Book Review - The Stylish Dress Book Wear with Freedom

 

Photo from Amazon

Synopsis

Japanese style has long been admired for its grace and artistry. Add to that a sense of fun, and you have the Stylish Dress Book. Complete with stunning full-colour photos, this book gives you instructions and pull-out patterns for 26 relaxed and comfortable yet elegant dresses and tops—pretty, timeless pieces that can be worn year after year, by women of all ages and sizes. The detailed diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions take you step-by-step from layout to finished garment. The no-rules looks pictured in this book are perfect for today's carefree fashion sensibility and will inspire you to have fun with fabric and style.

                                                                                                                 

In this book you will find the following patterns and instructions to create the clothes.  There are 26 patterns in this book and each pattern is marked from A - Z.

A - Simple Sleeveless Dress on Border Lace

B - Smock Blouse with Garibaldi Sleeves

C - Liberty Print Dress with a Round Yoke

D - Button up Blouse in Liberty Print

E - Dress with Front Pleats in Liberty Print

F - Tunic Dress with Slit Sleeve in Liberty Print

G - Smock Blouse in Sheer Fabric

H - Dress with Shoulder Accent in Rayon

I - Lace Dress with V Neck

J - Linen Dress with Lovely Pintucks

K - Smoke Blouse in Soft Chiffon

L - Wide Necked Blouse in Spotted Voile

M - Scallop Edged Dress

N - Halter Neck Mini Dress in Liberty Print

O - Flared Sleeve Dress

P - Tunic Blouse with Lace Accent in Double Gauze Muslin

Q - Knit Dress with Tucks

R- Reverse Yoke Mini Dress 

S - Shantung Formal Dress

T - Liberty Print Dress with Chic Block Trim

U - Lace Knit Tunic with Cape Sleeve

V - Tartan Shirt Dress

W- Tunic Dress with Front Frill

X - Cape Style Blouse in Scallop Edge Lace

Y - Liberty Patchwork Dress

Z - Tricot Jersey Blouse with Flared Sleeve

                                                                                                                        

The Stylish Dress Book Wear with Freedom is available from Amazon

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.

Book Review - The Stylish Dress Book Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops

 

 Photo from Amazon 

Synopsis 

Stylish Dress Book features an A to Z of cool tops and tunic dresses that you can wear anywhere. Using simple shapes and individual details, the book shows you how to craft a stylish collection of garments to your own taste. For anyone who knows the frustration of going to the mall and finding racks of identikit clothes in cheap fabrics, this book will offer a fabulous home made alternative. As every sewist knows, DIY fashion is the only way to be stylish.

                                                                                                                    

 In this book you will find the following patterns and instructions to create the clothes.  There are 26 patterns in this book and each pattern is marked from A - Z.

A - Front Tuck Blouse

B - Linen Dress with Lace Trim and Petticoat

C - Camisole with Lace Neck Trim

D - Box Dress with Boat neck

E - Mini Smock Dress

F - Shot Sleeve Dress with Elastic Shirring

G - Mid length Jumper Dress

H - Over Blouse with Lace Detail

I - Tunic Blouse with Smocking

J - Ruffled Bolero

K - Sleeveless buttoned Empire Bodice Dress

L - Three Quarter Sleeve Dress with Ruffled Design Seam

M - Coat Dress with Low Waist Design Seam

N - Embroidered Empire Bodice Mini Dress

O - Tucked Short Sleeved Dress

P - Drawstring neck blouse with Raglan Sleeves

Q - Tucked Dress with Velveteen Trim

R - Dress with Elastic Shirring

S - Liberty Dress with Contrast Sleeves and Trim

T - Drop Waist Dress with Three Quarter Length Sleeves

U  - Roll Collar Blouse with Drawstring Waist

V - Wool Dress with Liberty Print Decoration

W - Cape Collar Blouse with Drawstring Waist

X - Coat Dress with Design seams on Bodice and Sleeves

Y - Open Collar Tunic Dress

Z - Gathered blouse with Identical Shaped Front and Back

                                                                                                                          

The Stylish Dress book Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops is available from Amazon

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.

Book Review - The Dressmaker's Technique Bible

 

Photo from Amazon

Synopsis

All the guidance you need to create beautiful clothes, whether you are following a pattern, adding embellishments or starting from scratch. The step by step instructions for a wide range of dressmaking techniques from basic patterns through to couture designs makes it suitable for beginners as well as sewers with more experience. Easy-to-follow, highly illustrated instructions explain the essential dressmaking techniques - allowing you to work confidently from a pattern to create beautiful clothes that fit perfectly. It features an at-a-glance guide to basic garment shapes and styles, cross referenced with the relevant techniques throughout the book. Includes advice on body shape, choosing the right fabric for the right garment as well as decorative sewing techniques such as embroidery and appliqué. It features step techniques for making basic garment details including waistbands, hems, sleeves, cuffs, necklines, collars, fastenings, pockets and linings. Suitable for beginners, or those who are already designing or making their own clothes, this is the perfect book for honing dressmaking skills and inspiring fashionable new designs. 

                                                                                                                         

Chapter 1 - Getting Started

In chapter 1 you will find the following sections:

The essential tools, sewing machines and overlockers, needles and pins, thread, haberdashery, selecting a pattern or design, adapting a pattern, the body shapes guide and fashion shapes.

Chapter 2 - Fabric Manipulation

In chapter 2 you will find the following sections:

Seams, seam finishes, darts, tucks, pleats, elastic, gathering, zips, bias cut and internal fabrics.

Chapter 3 - Techniques

In chapter 3 you will find the following sections:

Waistbands, hems, sleeves, cuffs, necklines, collars, fastenings, pockets and linings

Chapter 4 - Embellishments Ideas

In chapter 4 you will find the following sections:

Top stitching, decorative machine stitching, machine embroidery, hand embroidery, appliqué, beads and beading, adding lace and ribbon, patchwork, quilting, drawn threads, piping, couching, fringing, smocking, felting with an embellisher machine, wing needle effects, over locked edges - rolled, picot and lettuce and over locked flat locking

                                                                                                                               

The Dressmaker's Technique Bible: A Complete Guide to Fashion Sewing Techniques is a handy little reference book to have.

This book is ideal for either beginner, intermediate or advanced.

 The Dressmaker's Technique Bible: A Complete Guide to Fashion Sewing Techniques   is a small handy size,  spiral bound making it easy to use, clear diagrams and step by step guides to techniques.

 The dressmakers Technique Bible is available from   Amazon

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.

Book Reveiw - Sew Serendipity Bags

 

Photo from Amazon

Synopsis

A Bag for Every Skill Level, Every Occasion, Every Style
Bag designs that you'll love to sew!  TAKE YOUR PICK OF STYLES:
With full instructions for twelve bags - and with a few clever variations thrown in - there are plenty of designs to choose from (20 total projects)! Pick a handbag that is sweet, sleek, or funky. Or check out some of the other great designs: a flirty little backpack, the perfect lunch bag, convenient shopping bags and handy task-oriented bags (whether that task involves a laptop, gym clothes, or diapers). Each design is easy to adapt to your style. HONE YOUR SKILLS:
Check out the technique section, which includes step-by-step photos, to freshen up your skills and learn about a few new notions, too. Next, move on to the projects to put your know-how in motion.
Flip to the Simple Bags for something quick and fun to sew. And even though these bags are easy to make, the end results are clever and cute.
Step it up in the Intermediate Bags section, with bags that play up your style. Learn a few new skills, try out a few new tools and make yourself a bag you can really show off.
The Challenging Bags section takes you to the level of bag maven. The bags' construction may be complex, but the instructions are not. Sew it together step by step, and find yourself with a truly professional, beautifully constructed bag.
The bags in this book are truly extraordinary - and with Kay's instruction, they are oh-so-easy to make. Hardback book includes 12 unique designs and 20 project variations on 6 full-size paper pattern sheets!

                                                                                                              

Introduction

In this section you will find the following:

Indispensable Notions

Bag Hardware

Essential Techniques - Sewing

Essential Techniques - Working with Hardware

Essential Techniques - Working with Stabilizers

Simple Bags

In this section you will find the following:

Green Grocery Bags

Variation Small, Medium and Large

Lunch Bucket Bag

Foldable Shoppers

Variation Small and Large

Cross Body Purses 

 Variation small and large

Intermediate Bags

In this section you will find the following

Quilted Duffel Bag

Tulip Tote

Variation - Wool and silk bag with floral embellishment

Ruffle Hobo Bag

Versatile Handle Handbag

Socialite Handbag

Variation - Handle Length

Challenging Bags

In this section you will find the following

Convertible Backpack

Variation Small and Large

Multi Tasker Bag

Variation -  Diaper Bag

Laptop Messenger Bag

                                                                                                                           

 Sew Serendipity is available from Amazon

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.

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Book Review - Sew Serendipity Fresh and Pretty Designs to Make and Wear

Photo form Amazon

Synopsis

Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studios proves that all you need to re-make your wardrobe are a few key things: Great fabric, easy-to-make patterns, a handful of simple skills, and your own personal sense of style!

Use Sew Serendipity to create a fresh, new look.

• Included in the book are tissue pattern inserts for the skirt, tunic/dress and jacket--each with 6 variations detailed in the book. 3 basic patterns x 6 variations = 18 ways to show off your skills and style!
• Kay provides the master instructions for each basic garment, and individual instruction for each unique look. Once you master the basics, changing it up is a snap!
• Each clothing pattern is graded in seven sizes (bust: 32-44; waist: 24-36; hips: 34-46) from XXS to XXL. Use the "Custom Fitting" section of this book to learn how to measure yourself and adjust the patterns to get the best possible fit!
• Embellish your designs to match your style, whether you're feeling the need for classic, tailored elegance, or you're in the mood for a little ruffled whimsy. Kay's simple embellishments make it a breeze to adapt your design to the look you want.

With Sew Serendipity, you'll find out how to lay out the pattern pieces, cut them out and sew them up. All you have to do is put them on and strut your stuff!

                                                                                                                           

Introduction

Custom Fitting

In this section you will find the following:

Steps to a Custom Fit

Taking Measurements

Making the Muslin

Adjusting the Fit

Tools of The Trade

In this section you will find the following:

Sewing Machine and Accessories

Indispensable Notions

Sewing Techniques

In this section you will find the following:

Pressing Intentional Creases

Double Topstitching

Installing an Invisible Zipper

Adding Facings

Understitching

Making Gathers

Using a Ruffler Attachments

Skirts

 In this section you will find the following:

General Construction

Appliqué Skirt

Tailored Skirt

Multi FabricSkirt

Three Fabric Skirt

Rufled Skirt

Floral Skirt

Tunics and Dresses

In this section you will find the following: 

General Construction

Damask Tunic

Ruffle Trimmed Tunic

Frayed Tunic Dress

Geometric Tunic Dress

Flirty Tunic Dress

Romantic Floral Tunic Dress

Jackets

In this section you will find the following:

General Construction

Silk and Linen Jacket

Parisian Jacket

Cozy Wool Jacket

Denim and Faux Fur Jacket

Mod Jacket

Classic Tailored Jacket

                                                                                                                             

Sew Serendipity is available from Amazon

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.

Book Review - Colette Sewing Handbook

 Photo from Colette 

Synopsis

Five simple fundamentals can help you perfect any sewing project: a thoughtful plan, a precise pattern, a fantastic fit, a beautiful fabric, and a fine finish. With these five core ideas, The Colette Sewing Handbook shows you how to start sewing the wardrobe of your dreams.

Includes five beautiful patterns for modern classic pieces, including a scalloped-hem skirt, flutter-sleeve blouse, sweetheart neck sheath dress, asymmetrical flounce dress, and a lined dress with gathered sleeves. Each project will help you put the fundamentals into practice as you sew.

Approachable and easy to follow. Instead of a big, confusing catalogue of sewing techniques, you'll build your knowledge gradually around the five simple fundamentals. A section of basic sewing lessons means you'll never feel lost.

Hands-on learning. Start improving your skills immediately by applying each of the five principles of the book to a beautiful project, included in the book.

Feed your creativity. Have more fun designing sewing projects for your personal style, and create the things you'll actually love to wear!

Feel more confident. Gain the know-how to work with any sewing pattern out there.

Look great in what you make. Become your own custom seamstress and hand-tailor clothes that fit you the way you want.

Get inspired by fabric. Expand your creative palette and get the look you want by choosing the best fabrics for your projects.

Perfect the details. Make clothes you can be proud of with beautiful finishing techniques. 

                                                                                                

Chapter 1 - Getting Started
In chapter 1 you will find the following sections:
Tools and Supplies, more tools and supplies, basic stitches and sewing lessons.

Chapter 2 - A Thoughtful Plan
In chapter 2 you will find the following sections:
Inspiration, editing to your style, strategy and a personalised croquis .

Chapter 3 - A Precise Pattern
In chapter 3 you will find the following sections:
Pattern language,  prepare your fabric, lay out your pattern, transfer the markings and cut your fabric.
Project Meringue skirt

Chapter 4 - A Fantastic Fit
In chapter 4 you will find the following sections:
What is a good fit, ease, darts and fullness, how to fit, step 1 measure, step 2 trace, step 3 make a muslin, step 4 adjust the muslin step 5 after the pattern and types of alterations.
 Project Pastille Dress

Chapter 5 - A Beautiful Fabric
In chapter 5 you will find the following sections:
Choosing fabric, fabric basics, warp, weft and grain, common fabrics, interfacing, thread, needles, prints and patterns and tricky fabrics.
Project Truffle Dress

Chapter 6 - A Fine Finish
In chapter 6 you will find the following sections:
Seam finishes and lining.
 Project Taffy Blouse

Chapter 7 - Keep Learning
In chapter 7 you will find the following sections:
Recommended readings

Project Licorice Dress

The Patterns:
There are five gorgeous patterns included in this book:

The Meringue 

 The Pastille

The Truffle

 The Taffy 

 The Licorice
                                                                                                               

The Colette Sewing Handbook: 5 Fundamentals for a Great Sewing Experience I really love this book and it is another must have book for me.  I love everything about this  book.

It is a must have for any sewing library - beginner, intermediate and advanced.
 Everything you need to know to become a modern seamstress is in this book.

The Colette Sewing Handbook: 5 Fundamentals for a Great Sewing Experience  is very easy to use with clear concise directions, illustrations, photographs, with classic vintage-inspired style patterns.

Coletterie blog
Colette Patterns

The Colette Sewing Handbook  is available from Amazon.

Disclosure: I buy sewing books from on-line shops with my own money, I am not being paid for writing this review. All my reviews are honest and on things that I genuinely love and would recommend to my readers.