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Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Good News, the Bad(ish) News

More dresses! Joan would approve.
Wow. Thank you all so much for the amazing, extensive feedback on my post yesterday! You have no idea how helpful it is to me in shaping my book.

So let's start with the good news. Your ideas really got me thinking creatively about how to arrange the book so that you, the readers, will get the most bang for your buck. I figured out a way to get another dress and a lightweight, cropped jacket in. Also, I came up with an idea for two no-pattern skirt variations that can be added to any of the bodices. Yay!

Okay, the bad news, which is not really bad news, more like lukewarm news. Many, MANY of you requested a trouser pattern. First, you should know that I did consider adding trousers way back when the book was in proposal form. I eventually left them out because 1) I felt like the dresses, separates, and outerwear approach was more true to Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing, and 2) including trousers opens up a whole new can of worms in terms of fitting.

But back to yesterday. I got so swept up in the passionate call for trousers that I decided I should make it happen. I hated the idea that any of you would be let down by the exclusion of trousers! Anyway, I got so far to make up a whole new pattern plan and e-mail it to my editor and agent, who both reminded me of the exact same concerns I initally had. And I was kind of back to square one.

After thinking on it for a bit, I think it's best to leave them out. The book, as it is now, is huge and pretty inclusive. It has an intentional focus on dressmaking and tailoring, and I think it does those things well. If I added trousers now, I feel like they would be a bit tacked-on and I just wouldn't be able to provide the best fitting and construction information—that would take a lot more pages than I could devote to it. But! Back to good news: your request gave me ideas for future projects that could give you what you're looking for, and actually do it really well.

So, there you have it. I hope that makes sense. And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU again for all the amazing feedback yesterday.
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41 comments:

  1. NathalieMarch 3, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Yay, sounds like all good news to me (selfishly, what with me being a dress wearer)! I think somebody might have asked this already but I didn't see an answer - do you have a date for publication and when might we be able to put in an advance order?

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  2. ClareMarch 3, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    Great plan, and I love the way the book is heading. If you include everything in this book, what are you going to write in your second?! (here's me hoping there will be a second...)
    I love the idea of skirt variations, IMO that opening-up-of-options is something that books can do really well (for example the Built by Wendy books).
    I was wondering what size range you'll be using in your book (I don't think I've seen you post this before)?

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  3. Claire (aka Seemane)March 3, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    That sounds like a great & sensible plan to me :) Although I'd personally love to see a Gertie-drafted bolero later down the line too!

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  4. RoseMarch 3, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    This sounds so interesting, I can't wait for the book to be published !

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  5. Sasha RocketMarch 3, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    The book sounds so exciting! I can't wait for it to be published - I've already told Mr. Rocket what I'll be expecting for Christmas 2012!

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  6. LyraMarch 3, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I can't wait till that book is in my hands! :D :D :D

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  7. JanMarch 3, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Gertie's second sewing book: Everything You Wanted to Know About Sewing Trousers But Were Afraid to Ask ;-)

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  8. coffeeaddictMarch 3, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    I think pants deserve a book of their own. So there you have it Gertie, a sequel!
    And I didn't comment yesterday because I sooo wanted a bolero pattern but was obviously in the minority corner.
    So a sequel covering pants and boleros please. Maybe a cute blouse too?

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  9. UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Sounds perfectly sensible to me Gertie. You're doing so well. It must be so exciting to be on the verge of having your own book published!! I am in awe!
    Px

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  10. ErikaMarch 3, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    More dresses sounds great! Trousers really are a whole different story, and the spread of patterns already seems extensive. Keep up the good work, we're all looking forward to reading it!
    P.S. I love that you've included tailoring and a coatpattern!

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  11. Toby WollinMarch 3, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Mwa-ha-ha! The skirt and dressmakers win!! But the whole 'fitting pants' thing almost deserves its own book, complete with 'how to draft yourself pants that will actually fit'. Sooo looking forward to your book.

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  12. Affi'eniaMarch 3, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Everytime you post about the book I get a little bit more excited. So looking forward to the release date. Are yYou doing signed copies for blog readers hehehehe

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  13. CaseyMarch 3, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I think it is wise to leave the pants out. After all: doesn't Palmer/Pletsch have an entire separate book on pants-fitting? Fitting pants are so much more complicated, plus picking out just one trouser style to include would be another issue. I think staying with the original intent of your book is the best idea! (But then again, I am slightly prejudiced because I'm more of a skirts and dresses gal anyway. lol.)

    So now that I'm getting totally excited about your book and want to read it right now, darnit, I guess I'll have to go console myself with (trying to) wait patiently. hehe!

    ♥ Casey

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  14. uglybeatMarch 3, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Gertie, I cannot WAIT for your book to come out!!!! I just know it's going to be my favorite!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 3, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Sounds good to me.

    I can't wait for your book to go on sale. Put me down for a pre-order!


    ~Sewjourner

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  16. StephanieMarch 3, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Sounds terrific!

    If you DON'T put plus size patterns in there, is it possible that you can give detailed instructions on how to make a pattern like 2 - 3 sizes larger (without having abnormally small armholes, gaping necklines, and weirdness)?

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  17. marjorytMarch 3, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I very much agree with Stephanie - very detailed instructions/photos (your specialty) on up/downsizing vintage patterns!

    I also agree with a poster yesterday, we all very much need a vintage slip!

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  18. Angie GreenMarch 3, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    I'm so looking forward to this book! It's shaping up to be exactly what I've dreamed of.

    And, you can always save trousers and other advanced topics for Book Number Two!

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  19. TashaMarch 3, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I totally understand your reasonings for leaving trousers out, even though I was one of the ones who liked the idea. But it definitely makes sense. I look forward to what you might have up your sleeves (pant legs?) for them in the future.
    And I'm so excited for the book!

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  20. Alex B.March 3, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Good call, Gertie--editing is the most important part of this process, right?! So now, when you turn in your book, you'll just need to do a trouser sew-along. :D

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  21. GaidigMarch 3, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    As one of the people who mentioned that trousers would be good, I totally understand your reasons for not putting them in. I also think it's great to give yourself options for the future. I look forward to your book, and hope it sells well so we can get those trousers later. ;)

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  22. JillyBMarch 3, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Even though I am one who wanted trousers, I have to say that your decision sounds like the right one! It makes a lot of sense when you explain the focus and concept of your book. I am so excited for it!!

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  23. MichelleMarch 3, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Sounds like a good plan. Lord knows I wrestled for 2 weeks with my pants. Don't ask how many fittings it took! In the end I love them, but you could write a encyclopedia about pants and fittings!

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  24. CatherineMarch 3, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    So looking forward to this book! It's going to be great if your blog tutorials are anything to go by!!

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  25. MistyMarch 3, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Hi Gertie,

    I was one who was hoping for trousers but felt enough people had already commented. But here's a thought -- why not include the trousers as bonus material on the publisher's website for your book (especially if you already have a pattern worked up)? You could include them there for a small additional fee, or have them be a free bonus for anyone who purchases your book. I'm a professor, and our textbooks have lots of extra info online that supplements the book itself. The book would still stand alone, but the website would be a nice bonus. You wouldn't need anything quite so extensive as a textbook, but you could feature additional pictures of all of the projects that are included in the book on the website as well (since you only have so many pages to include photos in the book). I'm sure there's more that could easily be included in a simple supplementary website also.

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  26. ErinMarch 3, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    How wonderful are you for trying to please everyone, AND figuring out a way to do it?! You're my favorite!

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  27. UnknownMarch 3, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Sounds like a good idea. I can't wait for a trouser post though- a good pair of high-waisted, Katherine Hepburn-esque pants will be a really fun project!

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  28. DarsanaMarch 3, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Thanks for listening and acting so thoughtfully based on the input of your readers. I'm now very excited about the book!

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  29. amcartolanoMarch 3, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Next time you will have to consider a Katherine Hepburn style pair of trousers in a sew along fit along. Trousers are a challenge!

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  30. Jennifer StarmanMarch 3, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    While I would have loved trousers, I still prefer dresses. My latest plan involves tracing my favorite pair of dress pants with Press & Seal wrap and making them into wool slacks. I tried it with a silk top I love the fit on and a picture of a top that I'm too cheap to pay $40 + shipping for. It worked pretty darn well. I just have to remember to measure the garment vs the pattern once before I start cutting again.

    I can't wait for the book. Seriously.

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  31. patsijeanMarch 3, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Dresses are good as I do not own a one. All pants and two new skirts. I have a favorite pants pattern (Martha Pullen/Wild Ginger combo that I have been using and tweaking for years)and to make that pattern better I am reading Pants for Real People by Pati Palmer & Marta Alto purchased on Amazon.com. 173 pages! The book is very complete with much more than you could add in the space allotted.  

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  32. GertieMarch 3, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Thanks, all! Nathalie, the book will pub fall 2012. I'll let you all know as soon as you can pre-order! I can't wait for that moment. :)

    For those who asked about sizes, I'll be doing a post on the subject. It's a tricky one.

    Misty, I very much like the idea of having bonus online material. But what I don't want to do is provide a trouser pattern and no support for how to fit it well to your own body. It's not providing the actual pattern that's a roadblock, just the information required to make the pattern well. I think pants are very simple to make, but very hard to fit. So that's my hesitation. I hope that makes sense.

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  33. StephMarch 3, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Yayyyy! More dresses! I cannot WAIT!
    Sure, trousers would be nice, but as you say, they open a whole new can of fitting worms. And what a great topic to include in your second book!

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  34. SarahMarch 3, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Gertie, I just wanted to say that you are so awesomely thoughtful about this whole thing. Can't wait for your book.

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  35. VickiMarch 3, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Sounds like good news to me too! We will all get a great book and more of something in the future that includes trousers! Like everyone else I am really excited about your book and am having trouble being patient.

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  36. thatgrrlMarch 3, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Sounds like someone should write a book on 20th-century menswear-inspired looks for women (hint hint!)

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  37. Ms. Smarty PantsMarch 3, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    So now we can have a second book to look forward to! (Any chance you'll be teaching in Manhattan again?)

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  38. elizabethMarch 4, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    Sure, I wear pants/trousers. But right now, with spring and summer on the way, I'm thinking skirts and dresses. Let's bring back that fun and wonderful way to express our femininity. Your choice to stay with the dress pattern is a wise one. You could be starting a trend!!

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  39. KaylaMarch 4, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Hi! Have I ever commented here before? I can't remember! But anyway, I've been following your blog for awhile now and I just really appreciate all the time you take to do detailed tutorials..they are so helpful for beginners like me. And I can't wait for your book to come out so I can buy it!
    --Kayla
    http://kayla-heartonmysleeve.blogspot.com/

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  40. JustGailMarch 10, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I missed the "send your suggestions" post, but I agree with the decision to not have pants. In my opinion, it's better to leave them out, and possibly do another book giving them all the attention they need. There are enough books that just hit the highlights on fitting/making pants in the world already. And then we wonder what WE did wrong.

    Or if you have no desire to write your own book on pants, how about putting a recommended book list for pants in this book?

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  41. UnknownMarch 10, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    Re: everyone who said "Trousers -second book" I have to say ditto. I'm itching to get the first book, and I'm sure the 2nd book will be a big seller (you know I'll buy it for sure.)

    re: comment on Plus Sizes
    That would make a great online bonus chapter. Or a whole other book...

    Re: menswear inspired comment
    Oh, yes, please!! (Any Marlene Dietrich fans out there?)

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie