Hi all,
Making Things Do with
Ann Ladbury was a British TV sewing show. It was made by Southern Television back in 1976.
This book, or rather booklet, was a TV tie-in to accompany the series.
This book, or rather booklet, was a TV tie-in to accompany the series.
With 64 pages, the
booklet's focus is on how to style existing clothes in your wardrobe to
give them a new updated look. Rather than today’s understanding
of refashion, it’s more of a “how-to-wear-it-better”
guide.
Each line drawing gives a brief description of how each outfit was improved using accessories or mixing different fabrics and patterns.
Each line drawing gives a brief description of how each outfit was improved using accessories or mixing different fabrics and patterns.
Take the rather boxy
pinafore dress (a jumper in the US) from the first page. This was
“made striking by adding (a) full sleeved striped voile shirt.”
The pictures of the
garments are all in black and white. Which makes it difficult to see
or appreciate, “the striking pink heavy cotton” on another
outfit.
The full enormity of the “difficult colour combination of purple, white and bottle green,” in a third ensemble, is also a mystery to us.
The full enormity of the “difficult colour combination of purple, white and bottle green,” in a third ensemble, is also a mystery to us.
Bottle green? With
purple? That’s not difficult… that’s... just so... ‘70s.
Whatever you think of 1970s fashion, you’ve got to admire their
fearless experimentation with color. Looking back at the decade from
the 2020s, I’ll be honest, I’m glad the book is black and white.
My favorite section
has to be the one on fabric.
Covering fabric as diverse as velvet, lace, wool and chiffon, this section explains what each material is used for. As well as what needle to use with it – both hand and machine, what size stitch to use and which interfacing is best for that particular weave.
Covering fabric as diverse as velvet, lace, wool and chiffon, this section explains what each material is used for. As well as what needle to use with it – both hand and machine, what size stitch to use and which interfacing is best for that particular weave.
There is a section
on sewing techniques, but these are just generic explanations. From
adding darts and sleeves to constructing collars and cuffs; this section
is the “how-to-sew” part. Helping you sew
garments from scratch using sewing patterns available at the time. It’s the 70s answer to YouTube. Ideal for when you are sewing things like gathers or hems but don’t
really know how.
The one thing
missing from this making do booklet – how to alter existing
clothing.
Now, I’m not sure if make do and mend was a thing back in the 70s but, I would've expected this book to at least cover sewing alterations. If making things do was the point of the book and TV series, then at the very least covering mending techniques should be in there somewhere.
Now, I’m not sure if make do and mend was a thing back in the 70s but, I would've expected this book to at least cover sewing alterations. If making things do was the point of the book and TV series, then at the very least covering mending techniques should be in there somewhere.
None of the sections
in the booklet explain how to mend, alter or update garments. I’m
not sure how useful this book would be to someone with a pair of jeans that need turning up. Or a jacket that needs a new zip.
All in all it’s a
nice little booklet. It gives an insight into sewing with fabrics
and techniques that would have been available back in 1976. An interesting read
for vintage sewing buffs or those curious about style back then.
If nothing else, it
will leave you with a sense of wonder that anyone would think mixing
bottle green with purple was a great idea.
Bye for now
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