A review by notbambi
Make, Sew and Mend: Traditional Techniques to Sustainably Maintain and Refashion Your Clothes by Bernadette Banner

informative inspiring relaxing medium-paced

5.0

This is a nice little compendium of hand sewing and mending techniques, with explanations of when to use them. This book does not have projects per se, it's more of a technical reference. Explanations and photos are clear and attractive. Unsurprising for Bernadette's interests and Youtube following, there are tips for using vintage patterns and materials, and many of the photos feature vintage sewing accessories. She ties this in to sustainability of high quality garments in the past, but she doesn't act like wearing polyester is a moral failing on the part of the reader - she just notes (accurately) that it is petroleum-based and is convenient for being machine washable, unlike many natural fibres. Her take on sustainability generally seems to be that with proper construction, care, and mending, any garment can last a very long time. 

This had some interesting techniques that I haven't really seen much of in sewing reference guides, such as burn and bleach tests to determine what material a fabric is made of, or hand sewing button holes, or stitches for adding structure to garments. She also includes one-page highlights of people who have interesting aesthetics and make their own clothes in a vintage way. The interviews weren't something I was interested in, but I can see the appeal to a certain type of reader (the dude who wears a hanbok every day in the United States is kind of an icon, though).