When I heard this book first came out I wasn't really interested in it. Many books make claims in their titles but fall short when it comes to their content. Well I just so happened to stumble on this book at JoAnn's yesterday when I was picking up my white lining for my dress. Out of curiosity I swooped it up and bought it with my 40% off coupon (wink). Well I'm extremely happy I did!!! Although this book has 144 pages, it's streamlined and packed with the essentials of working with patterns, manipulating them, and even drafting your own. It even goes into details about changing the styles of patterns, doing complicated fittings, dart manipulations, etc. I think it's a great book for any seamstress on all levels. It can help newbies understand fitting and alterations without overwhelming detail. If you're an intermediate sewer or beyond, I think it'll be helpful in reinforcing what you know and help strengthen your understanding of patternmaking and pattern design. I'm mainly attracted to this book for the drawings and photos which are extremely clear and concise. Plus every technique has step by step directions accompanied with the appropriate picture. The photos are really superb!!! If you are a visual learner like me then you'll love this book for sure. I think with sewing, it's not only important to know how to fit or alter, but it's equally important to understand the underlying concepts with each. I'll definitely make this required reading for my sewing students along with Nancy Zieman's "Sew with Confidence" (which is an awesome beginner sewer book)! Ok, I've gushed on this book enough. You don't have to take my word for it. You can check out reviews at Amazon.com HERE.
Here's a view of some of the book content. Much apologies that I couldn't fit the entire page in some of the shots. But hopefully you can get a good impression of the book from these.
Thanks for the tip. You know I'm a book person too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book review. I'm a book sewing book junkie too!! Enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteChristiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com
I bought the book at borders last spring with a 40% coupon. I need to find the time to read it from cover to cover
ReplyDeleteI too have this book and I am impressed. I like it too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this review. I'm totally going to check this out! PS: It occurs to me (looking at your montly sewing stats) that you are like a superhero of sewing. I work my ass off (as much time as I can find as a mother and professional - which I know are 2 roles you also play) and I manage about 40. I do read and think about it constantly, but in actual sewing time, on average that's where I land. How do you manage it?
ReplyDeleteK-Line, you are so sweet! Allow me to clarify that those hour tally's are comprised of sewing and sewing related activities (i.e. blogging, reading, watching dvd's etc). So it's not just sewing---I wish it were!!! LOL! No, I'm trying to squeeze it in just like. And given the hats we both wear, I think we do a decent job (wink)!
ReplyDeleteWe do! And that makes me feel a bit better. :-)
ReplyDeleteETA: Approx 60 hours or so for sewing & 20 hours or so for sewing related activities per month:)
ReplyDeleteIt took me a few minutes to realize it, but I have got this book - I have got the British edition and the cover is completely different! It's a great book - like you I am obsessed with sewing books - I'm afraid I do too much reading and not enough sewing!
ReplyDeleteNice review! I have this book and it is easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteI have this book and it is still on the nightstand because there is just so much to it. I would love to have it bound so that it could lay flat and I could use it at my sewing table...it is pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the book! I need to seriously take a look at it! Good luck on your LWD!
ReplyDeleteI will add this book to my wishlist! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great book review:) Hope it will turn up in our shops too.
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