Improv Sewing

March 5, 2012
This large volume, packed with full-color photographs, is a must-add for sewers who want to work outside the parameters of paper patterns and precise measurements. “It’s about enjoying the journey as your thread travels across the fabric,” Blum and Immergut write, “...and in the end, you’ll have made something lovely and wonderful.” This soothing, empowering style of teaching sewing is a nice contrast to the more rigid directions promoted in other recent sewing books (e.g., 1-2-3 Sew and Sewing in a Straight Line). Blum and Immergut show how to use measurements to draft five basic designs—a two-panel dress, a four-panel dress, a two-panel skirt, a wrap skirt, and a stretch panel skirt (all in Chapter 3)— which then become the basis for dozens of variations in the rest of the book. A concise, basic overview of sewing techniques and how to measure accurately round out the initial help. From there, readers will learn techniques such as bias-binding, ruffles, and ruching to add details to their clothes. As their subtitle promises, there are more than 100 patterns here, making this a deeper resource than many beginning sewing books. One caution: the vast majority of these patterns employ knit fabric. The authors provide a good overview of working with knits, in their typical calm, empowering style, but those who hate working with knit will be disappointed by its prominence. This book is well worth the price; there’s lots to daydream about and run across the needles.

April 15, 2012

Given this book's title, you may expect pieces that are thrown together with little care. That's certainly not the approach in Blum and Immergut's excellent introduction to sewing--they simply want to reduce the intimidation factor. The authors' "five basic designs" are at the heart of all of the garments in the book, and they're broken down so clearly and concisely that any stitcher, regardless of experience level, could create a well-fitting, attractive garment following these instructions. These five designs alone are worth the cost of the book; the 96 other patterns, which include riffs on the five basic designs as well as household goods and accessories, make it an even better value. VERDICT An excellent sewing book for beginners, although experienced tailors will also enjoy the simple yet tailored patterns and creative approach.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2012
People who don't like rules, take note! Blum and Immergut's approach is about enjoying the process without being weighted down by notions of perfectionallowing for inspiration and creativity. Their playful and experimental mind-set emphasizes that even projects that don't work out as intended have value. They start with the joy of fabrictheir own preferences being solid knits for clothing. A chapter on making patterns emphasizes fit and simplicity, often utilizing the give of knits, elastic waistbands, and options of leaving unfinished edges. Their styles are laid-back and informal, with down-to-earth colors. On top of the basics, they show many ways to add embellishments, using thread to create lines, designs, and doodles, as well as applique and stencil. Other projects include creative use of materials such as freezer paper, cardboard, cork, Tyvek, and plastic shopping bags. Improv Sewing offers a variety of frameworks for personalized sewing projects, encouraging and applauding serendipitous outcomes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)