Excuse me not using the template, but there seems no point when Amazon has a generous 'Look Inside' which covers the chapter contents and gives a good idea of what to expect. In summary, instructions are given for cutting and making 10 garments. Each of the 10 has 7 more variations, grouped as collections. Be aware that these are styled with other garments (for which there are no instructions) to make outfits for the cover pictures.
This is a great book, but I predict readers' reactions will be split. I can't say it's a must have, but I believe most people who make clothes can learn something from it.
This book is written by the founder of creative fashion label DIY Couture. It is aimed at people with a love of fabric, few sewing skills, and a desire to create their own clothes. It explores a way of working which involves taking your own clothes, and cutting new designs based on them, or by taking the most simple shapes as the starting point. I don't create my clothing in this way, but I have made similar experiments in the past, and I have known several very creative sewers whose first garments were made in much the same way.
I consider this book a welcome breath of fresh air, and I have really enjoyed looking through this book. It offers a fresh approach which I think is appealing to beginners. It is a great starting point and totally the opposite of the intimidation present in commercial patterns which speak in a different language, and books which stress technical perfection.
I think by studying this book and trying out some of the garments it is possible to gain an understanding of garment construction and a real sense of how fabric can work three-dimensionally on the body.
One thing I really like is that in the sections on how to vary the basic design there is generally detailed information as to how the chosen fabric has affected the drape and look of the piece - something often overlooked, though it is fundamental! (I am reminded of one very novice sewer in a fabric shop who asked me almost despairingly 'How DO you know which fabric will work to give the right effect?)
One thing I didn't like is that in my browsing I found no mention of grainline, and that is going to cause headaches,
particularly if you are trying to copy the shape of a pair of trousers (which actually personally I wouldn't recommend this book for). But to be fair, I haven't read it cover to cover, and I can't verify whether or not grainline is covered as there is no index.
I do think however, a beginner will outgrow this book because of the lack of guidance with construction and fitting. But I hope that by that point they they will have gained some confidence, and also may have found help through the 'sewing resources' section which is largely website based, (includes PR!).
I will probably only make one garment from this book - the Slouch Top which appears to be a gem that would be at home in any trendy Japanese pattern book. I am not going to buy it myself, but it has been well worth the small library reservation fee I paid to read it.
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