Rosie MartinDIY Couture: Create Your Own Fashion Collection

This is somewhat the book I've been looking for. Not quite. So the search will continue. I guess part of the problem is that I've been a sewer for years and then took a break -- a very long break. However, that didn't stop me from buying fabric. Now I have all these piles of unused fabric and decided to do something about it. Yet I didn't want to just rely on store bought patterns. I wanted to make clothes that are as unique and individual as I am and actually fit without having to alter it.The pros about this books are:I like the premise behind the book -- how to use 10 simple pieces in a variety of ways to build a wardrobe. There are some great suggestions on how to make a simple patterns using your existing clothing. Then there were some great suggestions on how to modify your pattern to suit your needs. So those will help me get a jump start on my sewing.The cons are:The reason that I only gave the book a 4 star review is because the presentation of the book is geared for a 20-something generation so at first glance it feels limited on its potential. If I had seen the book in a store I wouldn't have bought it just by flipping through it because of the presentation. To make this book more appealing to ALL sewers they should have diversified it -- all ages, all body types. Not all women are built the same. The only suggestion I can make is to look beyond the cutesy categories and at the actual structure of the item and release the sewing muse. Plus, it bothered me a bit that they expect you to cut your pattern out on the floor. If you already don't have a good size work table -- get one. Trying to cut out your pattern on the floor can be problematic. When I set up my sewing room I didn't have room for a permanent work table; however, with the aid of a piano hinge I built one that folds up and is out of the way. The other suggestion if you are new to sewing would be to make a test garment using muslin. Just to make sure. Plus, it is easier to make alterations. Then if you really like that particular pattern you can take the test piece apart and trace it out on medical grade pattern paper for future use. Both the medical grade paper and muslin are available via Amazon.

Based on some of the reviews that I've read, people don't get this book.This is a book for any sewer who wants to learn how to design simple women's clothing pieces without a pattern.No, this book is not only for people under 25. The collections she photographed in the book are her collections. The only one I would wear is the black and white collection with modifications.But that's not the point, nor is that the magic in this book. The magic is that you pick your own fabric choices, accessories, and modifications that you like best. This is how you create a wardrobe that you would actually wear.For instance, I plan to make the straight skirt in a maxi length, the trousers with a wider leg, various versions of the cloak and hoodie, the jumper with wide straps, the skater skirt in a longer version and both as a circle and a square, and the goddess dress in a maxi length. And I'm in my 40's and wear modest clothing.I'm especially looking forward to adding my own embellishments, like piping, linings, color blocking, etc. just to see what I can come up with!My only complaint is that the clothing would have looked a lot better in the photos if the pieces had been ironed, and better models were used.

I haven't yet made anything yet, but this book is full of practical tips to aid the young sewist just starting to expand their skill set. Steps are thorough and plentiful. Anything that may need clarification can be googled.The only thing that may trip up a novice is altering the "patterns" to make items from other collections as I believe the full tutorial is only for items in the "acid pop" collection. The other items are described in depth before the tutorial, but it may be worth purchasing a companion book (Chinelo Bally's Freehand Fashion is one along the same lines as this book and may offer you some insights).Regardless, I'm sure once you have worked through some of the garments it will become easier to visualize how to do things. Nothing wrong with buying sheets and curtains from the second hand store and experimenting away!!! Be sure to visit the blogs she lists in the back of the book for inspiration!

This book is an extension of the DIYcouture website. It's creator, Rosie Martin, has take the idea of modifiying simple silhouettes, like a straight skirt and basic trousers, and expanded on it. If you are a fan of the DIYcouture website and philosophy, you'll love this book!The book has a nice layout. There is a section at the beginning illustrating sewing techniques used for the garments. Then, there's an overview of the 10 different garments, with a section of photos showing eight variations of the garments. The following 10 sections are by garment, with instructions on how to make them in the different variations. The book has no patterns to trace, but rather step-by-step illustrations on how to lay out your fabric, adjust for sizing (most based on tracing or measueing garments that already fit you well), cutting and sewing. Most garments use basic sewing techniques, such as binding, hemming and zipper placement.I think this book would be great for seamstresses of all skill levels. Beginners, especially, could learn handling fabrics, practicing stitches and just getting a feel for garment sewing in general.Overall, a great addition to my sewing library. I can't wait to try the hoodie and Grecian dress! The Grecian dress, especially, could easily become a wardrobe staple for the summer.

I bought this book when I first started sewing clothes. Whilst I haven't made the clothes exactly as laid out, it gave me the confidence to modify patterns or make my own based my my existing clothes. It makes you see the possibilities in sewing and shows you you don't always need a pattern for everything. I wanted to review this now as I referred back to it recently, I turned a dress pattern into a skirt and knew this book would show me how to create a waistband without any pattern pieces. I think this is a useful book to have in your sewing book arsenal.

I am an experienced sewer and I still think this book is great. It shows how people can make a "range". I think this should be taught to all teenagers at school. They would then learn that they can be creative and design their own clothes and not just buy off the peg.The book is informative with clear pictures and descriptions.I am going to be using it to help teach some of my nieces and nephews whom have asked me to make things for them. I'd rather teach them to make something than make it for them myself.

I absolutely loved this book! This book has a really neat and easy to understand layout that follows the author's appraoch to sewing - a visual activity needs visual understanding. The first section goes through basic sewing techniques and the equipment that you will need throughout the book. Again, these sewing instructions are very easy to understand and the book uses both visual and literary explanations throughout.The second and main section goes through the garment construction. There is a lot of inspiration from this book as the reader gets to see the author's interpretations of her garments, which can then be transferred to your own garments when planning what to sew. The pretty interesting part of this book I found were the techniques used. The book says 'no patterns required' and that is absolutely true! All you really need are some of your own clothes and a measuring tape.I think this book is perfect for anyone who is interested in sewing. If you are a beginner, this is an ingenious book which will start you off at the basics and even if you're more advanced, it's pretty inspirational.

So many great ideas in this. The only pattern I'm not bothered about is the goddess dress, which would only look good on someone with no boobs whatsoever. The rest of the patterns look great though and I'm looking forward to giving them my own twist.

Not made anything yet but it's a good read