Download Now Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make With Fabulous Fabrics Designed And Illustrated By Francesca DenHartog Supplied As Electronic Format

book really inspired me and I cannot wait to try making a skirt or six!, I read it through but have not had the chance to attempt making anything yet, so I'll leave it at fours tars for inspiration and revise this review if the instructions aren't all they are cracked up to be.
. . I wish I could give this book/stars, I really liked the idea and concept of this book, but I ran into some frustrations with it, I made two skirts fromt this book, The first was a drawstring Aline skirt, It turned out pretty good, but I didn't know how wide to make the bottom and they didn't suggest how wide you should make it because they encourage you to "just experiment" and "do it how you like it".
Well, if I've never sewn a skirt before I'm kind of at loss for how big to make it, My skirt ended up being too big, but I had used cheap fabric to experiment with anyway, When I make it again it will be perfect,
I also made the half circle wrap and it turned out perfect except the ties, It doesn't tell you that you should make one longer than the other, so I messed up there, Someone here said that it doesn't overlap enough and isn't very modest, but I didn't have that problem with it, Mine overlaps across my whole front from hip to hip, I can sit cross legged on the floor in it and it doesn't show any leg, I really like the skirt, it's very comfy,
So, overall I really liked the concept of this book, but it requires a lot of thought on your part, It's fun and fulfulling to know you created not only a skirt, but a pattern for it, It's just a bit frustrating when they don't give you enough directions, If you're not sure of something, I would advise experimenting with cheap fabric before cutting into something expensive, If you've already done some straightforward sewing projects and know how to follow a pattern, this will be a bit easier, Also, as you experiment with creating your own patterns, it's worth doing a muslin or a mockup with some other inexpensive, reasonably stable fabric.
Getting the fit right is a bit harder than they make it out to be, particularly for a fitted skirt, Once you have this down, the book is an incredibly liberating tool you'll never have to worry about finding the exact pattern you want for a skirt.
This was OK. The gist of the book is that you don't need to buy a pattern to make a skirt, The author shows how to create a basic template for a skirt that's customfit, and then shows several patterns that start off from those basic shapes and go in different directions to get you started.
I didn't find any of the designs particularly inspiring, I have also been finding that, right now at least, I'm not at a point with my sewing where I can forgo using patterns heck even with patterns I am having trouble.
This is a solid sewing book, The spiral bound design is convenient you can have the book open to the page you need while you are sewing,

The retro design is cute but doesnt get in the way of the writing,

While it is a basic sewing book, it starts right off telling the reader to familiarize themselves with their sewing machine and various presser feet.
As an experienced sewist this wasnt an issue for me, but newbie sewists might have wanted a bit more hand holding, That aside, the rest of the book is easy to follow with instructions that make sense,

What I really like about this book is that the skirts are patternless, or more accurately the instructions teaches readers how to draft patterns to their own measurements.
As someone who has spent her entire sewing career focusing on designs for bodies that dont fit “off the rack”, this tickles me pink.
Teaching sewists to start with pattern drafting, and in a way that isnt intimidating, is awesome,

The patterns run the gamut from simple Alines to tiered skirts, Each individual project also includes ideas on alterations, fabric substitutions and ideas on how to tailor the skirts to individual taste, Speaking of taste, some of the skirts werent my style like the “Barbies Dream Skirt” but there were so many more that suited me just fine.
Theres going to be at least a half dozen designs that will pique others' interest,

This is one of those books that is a good addition to any sewing library, Itd be a good choice as a gift for a new sewist looking to branch out into projects that dont require training wheels.
The best part of this book is that it shows you how to create a handful of basic skirts without using a pattern though really it's just making your own unique pattern.
The skirts themselves aren't anything amazing, basic Aline skirts, circle skirts, peasant skirts, etc, Surely most women would recognize the styles, But I love that you can really make them your own, They are fairly versatile and, really, it's often the fabric that makes the skirt, not so much the pattern, I may actually buy this one day because it seems so practical, Hmmmm the format of this book is awesome! Each skirt project is laid out with color photos and clear how to drawings.
However, there are no patterns and the book kinda assumes you can make it all happen with tailor's chalk and guts, I just bought two yards of very expensive japanese fabric to make my favorite skirt idea, that has an asian flair, I am DEFINITELY going to go with this project to my sewing teacher! Sew What! Skirts is a clever book, The authors teach a framework for creating template patterns for a variety of basic skirt styles including Aline, wrap, circle, straight and layered skirt styles, which you can personalize with your choices of fabrics, trim and other design elements.
It's a fun and simple system, even for beginners, Some of the designs are quite clever I've been inspired to dig out a few vintage tablecloths and restyle them as skirts.
Some, like the Barbie Dream Skirt and ruffled skirts, are a bit 'girly' for my taste, but then again, variety is what makes fashion so interesting.
Go ahead

and buy this book, You'll enjoy it and you'll be on your way to creating a terrific skirt wardrobe in no time, This was not what I thought it was going to be,

This is a beginner book for people who don't want to use patterns, If you are already past the early beginner stage or the thought of sewing without a pattern terrifies you, then this book is probably not for you.


I was looking for a book that would help me create a skirt that fits me well without a ton of trial and error.
I don't want to get to the point in my skirt construction that i am having to add extra darts or more fabric to make it fit.
. . it defeats the purpose of making your own clothes,

I've been thinking a lot recently about skirts and how they are constructed, The geometry and trigonometry involved, I think I'm doing better on my own, .