Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Pre-Order 'Gertie Sews Vintage Casual'!


Great news, readers! My next book is now available for pre-order. Check out the beautiful back cover: 

Just like my first book, this is a ginormous reference guide/pattern collection all in one. However, this time the focus is casual clothing. I'll let the book description speak for itself.

The mid-20th century was an amazing time for American women’s fashion! Following the war, women started looking to American designers rather than French couture houses for inspiration and to demand clothing they could move in, even play in. In this follow-up to Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing, Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch celebrates the classic casual styles that icons like Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Rosie the Riveter made famous—think wide-legged trousers, fitted capri pants, beach rompers, shorts, knit tops, jeans, and day dresses. In Part I, Hirsch introduces key techniques for sportswear construction—from working with knit fabrics to the intricacies of pant-making—and in Part II, she showcases a 30-plus-piece vintage-inspired casual wardrobe.

Whew! This book was a big endeavor and I'm very proud of it. From now until the release date in September, I'll be featuring some of the designs from the book so you can get a sneak peek.

As for the outfit on the cover? That's the "Pin-Up Sweater", a snug crew-neck design made from a sweater knit fabric. The skirt is the "Flared Skirt", made in cotton polka dot fabric quilted together with cotton flannel. (My mom did all the quilting. Thanks, Mom! Your hard work made the cover!) Quilted skirts were really popular in the '50s, and they're both comfy and slightly dramatic, since they have a lot of structure.

More to come! Until then, don't forget to pre-order your copy. And, on a sappy note, thank you all for your continued support. I have my dream job because of you! I hope I did you all proud with this book.

55 comments:

  1. I already pre-ordered a couple of weeks ago! Lol, I'm just too excited!!!!

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  2. yeah! I LOVED your first book. I will have to find a way to get my mitts on this ;)

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  3. congratulations Gertie!

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  4. This looks AWESOME!! I was just thinking about it the other day, I was already excited just based on the title, but now looking at the covers and knowing the release day! I'm super excited!! I'm defiantly a vintage casual kind of gal. I love the shorts and blouse on the back (well, I love all the photos). I also love the color, it matches my house.

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  5. Congratulations, I am so sew happy for you. I have your last book and will probably have to order this one to add to my reference library.

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  6. It looks gorgeous, congrats on a job well done! Will it be the same format as the last one, hardcover + spiral, and with nice and firm pattern sheets?

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    1. Yes! The pattern sheets are the same paper. These ones will be easier to trace since we didn't have to pack the pieces in so tightly too. Yay!

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    2. Brilliant, that´s all I needed to hear! Off to pre-order! :D

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  7. Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing the book.

    Joanna

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  8. YAY!! Super excited for you and to get a copy for myself!

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  9. Congratulations, can't wait to see the new book. I just ordered your first book from my local library. It was a shock to see you on the cover without your gorgeous technicolor hair. =)

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    1. Haha! I'm trying to decide now what color it should be for the next book, which we're shooting in August!

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    2. Book # 3?? Can you give us a hint what it is about?

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  10. I saw an old movie once and the girls underskirt/slip was quilted. Gave the dress that bounce and I thought it made her "underwear" outfit look cool.

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    1. How interesting! I love the idea of quilting the inner skirt.

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    2. Quilted skirts and underskirts/petticoats have been around for centuries - used to be for the added warmth in days before central heating. I've seen patterns from the 1850s and 1860s for quilted and corded (like quilting, but the padding is actually cord (string) and makes some beautiful designs) petticoats. I'm so glad to see them in your book, too!

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  11. Another September release! Yay! That means I can justify your book as, "Birthday present to myself," again :)

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  12. Thank you for letting us see the draft of it at the sewing retreat. I can't wait for my copy to arrive ;-)

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  13. *KABOOM!* I've been waiting for this!! SO excited!
    -Joanna
    http://www.midcenturymacgyver.com

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  14. Yay! I look forward to it. I love me some vintage casual!

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  15. I just about lost my glue when I saw your post on Twitter that it was available for pre-order - I excitedly dropped my phone in a panic and went straight to Amazon, literally right in front of my boss... I wasn't about to wait until after work!! LOL

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    1. That's awesome--hopefully your boss understands that there are priorities in life, and sewing trumps many things!

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  16. Sooo excited for this! I love your first book and this one looks just as good, if not even better as the patterns might be more versatile for every day! Congratulations on writing 2 books btw!

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  17. Congrats! Looks as fab as the last one!

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  18. Exciting! I love the dress on the back cover.

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  19. Wow - great covers! And the quilted skirt looks fantastic! I'm ordering my copy now.

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  20. Oh I want this book so I am already thinking of dropping hints to my family that I want it for Christmas. I did not know that about quilted skirts and your Mum did a great job. I think its really special that you work together on the project.

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    1. Yes, she came out from Arizona especially to help me on the book. It was fun!

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  21. I'm so excited. I have never longed for a book to be published as much as this one! You have inspired me so much to create clothes and yes, there have been many disasters, but more successes. I'm a bit tricky on the fitting side, but am developing skills in that area thanks to your first brilliant book. Thank you so much XXXX

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  22. At this rate I'll have to install a Gertie shelf in my sewing room just to show off your books. It's going to be soooooo hard to wait, but mine's pre-booked too! SQUEEEEEEEE! :D

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  23. Yay! I have been waiting for this. You kept teasing us about it. I can't wait to see the inside. You thank us but I want to thank you for inspiring me to sew.

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  24. Ooo! I'm excited to check this out! Also...I love your new Butterick swimsuit pattern! It is SO cute!

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    1. Thank you! I'm going to blog about the swimsuit tomorrow I think.

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  25. Congratulations! I can't wait to check this one out!

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  26. Is it going to be spiral bound like the last one? I love a book that stays open when you're working with it.

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  27. oh wow! There are SO many good sewing books out all of a sudden, but I'm definitely pre-ordering yours!! Thanks SO MUCH for publishing this! I read your other book a bunch of time, but haven't sewn any garments yet, so I was afraid to get started. I think I'll start with this book and work my way up to your other book! SO HAPPY!!!
    -karrie

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  28. Finally :) I'm so looking forward to it, can't wait to have it!

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  29. Congrats! It's great to find out that your new book is ready to launch and I look forward to seeing it in person.

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  30. Yea! Another book. My daughter's and a few of their friends have started a sewing club (Their club name at the moment is "The Viking Brothers" after their sewing machines). Anyway, they reference your first book a lot and now will love to know their is a second coming out. Can't wait!

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  31. Yea! A birthday or Christmas present for me! : )

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  32. Congratulations! It's nice to discover more about it, I can't wait to read more sneak peek posts. The yellow check dress on the back cover is lovely!

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  33. Hurray! I just drafted a pattern for a short sleeve button-up with a rever collar like the one pictured on the back cover because I could not find one anywhere. This book will fill so many holes for me, thank you Gertie!

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  34. Woooooop! Congratulations, lady - it looks fab! xx

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  35. Congratulations Gertie, your book is eye-catching!

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  36. AHHH!!! it comes out for my birthday!!!!

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  37. Congratulations on your second book. I must say in comparing the covers of the two, you look absolutely radiant on the cover of the new book. What a great big happy smile and radiating confidence!! Who wouldn't want to sew these things if we thought they would give us half of what you are oozing on this cover!!

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  38. Oh, congratulations! That is definitely going on my must-have list!

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  39. Hi, I hope so much this book will be translated to german like your first book, because I love it!!
    Thankful Greetings from Berlin <3 Paulina

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

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