I went to my local library the other day and saw three new books on display that I just had to check out.  From costumes, to clothing to repairs, these books have you covered.  Now, if anyone knows of any books about boys clothes, I’d love to hear about it.

Vinilla Burnham’s Best Ever Kids Costumes (C&B Crafts)

Burnham is an award-winning costume designer who has worked on Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and designed costumes for a number of TV and movie productions.  This book is an expression of her experience, and offers more than just your every-day costumes. It includes step-by-step instructions for creating 20 pretty-amazing costumes, ranging from Snow Queen to Fiery Dragon, Pegleg the Pirate to Sharp-toothed Shark.

The true highlight of this book is that it comes with pattern software that lets you select the size you want to make and then print out the correct size pattern for your project.  In addition, Burnham describes a host of sewing and piecing techniques, as well as speedy shortcuts and useful tips, to help you through.

Absolutely A-Line: 1 Easy Pattern = 26 Adorable Dresses for Girls by Wendy Gratz

This book takes the idea of variation on a theme to the extreme.  Using a basic A-line dress pattern and a host of modifications and additions, you can make 26 different dresses for the little girl in your life.  The book includes a paper pattern for girls sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.  Variations include cap sleeves, ruffles and pleats, different waist lines, applique, 2 and 3-tone color, tuxedo fronts, wrap-style, lined, bordered, and split into skirt and top – among others.  The author also recommends ways to take the dress from playful to dressy with fabric and embellishment.  One of my favorites in the book is called The Shirt Off Daddy’s Back, which re-purposes a large man’s shirt into a little girl’s dress.

Joan Gordon’s Stitch ‘n’ Fix: Essential Mending Know-How for Bachelors and Babes

This last book isn’t specifically about mending children’s clothing – as you probably noticed from the subtitle – but, the principles are the same.  Whether you are dealing with a split seam, a too-short/long hem, a popped-off button, or replacing a draw-string, this book provides pictures and easy-to-follow instructions for making whatever repair you are faced with.  It does cover a number of repairs that you may never need to make – whether because they apply to adult wear or your child might outgrow their clothing before you have a chance to fix it.  In general, though, it is a handy, multi-purpose resource to have around.