The Beginners Guide to Dressmaking: Sewing techniques and patterns to make your own clothes

Excellent book for a newbie like me. Sewing is not new to me but dressmaking is. This book really helps with understanding what instructions mean and why certain techniques are used. For learning these skills, visual aids are critical and this book has excellent visual aids. Highly recommended.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars !!!! Bravo !!! Job well done !!! I won't be able to sew any of my projects until I complete my sewing space so I have time to just read the book in its entirety and enjoy it. I love the illustrations, the way that the clothing is displayed on a pretty wall, I love the adorable dog sitting on the floor in the corner, it's a cute added touch. I love the slow progressive instructions if needed to slowely grasp the art of sewing, or a more advanced sewer can jump ahead and go with the more advanced designs. In alI, just love the fun, informative character of this book and I recommend it to everyone !!! I can't wait to get started on these fun, cute capsule closet fashions !!!! I've never seen a book like this before with patterns for an entire wardrobe.

Fun, informative, and simple to follow. The included patterns are great. I immediately made lounge pants for myself and my boyfriend. The shift dress pattern is a great foundation for creative modifications. Recommended for beginners to novice.

This book is definitely written for a beginner. The fact that I could read it once and understand it was a major plus for me! No well I think I may understand that description, no she goes beyond explaining, step by step. Gives you pattern projects to start out with that will guide you into sewing. I can't say enough about the author. Oh, yeah she gives illustrations to show you what she is going through in the subject all of it is written step by step! Sorry so long but I can't suggest this enough if you are getting into sewing your own clothes!

I returned the book as it was something I would not make..

I have recently gotten back into sewing...I am not a novice, but I thought this would be a good reference and to refresh my memory. It is a great book for novice beginner and experienced sewer as well. Easy to understand. Well written.

Very glad I purchased this book. The patterns are simple to follow so they are very appropriate for complete beginners; yet the author shows ways to customize the patterns to make them completely different as your skills improve. Planning lots of new wardrobe items based on these patterns.

While I like this book....When I went to make a shift dress with sleeves for my daughter, the front and back neck facing pattern pieces seem to be missing. I'm going to try drafting my own or talk her into the sleeveless version. Has anyone else had this problem? If I were a beginner sewer, I would find this very frustrating. Luckily, this is not my first rodeo.

This is a great learn to sew book, I am making my way through each of the patterns and learning a lot. The patterns are maximum size 14 - I have found it is pretty easy to grade these up a size. The book is written in a really easy to follow manner and there are photos and pictures to follow too. I like that Wendy includes ways to alter each pattern so that you can continue to practice one item of clothing, but customise it too. There is only one item of clothing in the book which isn't to my liking - overall, a great book that I definitely recommend.

Das Buch ist toll, ich werde bestimmt etwas darasus machen, allest klar und deutlich geschrieben, für Anfänger wie ich perfekt!

It is a great book full of ideas. Downside, the pattern size is not mentioned in the description of the book. The patterns themselves will not fit me.

Excellent book with very detailed step by step instructions. The bonus is the inclusion of full size patterns which on their own would cost more than the book. Would highly recommend this book to beginners and those with more experience.

I bought this book haven been given a sewing machine, with literally zero experience in sewing. This book is pretty good for total beginners, because it breaks down into the main techniques required. The only gripes I have is that the sizes are too small for me (I am between a 14-16 UK). Also the patterns are difficult to trace as there are so many on each sheet. Great idea, but could be easier for newbies. I made the tshirt in the largest size and it looks like a top and was easy enough to put together! Will try making a few more items.