Hand-Sewing Books
Curious about some books to help with hand-stitching? Here is an incomplete list of some publications I have in my own collection. I have tried to keep this list focused on hand-sewing construction so there are no books only focused on mending on the list yet… But I do have a bunch I can share. Maybe I will add those later.
For context, these are all in English and are published by people who live in the US. If you have a favorite hand-sewing book let me know!
The Work-woman’s
Guide
by A Lady, 1838.
19th-century sewing manual punished in London. It was one of the first how-to sewing books published in English. The book starts with hand-sewing methods. Also includes construction descriptions and hand-drawn cutting diagrams for different garments.
Home Dressmaking: A Complete Guide to Household Sewing
By Annie E.Myers,
1892.
Late 19th-century sewing manual from the US that discusses sewing methods and hand-sewing techniques.
School needlework: a course of study in sewing designed for use in schools.By Olive C. Hapgood, 1892
Thanks to K for the suggestion. This has fantastic and clear hand drawn diagrams for hand-sewing instruction. Great section on tool selection.
Any Older sewing books!
Typically sewing guides published in the early 20th century or before have a good section on hand-sewing technique. This one is from 1927. Get them from yard sales, Ebay, Etsy, cozy used book shops.
The Lady’s Guide to plain Sewing.
By Kathleen Kannik,
Book I,1996 Book II,1997.
Two small but mighty guides that provide hand-drawn illustrations for a variety of hand-sewing construction techniques. The author is active in the 18th and early-19th-century Midwestern reenactment circles so wrote this book with living historians in mind. However the techniques really apply to anyone interested in hand sewing. Well researched, easy to follow written instructions. However drawn diagrams only show one step. Has a very helpful bibliography.
The Geometry of Hand-Sewing By Natalie Chanin, 2017.
A variety of hand-stitching techniques for construction and decoration. Written for knitwear in mind but also useful on wovens. The author runs the clothing line Alabama Chanin and The School of Making. Great resource for organic jersey and knitwear hand-sewing kits. Simplifies techniques with geometric diagrams and includes templates. Easy to follow illustrations and inspiring color photos of applications.
Hand Sewing Stitch for Garment Construction. By Mathew Gnagy, 2020.
A guide book solely focused on hand-sewing construction methods. Author’s background is in Spanish tailoring from the 16th and 17th centuries which informs the tools and techniques taught in the book. Good close up colored photos of techniques. Includes several 16th-century projects as well as jeans and a hoodie.
Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide. By Louisa Owen Sonstroem, 2020.
A comprehensive and accessible hand-sewing reference guide intended for all readers. The author begins the book with essays to contextualize the benefits of hand sewing, slow fashion, the speed of hand sewing, sustainability and circular design. There is a robust section on different stitching methods with hand-drawn illustrations with companion descriptions. And an inspiring section with examples and stories of hand-sewn clothing the author has made. It is finished off with a helpful glossary, resources and reference list.
Hand-Sewing Stitch Guide. By Fibr&Cloth Studio with Illustrations by Louisa Owen Sonstroem, 2021.
A very helpful, easy-to-follow reference guide for the modern hand-sewist with drawn illustrations. Includes basic stitches and construction techniques. Intended to compliment Fibr&Cloth Studio’s hand sewing kits and digital patterns.
Make Sew and Mend, by Bernadette Banner, 2022.
Hand-sewing reference book designed to embrace slow fashion through teaching basic hand-stitches, applied techniques and wardrobe maintenance with inspiration from the late 19th century. Author is a well-known YouTuber from NYC, now based in London with a background in late 19th-century dress recreation. Author spends time talking about fabrics and tools. The instruction section includes some original garments from the 19th century. The instructions are step-by-step color pictures with text. Good essays in between each chapter to bring in sewing and style voices who have different identities from the author.