I absolutely love this book. It is written by Gail Doane, a very well respected heirloom sewist, born in Canada, and currently living in the US. Her work is often featured in Australian Smocking and Embroidery as well as other heirloom publications.
A caveat here - if you go to Amazon, like I did, to buy this, there are two listings. One has the price at 15.63 and the other is 66. 38. Make sure you click on the one that is 15.63. I have no idea why the other is so expensive other than something may be getting lost in the Aussie exchange rate or such. My sources have told me these are the exact same book. Now to the book,
This is a book of ten different smocked dresses with coordinating embellished jackets and sometimes little embellished bags to match. The book is really about the jackets. Doane's mastery of embellishment is incredible. One of my goals is to learn how to do cast on roses and Doane's instructions will get me there. They are so clear and the photography says it all. This book is published by Country Bumpkin, reknown for their fabulous photography and clear instructions. The beautiful child models are right off the pages of AS&E.
Patterns are included in a pullout for all of the garments and they run from size 6 months to 12 years. Detailed instructions for rouleaux, fagotted bindings, cast on flowers, are understandable by anyone who can pick up a needle and look at pictures. They are that clear. There is a darling pattern for a swing jacket that I can't wait to make for Carley. I am duly inspired by Ms. Doane's work and can't wait to try one of these patterns.
If you would like to be inspired to sew some fabulous clothing for little girls, love a book that makes you want to sip camomile tea and linger over its pictures, and/or aspire to the next level of sewing clothing for children, this book is for you. I highly recommend it and at the price it is a sure keeper. You won't be sorry about this purchase.....Bunny
I got my magazines, and Emily got her needles. I can't wait to read them. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI made Emily some cute little sundresses. You can see them on my blog.
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
Also, Emily just made a frog pincushion, baby chick egg cozy, a strawberry potholder and elf slippers. She will be putting these on her blog soon. www.sewingsister.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing about this book. I can't wait to go to Amazon to buy mine.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book. Will take a look at it on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteOMG! You did have to show us this book! I had no idea she was writing a book, but I LOVE everything Gail Doane does, and even before I saw the author, I was interested. And I don't even have anyone to make these clothes for! At this time anyway. I'm hurrying over to Amazon, as I suspect that the $66 price is the true price, and they'll correct their error soon! Since $15 is roughly the price of one AS&E, and you say it contains 15 patterns? Not only do Gail's clothes look good in photos, they're awsome IRL also! She truly is a MASTER! Add AS&E's models and photograpy and I'm sure it's a winner!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thanks for the instructions RE: the seam transition!
I love this book too. The only jacket I wish had included was the lace jacket. But I love just about everything she does and her classes are even better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteHey Bunny, this looks like a good sewing book, will you make something from it? Anyway, having it must be a pleasure already...:)
ReplyDeleteThis book is available on Half.com too, where I dropped a bunch this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteSaw your post, and I thought I would share a bit of info I found while searching around for something else today. I havent heard anything from her officially but look at what I found!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/GailDoane
Had my first Gail Doane class yesterday. It was fantastic! She is an excellent teacher. We learned the "Snug as a Bug" jacket construction. I'm getting this book as quickly as possible. Heading for Amazon.
ReplyDeleteJust began the process of making the blue checked bishop in Children's Sew Cute Couture, by Gail Doane. Maybe you can help me as on the pattern piece it states to cut 2 of fabric for the front of the bishop... This doesn't make sense to me. Any help would be appreciated. Diane
ReplyDelete