Cover Image: The Act of Sewing

The Act of Sewing

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Member Reviews

I liked this book so much I bought a personal copy and sent a second copy to my sister. It is great for the beginner sewist and those learning how to do adjustments. The layout is easy to navigate and free patterns are also included.

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Great book filled with beautiful illustrations, helpful instructions that you can use to mend anything in your daily life.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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First off, this book is gorgeous. I am certain that the colour art will translate beautifully to the physical page, while also being subtle enough to stand the test of time.

Next, if you want a book that teaches everything you want to know either about starting to sew, or just to sew clothing that fits you and your loved ones better, this is THE BOOK I will now be recommending to my friends.

*WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK:*
* This book is easy-to-read, grounded, simple - and yet - teaches the reader everything you need to know to get started. The basic tools and techniques are super well explained.

* The author breaks down which tools are absolutely necessary, versus what is extra nice to have and what you might only use very rarely. These lists being separated makes sewing more accessible than it otherwise might not have been for some, and I really appreciated that. And while some may argue that an actual sewing machine isn’t at all necessary (clothing can absolutely be sewn by hand), this is a book on machine sewing. If you are a hand-sewist and want to use the book’s patterns and alteration methods in your work, you will still get much out of this book.

* I especially love that the author gives you ten things to try fixing when the your sewing machine doesn’t have the greatest tension BEFORE trying to adjust the tension dials. These things are so often overlooked, and will make you and your machine much closer friends than you otherwise would have been. This list will save you oodles of frustration and second-guessing your abilities. If you are new to sewing, I recommend highlighting this page or making a copy of it and hanging it up near your machine.

* I read through the patterns and they seemed really well explained. I do also love that Sonya includes lots of little ways to alter the patterns to help with fitting.

WHAT I DISLIKED OR THOUGHT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER:
* The publisher did not provide the actual patterns to try (obviously not the fault of the author). I would have loved to review how the actual sewing instructions held up while actually making. I read through them and they seemed GREAT, but sometimes things come up while actually making that you don't notice while just reading through. I did love that Sonya includes lots of little ways to alter the patterns to help with fitting. Once I get a copy of this book and try actually sewing one of Sonya's patterns, I will update this part of my review.

Basically, this book is a beautifully put together and well thought out best friend for all those who want to start sewing their own clothing.

I would love to thank the author and amazing sewist Sonya Philip, the publisher Roost Books, and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

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This is a great reference for sewers of all skill levels. Philip offers lots of basic information- tools and materials that are necessary, nice to have, or optional, the ins and outs of fabrics, working with patterns, etc. We move on to patterns; there are four basic patterns in the book, two tops, a skirt, and trousers. The instructions go over all the things you need to know about making these patterns, and covers a good variety of techniques. In part two of the book, we learn about adjusting the patterns to suit our taste- lengthening, shortening, different types of sleeves, and so on. There's a section on modifying, embellishing, and combining patterns, and a glossary at the end. There is so much helpful information in this book, and it takes you through a progression of techniques that make it easy to learn, because you're using the same base patterns throughout and progressively adding more to them. It's all explained clearly and comprehensively enough that I feel even someone like me who hasn't touched a sewing machine in 40 years could do it! This would also be a great and useful reference for any level sewer to have on hand.

#TheActofSewing #NetGalley

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This book is another slam dunk from Sonya Phillips. Her way of simplifying the sewing process and making it accessible to people of all sizes and skill levels is really refreshing. The Act of Sewing is a really great resource for sewists of all skill levels.

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The bright colors and illustrations of this book made it a great one to flip through. Though I struggled to use it in an e-book format (that's my issue not the book's) I did learn a bit from reading the book. I can't wait to get a physical copy.

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Whenever I’m in a used bookstore are the first place I go is the craft and hobbies section. I love to collect vintage sewing books. My favorite are the books that get deep into technical topics, like fitting and pattern alteration. I seak out these old books because of the quality of the content. Nothing is dumbed down. The authors assumed the reader wanted to sew clothes that fit and wore well, even if it took a lot of time and planning.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced digital copy of this book for free through NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. See my policies page for more.

When I was given a review copy of The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip (Bookshop.org, Amazon.com) I was delighted to find that it was written in the same spirit and with the same attention to detail as the vintage manuals I so love.

The Author

I first became aware of Sonya Philp through 100 Acts of of Sewing, which began as a project to sew 100 peices of clothing in a year. The goal of the project was not just to make the clothing, but to show the process in order to educate her audience about the time, labor, and skill involved in sewing. Philps sewing and art skills are largely self-taught, and she calls what she does “conceptual craft.” Check out her website for Soyna Philp’s full bio.

Visual Design

I love the design of this book. A wonderfuly chunky font is used for the headers. The sans-serif used for longer text blocks is easy to read. Pink, yellow, and teal are used throughout the book in diagrams and decoration. I found the changing colors useful when skiming because they signaled when chapters began and ended. I can also see this helping when trying to remember a where a diagram of a specific technique was located. I’m definitely the type to remember “it was in that yellow chapter” rather than the chapter name.

Chapters and Organization

A digital copy of the sewing, fitting and pattern alteration book "The Act of Sewing" by Sonya Philip on a green background surrounded by by sewing tools.
The Act of Sewing is a practical manual for sewing your own wardrobe organized into five chapters:

Basic Tools & Techniques
Patterns
Adjustments
Modifications and Embellishments
Combining Patterns
Each chapter is divided up into several sections, making this an easy book to navigate. Since this the typee of book a reader will return to repeatedly, that ability to navigate within the book is important.

Additioinally, the book includes four patterns: 2 tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants. These basic patterns are intened to be embelished and modified using the instructions in the book. As these were not included in my digital review copy I can’t say much about them. However, I do think that including them was a wonderful idea!

And if you need more, there’s an index and glossary in the back.

Book Content and Instructions

As with most sewing, fitting, and pattern alteration books, Philps begins by going through the tools she reccomends. What I love about this section is that she is constantly mentioning the important little details that only someone who has really sewn will know. For example, in a breif pragraph about pins she advises readers to use thinner pins if they find their pins sliding out of the fabric and also advises against using plastic headed pins because of their tendancy to melt. These are the sort of details that can make all the difference, especially if you’re new to the craft.

The first chapter also spends some time on basic terminology and sewing techniques. Things like understanding fabric grain and how to deal with tension issuse are covered. My favorite part is the section on making and using bias tape, which is such a great way to finish edges.

Chapter 2 goes over the four baisic patterns included with the book and how to sew them. The written insctructions are thorough and the diagrams are clear. However, the book relies more heavily on written instructions than a typical commercial pattern might, so they might feel a bit sparse to some.

The next three chapters are all about taking this baisic information and using it to design and create your own wardrobe. Chapter 3 is all about fitting and pattern alteratioins though basic adjustments. Some of these are stylistic changes and others are meant to improve the fit. These start out simple, and ending with instructions for how to do a seat adjustment on a pair of trousers.

The real creative fun begins in chapter 4, where Philps teaches different techniques for altering the patterns stylistically. This includes adding pleats and pockets, creating a yolk, and changing hemlines. Chapter 5 is similar, but involves taking peices from multiple different patterns to create something new. The best thing about these three chapters is that Philps shows both how to alter the pattern and how to sew the new garment together.

Reccomendation

Overall, I loved this book. It’s packed with information and well organized. Additionally, the design is great and the resulting book is beautiful. This book is a great option for those intrested in home or custom garment sewing. It covers more than enough information about sewing, fitting, and pattern alteration to get anyone started on a DIY wardrobe.

I’d reccomend it most to intermediate sewers. Working through few projects using The Act of Sewing would be a great way to learn about pattern altertion and to gain the confidence to design your own clothes. This is also a solid reference guide that can be used for many years. Advanced sewers who have never found an all-purpose reference manual they vibe with should give The Act of Sewing serious consideration. There is a lot to be said for having a trusted source in arms reach when sewing and this one coveres both patterning and sewing.

Beginner sewists might find they need more visual and hands-on instruction than this (or any) book can provide. But I wouldn’t rule it out as an option even for someone who’s never picked up a needle before. The information in the book builds on its self as you go, making it possible to learn a lot if you work through it like a textbook.

Honestly, I would seriously consider usinig this as class text or to reccomend it to someone taking a begining sewing class. I can also see it being great for someone that is just learning to sew but has a friend or relative to help them as-needed. It would be great paired with Mend It, Wear It, Love It by Zoe Edwards.

Get your copy of The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philp from Bookshop.org. Amazon.com, or your local sewing or bookshop.

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This is one of those books that are classified as a reference book. The author introduces the reader to the words used in sewing instructions as well as their definitions. Then the book moves onto using patterns in sewing and how to change things up so they reflect the sewer. In other words, you don’t have to follow the pattern precisely but how to break out of the mold and instead be creative and make it your own.
Been sewing for decades and have never considered all the ways to change up a skirt or top. This book is one I’m going to purchase for myself!

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What a wonderful book for our current time of resisting fast fashion! In a book appropriate for beginners to the more experienced sewist, Philip provides clear instruction, as well as encouragement to set out on one's own, combining patterns and customizing clothes. A 5great resource and source of inspiration!

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The Act of Sewing is a tutorial and general technique guide aimed at beginning sewists by Sonya Philip. Due out 27th April 2021 from Roost Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback format.

It is indisputably true that choosing the right clothes can affect our comfort, mood, life, even our personality. Choosing the wrong clothes or suffering through clothes that make us feel uncomfortable can even have a huge impact on the way other people interact with us. Getting educated and empowered to change the things we can change and make informed choices about what we consume and *how* we can go about gaining the technical expertise and confidence to change the things we can change is almost stunningly empowering and freeing.

I started sewing as a child. I bought fabric and made many of my own clothes as a teen because my available monetary resources would stretch further and because I live in a body which falls outside the normal ready-to-wear bell curve. Clothes available off the rack have never fit me properly and I've never been wealthy enough to have professionally tailored bespoke clothing - so sewing was a good fit for me.

This is a very good book for consumers who want to have body-positive, well fitting, well made clothes which make them feel comfortable and are a good outward expression of the wearer's personal style and personality. The book includes four full sized patterns for 4 basic wardrobe staples (top, skirt, trousers, & shirt) as well as understandable and accessible tutorials for alterations and fitting information to make clothes really wearable and comfortable.

The book is mostly illustrated with simple line drawings with a retro feel. There are some photographs, but not many. Readers who are beginners to sewing might well need to seek out additional resources in the form of videos, teacher/mentor, or online learning for some specific points. The descriptions included in the book are well done, but I am (alas) a very visual and hands-on learner and a purely descriptive explanation is unfortunately usually not enough to master the concept for me. That being said, I adore the author's straight talking genuine warmth and humor! I can imagine that she would be a *really* fun teacher from whom to take a workshop.

I would heartily recommend this one to sewists (beginner to advanced). It would also make a superlative selection for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, classroom instruction, community theatre/wardrobe or continuing education workshops, library sewing groups, outreaches, volunteer/charity sewing, and similar. I intend to acquire a copy at release for my own sewing room.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Can't give much feedback as I cannot comment on how simple or easy it is to construct the garments as the ARC is incomplete. As a novice to sewing I thought this might be a great book to turn to but unfortunately I cannot give a full review from that perspective.
It is well written and the author certain seems to know what they are talking about.

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Super in-depth and detailed instructions (including illustrations) on pattern making and how to alter your patterns for various sizes and embellishments. Very inspiring and it makes me want to up my sewing skills so I can try!

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'The Act of Sewing' is a really incredible book! It is a book full of ideas, tutorials, inspirations and affirmations for making and modifying clothes that you love, for your body, for wellbeing, for self-care, for creativity and for confidence. I absolutely adored reading it and it is a great resource book to keep returning too.

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The Act of Sewing is a basic, well-written book about sewing, geared toward beginners. The author addresses the basic of sewing, tools and materials needed, sewing skills, and techniques. The book is well- illustrated so a beginner can see step-by-step what to do for each part of the garment construction process. I reviewed an ARC of the book but the final version of the book will include pattern pieces for the garments illustrated in the book: two shirts, a skirt, and pants.

The early chapters of the book focus on constructing the simple garments using the to-be-provided patterns. Since the ARC did not include the pattern pieces, I cannot comment on the ease of constructing the garments from the instructions provided. Later chapters in the book describe the process of making alteration to the patterns pieces, both for variety, size, and creative embellishment. This section shows you how to alter the pattern pieces to have a different neckline, add pockets, belt loops, pleats, etc. The reader is encouraged to start with the basic pattern pieces and experiment with different combinations.

This book appears to be an excellent reference book that not only provides enough information about how to sew, but gives you the pattern pieces so you can get started right away putting your new learning into action!

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Still can't sew but this isn't the fault of the book. This was a really well thought out guide for beginners and learning to sew.

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I will definitely be buying this book when it is published. Sonya Philip makes sewing attainable and fun - and she has amazing style!

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This would be a great book to have as reference in your sewing room Although i could not try out these patterns and adjustments, I appreciated the instructions for altering patterns. This is definitely useful information for anyone wanting to sew clothing. Instructions for adjustments are well explained and there are graphics to show how it works. Overall a nice book to be able to refer to for those wanting to sew clothes.

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The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip was a nice introductory book to sewing your own garments.

I think a lot of important skills, tools, and techniques were covered. While I am still very new to clothes making I found one thing that would have been very helpful would have been actual pictures versus illustrations. Illustrations were okay for some examples, but definitely not for all of them.

If this is sold digitally, with the pattern that I assume will be included in the final product, make sure to include detailed instructions on making sure patterns print to the correct scale.

A link to some of these techniques but with videos could also be very helpful.

I received an eARC from Roost Books through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy via netgalley!

This book is so complete it gives me hope that I might be able to grasp sewing and try it. It gives you instructions on everything, from what equipment you need, to how to pick fabric to how to actually see. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to try sewing!!

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This is a how-to book for someone new to sewing. It gives you all you need to know on getting started and rules to remember. The first two chapters cover the basic sewing tools and techniques🧵; and making patterns. Subsequent chapters include how to make adjustments, modify and embellish clothes, and combine patterns. The illustrations are easy to follow and remember. Would recommend. Thank you to Sonya Philip, NetGalley, and Roost Books for the ARC of this book.

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