Jump to other posts in this series:
- Introducing my new book, “Ahead of the Curve”
- How I wrote “Ahead of the Curve” (a behind-the-scenes peek!)
- Get to know the Stanway T-Shirt
- Get to know the Magna Pants
- Get to know the Kersoe Top
- Get to know the Honeybourne Dress
- Get to know the Foxhill Dress
- Fabric requirements for patterns from “Ahead of the Curve”
I am ridiculously excited to share what I’ve been working on for the past 18 months: my first book, “Ahead of the Curve“, which launches in October, published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant)! You can pre-order it here so I guess it’s really true?! Pre-orders are absolutely essential for new authors as they show stockists that there’s demand for the book, and help it get listed and stay in stock – so if you’re at all interested, I’d love it if you could pre-order!
“Ahead of the Curve” is a first of its kind: a body-positive guide to how to fit sewing patterns if you’re curvy or plus size, with five full-size, brand new Cashmerette patterns in sizes US 12 – 32 (UK 16 – 36) and cup sizes C – H with which to hone your fitting skills!
I wrote the book I wished had existed when I learned to sew: one that showed me how to make adjustments to sewing patterns to fit my unique and fabulous body, without shaming me or focusing on “hiding my flaws”. It’s the Cashmerette you know and love – now in book form! In the words of my Mum “it’s written in a very reassuring way”, and I hope you find that too.
“Ahead of the Curve” is jam-packed with fitting content, from extensive guidance on how to pick a size (often trickier than it seems), to help decoding measurement charts, through to the heart of the book which is a series of Fit Clinics, focused on adjustments for each part of your body. I wanted to make it as easy as possible to identify fit issues so for every single adjustment we have “before” and “after” photos (all on curvy bodies, of course!) – a whole lot of work to do, but I hope well worth it!
But it’s not just a reference book… nope, “Ahead of the Curve” also has five brand new patterns included! Each adjustment in the Fit Clinics is demonstrated using one (or more) of the patterns – the idea is that you can follow along to perfect the fit, making it as easy as possible to learn the techniques. Once you’ve mastered them, the sky’s the limit! Welcome to the world of a wardrobe that fits. I’ll be sharing details of the garments over the next few weeks.
Finally, there’s just a whole bunch of curvy and plus size goodness in there. You’ll recognize some familiar faces modeling (so excited to share soon!), there’s interviews with our inspiring model-sewists, tips on how to sew while staying neutral about your body, and more.
I hope you’re as excited as I am about my foray into books! Over the next few weeks and months I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes peeks, telling you the journey of how this all came to be (believe me, writing a book + COVID + being a single mum of a toddler is no joke!), and sharing the awesome models and garments you’ll be seeing in your copy.
Thank you in advance for your pre-orders, and more soon!
I ran (well OK clicked) straight over to amazon to pre-prder! Will there be a way to get PDFs of the patterns?
Yay!! Congrats! What an achievement. I’m soooo excited for this book. 🙂 I couldn’t preorder fast enough.
It does not really seem to be possible to pre-order to Sweden. Any chance for an e-book version of it? Especially so that we can print the patterns. 🙂
As I do not like ordering on amazon to much, I preordered from a local german bookshop. Perhaps this is also possible with a swedish bookshop.
DONE!! So excited for you — and me!
I have mine pre-ordered! Exciting
Congratulations! Very excited to place my preorder. Wish I could time travel to October. Love everything you put out, so I’m sure I’ll love this.
Congratulations on your new book! I have preordered my copy!
YAAAAAAY!!! How exciting and congratulations!! My preorder was done the second I saw you wrote a book – it could have been a Scottish Cooking book for all that mattered – as long as the author was Jenny Rushmore 🙂 Can’t wait!
me too me too!!
Congratulations on your latest venture Jenny, I preordered as soon as I saw your post on Instagram & can’t wait to read it xxx
Congratulations on the book. Which patterns are included with the book? Is there the option to get then in PDF (A0 or projector format)?
Congratulations on your book! I, too, immediately preordered. For those that prefer not to order from Amazon, I really love bookshop.org which allows you to choose a local book store to support. I had to search by author name for this book to come up FYI.
So excited! Looking forward to seeing previews of the included patterns.
Loving this and hoping to pre-order at the end of the month (payday) but I do have a couple of questions. First, what is a vest top? Second, are we going to get a bit of a preview of what the patterns are going to be like? Things like stretch or woven, more summery or more wintery types of clothes, how they’re different from your patterns already available.
I doubt the answers will change my desire for the book, just curious.
Cathi, if you’re in England, then a vest is a waistcoat. By definition, it would be fitted and sleeveless, made of woven fabric, and about waist length, fastening in front. I’m betting Jenny has wonderful, versatile patterns (and hacks!) for us.
I thought a vest top was what they called a tank top/sleeveless top in the UK, not a waistcoat.
A vest is, in fact, underwear in the UK and worn by everybody – men, women, children the young or old.
I immediately went and pre-ordered your book! I’m really looking forward to receiving it.
So excited and pre ordered the minute I saw the email, 😀
I preordered off Amazon and ordered a couple patterns I have been wanting so I can get to work ahead of time can’t wait and congratulations!
As already mentioned by someone else in the comments, I am also not a big fan of sending $ to Amazon if there are options for indie book sellers. There looks to be only Amazon at the link offered for pre-order. Any way to order it through indie book sellers (or something like that) in the US?
If you go to the amazon listing, you can copy-paste the ISBN and then do a google search for other booksellers who can order it for you. You could also take the ISBN to your favourite local bookseller and ask them if they can order if for you.
Powell’s is accepting pre-orders. Fantastic Indy bookstore!
https://www.powells.com/book/ahead-of-the-curve-9781787136304
I’ll be pre-ordering when I get home tonight. I’ve been recently looking for a plus size fitting book that’s as good at the guides on the Cashmerette website, so this is a dream come true for me.
Also, I love the dress on the cover – is that the Turner dress or one of the new patterns?
Thanks Jenny, ordered from Booktopia in Australia – good luck with the pre orders. I hope it does well, we need more good sewing information available for all the curvy people.
Hello! I have been trying for years now to find/make a woven shirt pattern for myself and and am determined not to give up this round! Full bust, short waist, had my eye on your montrose top but your calculator put me at a 10. Will your book work for my size or not so much? Perfect book title!!
Can’t wait. I am heading straight over to Amazon .
Congratulations Jenny! – so thrilled for you. I know this book with be GREAT!
Hi Jenny! I am interested in pre-ordering your new book. But I have 2 questions. (1) Is there any where I can view line drawings of the patterns that are included? (2) I want to buy a paper copy of the book with the option to download the patterns and send them off to a copyshop. Is this option available with your book? Best wishes for much success! Melanie
The patterns will be announced over the next few weeks! And yes, there will be the option to download the patterns and send them to a copyshop.
Thank you thank you thank you! This is just what I need all rolled into one book! I can’t wait to receive my copy 😃
I’ve been trying to order thru the UK but vats are expensive for french people ☹️
Is there a supply issue for the Barnes and Noble bookstore in the USA? I pre-ordered but it has been in processing since last week and online says they are temporarily out of stock.
Hi Patty, our understanding is that all of the books in the second print run are impacted by the supply chain issues. It sounds like that might be what’s happening with Barnes and Noble.
We’re expecting to have more books in stock in December, so other sellers likely will too.
-Ayelet at Cashmerette