Skirts Dresses for First Time Sewers Christine Haynes 9781782212188 Books
Download As PDF : Skirts Dresses for First Time Sewers Christine Haynes 9781782212188 Books
One of the main reasons new sewers buy a machine is to start making their own clothes. However, beginners sewing books tend to include only a few basic projects, often with very little focus on making clothes. With easy-to-follow instructions, clear illustrations, and simple, downloadable sewing patterns, Skirts & Dresses for First Time Sewers fulfils a need for a practical resource of clothing projects aimed at novice sewers who want to start making their own clothes. Covering a wide range of popular classics from A-line and pencil skirts to wrap and shift dresses, each chapter begins with fashionable visual inspiration. Basic information details the key characteristics of each style, together with the most suitable fabrics to use, and creative styling tips. These overviews are followed by detailed step-by-step tutorials that show readers exactly how to sew their own version of each dress or skirt, using easy-to follow text and simple illustrations to guide them through every part of the process. Patterns for every sewing project are easily accessible via handy QR codes, while suggestions are also offered for making simple adaptations to each style in order to create different looks. A useful chapter on embellishments concludes the book, showing how to add a variety of basic trims to finished garments, including lace edging, collars, and applique.
Skirts Dresses for First Time Sewers Christine Haynes 9781782212188 Books
I’ll get this part out of the way first and say yes, the other reviewers are right: you won’t be making any of the exact dresses or skirts featured in the photographs. I think it’s misleading to put photographs on the cover that aren’t of the actual projects, but since I checked out the reviews here before finally deciding to buy the book, I was prepared. I can definitely understand why it would be frustrating to those who may have pre-ordered it or couldn’t look at it in a bookstore first (which is what I did).Having said that, there is still more in the book that is misleading. The provided drawings of what you will be making aren’t accurate either. The style for most of the drawings is pretty close, but don’t base your purchase on the length or the fit in the drawings. The tunic “dress” is a top. There’s no way it could ever BE a dress unless you’re five feet tall. And, some women are. So maybe a five-foot woman who wants to sew her own clothes will be fine with that. But I’m 5’7”. And in the picture, the tunic looks much longer than the pattern you download actually is.
It’s the same with the A-line skirt: it’s drawn in the picture at knee length, but is in fact much shorter on the provided pattern. (Which reminds me of another issue: there are no lengthen/shorten lines on the patterns, nor are the pattern pieces labeled as to which piece is what. It’s not difficult to figure out, but a “first-time sewer” might have a bit of trouble.)
What else? Well, some of the project titles are also misleading. Take the “pencil” skirt project. I downloaded and taped together the pattern... and it looked exactly like the A-Line skirt, only less flared. So you’re actually getting two A-line skirt patterns, and no pencil skirt pattern. Since I bought the book specifically for the A-line skirt (which is too short for me) and the pencil skirt (which is not a pencil skirt), I was rather disappointed.
Any other issues? As a matter of fact, yes, and they are with the PDF patterns. I downloaded the A-line skirt, the “pencil” skirt, and the tunic “dress”. Those in the know regarding PDF patterns are aware that you print them out on regular-sized 8.5x11 pages and then tape them together by matching the numbers.
Which is what I did... except, the numbers did not match up with the pattern lines. If I had put the pattern pieces together using the numbers, the lines of the patterns would have been off, not even connecting with each other. So I put them together following the pattern lines, but doing that took inches off the lengths of the skirts.
The tunic pattern was off the most: the sleeve and collar pieces just would not match up, even WITH following the pattern lines, so I had to cut all the pattern pieces out and then assemble them. A little tricky, but doable. Still, that’s pretty shoddy work there, and might be too frustrating for a true “first-time sewer” to want to bother with. Really, a book for someone who has never sewn before ought to have come with full-size patterns provided in an envelope in the back of the book, to eliminate all this arts-and-crafts work prior even to picking out a fabric.
Now, if you’ve actually read this far, you’re probably wondering why I gave this book 3 stars and not 1, with all of this against it. Well, here’s why. After I finally got the tunic pattern figured out, I made it. And I swear, it was the EASIEST piece of clothing I have ever tried to make. I made a muslin to get an idea of what size it would be (which also reminds me: there are no finished garment measurements provided either, which is annoying because there appears to be a ton of ease in these patterns). And I finished the thing in half an afternoon.
I’ve sewn before (crafts, mostly), but that’s only the second piece of clothing I’ve made (and actually was able to finish) on a sewing machine. Ever. And after prepping and cutting the fabric, it took less than two hours! The instructions were clear; there was very little guesswork involved. Not only that, it turned out well. It’s way too big, but I would not be embarrassed, after adjusting the size, to wear it in public. I happen to think that’s pretty amazing. So, when it says on the back that the patterns are all “super easy,” I think, based on my experience with the tunic top, I’d have to agree. Making that tunic has already given me confidence enough, at last, to tackle projects from other sewing books. And for me anyway, that right there made the book worth it.
One other thing I’ll throw out there is that, as a sewing reference, this is the most basic book you’ll likely ever find. If all you want to do is to start sewing your own clothes, NOW, without caring too much about the parts of your sewing machine or the nuances of fitting, this may well be the book for you. There is a market for a book like that, I think, which is why it might be worth getting for some people, in spite of all its flaws.
Still, if you’re truly a first-time sewer, I would also recommend the book LOVE AT FIRST STITCH by Tilly Walnes to be used in conjunction with this one, because it will fill in some important blanks that this book only touches on, or leaves out entirely. If, on the other hand, you have a little sewing experience, you could likely get away with just getting this, provided you like your clothes billowy and are willing to put up with the many, many areas in which the book is lacking.
Bottom line? Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend, but only after telling her all the things wrong with it first. Peace!
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Tags : Skirts & Dresses for First Time Sewers [Christine Haynes] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. One of the main reasons new sewers buy a machine is to start making their own clothes. However, beginners sewing books tend to include only a few basic projects,Christine Haynes,Skirts & Dresses for First Time Sewers,Search Press Ltd,1782212183,Crafts & Hobbies Needlework General,Handicrafts, Arts & Crafts,Needlework & fabric crafts
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Skirts Dresses for First Time Sewers Christine Haynes 9781782212188 Books Reviews
Awesome book filled with so many great project.
I really wish I sent this book back... the pictured dresses are almost all not actually made using the author's patterns. Rather they are exemplars of the type of dress. This means that you are making a dress that you have not seen. Even drawings of a finished product is better than nothing (although I really prefer photos).
I also find the instructions do not provide enough detail for true beginners. I will probably wind up giving this book away. And wishing I hadn't made an impulse purchase. Lesson learned.
I love it, thank you.
I ordered this and gave it as a gift to my granddaughters. They loved it and I am hoping it inspires them to sew.
Very disappointing! The pictures in the book are not of the patterns posted, they are of ready to wear skirts and dresses SIMILAR to the patterns. Sending it back.
Was debating getting this book or another e-pattern directly from Christine Haynes (have sewn her patterns before, LOVE her stuff!). Went with this book. Read the reviews, immediately regretted it. Patterns published directly by Christine Haynes are fantastic! The accompanying sewalongs/instructions are so helpful and so well done. This book - man. NONE of the links/QR codes work, so there are no patterns available with this book. Additionally, I can't find a single picture of a finished item from this book anywhere - not even in the book. The pictured items in the book don't really relate to the patterns; the shift dress pattern, for instance, has no bust darts - but all of the pictured examples *do* have darts, which translates into a much different finished item.
Will be returning. Boo. (
While I am pleased that the book offers basic patterns that can be adjusted to various styles. I am disappointed in that many of the pictures inside are NOT of the patterns offered, but rather of other versions that are sold by different store brands. This is annoying to me as the picture on the cover of the babydoll dress is not the pattern in the book but one that is made by a clothing company. Had I known this I would not have bought the book. That is like buying a crochet book because there is a picture of socks on the cover only to find that the book includes a pattern for leg warmers with a notation that once you get more practice, you can figure out how to make Hanes socks. Very annoying!
I’ll get this part out of the way first and say yes, the other reviewers are right you won’t be making any of the exact dresses or skirts featured in the photographs. I think it’s misleading to put photographs on the cover that aren’t of the actual projects, but since I checked out the reviews here before finally deciding to buy the book, I was prepared. I can definitely understand why it would be frustrating to those who may have pre-ordered it or couldn’t look at it in a bookstore first (which is what I did).
Having said that, there is still more in the book that is misleading. The provided drawings of what you will be making aren’t accurate either. The style for most of the drawings is pretty close, but don’t base your purchase on the length or the fit in the drawings. The tunic “dress” is a top. There’s no way it could ever BE a dress unless you’re five feet tall. And, some women are. So maybe a five-foot woman who wants to sew her own clothes will be fine with that. But I’m 5’7”. And in the picture, the tunic looks much longer than the pattern you download actually is.
It’s the same with the A-line skirt it’s drawn in the picture at knee length, but is in fact much shorter on the provided pattern. (Which reminds me of another issue there are no lengthen/shorten lines on the patterns, nor are the pattern pieces labeled as to which piece is what. It’s not difficult to figure out, but a “first-time sewer” might have a bit of trouble.)
What else? Well, some of the project titles are also misleading. Take the “pencil” skirt project. I downloaded and taped together the pattern... and it looked exactly like the A-Line skirt, only less flared. So you’re actually getting two A-line skirt patterns, and no pencil skirt pattern. Since I bought the book specifically for the A-line skirt (which is too short for me) and the pencil skirt (which is not a pencil skirt), I was rather disappointed.
Any other issues? As a matter of fact, yes, and they are with the PDF patterns. I downloaded the A-line skirt, the “pencil” skirt, and the tunic “dress”. Those in the know regarding PDF patterns are aware that you print them out on regular-sized 8.5x11 pages and then tape them together by matching the numbers.
Which is what I did... except, the numbers did not match up with the pattern lines. If I had put the pattern pieces together using the numbers, the lines of the patterns would have been off, not even connecting with each other. So I put them together following the pattern lines, but doing that took inches off the lengths of the skirts.
The tunic pattern was off the most the sleeve and collar pieces just would not match up, even WITH following the pattern lines, so I had to cut all the pattern pieces out and then assemble them. A little tricky, but doable. Still, that’s pretty shoddy work there, and might be too frustrating for a true “first-time sewer” to want to bother with. Really, a book for someone who has never sewn before ought to have come with full-size patterns provided in an envelope in the back of the book, to eliminate all this arts-and-crafts work prior even to picking out a fabric.
Now, if you’ve actually read this far, you’re probably wondering why I gave this book 3 stars and not 1, with all of this against it. Well, here’s why. After I finally got the tunic pattern figured out, I made it. And I swear, it was the EASIEST piece of clothing I have ever tried to make. I made a muslin to get an idea of what size it would be (which also reminds me there are no finished garment measurements provided either, which is annoying because there appears to be a ton of ease in these patterns). And I finished the thing in half an afternoon.
I’ve sewn before (crafts, mostly), but that’s only the second piece of clothing I’ve made (and actually was able to finish) on a sewing machine. Ever. And after prepping and cutting the fabric, it took less than two hours! The instructions were clear; there was very little guesswork involved. Not only that, it turned out well. It’s way too big, but I would not be embarrassed, after adjusting the size, to wear it in public. I happen to think that’s pretty amazing. So, when it says on the back that the patterns are all “super easy,” I think, based on my experience with the tunic top, I’d have to agree. Making that tunic has already given me confidence enough, at last, to tackle projects from other sewing books. And for me anyway, that right there made the book worth it.
One other thing I’ll throw out there is that, as a sewing reference, this is the most basic book you’ll likely ever find. If all you want to do is to start sewing your own clothes, NOW, without caring too much about the parts of your sewing machine or the nuances of fitting, this may well be the book for you. There is a market for a book like that, I think, which is why it might be worth getting for some people, in spite of all its flaws.
Still, if you’re truly a first-time sewer, I would also recommend the book LOVE AT FIRST STITCH by Tilly Walnes to be used in conjunction with this one, because it will fill in some important blanks that this book only touches on, or leaves out entirely. If, on the other hand, you have a little sewing experience, you could likely get away with just getting this, provided you like your clothes billowy and are willing to put up with the many, many areas in which the book is lacking.
Bottom line? Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend, but only after telling her all the things wrong with it first. Peace!
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