Lately, I've been having conversations with my sewing friends and acquaintances about "Remembering The Elders." Sometimes I think we get so caught up in the here and now, and don't realize that people have been sewing since we human beings donned clothing.
Yes, technology has changed the machinery and fabrics have been updated too but the basics of sewing remains the same...needle and thread is used to take a flat piece of fabric to make it fit our bodies. So sporadically during the next couple of months I'm going to highlight some of those whom I believe are Significant Elders.
The first person I'd like to highlight is Edna Bryte Bishop, who authored several books ~
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What is the Bishop Method?
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction was developed by Edna Bryte Bishop as a sequential, progressive method of teaching sewing based upon fabric grain line, unit construction and short cut industrial sewing techniques. She emphasized grain perfection, accuracy in preparing, cutting and marking fabric, cutting to fit, perfection in stitching, perfection in pressing, attaining a quality look with the right trimming/detail. Edna said that, "Achieving these principles would enable you to make quality-looking clothes and eliminate "the fireside touch" home sewing has so frequently demonstrated in the past."
Who was Edna Bryte Bishop?
She was born in 1886 in Pennsylvania, and learned to sew as a young girl. She became a teacher who originated the method of sewing using the grainline method. She taught in schools in Massachusetts and later in New Jersey. Her method of sewing was promoted by both JC Penneys and the Advance Pattern Company. They were so popular that she authored the two books, The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction in 1959 and Fashion Sewing by the Bishop Method in 1966.
Now most of this information was gathered from the foreword of her books and/or the website, The Bishop Method of Construction.
I own both of the books listed above and consider them important parts of my sewing library. I found the first book (The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction) at a library sale and a friend gave me the second one.
Here is what I was attracted to...
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Now, if you want to own a great vintage sewing book or two, I've provided Amazon links. Although I'm sure other vintage booksellers might be able to find you a copy. And if you only need an internet reference, the website link above will give you a great overview of the Bishop Method, as well as, the ability to join a Bishop Chapter.
Madalynne, also wrote an excellent blog post on The Bishop Method in February of this year. It's how I learned about the Bishop website. I really think it's important that we continue to honor the legacy of great sewists that have gone before, yet have left such awesome information that can assist us in becoming better sewists today.
...as always more later!
Yes, technology has changed the machinery and fabrics have been updated too but the basics of sewing remains the same...needle and thread is used to take a flat piece of fabric to make it fit our bodies. So sporadically during the next couple of months I'm going to highlight some of those whom I believe are Significant Elders.
The first person I'd like to highlight is Edna Bryte Bishop, who authored several books ~
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction was developed by Edna Bryte Bishop as a sequential, progressive method of teaching sewing based upon fabric grain line, unit construction and short cut industrial sewing techniques. She emphasized grain perfection, accuracy in preparing, cutting and marking fabric, cutting to fit, perfection in stitching, perfection in pressing, attaining a quality look with the right trimming/detail. Edna said that, "Achieving these principles would enable you to make quality-looking clothes and eliminate "the fireside touch" home sewing has so frequently demonstrated in the past."
Who was Edna Bryte Bishop?
She was born in 1886 in Pennsylvania, and learned to sew as a young girl. She became a teacher who originated the method of sewing using the grainline method. She taught in schools in Massachusetts and later in New Jersey. Her method of sewing was promoted by both JC Penneys and the Advance Pattern Company. They were so popular that she authored the two books, The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction in 1959 and Fashion Sewing by the Bishop Method in 1966.
Now most of this information was gathered from the foreword of her books and/or the website, The Bishop Method of Construction.
I own both of the books listed above and consider them important parts of my sewing library. I found the first book (The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction) at a library sale and a friend gave me the second one.
Here is what I was attracted to...
Love the embellishments to add to your garments
Collar, lapel and button front trimmings
The pictures above are from
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction
These chapter pages are from
Fashion Sewing by the Bishop Method
Now, if you want to own a great vintage sewing book or two, I've provided Amazon links. Although I'm sure other vintage booksellers might be able to find you a copy. And if you only need an internet reference, the website link above will give you a great overview of the Bishop Method, as well as, the ability to join a Bishop Chapter.
Madalynne, also wrote an excellent blog post on The Bishop Method in February of this year. It's how I learned about the Bishop website. I really think it's important that we continue to honor the legacy of great sewists that have gone before, yet have left such awesome information that can assist us in becoming better sewists today.
...as always more later!