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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This book is a refreshing change from all the dinosaurs I've seen on the shelf with the outdated projects like hideous curtains and drab 80's clothing.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   

Reviews (17)

beginning to sew
I browsed many books at my local big name book store and found this one through Amazon to be the simplest one to follow. I have always found books by DK to be great quality.This book is much easier than sewing for Dummies or Idiots guide to Sewing books.
Excellent in every way
I ordered the book for my daughter.She wanted to pay forty dollars for it at Borders Bookstore.I bought the brand new for almost less than half here.Thanks

Buyer Beware!
Sewers of all skill levels, borrow a copy of this book from your local library before committing to buying it.As a seamstress with 40 years of sewing to her credit, this book is lacking in detail.Close-up shots of fabric types, allowing the reader to get a feel for the hand and look was not available.It would have been nice to see, in more photographic detail, how to set-in a sleeve.The photographic instructions for hand-sewing a button hole were woefully inadequate -- dark green on dark green.On second thought, just pass on this work and buy Singer's Complete Photo Guide to Sewing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Reference    6. Sewing    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing   

Reviews (5)

Offers an illustrated collection of patterns for projects as easy as aprons and covers.
Designer Amy Butler's new modern style offers an illustrated collection of patterns for projects as easy as aprons and covers. Lovely photos are accompanied by easily-followed instructions which omit the usual sewer's terminology, making it especially appealing to new sewers. From planning seam allowances and handling vintage fabrics to taking on projects for bathroom and bedroom, INSTITCHES combines very easy projects with practical applications and no-fail directions.
the title say simple
I too, was eagerly awaiting this book. I've made a few other Amy Butler items and find her patterns simple and yet, creative. I am very pleased with the book. I am a very experienced sewer and even though the items in her book aren't complicated, they're very creative and useful. Already I have a million ideas of how to emellish and put together fabrics/notions etc. Just in time for christmas gifts, I find these patterns simple enough that I CAN actually make gifts this year and actually get them done. The instructions are simple and easy to follow. I would definately recommend this book to others-from beginner to advanced sewers.

This book is fun...REALLY!
I don't understand why the previous reviews are so negative toward this book, sure it is not for the avid sewer, but it has some fun ideas that are inspiring and exciting. Included in the book is a beautiful throw and an amazing robe that anybody would want... Well worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Reference    5. Sewing    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    7. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (24)

Prolific Excellent Sewing Room Tips
Being in the process of creating a sewing space, I am thrilled to find a book so filled with wonderful suggestions! There are things I'd never thought to consider but are vital to the creation of a wonderfully functional sewing space. The reader will love the personal touch the author brings to her writing, drawing the reader into each page filled with great tips and brilliant ideas. Buy this book!!
A little unimpressed
Maybe the word dream confused me I was expecting a little more creativity in the spaces. The spaces look very outdated and did not offer a lot of variety as far as alternatives to having a lot of cabinetry in your sewing space. It did, however, have some great storage ideas in the book. Overall I am a little disappointed because I was looking more for ideas onsewing spaces and did not end up with any.

Great Book
This book was great, it was extremely helpful in helping me find more space in an area that I thought was hopeless. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design and construction    4. Equipment and supplies    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Remodeling & Renovation - General    8. Sewing    9. Workshops    10. Handicrafts    11. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (15)

Sarah, can I haveyour babies?
Finally!I have to agree with Drea (who, by the way, has a tremendous amount of very valuable information on period costuming on the web), that this is what we've waited for.Sarah uses the same techniques I use, planning out on graph paper and then applying that to your basic block, but then goes much farther with explaining stitches, etc.
A Welcome Addition to work in the field.
As a Tailor, I often find books on Costuming which lean towards Theatrical Costuming to be somewhat lacking. As a member of The Society for Creative Anachronism, with a 13th century persona, I found Ms Thursfield's book to be a huge step in the right direction. The author shows you how to make reasonably accurate medieval clothing in a clear, understandable manner. I do not use patterns from books, I prefer to draft my own; but the patterns in this book gave me some very good ideas on ways to improve my own patterns. While I wouldn't advise a novice to use this book, I found it to be full of extremely useful information. The one word of caution I would like to offer is that it is not wise to depend on any one author when doing research. That being said, if you're interested in medieval clothing, Ms Thursfield's book is worth every penny.

Finally, a costuming book geared to the reenactor
As others have said, this book combines historical costume research with a detailed "how to" of how to make clothing that will be period-appropriate.A fascinating read even if sewing is not your forte, and the pictures of the finished garments are inspiring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Sewing    5. Textile Arts - Costume   

Reviews (6)

The recipient loved it
I bought this as a gift for a friend who helped a great deal with my wedding, advising me of dress styles, hair styles, fashion from this era, dances, music, food, and everything in between, as well as arranging all the flowers for the wedding!She was a godsend!When I gave her the book, her jaw dropped and she was so excited to get it... she said she had been wanting it forever.As I consider her quite knowledgeable about the subject matter of this book, and as it came highly recommended by her, I would say that it's a great book to have if this is something you are interested in as a serious hobby or more.

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming.It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses.This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period.Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility.The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color.I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive.After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC).Next, any Janet Arnold book.Last, would be the Norris book:Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at).All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library.Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing.Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down.Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries.Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. 16th century    3. Clothing    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Elizabeth    8. Europe - Great Britain - General    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. Hobbies/Crafts    12. Performing Arts    13. Queen of England,    14. Reference    15. Sewing    16. Sources    17. Theater - Stagecraft    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. Fashion design    20. Social history    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain    22. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (12)

in response to a previous review
"The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing." I just wanted to say that the book does explain how to read and interpret patterns. In fact there are about 8 really good pages dedicated to reading patterns. I really hated how every pattern I bought wouldn't give an explanation of all the symbols they used. I didn't understand the symbols and some of the steps used in patterns until I got this book.
new complete guide to sewing
excellent book. worth every penny I paid for it.A must have for your sewing library.

This is my bible
I read reviews and did my research before putting money into this book and it was by far the most informative and reasonably priced out there.This is also used as a text book for many sewing classes. I doubt anyone who is passionate about sewing will be disappointed with their purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Household linens    6. Sewing    7. Tailoring    8. Fiction / Thrillers    9. Needlework & fabric crafts    10. Reference works   

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 (26)

Well worth getting...READ ON
A good book if you are starting out in dressmaking and don't want to be overloaded with techniques right at the start. I find the enjoyable part of sewing is when I've created a garment without having gone into too much technical detail, it's amazing just what you can achieve just knowing the basics and this book is a great start for that. For anyone who feels a bit overwhelmed with patterns and techniques etc check out: [...]a recent site I've just found, the kits are ideal for beginners as you don't even follow a pattern it's all done for you. Using that, along with this book would be an ideal combination for any pattern phobic beginner !

Wonderful tool for the sewing-challenged!
"Sewing 101" is written for the absolute beginner but experts can also use it as a quick reference or refresher course. This book has the following pluses:
The Best Beginners Sewing Book!
I have recently decided that I wanted to learn how to sew.I bought a very basic, inexpensive sewing machine, and other than being completely ignorant of sewing, I am ready. (HA HA!)Enter this book....it is wonderful!It has very simple, very basic instructions, perfect for the absolute novice. The pictures are clear, and nothing is assumed.An easy to understand glossary is included in the back, as is a panel of helpful tips on almost every page.I HIGHLY recommend this book for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Dressmaking    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Household linens    7. Sewing    8. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (2)

This book is expensive, inaccurate, and underwhelming.
Claire Shaeffer writes informative books about sewing and fabrics for the home sewer.Claire Shaeffer should have either stayed in the sewing industry or gained real experience in the garment industry before she dare charge $71 for a vacuous outsider's perspective of this so-called "apparel industry".The book has a generic text book tome and the corny needle and thread clip art screams "home sewer".There is nothing wrong with home sewing.I've been sewing since I was 10.Making clothes has been my quiet hobby and a source of unending fascination.The truth is: the garment industry doesn't want to deal with home sewers."Fashion" designers and home sewers both share ignorance and arrogance as annoying, unappealing traits.Anyone can doodle on a napkin, but who can construct it from a sketch, fit it right, and sew it up professionally, within your cost structure?Not a "fashion" designer or a home sewer can do that, yet they think that they are greater than the process for they are completely unaware of the process.The goal is to work well with the fashion and garment industries.If you are looking for this kind of information in this book, you won't find it. THANKYOUCLAIRESHAEFFER!!!
This is the type of book that should be used in schools for Merchandising OR Fashion Design. I cannot get over it's usefullness. Everything I wanted (and needed) to hear about about clothing manufacture is in this book! Fairchild Pubs could never publish such a USEFUL and INTELLIGENTLY WRITTEN book. Those bastards always make textbooks difficult to understand and fill them with meaningless JABBERWOCKY!! Half the time, they don't even have a decent glossary or INDEX (if there is one at all) whereas Claire it seems, has given us the full tour. Peripheral data you could care less about is not here!! Nothing to waste your time, only a step-by-step layout of what happens when a person or people manufacture clothing for retail purposes. From the design concepts (who and how they're created) to what type of people you would need (including full job descriptions) to what the considerations are for contracting, shipping etc.. There are also tons of other little things including pictures that are laid out in a very intelligible way. The beauty of her writing is that the data is always concious that you may not be a huge entreprenuer, and applies methods for the little guy as well. Just an amazing book. I almost don't want anyone else to know about it... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Clothing trade    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Decorating - General    5. Design - General    6. Dressmaking    7. Manufacturing    8. Sewing    9. Tailoring (Women's)    10. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Textile Industries    13. Art / Design / General    14. Needlework & fabric crafts    15. Textile & fibre technology   

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 (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 (17)

Well, it wasn't as helpful as I had hoped.
This book still provides the basics, some terminology and such...but the patterns that are "included" are outdated by about 20 years. That was very disappointing since the instructions refer to these patterns and that feature was a big selling point for me, so as to practice the actual tips and learn with the book before spending more money at the fabric store!

goodbook for beginers
Explains the basics of sewing. I used this book while taking a begining sewing class and I feel it explained some of the points that the instructor left out.

Sewing for Dummies
book was in excellent condition and arrived quickly!!! great sellerA+ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Machine sewing    5. Sewing    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    7. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games   

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   

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 (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   

Reviews (4)

Wonderfully Dear to Me
I found this book to be like my grandmother's cookbook. I don't believe the author ever intended us to exactly copy each block but to personalize them. while there are no guides offered, an experienced quiltmaker can see, from the pictures, how to assemble most blocks. If a square doesn't turn out exactly as pictured, who will chastise you? just have fun and make it your own.

very nice colored photos
It should be noted that this book comes without instruction.You do get a few pretty pictures .I did not enjoy the feverish prose of the author.

Dear Jane not so Dear
Okay, we all are hooked on making these little Dear Jane blocks.I admit I am too!I bought this book at full price and was really disappointed.There are NO detailed instructions for each block.There are some basic introductions in the beginning of the book but they are pretty worthless.The line drawings of the blocks do not tell you how to cut them, if they are able to be paper pieced or that they are different than the picture shown.Several times I made a block only to realize that it did not look like the block in the picture.When I tried to figure out why, I realized the line drawings were WRONG!If you need exact directions and precise patterns for your quilting then this book is not for you.Take a class at your local quilt store.You can get many directions for a couple of rows on the Dear Jane Web site for free.Bottom line, I am glad I have the book, I am a book addict, but given what I know about it now, I would never pay full price for it!I know I am being controversial but I just had to share my 2 cents! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Sewing   

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   

Reviews (24)

Very comprehensive
This is the most thorough and comprehensive of all my sewing books... I have many sewing books, but this one is the best!

V. Useful
My sister gave me this book when she taught me how to sew. It has been invaluable. And even though my cat kicked it off my sewing table in an attempt to stop me from sewing and split the spine of the book so that the pages are all loose and floating around my apartment, I still use this book all the time. The explanations are well written and easy to use and the pictures are also terrific, for all you visual types. I consult this book often and swear by it. It's a good one.

Great book for a beginner
I found this book very helpful. The pictures and illustrations are numerous. The explanations are detailed enough for a beginner like myself! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dressmaking    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Sewing    6. Tailoring    7. Handicrafts   

Reviews (2)

BEST Beginner to Expert Hangbag book ...
This book is the best handbag design book I have found to date.It provides 7 designs (with patterns and instructions) with various alternate bags based on these designs.The gallery of other designer bags is awesome (even a stain glass bag!) and it also gives tips for embellishing pre-purchased bags.
Patterns and Instructions to Create 7 Types of Handbags
This book gives you the patterns & instructions to create seven basic handbag and shoulderbag types. Then the author shows you creative materials and embellishments that will inspire you to create a truly individual purse. Each variation is explained thoroughly. Several new techniques are shown in these projects.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Fancy work    5. Fashion    6. General    7. Handbags    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Sewing    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    11. Fashion design    12. Needlework & fabric crafts    13. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes