I’m the last stopping point on this week’s blog tour of Lisa Comfort’s new book, Sew Over It Vintage. I’m a big admirer of Lisa and all she does to get sewing out there, via her shops, classes, patterns, and events with brands and high street shops. She’s even vlogging now – I honestly don’t know how she has time for it all. Plus she’s a lovely person to boot!

Now as you know, vintage isn’t my go-to style, but I think Lisa has a good knack for taking the best ideas from vintage silhouettes and making them really modern and wearable. I made the Betty dress for my sister in a modern geometric print and it looked super modern, and I also adore Fiona’s take on the new Shirt Dress pattern. Proof that vintage doesn’t need to look chintzy or playing dress-up.

Anyway, onto the new book, which also isn’t exactly what I expected when I heard the title – but in a good way. The surprise was that the book covers basic pattern drafting, via making a kimono sleeved bodice block which you modify to make a lot of the patterns in the book. This is super smart for several reasons: there’s no need for pattern sheets to be included with the book; you learn pattern cutting skills in a practical setting; and the patterns are much more likely to fit properly!

Some of the patterns you can make with your kimono block include a tie-waist blouse, a sailor shirt, and a cowl-neck dress. I haven’t had time to have a go yet, but I definitely will be – I love a kimono sleeve and the possibilities for designing from it are really varied.

If you’re not in the mood for drafting, the book’s got a variety of smaller homeware, accessory, and upcycling projects too. The instructions are thorough and well-written, and while I don’t think it’s a book for true beginners, a confident beginner could tackle most of the projects. From my point of view I think this book definitely deserves a place on the shelf for its introduction to pattern drafting and manipulation alone. Will you be adding Sew Over It Vintage to your shelf?

The full blog tour:
Monday: lovesewingmag.co.uk
Tuesday: astitchingodyssey.com
Wednesday: didyoumakethat.com
Thursday: handmadejane.co.uk
Friday: houseofpinheiro.com
Saturday: whatkatiesews.net

Review copy supplied for free by the publisher, views my own. Amazon links are affiliate links.