SEW U think you’re creative?
Pick up “Sew U: A Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe” by Wendy Mullin, the designer of the downtown cult favorite label Built by Wendy (7 Centre Market Place; [212] 925-6538; and 46 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn; [718] 384-2882), and outsmart that clothing copycat in accounting by showing off your own togs.
From stitches to britches, this democratic how-to guide defies the laws laid down in stodgy sewing books of yesteryear.
Mullin, with the help of writer Eviana Hartman, imparts her seamless wisdom on basic fabrics, machine functions, patterns and cuts.
“Some of these sewing books are so scary and overwhelming, including things that you don’t need,” says Mullin, the reluctant but hip home-ec heroine whose humble foray into design was selling her clothes in the back of a New York record store.
“I have so many friends who are crafty but haven’t taken it to the next level. I wanted to give people the basic understanding and have the tools to be creative on their own,” she adds.
And in a gesture of generosity, Mullin includes some of her own basic patterns in the book and explains step by step, with clean and cute illustrations, how it all comes together.
“Having these basic skills gives a general overview, and you can get crazy from there,” says Mullin.
For even the most inept sewer, there is a chapter on how to have your design dreams turned into reality by your local tailor.
Part of a greater DIY trend – which in recent years has taken over cable television and half of Barnes & Noble – this clever and digestible book fronted by a respected designer should lend sewing the pop cred of knitting.
Regardless of your arty penchant, knowing how to needle your way through the supply shops can be downright intimidating, even if you know your darts from your pleats.
Navigate the cluttered storefronts manned by the old guard of the garment trade or pop into some of the kitschy nouveau purling parlors with this abridged list of crafty caches.
Like amino acids, a nice bolt of material is the foundation of all tailored masterpieces. For the best basics and selection, hit Seventh Avenue’s secret: 66-year-old B&J Fabrics (263 W. 40th St.; [212] 3548150). With new fabric arriving each day and an armada of staffers, B&J caters to everyone from couture designers to novices.
Purl Patchwork (147 Sullivan St.; [212] 420-8798), the saccharine Sullivan Street fabric store, boasts a well edited selection of cotton prints. “A lot of people who sew love our prints because they are harder to find,” says co-owner Joelle Hoverson, who also offers quilt-making and sewing classes.
But if knitting is more your bag, Purl Patchwork’s big sister, Purl (137 Sullivan St.; [212] 420-8796), a few doors down, has more eye candy in its mint-colored diminutive digs. They offer knitting and crocheting classes, a fantastic array of yarns and needles galore.
If you’re yarning for some grub, The Point NYC (37A Bedford St.; [212] 929-0800) encourages customers to eat, knit and be happy in its hybrid knit shop/café.
A favorite of designers, interior decorators and teenagers alike, M&J Trimmings (1088 Sixth Ave.; [800] 9-MJTRIM – that’s 9658746) has throngs of devotees who swear by their insanely extensive selection of buttons, lace and trim.
Open since 1936, this institution doesn’t stop with the bells and whistles. Its customer service is most noted alongside its material offerings.
Union Square’s Beads of Paradise (16 E. 17th St.; [212] 6200642) will help anyone with or without knickknack know-how.
This emporium of baubles and beads offers jewelry-making classes from its trained staff and all the tools one might need to string some glass beads or repair a broken relic.
For the more experienced stringer, Phoenix Beads (5 W. 37th St.; [212] 278-8688) is a warehouse full of enough beads to buy Manhattan all over again.
With one whole aisle dedicated to turquoise, its selection is incomparable.