Cal Patch Folk Blouse
First off, this book is not for people who don't already know how to sew. You should have already sewn a few garments (so that you know what the general steps are when constructing them, because even though it's included here, it's done in a huge paragraph that you're better off not trying to follow) and have a working knowledge of sewing terms (which is weird when the author goes on to differentiate between muslin the cloth and muslin the garment you use to try on for fitting purposes).This First off, this book is not for people who don't already know how to sew. You should have already sewn a few garments (so that you know what the general steps are when constructing them, because even though it's included here, it's done in a huge paragraph that you're better off not trying to follow) and have a working knowledge of sewing terms (which is weird when the author goes on to differentiate between muslin the cloth and muslin the garment you use to try on for fitting purposes).This looks rather cute and has Anthropologie-looking clothing worn by attractive models. Unfortunately, it takes a very simplistic view on pattern making. If you have a body that is relatively straight without a lot of curves and you can get away with wearing clothes that aren't very fitted, then this book has you covered. But if that's your case, you probably don't have too much difficulty with commercial patterns that are already available to you.There are five basic garments that this book walks you through constructing: an a-line skirt, a t-shirt, a button-down shirt, a dress, and pants.
What's not working for me is that only the skirt and the dress has steps for adding darts (seriously, pants without darts?), and even then it's done in a haphazard fashion: for the dress, you are to take what's drafted of the top, make it out of fabric, drape this over yourself, pinch and pin some darts until you're satisfied, and then 'do your best to replicate the darts on the other side'. She talks about squaring edges, but again, it's in a pretty rudimentary way.What this book does do well is the variations. If you already had a basic template/sloper that fits you well but don't know how to use it to make something more complicated, this book is pretty useful. It walks you through adding extra fullness at hems and necklines, pockets, yokes, ruffles, and drawstrings.There's also a tiny section in the back that discusses how to create patterns from clothes you already own and love and how to grade patterns to different sizes, but you're better off looking for books that are dedicated to these topics if you're going to be serious about it.
Cal Patch Folk Blouse Pattern
If you have some sewing experience (eg know the basics) and are interested in learning how to draft your own patterns, I can't recommend this book highly enough.I've been sewing for 28 years and have made all sorts of garments, but I've never really taken the time to learn about fit and tailoring in any detail. I wanted to start at the beginning and go back and really learn the basic garment shapes, how to properly measure the body, how to draft slopers, etc. Most books I came across were very If you have some sewing experience (eg know the basics) and are interested in learning how to draft your own patterns, I can't recommend this book highly enough.I've been sewing for 28 years and have made all sorts of garments, but I've never really taken the time to learn about fit and tailoring in any detail. I wanted to start at the beginning and go back and really learn the basic garment shapes, how to properly measure the body, how to draft slopers, etc. Most books I came across were very good, but were also very, very detailed. They were more like a text book and I just couldn't immerse myself in the process, which is what would have been required using the books I had found.Then, I can across this book and it has been perfect!
The garments presented are based on only a few measurements (as opposed to the dozens required by more rigourous books), require little equipment or drawing skill and employ only basic sewing techniques. Although I have the experience and knowledge to follow the more comprehensive texts (and I will at some point in the future), I'm finding the projects in this book to provide the immediate gratificaiton necessary for me to continue pursuing pattern-making knowledge. It's really, really hard for me not to go online and order this book immediately. The clothes are very casual-just the kind of thing I'd wear-but also structured.
No sloppy Walmart shoppers here. The best thing is no patterns to figure out-at least, not any that come with the book. The book actually teaches you how to come up with your own pattern from your own measurements, using basic exercises and clear instructions you can actually make these clothes fit you perfectly. The book only shows It's really, really hard for me not to go online and order this book immediately. The clothes are very casual-just the kind of thing I'd wear-but also structured. No sloppy Walmart shoppers here.
The best thing is no patterns to figure out-at least, not any that come with the book. The book actually teaches you how to come up with your own pattern from your own measurements, using basic exercises and clear instructions you can actually make these clothes fit you perfectly. The book only shows small models, so that's the only drawback I can think of so far. You may have to go looking to other books for advice on modifying these for those of us with bigger busts and butts.
(Just saying!). I need to test it more seriously, but so far, very disappointing:- the tone is too cutesy ( 'ah, brownies'.
And let Laura Ingalls Wilde be the judge of what she would like. And the word stylizing, urgh) or too trendy ( 'it is no secret sewing is the new hot craft') in a way that gets on my nerves. And instructions to make muslin versions time and again anytime one wants to make alterations make my teeth grind. Uh, no, generations of thrifty grandmothers in my blood would basically kill me for I need to test it more seriously, but so far, very disappointing:- the tone is too cutesy ( 'ah, brownies'. And let Laura Ingalls Wilde be the judge of what she would like. And the word stylizing, urgh) or too trendy ( 'it is no secret sewing is the new hot craft') in a way that gets on my nerves. And instructions to make muslin versions time and again anytime one wants to make alterations make my teeth grind.
Uh, no, generations of thrifty grandmothers in my blood would basically kill me for wasting fabric. Instructions for how to alter a muslin and pass alterations to the pattern would be more useful.- Not enough schematics, all these huge paragraphs of instructions which totally make me bounce off, but not enough visuals. Truly I can follow better japanese sewing books, without being able to read one character! I guess this is just how american books ( 5/8 of inch, sigh.) are, but I just can not get used to it. Must remember that next time, no matter how pretty and tempting and well reviewed ( by people who are used to american books) a book is.- the tops are all flat!
The instructions for the t-shirt, button down shirt, betsy jacket, stella blouse, Gertie dress, Miette dress, Miho shirt, and Kathy chemise dress are sack like fronts! Ok, I think I see a couple pincers in one model (basic dress) which btw looks awfully badly fitting on the photo, so I am not filled with confidence. And for 90% of women, any basic shirt would need some sort of basic breast pincers or tucks in order to not totally look like a sack.On the good side, I will try to read carefully and pick up techniques and ideas - the most useful part to me will probably be the paragraphs about finishing which are just an afterword. And I do find a lot of the examples sewn very cute. I am just wishing I had saved my money and bought a good japanese sewing book instead!
In the introduction, she writes, 'The clothing we currently wear tends to be relatively simple from a patternmaker's point of view. We don't wear finely tailored suits or dresses with princess seams, darts, and gussets.
We wear simple knit tops, skirts, loose dresses, basic woven shirts, and pants. Their style tends to come from details, as opposed to dramatic or complicated cut and construction. Thus, it's quite possible to teach today's sewers how to make their own patterns.
And Not for me. In the introduction, she writes, 'The clothing we currently wear tends to be relatively simple from a patternmaker's point of view. We don't wear finely tailored suits or dresses with princess seams, darts, and gussets. We wear simple knit tops, skirts, loose dresses, basic woven shirts, and pants.
Their style tends to come from details, as opposed to dramatic or complicated cut and construction. Thus, it's quite possible to teach today's sewers how to make their own patterns. And this book does just that in a fun, concise volume for the modern girl.' .which made me feel about a million years old. I picked up a few good tips on patternmaking, but not enough to make this book part of my reference library.
You know how you find the perfect dress-except maybe it would look better if it were a little longer, and the color doesn't really work with your complexion, and the you don't quite fill out the bodice or you fill it just a little too well? You find yourself thinking about what would truly make it perfect, yet none of these big time fashion designers seem to be in step and you can't really just go and make it yourself, right? I mean, pattern making is like the Holy Trinity and why hot dogs come You know how you find the perfect dress-except maybe it would look better if it were a little longer, and the color doesn't really work with your complexion, and the you don't quite fill out the bodice or you fill it just a little too well? You find yourself thinking about what would truly make it perfect, yet none of these big time fashion designers seem to be in step and you can't really just go and make it yourself, right? I mean, pattern making is like the Holy Trinity and why hot dogs come in packages of eight while the buns come in packages of six-some things are just too mysterious for simple folk to understand.
Except, it isn't. This book does an awesome job of demystifying clothing construction, and the examples the author uses aren't leg-o-mutton sleeves and pleated pants.
If you have ever wanted to wear something that you love and looks great on YOU as opposed to a twig who only eats cottage cheese and celery, read this book! This book is not for the faint hearted.it is NOT a pattern book.What it is, is a brilliant and informative guide in how to create your own patterns to make your own designs and creations.It is just like having a one to one dressmaking lesson in your own home all for the price of one book.You will learn how to draft, fit and customise patterns for your size and shape that will fit perfectly every time. Included are Dresses, Skirts, t'shirts, Blouses and Trousers, and you will learn the basic's This book is not for the faint hearted.it is NOT a pattern book.What it is, is a brilliant and informative guide in how to create your own patterns to make your own designs and creations.It is just like having a one to one dressmaking lesson in your own home all for the price of one book.You will learn how to draft, fit and customise patterns for your size and shape that will fit perfectly every time. Nonfiction (advanced sewing/patternmaking).This shows you how to draft your own made-to-order/personalized-fitting patterns from scratch (there are no actual patterns in this book), and then how to adapt those patterns (slash and spread) to create various styles. While I am not in the mood to attempt such a project now, the instructions appeared to be pretty good.
See also for actual patterns that she shows you how to adjust to fit to your measurements and nonfiction (advanced sewing/patternmaking).This shows you how to draft your own made-to-order/personalized-fitting patterns from scratch (there are no actual patterns in this book), and then how to adapt those patterns (slash and spread) to create various styles. While I am not in the mood to attempt such a project now, the instructions appeared to be pretty good. See also for actual patterns that she shows you how to adjust to fit to your measurements and more instructions on the slash and spread method. I picked up this book from our library's e-collection. Was quite impressed to discover the digital links worked fine.The author covers very basic pattern construction and alteration for casual and general purpose garments.
I am an experienced sewist and found them to be useful as a starting point.I think anyone with sound sewing experience who is familiar with pattern alterations and manipulations would benefit from this book if they want to branch out and go beyond what they can do with I picked up this book from our library's e-collection. Was quite impressed to discover the digital links worked fine.The author covers very basic pattern construction and alteration for casual and general purpose garments. I am an experienced sewist and found them to be useful as a starting point.I think anyone with sound sewing experience who is familiar with pattern alterations and manipulations would benefit from this book if they want to branch out and go beyond what they can do with traditional purchased patterns. They seem to be targeted to the Junior-Miss lifestyle and figure but a few could be adapted for a casual Womens look and figure. This is, first of all, about a million times better than.
You can click through and read my review of that title if you'd like; or you can satisfy yourself with the knowledge that Improv Sewing is the first, last and only book on sewing that I have actually been offended. I can't understand why anyone would want to go to all the trouble of sewing their own clothes from their own patterns and not also want to take the steps of making sure it does not look like crap.In the case of This is, first of all, about a million times better than. You can click through and read my review of that title if you'd like; or you can satisfy yourself with the knowledge that Improv Sewing is the first, last and only book on sewing that I have actually been offended. I can't understand why anyone would want to go to all the trouble of sewing their own clothes from their own patterns and not also want to take the steps of making sure it does not look like crap.In the case of Design-It-Yourself Clothes, the patterns you make will not look like crap. Or at least, not as much like crap as the ones in Improv Sewing. There is even a chance, particularly if you are in highschool, that the clothes may even be flattering and wearable.She has some really lovely pattern ideas that are well-executed. This is promising.
She also talks through the process of making basic alterations to cut and construction, like changing pattern shapes to add darts or pleats. (Unlike Improv Sewing, where you just take the same fabric shape you would have used for a basic top and sew pleats into the neckline without somehow totally altering the fit of the sleeves or the sides.) She also clearly knows what she's talking about in terms of drafting original patterns.But the book still suffers from some of the same problems in Improv Sewing; namely, you'd better be under 23, childless, thin, and otherwise without obvious lumps or bulges: there are no darts in the shirt patterns, and no instructions for adding shaping to the fronts of tops. She has some instructions for adding darts to skirts and dresses, but no guidance on how to make them even. Also, the book suffers from a notable lack of photographs or illustrations showing the very detailed technical steps in pattern construction and alteration. So expect to do a lot of re-reading and make a lot of mistakes on the way to your first finished garment.This book will help you make clothes like those in H&M or Joe Fresh. They look great on a hangar or on the mannequins in the store windows, and if you are slim and have few curves, they may also fit well and look ok on you.
Cal Patch Folk Blouse Images
The models wearing the clothes in the book certainly have mannequin-like builds. But I myself have never been able to try on a shirt in those stores that does not make me feel simultaneously as if I am wearing an ace bandage on my chest and also potentially hiding a first-trimester pregnancy due to the bagginess around the waist. I don't need to try it to know that it won't fit.If it fits you, though, and if you are very patient and love to sew, you might really like this book. When I read the beginning pages, the first think I can think of is how warm is the author's tone toward the reader. She gives good encouragement for the reader to make their own clothes pattern. I knew and I know that patternmaking is not an easy task (actually, I'm still struggling to make one until now), but she talked and ensured me that patternmaking is an enjoyable learning, and it ease my tense about drafting my first pattern.Second of all, I felt that she really did the effort to make the When I read the beginning pages, the first think I can think of is how warm is the author's tone toward the reader. She gives good encouragement for the reader to make their own clothes pattern.
Cal Patch Folk Blouse 2017
I knew and I know that patternmaking is not an easy task (actually, I'm still struggling to make one until now), but she talked and ensured me that patternmaking is an enjoyable learning, and it ease my tense about drafting my first pattern.Second of all, I felt that she really did the effort to make the learning as simple as possible. Starting from how to draft skirt to pants pattern, the steps aren't miles long. I found it easy to understand (quite a relief since English is not even my first language.!).I always want to be able to draft my own pattern and put a little modification here and there, I don't really like being dependable on pattern company. So, it's quite a surprise that I am glad the book doesn't come with clothes pattern. By then, I am 'forced' to make my own pattern.As a real novice on sewing (and anything related with sewing machine), I find this book really helpful.
I'm always watching for good books on pattern design. This one is very practical. Cal Patch starts at the beginning of flat pattern design, which is the technique I often use. She guides the reader step-by-step to create a custom-fit skirt, T-shirt, woven shirt, and pants and then shows how to add different design elements and vary the basic patterns for a wider variety of styles. For someone who already knows all the basics of sewing, this is a great book to use to develop pattern design I'm always watching for good books on pattern design.
This one is very practical. Cal Patch starts at the beginning of flat pattern design, which is the technique I often use. She guides the reader step-by-step to create a custom-fit skirt, T-shirt, woven shirt, and pants and then shows how to add different design elements and vary the basic patterns for a wider variety of styles. For someone who already knows all the basics of sewing, this is a great book to use to develop pattern design skills. Though sewing instructions are included for each garment, you need prior sewing knowledge. Seam finishes are briefly described, and interfacing is not addressed at all. (See Palmer Pletsch publishing for excellent resources on sewing) All of her models are very slender which makes fit much easier.
For others, this book would work best with 'Fit for Real People' as a companion; otherwise some of the styles might not work. I would give this book 3.5 stars. It was really easy to understand her drafting process. Her writing is easy to follow.
Good thing because there are not very many illustrations for the process. I would have liked it better if there had been some mention of darts in the basic shirt pattern. I have a feeling it may be pretty big on a large-busted woman. I can get that info from other sources, though. Overall, I am really excited to work on some of these projects, and I will most likely end up I would give this book 3.5 stars.
It was really easy to understand her drafting process. Her writing is easy to follow.
Good thing because there are not very many illustrations for the process. I would have liked it better if there had been some mention of darts in the basic shirt pattern.
I have a feeling it may be pretty big on a large-busted woman. I can get that info from other sources, though. Overall, I am really excited to work on some of these projects, and I will most likely end up buying this book (got it at the library). I can see many applications for making clothes for kids and men, too, in these methods.NOTE: This is a pattern-drafting book, NOT a sewing book. There are very minimal construction directions. Anyone making these projects should have some experience with clothing construction. I read this book cover to cover after taking 's Creativebug class on pattern drafting.
I got this book from the library, but after reading it, I now must own it so I can dig into drafting my own clothes patterns and making the clothing. Cal's instructions are straightforward and simple to understand how to get from one step to the next. Her teaching style is very calm and laid back, which is reassuring for newbies like me. I can't wait to play around with the variations she suggests to I read this book cover to cover after taking 's Creativebug class on pattern drafting. I got this book from the library, but after reading it, I now must own it so I can dig into drafting my own clothes patterns and making the clothing.
Cal's instructions are straightforward and simple to understand how to get from one step to the next. Her teaching style is very calm and laid back, which is reassuring for newbies like me. I can't wait to play around with the variations she suggests to each basic pattern and have visions of a wonderful, new wardrobe of my own making that actually fits! This book zings right over my head as a person with beginner sewing skills and zero drafting skills. It's not that I don't understand - it's that more instruction is given through written paragraphs than with diagrams or visual aides.
It's a tough subject to teach to someone through the medium of a book, I suppose. Standing next to a teacher who can say 'draw your line like This' would probably help me more.It did help me understand the whys and hows of pattern drafting, but I need more books This book zings right over my head as a person with beginner sewing skills and zero drafting skills. It's not that I don't understand - it's that more instruction is given through written paragraphs than with diagrams or visual aides.
It's a tough subject to teach to someone through the medium of a book, I suppose. Standing next to a teacher who can say 'draw your line like This' would probably help me more.It did help me understand the whys and hows of pattern drafting, but I need more books before trying anything myself.I wasn't crazy about some of the pattern ideas, either.
The dress pants have patch pockets on the front, and I swear that it looks like the model is wearing her pants backwards. This is a great introductory text and makes pattern drafting seem entirely possible. I did encounter some troubles though in adjusting my muslin when I came to the t-shirt, and perhaps more could have been included to help resolve some common fitting problems. I really liked the idea of five basic patterns with several variations on each, and the styling and fabrics were all really attractive and motivating. Other people have commented they didn't like Cal Patch's writing style but in the This is a great introductory text and makes pattern drafting seem entirely possible. I did encounter some troubles though in adjusting my muslin when I came to the t-shirt, and perhaps more could have been included to help resolve some common fitting problems. I really liked the idea of five basic patterns with several variations on each, and the styling and fabrics were all really attractive and motivating.
Other people have commented they didn't like Cal Patch's writing style but in the circumstances I had no problem with the supportive, hand-holding style at all. In short it's a great starting point for someone who has some basic sewing skills and wants to jump in and get started drafting their own patterns. The actual writing is a little on the twee side, but it's nice of Patch to be so encouraging. At some points it feels like there are holes in directions, nothing you can't find more information about online, but I prefer a more complete approach.
Still a good overview of pattern drafting for an ambitious beginner or a self-taught hobbyist. Skills are taught through specific projects in a 'building-on' order, and most of the designs would work as casual pieces within a either modern or slightly The actual writing is a little on the twee side, but it's nice of Patch to be so encouraging. At some points it feels like there are holes in directions, nothing you can't find more information about online, but I prefer a more complete approach. Still a good overview of pattern drafting for an ambitious beginner or a self-taught hobbyist. Skills are taught through specific projects in a 'building-on' order, and most of the designs would work as casual pieces within a either modern or slightly bohemian based wardrobe, and can be styled to appear either more feminine or more androgynous. Even though I like the book for ideas and reference, I think a Craftsy class or the like would be more practical for many sewists. I just made my first skirt using the instructions in this book, and I'm so excited!
For beginning sewists, I would recommend this book only in conjunction with another (like Sew U) that gives more detailed instructions on sewing and stuff like inserting zippers. But for patternmaking, I'm thrilled to have this as a resource.I'm not rating the book yet because I haven't tried the more difficult patterns, and I'm very skeptical that Patch doesn't include any darts in her upper-body patterns. Her I just made my first skirt using the instructions in this book, and I'm so excited! For beginning sewists, I would recommend this book only in conjunction with another (like Sew U) that gives more detailed instructions on sewing and stuff like inserting zippers. But for patternmaking, I'm thrilled to have this as a resource.I'm not rating the book yet because I haven't tried the more difficult patterns, and I'm very skeptical that Patch doesn't include any darts in her upper-body patterns. Her models are shaped like clothes hangers so I can't tell how a dartless top would fit my D-cup frame. And I'm not skilled enough to know how to do my own shirt darts.
I'll keep you posted. I've just started drafting a pattern for one of the skirts in the book, and am finding Cal Patch's instructions easy to follow. She is good at making the steps understandable and logical - why am I making this dart here, or how should I plan the sweep of the skirt?I'm guessing this will be one of my most useful books on pattern-making and sewing, as the layout is good, the pictures look inviting, and the language is easy to follow.I highly recommend this book to those who want to learn how to I've just started drafting a pattern for one of the skirts in the book, and am finding Cal Patch's instructions easy to follow. She is good at making the steps understandable and logical - why am I making this dart here, or how should I plan the sweep of the skirt?I'm guessing this will be one of my most useful books on pattern-making and sewing, as the layout is good, the pictures look inviting, and the language is easy to follow.I highly recommend this book to those who want to learn how to draft patterns based on your own measures. I should, however, add that this is not a book on how to do the actual sewing of the clothes.
I'm not completely finished with this but I think it's safe to say that this book will be at the top of my Christmas wish list. This book is awesome, especially for someone who would rather make their own patterns rather than buy them. The styles in this book are cute, but I love that the authors gives readers a lot of options on how to change things and make personalized patterns and styles. I have actually already used some of the instructions to make a skirt; they were pretty easy to follow, I'm not completely finished with this but I think it's safe to say that this book will be at the top of my Christmas wish list. This book is awesome, especially for someone who would rather make their own patterns rather than buy them.
The styles in this book are cute, but I love that the authors gives readers a lot of options on how to change things and make personalized patterns and styles. I have actually already used some of the instructions to make a skirt; they were pretty easy to follow, even for someone like me who's still quite an amateur at sewing clothes.
I want this book in my personal library! I'm not a fan of sewing books that are to technical. I need something fun, easy and quick to follow. This book was perfect for that. It gives you the basics for designing your own patterns.
Now I can understand sewing patterns better. Which will come in handy when I need to modify them. It's a good book to have on hand for reference.I didn't care for the designs in the book (not my taste), but I didn't read this book for that. I read this book in hopes it would teach me to design my own I'm not a fan of sewing books that are to technical. I need something fun, easy and quick to follow.
This book was perfect for that. It gives you the basics for designing your own patterns. Now I can understand sewing patterns better.
Which will come in handy when I need to modify them. It's a good book to have on hand for reference.I didn't care for the designs in the book (not my taste), but I didn't read this book for that. I read this book in hopes it would teach me to design my own patterns, which it did. This is a great book to help understand pattern making. I have not yet made anything from this book and now realize that they don't include how to put together a garment, just how to create the patterns. Currently sewing clothes, this has helped me understand better how to adjust patterns for a better fit.
This book, through a blog review of it, led me to The Perfect Fit, which goes through specifics of pattern modifications. This other book is very helpful not only because of the directions but This is a great book to help understand pattern making. I have not yet made anything from this book and now realize that they don't include how to put together a garment, just how to create the patterns. Currently sewing clothes, this has helped me understand better how to adjust patterns for a better fit. This book, through a blog review of it, led me to The Perfect Fit, which goes through specifics of pattern modifications.
This other book is very helpful not only because of the directions but also because it includes photos of what they are talking about, which makes it very clear. An intensely useful book, including the clearest, most accessible discussions of basic pattern drafting that I've found since I started sewing. The language and illustrations are clear, concise, and as complete as I can want at this point (I'm sure I'll have questions not answered here down the line). My one misgiving is that the two models used throughout the book are both very thin with similar body types - and in a book that has such utility for sewists outside the typical straight-size An intensely useful book, including the clearest, most accessible discussions of basic pattern drafting that I've found since I started sewing.
The language and illustrations are clear, concise, and as complete as I can want at this point (I'm sure I'll have questions not answered here down the line). My one misgiving is that the two models used throughout the book are both very thin with similar body types - and in a book that has such utility for sewists outside the typical straight-size sizing range, it would be nice to see more body variation.
The soul of a piece of textile does not lie in the fabric or the dye or the style. Irrespective of whether it is something wearable or an item of home decor, what add personality to the merchandise are the embellishments. Ethnic fashion is especially characterised by embellishments that comprise of folk motifs and endemic trims. This section consists of a large collection of borders, patches, kinaris, trims, and laces, each handpicked from the recesses of the subcontinent for its beauty and workmanship.From religious symbols to traditional rangoli-esque patterns such as paisleys and foliage, there is something no matter which part of your home or wardrobe you want to embellish. Fashioned from pure silks and gorgeous brocades, often embedded with mirrors and gems and booties in keeping with quintessentially Indian style, these pieces will jazz up whatever you apply them to. From cushion covers to Indian suits and cholies, these versatile pieces are the kind of buy that you absolutely cannot go wrong with.