From my Bookshelf - Recommended Reading
Wanting to expand your reading on mending, stitches and zero waste design? I've some suggestions straight from my bookshelf!
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1) Zero Waste Fashion Design by Timo Rissanen - Holly Mcquillan.
Great for: Inspiration for the seasoned sewer who is designing clothes
I own the previous (2018) version of this book. This book looks at clothing design whilst minimising/removing fabric waste.
An example is these leggings, where the shape of the waistband has been created from the curve of the legs, and pockets can be added from the gusset curve.
The book doesn't have measurements to create your own garments, however if you are a seasoned sewer I feel confident you could create clothing from it.
2) Visible Creative Mending for Knitwear by Flora Collingwood-Norris
Great for: People passionate about repairing knitwear and learning to darn
Flora's book takes you step by step through different darning methods, including how to create your own patterns and designs, and techniques for cuffs/hems. It also has case studies where she takes you through her reasoning to chose particular repair methods & colour combinations in each instance - something I find personally really useful when considering a new project.
3) Sashiko 365: Stitch a New Sashiko Pattern for Every Day of the Year by Susan Briscoe
Great for: Expanding your Sashiko pattern range
A staple in many sashiko stitcher's library, Sarah's book contains many different patterns, with indications of the order to stitch them in. You could easily fill a couple of years practising all of the stitches in this book, or you could turn them into samples to use in a quilt!
4) The Mending Directory - by Erin Eggenburg
Great for: Those who aren't sure where to start, with mends for both woven and knitted fabric
A great place if you're looking to start mending. This book covers basics of both mending woven fabrics and mending knits, with photo examples and step by step guides.
5) RSN Stitch Bank: 200 Essential Embroidery Stitches by The Royal School of Needlework
Great for: Expanding your stitch range, particularly for decorative mends
My favourite stitch reference book, it covers a wide range of stitches, from basics to embellishments. Full of easy step by step methods for each stitch, and often beautiful examples of how they are used in larger pieces. If you're expanding your stitching and want to up your game for embroidery this is definitely the book to add to your collection.
