read once or twice, but I don't think it's one you'll be coming back to year after year.

Although a nice book, the 25 patterns are not what I had expected. I was hoping for more clothing, and less accessories. However, the information on styles over the years was interesting, but if you're buying this for the patterns.... don't bother.

I bought this book as I thought it would contain some classic vintage dress patterns. I wasn't thinking many but one would have been nice. This book is more about the history of sewing fashion for 1800 - 1980 as opposed to actually giving you anything to make. Personally, vintage to me (and implyed by the book) is 1930 - 1950. You'll notice this book announces it has '25 vintage inspired projects' inside. Of all these projects only 2 are clothes (skirts) and there are pretty hideous. The rest of the patterns consist of the usual bumf of shapeless bags, purses, scarves, aprons and tablewear. I really can't think of a reason to recommend this book. I suppose the history of sewing is sort of interesting but I'm sure there are better, more comprehensive books than this if thats what you're looking for. Perhaps if you're a complete beginner and you want to make some very simple items purely for practice then this could be useful? I hate to sound like a moaning minnie by I really am disappointed by this book. If you're considering buying this book just ask yourself what you hope to gain from it. If the words attractive, useful or clothing enter your mind then look else where because you won't find that here.