Gertie Sews Vintage Casual: A Modern Guide to Sportswear Styles of the 1940s and 1950s (Gertie's Sewing)

I'm slowly making my way through the patterns, enjoying the process. I had no issues with the fit of the patterns (I've seen others mentioning it - I make them in size 10). Great book, informative, practical.

Not many patterns in here I would use but the tips and adaptations are useful.

Lovely book, loads of details and useful information.

Arrived today (Sunday - after a failed attempt on Saturday!) and I love it so far. The first book had more 'me' patterns, but there is still plenty in here for me. I have been desperate for some cigarette/capri trousers so I am delighted that they are here. I think I will do more from here than I initially expect as they are more practical clothes for the school run than my usual frocks.I love Gertie's chatty style in the 'how to' section, although I have only read the 'history' bit so far. I love the level of information - informative, but not going on and on and on .....As one of the other reviews implies, Gertie has her own sizing, based on American sizing, but very much more generous at the hips. Reference to the sizing chart is essential, but I found it quite accurate. The guide to adjusting trousers is very good as this can be tricky.I am very much looking forward to making something from here

This book has a bit of everything!!Fisrt of all, it gives you information both about woven and knit fabric and how to adjust techniques on both. It has a fitting chapter where it explains how to fix some fitting problems that might occur on that matter. Then it shows you how you can alterate patterns right before it starts presenting its own vintage patterns so that you are able to make any alterations you want on them! Every pattern has 3-4 variations and instructions to help you step by step. I recomend it to anyone who has a little bit of experience in sewing and wants to add a vintage touch on her wardrobe!

Inspirational book, I have already used it a lot. The patterns and sizing are on the curvy side, but with some adaptation, I have just what I need in terms of a basic patterns for modern vintage sewing. What I really like is the pattern layout. Easy to trace and nice overview with 10 pages of full size patterns ensuring the pages don't get too overloaded. The section on techniques contains usefull tips for beginners or advanced beginners. I tend to prefer "old school" techniques, so I feel the pattern adaptation instructions are on the quick and easy side, but they will probably work well for someone obtaining first time experience with personalizing patterns.

Ok, so I will confess to being totally disappointed with this book. I was expecting a book of themed sewing patterns when in fact more than half the book is sewing guidance and information about fabrics and notions. There is very little there that I didn't already know and the rest I could have found free on the internet, certainly there is nothing there that I wanted in a book. Then the patterns, gosh what a disappointment. Not what I was expecting as sportswear / daywear of that era. Generally it is pretty unflattering stuff and much of it is unwearable I would say - does anyone really want a zip up the front dress that looks like an old fashioned nylon dinner lady's uniform? And then it turns out that for most of the garments you need to change and redraft the patterns anyway. If I had wanted to do that I could have done it with patterns I already have or could find free on the internet. I am disappointed that my daughter wasted money buying this, she is disappointed that I am unlikely to use it. As an actual sewing book it is neither one thing or the other. It has guidelines and techniques, yes, but the actual sewing instructions are rather brief and simplistic for beginners and all the stuff at the beginning is too general and back to basics for the more experienced sewer.

I've been waiting months for the release of this book and it doesn't disappoint. Its at least as good as her first book, the sizing is very generous for the bustier dressmakers and the patterns are almost all clothes i would love to wear. Its very informative and well written with alot of very useful information on things like resizing and customising the patterns to fit. I was worried when i saw the title that the clothes would be too much on the sporty side but thats not the case its full of pretty skirts, tops, dresses, trousers, shorts a cute jumpsuit and a jumper, a whole casual wardrobe in one book and it comes with full sized pattern pieces. The pattern piece envelope is secured into the bidding (ring bound with hardcover) so it won't be coming unglued and falling out like in the first book.