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

by Judi Ketteler

Sewing never goes out of style, and today it is more popular than ever! Sew Retro offers twenty-five stylish, vintage-inspired sewing projects—beautiful bags, essential skirts, unique pillows, and more—that are a pleasure to sew, thanks to easy instructions, helpful diagrams, and a pocket of ten full-size patterns. This fun, inspirational book also uncovers sewing’s colorful history, from the introduction of the sewing machine to the modern DIY movement, and features interviews with today’s hottest fabric and pattern designers, including Amy Butler, Betz White, Barbara Brackman, Emma Brennan, Judie Rothermel, and Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics. Filled with gorgeous project photography and quirky vintage illustrations that bring the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, and beyond to life, Sew Retro celebrates sewing yesterday and today. Learn more about Sew Retro and enjoy bonus projects and tutorials at www.sewretrothebook.com!

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Crafts, History, Fashion, Historical

144 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2010

About the author

Judi Ketteler has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. She got her professional start working as a copywriter for a small agency, but has been a full-time freelance writer since 2002. An award-winning essayist, she has contributed to dozens of publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Runner’s World, and Women’s Health. She is also the author of two books about sewing. Judi has a B.A. in English from Northern Kentucky University, and an M.A. in English from Miami University of Ohio, where she studied the intersection of race and gender in nineteenth century American women’s sentimental fiction. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Tirzah Hayes]

The author mentions very early on, and very often, how this book is meant to be a feminist look at the history of sewing. Personally, I feel it missed its mark. In the beginning, the author states that she added sewing patterns to this book because "who want to just read about sewing?"which put a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. While I don't think there is much in the book that is incorrect, I feel it misses some important bits of context, and makes some strange choices about what to highlight. For example, I have heard two versions of the story on how Ebenezer Butterick invented the graded pattern. In one, he did so as a gift for his wife, in the other he did so in conjunction with his wife. The author chooses to tell the former.

Undergarments are mentioned three times in the entire book. All three are mentions in the 1910s-20s section about how restrictive and uncomfortable corsets were and how the 1910s were so progressive for getting rid of them. She does not take any time to discuss what corsets were replaced with or any other kind of undergarments from any other time period.

"1920: Women win the right to vote, but with prohibition, lose the right to have a cocktail" While I don't expect my sewing book to get into the details of prohibition, it seems strange that a book so focussed on feminism misses the involvement of some early feminsts in the prohibition movement. For a book that makes so many mentions of civil rights movements and slavery, it seems strange not to mention how the vote was only won for white women.

if this was meant to be an interesting look at the history of sewing, it shoulve had less discussion of the feminist movement and "the man". If it was meant to be a feminist perspective on the history of sewing, its missed its mark.

[Cherie]

The history portion was enjoyable, but the projects were tacky and the stitching in the examples was sub par at best. You can see the bad thread tension in the photographs. What were the publishers thinking?

[Merry Love]

Basically pretend there aren't any sewing "patterns" in this book. There's nothing worth sewing that you can't find a better tutorial for free online for.

But, this was a super interesting read on the history of sewing! A great read to pick up cheap used or at your library of you're interested in learning about vintage sewing (think broad historical knowledge, not technical sewing techniques- definitely not that sort of book).

[Rebekka Steg]

The historical information is fascinating and delightful, but the projects are tacky and disappointing. Well worth a read, but glad I only borrowed it from the library as I have no interest in making any of the projects.

[Heather]

The projects are boring, but the history is interesting.

[Morgan]

Slightly Intresting overview history of sewing. Patterns are ok. I enjoyed reading it from the library but I wouldn't buy it.

[Christine B]

I enjoyed the history sections; found them interesting and entertaining. The patterns were okay but the projects didn't interest me.

[Kate]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book & look forward to making some of the projects. It is interesting as a history of fashion in the US as well as including the fairly easy patterns.

[Beverly]

I enjoyed this book so much. It brought back childhood memories of learning to sew from all the seamstresses in my Mom's family.

[Lana.]

More history than projects. A good sampler, not great for depth.

A sassy and entertaining, brief history of home sewing and the sewing machine – mainly focused on the United States (though the industrial revolution and the World War shortages likely had a similar effect in many countries).

Sections are divided by eras (decades) and include a brief timeline, some interesting design elements from the time period, a couple of "Vintage-Inspired" projects, and a short interview of the project's designer.

Great photos of vintage fashions spreads and patterns, but definitely missing the one thing I would expect from a book titled "Sew Retro": How to read and or translate retro (old) patterns.

It was also a bit disappointing to see the pictures of lovely dresses and garments scattered on various pages, but to have projects mostly of simple accessories and houshold items. But I guess that's expected, else it would be a much longer, much more complicated book.

As it is, a very good start for someone interested in fashion and sewing history and looking for very simple projects.

[Gaile]

This is a history of the sewing machine and it's effect on women, the designing of sized patterns and the place it takes in modern life. The book also includes simple projects to sew. As I have already made most of the projects in the books, I was more interested in the history.
The book ends on a hopeful note although it neglects to say that the price of patterns have gone through the ceiling and fabric too is getting more and expensive.
Although I personally think our ready to wear no iron knits are not very attractive and certainly are not cheaper to make up on a home sewing machine,our busy modern day life style is turning to just casual everywhere as everyone wants to feel comfortable and nobody wants to feel dressed up. This book doesn't touch on this but rather dwells on the modern woman being able to be fashionable with a handy home sewing machine.

[Alyssa]

Probably not a book that I would reference a whole lot since most of the patterns and projects are things I am really not interested in making. The history and evolvement of sewing was the best part of the book. There are great pictures and lots of fun facts as the author traces the culture of sewing back to the Victorian Age.

[Erika Mulvenna]

I absolutely love this book. In fact, if I was going to write a book about sewing, it would be this book! Lots of great sewing facts and history mixed in with great historic photos and sewing ephemera. And the projects are really great, stylish while drawing on historic projects for inspiration. The projects are perfect for a confident beginner or seasoned sewers alike.

[Annie]

This is a cute book that is divided into sections by decade. I loved the bits of history and photos it included. However, the patterns were really very simple and not what I was expecting. There are a number of places you can find a pattern for potholders, but I was hoping that the book would include more patterns for fashions.

[Whitney]

The crafts in this book, I think, are only okay (some are better than others) All are easy to do. But what I really love about it is the brief history on the sewing as a part of our culture! I thought it was fascinating and I really enjoyed it!

[Cassandra Boll]

I really enjoyed the novel combination of well written history combined with easy, interesting patterns. The book is also jam-packed with beautiful vintage photos and ephemera from the eras the author is covering.

[Melanie]

Probably more a 3.5 star -- I loved the historical content, was uninterested in the projects. I think maybe it should have been one or the other. Great pictures, and the author's voice was interesting, but didn't all hang together for me.

[Alicia]

A neat history of sewing and how it relates to feminism through the years.

[Theadra Chapman]

Great history of sewing and super cute projects

[Jody]

The sewing projects are simple but I really enjoyed the historical background for each decade from the 1920s to the present.

[Betty]

Cool history

[Bookish]

Fun to look through and good for beginning seamstresses. The more advanced might find it a bit dull.

[Bear]

Not nearly as cute as the cover would imply. Very few clothing patterns - mostly items for around the house.

[Hollis]

History- 4 stars
Patterns/projects -1.
Pictures- 5.

You can only make so many bags and the like. An interesting-ish read with great photos!

[Faith Fielder]

Loved the history of fabrics, patterns, and sewing machines. Projects are simple and attractive.

[Rebecca]

The history of sewing was fabulous, the projects were meh. I

[Vicky]

Interesting but not amazing. I would have enjoyed it with more detail. The projects given for each decade weren't very inspiring.

[Elizabeth Boyle]

Wasn't quite what I was looking for. And I really wanted to love this book.

[Tandie]

Loved the old magazine covers & cool history. The projects weren't really to my taste, but the reading & pics made it an enjoyable read.

[Angie]

Projects uninspiring. History was interesting but overshadowed by author's ongoing feminist commentary.