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Reviews (6)

great and frustrating....
kudos to wendy on jumping in and giving us some patterns that are indeed needed in the world of pattern design.i've been sewing for a year and a half so i jumped right into the pants pattern.wendy does do some assuming, which is okay, though sometimes frustrating.i wish she were a little clearer.for instance,just have a page that serves like the back of a pattern envelope for each pattern. it'd be nice to know things like zipper size, fabric amount, etc.in one convienient area. is every curved seam allowance assumed to be 1/4" (i.e. on the fly)?i find myself flipping through the book, searching for specifics. a nice clear format would be refreshing. the text of this book is great for beginners and brusher uppers.

Sound Advice
This book is a refreshing change from all the dinosaurs I've seen on the shelf with the outdated projects like hideous curtains and drab 80's clothing. This author appeals to a fresh new generation of indie-inspired crafters, from the seasoned seamster/stress to the (and most importantly)fledgeling just trying to get their damn machine started. I've been there, and Built By Wendy's wry, humorous approach to a traditionally intimidating craft gives sound advice on everything from what kind of machine to buy, to shortcuts in shopping and the actual process for El Cheapos like me who don't have the extra time or cash to spare! If you buy no other book about sewing, please do the smart thing and invest in this one. Also, for more thrifty crafts you can do with 50 cent garments from the thrift shop and nary more than a pair of scissors and some ingenuity, check out Generation T by Megan Nicolay. Her humorous writing style and dollar sense make this book appealing for anyone who wants that cool indie Urban Outfitters look for less than they paid for that McDonalds lunch!

Hate tissue paper patterns
The book itself is nice.The layout is clean and usable.But I cannot cannot stand tissue paper patterns.Who has the space to comfortably lay out such fragile paper without concern for tearing and readability (can people really read the text on them without their eyes suffering?!)?Not me, obviously.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Machine sewing    6. Sewing    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    8. Dressmaking & tailoring   

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Design - General    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Art / Design / General   

Reviews (50)

4.5 stars for the style gurus...
Let me start by saying that this is based on a show that I love but I put off buying this book because I wasn't really sure what to expect from it, especially when quite a few of the reviews said that only a few pages were devoted to each body type and so forth. Well yes, only a few pages were devoted to each type, but there were A LOT of types portrayed (more so than in any other book of this kind I'd ever seen before), and multiply that by three since they all came in petite, average height, and tall. In reality, since none of us fits into ONE type of body, I got much more information than one could've thought. For example, I'm curvy and petite but there were some suggestions from the larger on bottom section that I can definitely use to my advantage... and this is just the beginning, I went on picking up useful pointers from all over. Sure, you're definitely more of one certain body type than all the others and that's where you'll find the majority of your advice, but do browse through all the book because the useful tips are everywhere and you're bound to pick them up from all over, not just YOUR four or five pages.
In details...
This book offers great details how to dress YOUR body now, not after you lose a few pounds or gain some!
Great, but could use improvemet
Like many of the other reviewers, I love Stacy and Clinton's TV show, and it has helped me greatly in weeding out pieces in my wardrobe and buying new clothes to replace them.When I discovered that they had published a book, I rented it from the local library immediately.In a way, I am glad I rented it rather than purchasing it.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Clothing and dress    3. Consumer Health    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Psychological aspects    8. Costume    9. Self-Help & Practical Interests    10. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Needlework - Lace & Tatting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Lace   

Reviews (64)

What you wear can change your life
This book is really fantastic.These two ladies have a way of speak writing which is my way of saying that they write exactly as they speak. It comes across very clearly and naturally.I have picked up heaps of useful tips and it makes you realise that is not about dressing the perfect body but about making the most of your assets and minimizing your less flattering physical attributes.
Laughing your way to looking good
Trinny and Susannah are fantastic at telling you exactly what will work on your body type. they show the funky and elegant. In addition to the great advice they couch it in wonderful irreverent humor. enjoy.

Good, But Not All-Purpose
I love the way Trinny and Susannah look at color. Their advice for matching colors and finding colors that work for you is second to none. They have a chapter where there is a page for each color. They show several shades of that color and for each shade, they show two complimentary colors and one contrasting color. They also offer good underwear, travel and accessory advice, which can be quite useful.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Consumer Health    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Psychological aspects    7. Women's clothing    8. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (5)

Easy to Use
Great illustrations and pictures.It's taken away a lot of the mystery - no I feel much more confident.

Inspiring
This book is great for the beginning beader.My daughter and I have great fun pulling ideas from this book and creating projects.The instructions are very clear and easy.The jewelery and other projects turn out beautifully.

Great stuff in here!
After someone gave me a bracelet recently, it was my first introduction to beading. I borrowed several beginner-beading books in an attempt to understand how to make beaded jewelry for gifts. Simply Beautiful Beading is the only book that covered everything I was looking for. It explains and illustrates different types of beads, wires, clasps, etc. and how to use them and has everything explained so well for the beginner. But don't let the subtitle of the book, "53 Quick and Easy Projects" let you think you won't find imagination and beauty in the patterns in this book. Many of the projects are ones I will actually use. Too many authors go to extremes to get something different in their books by creating things out of beads that are either just plain ridiculous, or far too expensive to make even if you wanted to do it. Heidi Boyde instead uses her imagination on designing simple projects in jewelry, accessories, and home accents that are different enough to be unique and yet be easy enough for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry   

Editorial Review

If you want your notched collars to lie smoothly like Ellen Tracy's, your pants zippers to be as invisibly fused with the inseam pocket as Giorgio Armani's, and your topstitched facings to have the impeccable look of Chanel, Read more

Reviews (15)

Secrets that sould be known to every sewer
Although the pictures are old fashioned, to say the least, the technic and tips of how to manage the smallest details are priceless. And I thought I knew it all after 25 years of sewing. This book is a bible to every sewer.

High fashion...Maybe
I was completely unimpressed with this book.It does contain some interesting sewing techniques, but for the most part she shows you how to copy design features of now out-of-style designer clothing and shares a lot of famous designer trivia (lots of name dropping). There are some useful tips, but for the price of the book, tips are not worth it. The last third of the book is dedicated to drafting patterns from scratch or copying other clothing. The only photos are of the finished garment - no photos of the techniques or steps.Illustrations are adequate, not great.

Great for taking your sewing skills to the next level...
If you have never sewn before or are just starting, this book is not for you.The author assumes someone reading this book has some intermediate sewing skills.The techniques in this book are useful, when you want to go from making a plain old patch/seam pocket to a double welt, bound buttonholes instead of the ghetto machine stitched ones, and there is really good information about facings, interfacing, and lining.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Pattern design    7. Patterns    8. Sewing    9. Tailoring    10. Tailoring (Women's)   

Reviews (48)

Even If You Don't Craft, Buy It For the Humor!
This book reads like a snarky, no-nonsense conversation between yourself and that favorite roomate of yours who made all their own clothes, and somehow managed to live off of $50 a week (and liked it!). Ms. Nicolay is by FAR my favorite craft book author, simply because she writes with less pretension, more results. I'm a crafty pre-med student on a strict budget (of time and money), and this guide makes it possible for me to enter a thrift store and have a year's worth of outfits/accessories for twenty dollars or less when I walk out. Who'd have thought my worn-out Little League tees would make a cute messenger tote or that concert tee I spilled Tabasco on could find new life as side panels of a 10-minute A-line skirt? My girlfriends and I recently hit the thrift shop and bought a myriad of colorful tees, and just spent a rainy afternoon watching a stack of movies and making halter tops and safety-pinned armwarmers for that night's clubbing! Any book that inspires thrifty fashion sense, and unlimited fun whether enjoying your own company or a roomful of friends is well worth a few bucks!

Repetitive designs and NO SEWING
If you do not sew and do not mind the same type of design slightly re-worked into ten different things than get this book.Most designs are slash and tie and require little to no sewing.Not what I had in mind.

Fantastic!
I LOVE THIS BOOK. :) I am 24 years old and I bought this book because I have tons of band tees that are too large for me. I wanted to jazz them up and this book is perfect for it! The author[Megan] shows you the stitches you need to be able to do the sewing, and even if your hand isn't so good, 1/3 of the projects are NO SEW! and you can even make SKIRTS out of your old tee shirts! I am just so excited about this book and I'm not even finished reading it yet. Megan's writing style is so easy going and hip too. The book is quite funny as well heheGo get it!Thank you, Megan! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alteration    2. Clothing and dress    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Remaking    8. Sewing    9. T-shirts    10. Textile Arts - General    11. CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Sewing    12. Crafts & Hobbies / Fashion    13. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (37)

The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques
Excellent teaching book, didn't know there was so many different ways of ending your project

Worse than before.
I bought this book because I agree that most what makes or breaks most hand-knit items is the finishing.So I tried a new "tubular" cast-on technique offered by Wiseman as the "most professional, beautiful, elegant" cast-on possible.The only drawbacks she identifies for it are that it takes more yarn and more time.Well, I'm all about taking more yarn and more time to get it right.So I closely, carefully followed the instructions, did everything right (which I knew because the "discard" piece of contrast-color yarn I started with pulled cleanly out of the tube) and I ended up with a RUFFLED edge that flares out away from the hips.And not in a good way.Gah.Why didn't I just stick with the old dependable long-tail cast-on I've used for 20 years?

Great reference book!
I keep this book handy anytime I'm finishing a garment.The pictures are great, and instructions are very clear.If you're planning on knitting a sweater/garment, I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting   

Reviews (10)

Cute if you're 25 and into rummage sale vintage
This is definately for beginning or very basic seamstresses.If you like the thrift store-chic look (and I am talking thrift store- old 80's stuff and granny shoes) this is great.If you like a little more sophistication and style, probably not your best option.

trailer trash clothing design
I have to say, I was looking forward to a book full of ideas on how to recycle and reuse textiles into fun, fashionable new creations. Well, maybe the basic sewing instructions are helpful, honistly I didn't read them. I went straight for the projects and boy was I horribly disappointed! They all look tacky, sloppily made with unfinished edges and threads hanging out everywhere. As said by another reviewer, I'm not sure these would be the women I would want teaching me how to sew! And as for the project ideas themselves, nothing new or innovative in their ideas. In my opinion, just tacky, shoddy projects that most folks would be embarassed to wear. This book is going back.

Fun, no pressure learning
Great book!The authors definately accomplish their goal of helping us "find our own fashion".While they aren't delivering "haute couture" (i.e., boring!) they do have tons of quick, easy projects that give the inner artist immediate gratification.As this book is geared at teens/young adults the casual format makes a very user friendly impact. The projects purposefully target economical supplies that most anybody has around the house (good for moms and dads!)Good introductory tool for the beginner.
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Subjects:  1. Clothing and dress    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. General    6. Girls' clothing    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Remaking    9. Sewing    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing   

Reviews (26)

Something For Everyone
This book is nothing short of fantastic.I've knit several of the patterns in this book, and have found no mistakes and no disappointments.There are socks for every experience level, from beginner to the most advanced.Variety abounds, and choices are plentiful.
Patterns That Delight!!
I am a fairly experienced knitter. This book provides more inspiration than I have seen in a knitting book for a while.Beginners should look at these patterns to get an idea of why knitting is worth pursuing. Yu can always approach local yarn shops for technical help and good company!These are beautiful expressed design ideas.After all, we all want to knit something we cherish and this book offers a realm of great possibility. It's hard to find interesting patterns. Yay! for Knitter's Magazine!

Great for learning and then knitting lots of socks
I bought this book in order to not have to run-to-the-yarn-store every time I knit a Christmas stocking for a member of my family, which is not too often.This book is great for teaching the knitter about the different parts of a sock, such as the heel, the gusset, how to "turn" the sock, etc. I am currently knitting socks with each part of the sock being a different color; an instructional sock(s). Also, as the title says, there are a great deal of varieties of socks to knit, which I haven't started yet. A great book for beginner of socks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Patterns    8. Socks    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (4)

Figure Templates for Fashion Illustration
This book promises more than it delivers.The basic templates are useful, but in all other aspects this book is lacking. great for copying
this isn't the 'how to draw the fashion model' book you wish taught you everything you ever needed to know.However, its good to have around when you just need to pump an idea out.It has women, men, and children.

Figure Templates For Fashion Illustration
This book is an excellent resource at a resonable price.It is more than a primer.I'd recommend it to anyone, experienced or novice, who designs/illustrates fashion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Career/Job    4. Clothing Design    5. Commercial - Fashion Design    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Fashion    8. Art / Fashion    9. Fashion design    10. STUDY NOTES - SparkCharts   

Reviews (31)

Some Instructions Inadequate
I purchased this book as my figure has changed and I needed to re-do my basic slopers.The pattern design books I currently have did not cover trousers so I was delighted to finda new book that was apparently so comprehensive.
Finally !Best value for my dollar
I received this book yesterday and read the first 100 pages.I've sewn all my life and consider myself an advanced seamstress.I've sewn and made my own patterns for childrens' heirloom, business suits, and now enjoy making (jazz) dance costumes.I'm the one in line at the fabric store buying ten patterns, just to combine different details and features in different sizes, especially if sewing for a group.I probably own hundreds of patterns and almost that many books.For me, this book will pay for itself many times over.It isn't a sewing "how to" book and it wouldn't be the first book for a beginner.The reader should be familiar or use other reference books for actual garment construction techniques.I've bought other, less expensive sewing books to learn pattern manipulation and fitting techniques.I put off the purchase of this book, being put off by its price.But, finally!This book is so inspiring and liberating. In just the first 100 pages, I've gotten through the basic patternmaking and dart manipulation.I think I may never have to buy another pattern again !This is definitely a must have for the serious sewing enthusiast.

Designs by Sharon
This book was used during a 12 week class I attended for Patternmaking.It is very thorough and is an excellent reference for just about any type of pattern one could desire to make.I learned a great deal using the book as a reference guide while I studied the various fundamental components to patternmaking.However, it can be a little intimidating if used as a self-study text.This issue could have been solved if there had been an answer section for the various exercises that accompanied each chapter.Many of the students in our class felt it was a text designed for those enrolled in a formal college level class, i.e., it oftened assumed reader knowledge beyond that expected of a lay person. (Everyone in our class was required to be at the advanced level of sewing experience.)Some of the exercises were made more difficult because the technique to design a sample pattern was in a later chapter, not having been covered in the one just studied.Overall,though,it is a good reference and certainly belongs in the personal library of any serious home sewer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating - General    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Dressmaking    6. Fashion    7. Pattern design    8. Sewing    9. Art / Design / General    10. Art techniques & materials    11. Fashion design   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (10)

Stunning knitwear
If it's written by a Starmore, you can't go wrong.This book is full of absolutely gorgeous sweaters that will inspire even the novice knitter.I bought this book 10 years ago and it motivated me to learn to knit to a much more advanced level.It's a shame that Alice Starmore's books are out of print for the most part, as it deprives those new to knitting of some of the most beautiful books and patterns ever created (unless you can afford the ridiculous price for used).

Very comprehensive aran patterns
This book goes from fairly simple to very challenging. There is something for every level of confident knitter. I love that there are patterns for men, women and children. This book is excellent for those that have been wanting to try a pattern that looks complicated, but is rather very straightforward. I am anxious to try knitting a sweater in the round instead of knitting in pieces and having to sew them together. I highly recommend this book

Ten Star Book
If you love the look of cables, textures and Aran Sweaters, you will love Alice Starmore for putting together this book. This book is a treasure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Fashion    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting    7. KNITTING_PATTERNS   

Reviews (21)

Haute Couture Inside and Out
This book expanded my design vision and awareness of the techniques and structure underlying many haute couture creations.
This is a magnificent book!!!!
This is a very wonderful book!I have sewn from childhood and come from a family who worked at all levels of the garment trade from factory worker to sample maker.I never sewed professionally but aspired in my personal sewing to be the best.This book not only showed the inner workings of a world of sewing even higher than what I am familiar with but also gave explicit technical information on creating details that I had never done.One of these was how to make a corselette to go inside the bodice of a dress to preserve its line and free the wearer from wearing foundation garment that may spoil the effect of the dress.Also her list of sources is very helpful especially with so many local fabric stores closing.I was able to find a source for the spiral steel boning and cotton tulle needed to make the corselette.My factory sewing relatives could never understand the fine hand sewing techniques that make the difference in creating couture garments.This book justifies those of us in my family who have done this for years to produce magnificent results and also shows there is a level even above this.

A valuable resource for those who want to go beyond "paint-by-numbers" garment sewing
Firstly I'd like rebut the comment given by the person who said that the techniques were unnecessary, outdated and could easily be found in the internet.I purchased this book because I couldn't find any website that spoke to the techniques found in this book in any straight-forward detail (The pictures are invaluable).Do a search for "couture sewing" and you'll find sites by ready-to-wear vendors incorrectly labeling their garments 'couture' or fashion schools offering classes.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing    7. Tailoring (Women's)    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (100)

A nice guide to different styles & a good place to start for those of us who were never into clothes
Never having seen the TV show, I picked up _what not to wear_ on a whim in the bookstore. I am glad I did, as it has opened my eyes to a number of different approaches to common problems that many women have.
Great book
happy with service and promptness of delivery...cant wait to read through this book when I return home to Sydney,Australia

A Very Good Start For Learning What to Wear and Why
WHAT TO WEAR is not perfect, but it is a tremendous resouce for women who want to look their best. Divided into ten chapters, each of which focuses on a particular figure flaw (no waist, short legs, big butt, short neck, etc.), this book offers fully-illustrated, practical advice about how to play up assets while minimizing problemed areas.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Clothing and dress    3. Consumer Health    4. Fashion    5. General    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Self-Help    8. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (21)

Best of the T-shirt bunch
I think this is the best T-shirt transformation book of the bunch.This isn't flashy -- there are no photos, just spot illustrations for each design -- but there are a lot of great ideas here, and you can easily mix and match elements.The ideas become endless.Highly recommended.

simply done
This book makes transforming your t-shirts so easy.Each design has clear directions and great drawings to show you where to cut, sew, and/or trim your shirt.Even better, it tells you how long it should take you to do it!Great manual for teaching students!

A good mix...
I got two of these books at the same time and this is the best one.There are, admittedly, some patterns that would NOT work for a 30-something girl like myself but, if you have a bit of vision and can pair it up with other items, a good many of these patterns will work nicely.Some of them are just way off in left field, too tattered and torn looking, which is NOT my style.But, some of them are very chic, boho and so cute.I plan to make a good many of them!Really great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Sewing    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing   

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Beauty & Grooming - General    3. Clothing    4. Clothing and dress    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Fashion    7. Fashion & Grooming    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    11. Health & Fitness / General   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (3)

Great fitting resource!
After looking at lots of reviews on the sewing boards I frequent, I chose this book to help me in the quest of making pants that fit.It is SO HELPFUL.It is just chock full of explanations of how & why pants fit, tips for specific body issues, great construction methods, etc.I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because they tend to focus on fitting issues faced mostly by mature figures, and I have a hard-to-fit 20-something figure (i.e. high full butt, not low flat butt).However, I still find this book very useful and it has helped me tremendously in making my own pants.

Want pants that fit?Buy this book
This is my fourth fitting book and the ONLY one that helped me achieve a good fit in a pair of home-sewn pants.I can't tell you how many fitting shells I have attempted to make - including the "custom designed" one from DRESS SHOP software.All I got for all my study and work was frustration and a lot of ugly, unwearable pants.Now I've got what I need to make pants that fit.I got them right the first time around!WOW!No matter what your shape, you can make pants that fit nicely and flatter your unique figure.I highly recommend this book.

2004 Writers Notes Book Award Winner
We loved this book from the title on down. Pants for Real People is just that: patterns and designs for creating pants that fit. Most of us aren't runway models, and Palmer and Alto show you cost-cutting methods for creating unique, creative, and perfectly fitting pants, even jeans. Now ladies, how about Bathing Suits for Real People? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Sewing    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    8. Needlework & fabric crafts