Sew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time: The Ultimate Dressmaking Guide Kindle Edition

This book has it all! Patterns with drafting instructions! I didn't know at first if I would like the book, as I'm a lazy seamstress and I hate tracing and drafting, but this book is a great read and offers endless options with thorough instructions. Every bodice has modification ideas <side zip or center back, neckline variations, to use lining or facing>. For the skirts, she has included instruction on how to make it as a standalone skirt. There are a myriad of fit adjustments included, along with your average primer on basic sewing.I appreciate that the patterns aren't watered down. Do be warned, if you don't like tracing, you will HATE this book. The patterns are nested Burdastyle type sheets printed front and back. The larger sizes are faded out rather than different line styles. The different pattern pieces do not overlap, so it won't be too much of a pain to deal with.

I just received my book, and at first I was dismayed to see the sizes only went up to 12. I am a size 20 (working on getting smaller), but was looking forward to making some cute clothes to wear whatever size I am. I thought the size limitations should have been addressed in the description portion of the Amazon site so it would be clear. I contacted the author and she was quick to respond and explain that her size 12 fits a bust of 50.5 inches, or size 20 (but I think that means in size 20 in ready-to-wear (RTW) store bought clothes, not pattern sizing). This helps, because it is closer to my measurements (52") and easier to make the adjustents to pattern to size up. I wear size 20 in RTW but that corresponds to a size 32 pattern. (For newbie sewers, take note, you need to shop pattern size by your measurements, not by your normal RTW size, and you probably won't like the number you end up with for a pattern! However, this is at least closer to my size and I should be able to alterate the pattern size to my measurements. This was a great relief. I am looking forward to using this book and its patterns to "design" myself some cute apparel.

I had made probably 3 or 4 dresses before getting this book, so I'd put myself at "confident beginner." Now, I wish I had started with this one! I really, REALLY hate tracing, but it really wasn't so bad with this. I just got a roll of tracing paper from the art and craft store and got to work. So far, I've made three dresses with it, all using the princess bodice and circle skirt. It's easy to modify the patterns, too, with the instructions in the book. I feel like a real seamstress with all the modifications I've been able to add! People at work have even started paying me to sew for them!I started sewing because I like full skirts and vintage-esque dresses, but they're getting more and more difficult to come by. I always felt like going through packaged patterns was daunting, and it would take me a week to make a dress. Now, I can finish one in around 6 or 7 hours. Absolutely love this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to sew their own dresses. It's just SO much simpler with her patterns.

One's figure changes over time and standard patterns just don't fit any more. Buying and making clothes became a nightmare Having studied many patterns and books, and destroyed a lot of fabric over many years I find this wonderful bookMy clothes now fit perfectlyI purchased thick plastic sheeting to trace the patterns which is great as it doesn't move or tear. Using a Permanent Marker, let the writing dry throughly as it will smudge otherwise

The premise is beautifully simple. The idea is so tantalizing of all of the dress combinations you could make. The author is a genius and I cannot begin to imagine how much time and effort went into the making of this book. That being said, I am a barely “advanced beginner “ in sewing. This project book is not for sissies. I’ve spent 3 days getting the pattern ready to start cutting my MUSLIN prototype. Because the patterns and sizing are different you really do have to make a muslin dress first to check for sizing and whether you need to move the darts etc etc. I feel like an engineer or an architect. I am determinedly pushing on but OMG I hope this dress turns out. This book is definitely not for beginners. It looks simple but it is not. IMHO you really need to be an experienced seamstress to use this book. Again though, the author is brilliant to have designed this.

I've been trying to teach myself how to sew after taking a single introductory class to sewing that covered the basics of the machine and hemming. So, I bought this book along with several others and found this to be the least beginner friendly -- at least, not for a novice like me. I've made dog coats, neckties and zippered pouches but that's about it. I intend to try the basic bodice and basic skirt out of this book, but have found myself needing to google terminology that the book does not describe. For example, I know what interfacing is (as I've had to use it in ties), but didn't know there was "facing" fabric as well. The book explains how to use facing fabric, lining fabric and interfacing, but does not explain what they are (obviously lining fabric is self-explanatory but this was the first time I ever heard of facing fabric). In any event, the book is still a tiny bit too advanced for me, but I love all the dress options and the fact that they allow for a very wide range of sizes (from 32-24-34 through to 50.5-42.5-52.5), which accommodates my small frame much better than a lot of other modern dressmaking books.

really good book, many dress variations, good descriptions, options for basics and more tailored designs too

so much possibilities it is overwhelming. definitely my best sewing book.

This book looks great. There are loads of options and a straight forward approach. I can't wait to get started!

Es ist ein tolles Buch mit vielen Techniken und Basics. Es geht natürlich um Kleider. Es werden die Grundtechniken, Stoffe, Stiche, Nähtechniken erklärt. Es gibt Erklärungen zu Einlagen, Futter, Kragen, Taschen..., einfach alles, was man braucht, wie man Schnittmuster ändert, sie kombiniert. Dann gibt es reine Schnittmuster für verschiedene Kleider, eine ganze Menge sogar, die Basics enthalten, wie verschiedene Oberteile der Kleider und natürlich auch die verschiedenen Rockarten dazu, dass man dies kombinieren kann und mit Fantasie und Verständnis für die Sache ergibt sich daraus ein Baukasten, mit dem man 1000 tolle Kleider zaubern kann, fast grenzenlos. Das Buch empfehle ich, weil es für einen guten Preis eine Fülle von Wissen, Techniken und Anregungen enthält, nicht nur bloße Schnittmuster, aber auch dies ist dabei. Ich habe viele Nähbücher, aber dieses hat einen qualitativ hohen Wert und ist das Geld wert und ich denke selbst Anfänger kommen dort auf ihre Kosten, ein tolles Buch, DANKE dafür.

Le titre est vraiment pompeux : Le guide suprême des confection de robes . (Traduction française)Ce livre est pas mal mais sans plus , il est vrai qu'il montre la possibilité et différentes déclinaisons à partir d'un modèle de base .BienCelles ou ceux qui n'ont aucune notion en couture et à son vocabulaire associé en anglais passez votre chemin .En premier lieu , si vous êtes ronde , les fronces alourdissent la silhouette , donc éviter de choisir ces modèles préférer ceux sans fronces de tailleEn second lieu il y a une coupure à la taille( en fait haut et jupe ) et c'est vraiment galère car toutes les silhouettes n'ont pas la même hauteur de buste , certaines ont du ventre ce qui modifie aussi la ligne de taille et ce n'est pas évident à ajuster si l'on débute ou si l'on est seul pour faire les retouches nécessaires .Donc les options qui restent faire uniquement les hauts avec des jupes séparées et là il y a le choix et les techniques .Pour les planches de patrons elles sont assez claires , toutefois seules les tailles du 34 au 40 sont en noir et donc facilement lisibles au delà , les autres sont en gris très clair comme si elles étaient effacées (fait exprès, parti pris , message subliminal?????)Les points positifs : les tailles vont du 34 au 54 bien que toutes le photos des modèles soient portés par des jeunes filles filiformes dont l'âge ne doit pas dépasser 16ans !Il y a des explications assez claires ainsi que des schémas sur les matériaux et techniques utilisés si l'on s'y connait en couture .Certains modèles sont assez jolisLe livre est sur spirale et ça c'est vraiment un plus. La jaquette de couverture est en carton assez solide Un peu comme un classeurPour résumer si vous êtes d'un bon niveau technique en couture , que vous êtes bon en anglais mais que vous manquez d'imagination ce livre est bien à regarder pour les idées .