I haven't been doing much sewing, but I have been doing a lot of reading: blogs, books, magazines, you name it. Once again, my sewing room was packed away to make room for Christmas and my mother-in-law's visit. It's excruciatingly painful for me to not have a project.
A few days before Christmas, the Taunton store was having a sale, with free shipping. I bought myself a gift.
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My daughter seemed offended when I handed the unopened package to her. "Here, wrap this and you can give it to me for Christmas." After all, I don't wear skirts. If I make one, it will be for her.
I love the book. Since I had nothing to sew, I quickly devoured this. I enjoyed it even more than it's companion, The Couture Cardigan. The pictures are beautiful -- both the instructional photos and the pictures of Claire Shaeffer's Chanel collection. I may have actually enjoyed the photos and descriptions of the real Chanels more than the instructions.
The instructions seem much easier to understand than Couture Sewing Techniques, largely because of the well, large pictures. I haven't watched the DVD, though I am considering trying to figure out our remote control, just for this.
Claire's research into Chanel was also captivating. She has dated the bolduc numbers, and compared the originals to copies and knock-offs. It is fascinating. I almost cried when I realized I'd finished reading it all.
Many (many) years ago, a colleague of mine took me to the Chanel boutique at Garfinkel's in Washington, D.C. With my entry-level job I couldn't afford a real Chanel, but Garfinkels had exact replicas that a working girl could afford. I loved that suit. I can't believe I didn't completely wear it out. When we moved to Arkansas 18 years ago, I donated it, thinking that my days of needing business clothes were behind me. I really wish I would have kept it, if for nothing else than copying it, but I wasn't really doing much sewing then. And why would I need a skirt suit?
Well, of course I don't need a skirt suit. But I really want one, now!
I'm really glad to hear about this book. I have the Couture Jacket book, but haven't checked out this one yet!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of getting this book too, so your recommendation is really useful. My Mum had a Chanel suit which she wore for years, then gave away and the other lady wore it alot too. I like to think someone is still wearing it!
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