Girl with a Sewing Machine

Booklist 2017
The Great British Sewing Bee was a TV series in the same tradition as the Great British Bake Off, and for four seasons, it featured amateur home sewists (not aired in the U.S. but episodes can be found online). Taylor was a contestant on the second series and has since started running workshops and advocating for home sewing. Here she outlines basics for sewing garments, both from scratch and for altering existing items to remake them into new shapes and functions (both staples of the TV series). Each project is outlined in steps, accompanied by color photographs, which include useful information on making adjustments to fit one’s measurements as well as explanations of why to do things a particular way. Specific skills are highlighted in each project, and each of those skills is indexed for quick reference. Taylor notes throughout that she is self-taught and provides encouragement for aspiring sewists. Basic sewing tools and fundamentals are outlined, and projects include a skirt, dresses, tops, a coat, and more. Measurements are given both in metric and U.S. customary units. — Anne Heidemann

Library Journal 2017
Taylor, a former contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee, brings her retro style to this collection of easy-to-sew projects, including several that repurpose thrift-store finds. The first section focuses on customizing clothes by repurposing or altering them, and the second features easy garments, often showcasing reclaimed fabric. Some garments are a bit sack-like and shapeless, including a top made of two square scarves sewn together, and others are just plain odd, such as the T-shirt that has been altered so “tassels” hang off the arms. Still, Taylor’s easygoing manner and free spirit will appeal to sewists looking for quick, fun projects with a retro vibe. VERDICT Taylor’s easy-to-sew projects will help beginners build confidence, and the down-to-earth tone is a pleasant change from the Pinterest-perfect aesthetic that often plagues similar sewing books.