The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion: The Essential Guide from the World's Most Famous Fabric Store

by Johnny Miller (Photographer), Tim Gunn (Foreword)

“Designers, we’re going to Mood!”

More than 10 years ago, Tim Gunn and Project Runway introduced millions of viewers to New York’s ultimate fabric mecca, Mood Fabrics. Now, the experts behind this fabric power- house bring their fabric and fashion know-how—plus their behind-the-scenes stories—to the sewing public. The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion is the ultimate guide for home-sewers, fashion students, aspiring designers, and Project Runway fans who want to learn everything they need to know to choose and use quality fabric. Drawing upon the expertise of the Mood staff, the book teaches readers the fundamentals—from where fabric is produced to the ins and outs of its construction—and features a fabric-by-fabric guide to cottons and other plant fibers, wools, silks, knits, and other speciality fabrics.

Contents:
The fabric of their lives: the fashionable history of Mood --
Social fabric: textiles yesterday, today, and tomorrow --
Fabric 101: the fundamentals of fabric for sewers and designers --
Fabric and design: transforming inspiration into fashion reality --
Cotton, linen, and hemp --
Wools --
Knits --
Silks --
Other fabrics.

Genres: Sewing, Fashion, Nonfiction, Crafts, Art

184 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Rachel Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looked at this book as a potential text for a short class I’m teaching on textile taxonomy, and while it is not appropriate for that purpose, it’s a book that I love just as a fun read. The introduction is by Tim Gunn and Mood’s approach to the selling of fabrics is well served by this overall survey style book on fabrics and fibers.

[Pam Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source for textiles, tips on sewing and washing, structural design and more. I wanted to feel and touch all the examples. The swatch book made in my textile class is a gold mine and although I don’t have it anymore, I am inspired to make it again. Highly recommend this read.

[Becca Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually count non-fiction books like this toward my yearly total, but this one I read cover to cover, so imma going to! Really great information about the weave structures and loom standards for lots of different fabrics. Lots of good tips for working with tricky fabrics.

[V Mignon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish this book had been in existence when I first started sewing. This is a great primer on the world of textiles and fabric, with tips and tricks on how to survive the sewing process. I'm considering purchasing a copy of it to keep around for reference.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

After visiting Mood several times and a fairly lazy sewer, I am so glad I picked this book up from the library this week! It's a perfect mix of beautiful photos and sharing what you need to see on different fabrics and what all the fabrics even mean! Highly recommend!

[Patty R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as extensive as maybe Claire Shaeffer or Sandra Betzina's books, but good information, history of Mood and nice pics.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book for fabric info. Beautiful pictures and great information.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not going to win any literary awards, but it did exactly what I wanted it to do: describe different fabrics, how they're made, how you sew with them, how you was them, etc., and it did so clearly and not without a sense of humour. Unlike most reference books, you could actually read through this and enjoy the read. I particularly appreciated their extra tips that popped up from time to time for more challenging fabrics.

The title would be closer to the truth if it were simple "The Mood Guide to Fabric." There's no real guide to Fashion (and thank goodness) as part of this book.

Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.

[Gini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're a fashion student, a lover of sumptuous fabrics, a vintage store owner or anything in between, you'll want this book for reference! You may wonder if the vintage, heirloom dress you have is chiffon or organza? This book masterfully explains the textures and compositions of most all fabrics you'll ever encounter. As a small business owner who deals mostly vintage items, I found this book to be very helpful when writing descriptions as well as answering customers questions. I would highly recommend this book.

[Sinduja Krishna Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for someone who wants a non intimidating introduction into fabrics and sewing. I don’t think you read it and finish it. This is the sort of book you keep around for reference for a long time.

[Tara L. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on a beginner's sewing kick and short of having physical swatches, the Mood guide is helpful for understanding garment materials. I really liked the forward by Tim Gunn and the humble beginnings of Mood Fabrics.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would not be my first choice in a fabric guide - the history and background to the fibres is somewhere between inaccurate and fanciful.

It has pretty pictures of fabric.

[Mardee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, fully of great photographs and lots of useful information. I definitely recommend this for any sewist.

[Dave Laskowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and informative read

I could have used this book 50 years ago when I first started sewing. It has most of the information needed to make the correct choices in fabric. Too bad fashion fabric stores are hard to find but ordering swatches can solve some of the problems in not being able to do the things suggested in the book when choosing fabric. The book will be a valued piece in my collection.

[Selby Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion is perfect for anyone interested in learning about fabric types and how they are used in fashion. You can read my entire review at Wavoki Crafts.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

For catalog browsers, please note that this is not about choosing fabric/fabric in relation to one's mood.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice fashion book, but more suited for someone who can sew.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introductory chapters. Would make a fine addition to a reference library with all the highly detailed chapters on the various textiles available for garment construction.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for sewers and designers.

[Denise Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who has sewn for 45 years, off and on, I know shamefully little about good fabric. Now that I'm sewing clothes for myself again, but price is less of a factor, I shop online for higher quality goods than I can find locally. I needed this book to brush up on fabric so I know what I'm getting, and it's a great primer/refresher. Good reference for fabric types, care, uses, terms and more.

With that said, this is very much a marketing piece for Mood. Sidebar articles feature short bios of owners and employees; details and history of the store pepper the text. I happen to like the NYC store and its online sister, so I don't mind. It doesn't get in the way of the reference function of the book. This will live on my sewing book shelf for a long time.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

great descriptions of every type of fabric