A Reading List

I collect old sewing books - I mean, REALLY old sewing books. Like 1894 kinda old.

This may be an odd hobby (hopefully not to you, Readers) , but I collect old sewing books.  The book above this paragraph is one of my very favorites.  Until recently, there was no evidence on the internet that other copies of this book even existed.  I see that it isn't publicly for sale anywhere, but some libraries do have it in their collections. here's why I love books like this one so much; sewing books from the late 1800's have a very special, authoritarian, Martha Stewart-esque tone that just makes me want to devour every single word in them.  I have always loved learning  terribly difficult methods of doing something before finding the best compromise of an easier, effective method. For example, I had to make an entirely hand-stitched quilt to appreciate the strength and regularity of machine stitches. I now have about 20 such books, and I adore and treasure them in a way that sometimes makes me question my own sanity.

Having said that, though, it probably comes as no surprise to you that I love to read.  During the time I've been writing posts on this blog, I have read many things that have inspired, educated, and/or entertained me.  I am always impressed by the commitment and work a person invests in writing a book, and I really love when I can share that love with others.

Here are some links to the most awesome sewing and garment-related books I've discovered recently. I invite you to love them as much as I have:

Girl in Translation (a beautifully told story that really opened my eyes to sweatshop labor here in New York City)

The Man Who Wanted to Buy a Heart (I met the author thinking that he would be interesting as a writer... but I discovered a wildly interesting person, with really important stories to tell)

The Lost Art of Dress Written by a sewing colleague/friend I am truly proud to know, this book gives a beautifully respectful treatment of the social, societal, and cultural implications of dress in recent American history that provides endless fuel for  thought.  A truly worthwhile read. 

Read on, Sewsters...

Summer reading, viewing, stories, and food for thought...

Summer may be over for many of you, with your kids already back to their school routines, and thoughts of fall in the air... But if you're in New York City, school won't begin again until Sept 9 (public school, anyway), and the summer weather and feeling is still with us. For those reasons, the lucky ones among us may have some "lazy days" left, so I share these thoughts with you, while we all prepare to make the gradual climb out of summer malaise, and into full swing again.

Mollie Makes Magazine

Click through for a sample.

A fun magazine, recommended to me by my fabric-loving friend, Cindy, Mollie Makes offers inspiring ideas, great photographs, and articles I never quite actually get around to reading.  Great pre-nap reading and dream inspiration.  Seriously.

Girl in Translation

Definitely a great read.  This story gives a really heartbreaking view of the tough issues an immigrant mom and daughter face while working in NYC's garment industry. Read my post about this book by clicking through this link.  Fiction, but inspired by a real life story.

The Man Who Wanted to Buy a Heart

A beautiful collection of short stories, as described in my blog post about the author.  Again, fiction, told by a man who is a garment industry veteran.

Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin: 
Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan

Did she make the greatest mistake of her life? Like many girls, she came with dreams of a better future. Yes, the pay was better than in China, but at what price? Would the high pressure of 15-hour quota-driven days of tedious, mind and finger-numbing work get to her? Or would the greedy floor monitors, and scam-artists preying on lonely, naive women rob her not just of her income, but of her innocence as well? At every turn, there were wolves ahead and tigers behind that threatened her dreams of happiness. Could she learn Saipan's secret factory system and get ahead before she lost it all? Could she save money, save face, and return to China better off? Would she even want to, given the real reason she left China in the first place?

It hurts to read this story.  Yes. Hurts.  But boy, does it open your eyes to the sacrifices some will make just to earn a decent living and have a better life.  "Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin" is a Chinese expression referring to the waste/useless stuff left over when cooking.  This one is NOT fiction.

If you read any of these, or are intrigued by the subject (whether in China, the US, or anywhere else), I'm sure you will see that this is not simply about the garment industry, but really about WORK, and what it requires of you, steals from you, provides for you, and/or drives you to do.  This compelling TED talk will whet your appetite for more information.