Hace tiempo que quiero enseñaros mis libros preferidos de costura. Sin las primeras nociones que me enseñó mi madre y sin las clases que hace años me dio una amiga modista no podría coser, es una labor que requiere aprender de quien sabe, para que te corrijan y te enseñen trucos. Pero aún así, hay algunos libros muy interesantes.
It’s been a long time since I want to show you my favorite sewing books. Without the first notions my mother taught me and without the lessons that years ago a dressmaker and friend gave me, I wouldn’t be able to sew, it’s a craft that requieres learning from someone who knows how to, so this person will correct you and teach you some tricks. But anyway, there are some very interesting books.
Por ejemplo, "Manual completo de costura" es una buena guía, con instrucciones paso a paso acompañadas de fotografías.
For example, "Complete book of sewing” is a good guide, with instructions step by step accompanied by photographs.
For example, "Complete book of sewing” is a good guide, with instructions step by step accompanied by photographs.
Una autora estupenda es Lorna Knight, que ha escrito varios libros de costura. Me gustan mucho: "Secretos de la buena modista", "Manual práctico de costura y tejidos" y "250 consejos y técnicas de costura".
Lorna Knight is a marvellous writer. She has written several books about sewing. I like very much "The dressmaker’s technique bible", "The sewing switch & textile bible" y "250 sewing tips, techniques & trade secrets".
Lorna Knight is a marvellous writer. She has written several books about sewing. I like very much "The dressmaker’s technique bible", "The sewing switch & textile bible" y "250 sewing tips, techniques & trade secrets".
La máquina de coser asusta a algunas de mis amigas. Por suerte, en casa de mi abuela y de mi madre las Singer estaban siempre a mano y no tenían problema en que mi hermana y yo las usáramos (yo empecé con once años). Así que lo que a mi me asusta es... ¡acolchar un quilt a mano! Soy demasiado vaga para eso. En fin, "Mi máquina de coser y yo", de Kate Haxell, es un buen libro para acercarse a la máquina de coser.
Some of my friends are afraid of the sewing machine. Thankfully, at my grandmother’s and my mother’s house the Singer were always to hand and they didn’t have any problem with my sister and I using it (I started when I was eleven). So what really scares me is... to make a quilt by hand! I’m too lazy to do it. So, "Me and my sewing machine", by Kate Haxell, is a good book to approach to the sewing machine.
Some of my friends are afraid of the sewing machine. Thankfully, at my grandmother’s and my mother’s house the Singer were always to hand and they didn’t have any problem with my sister and I using it (I started when I was eleven). So what really scares me is... to make a quilt by hand! I’m too lazy to do it. So, "Me and my sewing machine", by Kate Haxell, is a good book to approach to the sewing machine.
Mi asignatura pendiente es sacar patrones. Sé utilizarlos y me defiendo adaptándolos, pero no sé diseñarlos. Creo que esto requiere clases. De momento, hay un libro con el que he mejorado bastante: "Cómo utilizar, adaptar y diseñar patrones de costura", de Lee Hollahan.
My unfinished business is to draw patterns. I know how to use them and can handle with adapting them, but I cannot design them. I think it requieres some lessons. At the moment, there is a book with which I’ve improved a lot: "How to use, adapt and design sewing patterns", by Lee Hollahan.
My unfinished business is to draw patterns. I know how to use them and can handle with adapting them, but I cannot design them. I think it requieres some lessons. At the moment, there is a book with which I’ve improved a lot: "How to use, adapt and design sewing patterns", by Lee Hollahan.
Todos estos libros son muy actuales, pero los libros antiguos, los que usaban nuestras abuelas, son un tesoro. La técnica no ha cambiado, así que sirven ahora como siempre. Yo tengo dos y los utilizo mucho. Uno era de mi abuela paterna, Rosa, así que lo guardo como oro en paño. El otro lo compré en la Feria del Libro de Ocasión.
All these books are very current, but the old books, the ones our grandmothers used, are a treasure. The techniques haven’t changed, so they are still useful. I have two and I use them very much. One of them belonged to my paternal grandmother, Rosa, so I keep it with a very special care. And I bought the other one at the Second Hand Book Fair.
Para expertos y apasionados de la costura, hay dos libros que no se han traducido al español, pero son una maravilla: "Couture: the art of fine sewing", de Roberta Carr y "Couture sewing techniques", de Claire Schaeffer.
For experts and passionate about sewing, there are two books that haven’t been translated into Spanish, but they are wonderful "Couture: the art of fine sewing", by Roberta Carr and "Couture sewing techniques", by Claire Schaeffer.
En cuanto a libros de patrones, en Internet encontraréis de todo. Yo he comprado varios libros en Amazon de patrones de los años veinte a los sesenta y, de la editorial Dover, libros de patrones de distintas épocas (victoriana, finales del siglo XX, etc).
As for patterns books, at the Internet you will find everything. I have bought several books at Amazon about patterns from the twenties to the sixties and, from DoverPublications, books of patterns of different periods (Victorian era, late 20th century, etc).
Besides the books, we have the Internet. Take a look to the section Let’s work! of my blog. I have been adding the websites I prefer about tutorials, pattenrs, supply purchases, blogs... Essential for me are Burda Style, Craftiness is not Optional, See Kate Sew, Grossgrain and in Spanish, Paco Peralta and El Baúl de las Costureras. If you like Vintage: Bramcost Publications, Serendipity Handmade and A Dress a Day. And for children’s clothes: Girl. Inspired and Craftiness is not Optional.
