Gretchen Hirsch – författare

Celebrated sewing expert Gretchen Hirsch shows you how to transform knits and stretch fabrics into glamorous vintage looks inspired by Coco Chanel, Claire McCardell, Madame Grès, and more.Knit fabrics are easy to fit, have a lovely drape, and are known for being comfortable and effortless—all things that appeal to both designers and home sewists. But sewing with knit fabrics can be tricky.Gertie Sews Glam Knits is here to change all that: Author Gretchen Hirsch shares her legendary sewing secrets to teach readers how to stitch knit fabrics with ease (and without special equipment).Hirsch’s well-researched sewing instructions come from years of studying and collecting rare designer garments. There are few books available on sewing with knit fabrics, and even fewer that offer both instruction and patterns for coveted vintage styles that are sized to fit modern figures.The book is divided into two helpful sections. The first focuses on sewing different types of knit fabrics, decoding stretch percentages, stabilizing and finishing, fitting, and more. Part two is all about the wardrobe, offering six downloadable patterns, plus variations, including ’30s-style tap pants and halter top, a classic ’50s jewel neck top and pencil skirt, beachy pants, a bishop-sleeve blouse, and more.

In the ’50s and ’60s, Simplicity released their popular line of Jiffy sewing patterns, which had minimal pattern pieces and simple constructions, yet were chic enough for fashion-conscious customers. This approach appeals now more than ever as stylish women are continuously looking for ways to fit their love of sewing into busy lives filled with family, work, school, and countless other obligations.Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses is Gretchen Hirsch’s modern reinvention of this simple idea, focusing on easily mastered sewing skills, minimal pattern pieces, and fabulous designs. And the best part? Readers will end up with a sparkling wardrobe of easy-to-wear, fun-to-style dresses that will fill busy modern lives with retro charm.

Bestselling sewing author Gretchen Hirsch returns to her roots with a fresh look at fashion classics—how they were made then, and how modern day sewists can re-create them now—in Gertie’s Charmed Sewing Studio.Gretchen Hirsch, aka “Gertie,” returns to her roots with a dive into beloved fashion classics, including the mermaid gown, the structured sheath (think Elizabeth Taylor), the Rose Marie Reid swimsuit, and more—plus a little fashion history, to inspire modern-day style mavens.Sewists, thrift shoppers, and fashion collectors will love making the book's three downloadable patterns, and learning how to reproduce favorite vintage looks that fit modern figures. The first half of the book is a journey through pattern and couture sewing techniques and iconic designs. Gretchen combines a bounty of sketches, historic images, process photos, and clear instructions to create an irresistible sewing guide and lookbook for the vintage fashion enthusiast. In the second half, Gretchen deconstructs three intricate garments, the Madeleine dress, the Camille sheath, and the Lillian princess coat: Focusing on just three designs offers a sewing and design foundation in a full range of sizes—from 2–20 and 18 to 34, with separate A-H cup sizes. This wide range is not easy to find in other sewing books, and more important than ever for body inclusivity. Each garment (two dresses and a jacket) is shown with detailed instructions and links to download and print full-size patterns.Featured garments:The Structured Tropical DressThe Rita BlouseThe Night and Day DressThe Lilli Ann-Style Princess CoatThe Rose Dressing GownThe Tropical Mermaid GownThe Marilyn JeansThe Rose Marie Reid SwimsuitThe Cummerbund Bubble DressPlus full-size patterns (to download and print) for:The Madeleine Dress, the Camille Sheath Dress, and the Lillian JacketFrom Gretchen Hirsch:Gertie’s New Book for Better SewingGertie Sews Vintage CasualGertie’s New Fashion SketchbookGertie’s Ultimate Dress BookGertie’s Charmed Sewing Studio

Every vintage-obsessed sewist dreams of having a closet full of gorgeous dresses. The follow-up to the popular Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing and Gertie Sews Vintage Casual, Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book is packed with all the information and patterns you could ever need to create a wardrobe filled with stunning vintage frocks. The book begins with all the essential techniques for dressmaking and includes instructions and patterns for 23 dresses for a variety of occasions. Elements of each pattern can be mixed and matched, allowing readers to customise the bodice, skirt, sleeves, pockets and details of each dress for a truly unique creation.