Customer Reviews

Easy Sewing the KWIK SEW Way

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I learnt to sew as a child, later my mother died, and I continued to perservere. Much later I came across an earlier edition of this basic, and FINALLY learnt to sew SIMPLY and easily. That was in 1984 I think.

If you thought you hated sewing because of a disastrous introduction in home ec, or some nameless pricey paper pattern company sold you an expensive pattern that just didn't work and ruined your fabric (along with a desire to sew!) then help is on the way!

Kerstin teaches you a lot of quick techniques used in ready to wear-- flat construction, quick knit techniques and more. I quit swearing at my machine and feeling confused by pattern directions and started sewing again using this book.

Don't be put off by the pictures of the garments. They are rarely accessorized well, and look a bit clunky. The paper patterns in the fabric store are similar. Very basic pictures.

In reality when you sew them, the fit is MUCH better, more like ready to wear and the patterns are easily accessorized to create new looks.

Don't judge Kwik Sew patterns by the photos or the drawings, the fit is much much better. If you were ever put off by a dress that seems 2 or more sizes too big, or looks like a potatoe sack from your sewing efforts with the big pattern companies, try Kwik Sew, and try using this book first.

This book comes with a basic wardrobe of pattern peices. As you gain experience you may wish to use them as your own fitted "sloper" which means your basic fit guide. They will make basic designs and as you use them, you will adapt the fit to really fit YOU and once you do that, all other patterns can be changed easily. Here is how.

Put your perfectly fitted pattern piece up to any other paper pattern peice and adapt the newer pattern to fit your Kwik Sew "sloper" just changing the neckline or the collar to suit the current fashion style that came with your paper pattern.

That way the pants will fit, the crotch won't ride down around your knees or give you an impromptu "wedgie" look, neither of which is attractive! And you can make the pockets, the waistband, the width of the legs, or the hemline to suit whatever the current trend is.

Meanwhile these patterns in this book will give you a great beginner course or brush up in sewing techniqe. (do look for regular patterns in Kwik Sew or Burda at the pattern counter in the fabric stores too)

Later you may want to subscribe to Burda Moden and take what you learnt and apply it to their slightly more difficult trace and sew patterns, or move onto sewing bathing suits and lingerie with Kerstin's other fine books (sewing courses really).

I use this book still to replace most pattern directions and especially for Burda Moden magazine trace off patterns. The instructions on putting stuff together is a bit lacking in Burda and for that reason they aren't for amateurs. Learn how with Kwik Sew in this book and you won't have a problem with Burda Moden.

The way things are put together in the big 4 paper pattern companies aren't always written properly, nor do they always use easy techniques so I refer to Kwik Sew to get it done right.

I do know of one lady who fortunately knew enough to realize her expensive Vogue designer pattern had made a critical mistake in the layout and cutting instructions. It would have DESTROYED the garment had she followed their instructions.

Avoid the problems, learn it from Kerstin first, then you are explosion proof so to speak for routine garment construction.

I used this book to teach my son and daughter how to sew in home schooling. It's an excellent course. For the boys just use basic Kwik Sew menswear patterns in pajamas, shirts, shorts and pants.

Kwik Sew patterns, including the ones in this book are multi sized, easy to adjust and traceable. Which means you don't have to cut over the other sizes if you prefer to keep them. This helps if you sew for others, or your kids grow fast!

For tracing these patterns I use a sharpy marker and a roll of cheap white paper sold as table cloth rolls. Get the huge rolls of paper from any party rental outfit. People unroll them onto tables, then tape to tables for a disposable tablecovering.

I found them to be really easy to trace thru (especially the thinner cheaper paper) and just the right width for tracing off any pattern piece.

If you are tracing a Burda magazine pattern you need a bit more sheerness but for that I use wax paper and fuse it to get the width.

This paper roll is ok for Kwik sew which is printed on white paper, not the newsprint Burda uses.

Hope that helps.

This book provides simple yet WEARABLE patterns. T shirts, Blouses, pants, skirts.. with a little bit of variation, they can be turned into tunic, half coat, sleep wear and so on.
What I liked the best about this book is that it shows lots of photos of finished garment in different fabrics: a blouse can look casual or classy with different fabrrics!
It was something hard to imagine before I saw the pictures. The effect is striking.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants simple and practical patterns. It is a bargain compared to buying separate patterns.

I have been sewing for a year and only 4 months or so of that has been garment sewing. I have made the the elastic waist pants and I am now in the process of making the tshirt. This book is excellent for beginners and non-beginners alike. It teaches you step by step how to build basic wardrobe pieces and additional design embellishments such as cowl neck tops, boat neck tops, drawstring pants, etc. This one is a must have for anyone wanted to increase or build upon their sewing skills.

I liked this book because it has easy-to-follow directions. I think it could be used by the beginning seamstress as well as a good review for those who haven't sewn in a while. I especially like the fact that patterns are given, as well as instructions on how to alter the patterns to fit. An added benefit is the fact that there are a couple of easy-to-follow pages on the simple basics of applique. I consider this purchase to be a good one!

One thing I wish I knew before buying the book (and getting my hopes up) is that the pants and skirt patterns are for ELASTIC WAISTS ONLY. I personally can't stand elastic waists on anything other than sleepwear and workout wear, so that will really cut down on what I'll make from those patterns. Overall, I'm glad I bought the book, because it has so much great information.

Easy Sewing the KWIK SEW Way

I have only attended basic dressmaking class and this book made me a much happier and busier home sewer. Now I spend less time knitting eyebrows and scratching my head; more time sewing more stuff.

By the time I received this book one or two weeks after I ordered it, I found out that I am expecting our second baby. Although there are no maternity patterns in this book, Ms Martensson's comprehensive instructions on design and alteration in the book allowed me to figure out how to create my own maternity wardrobe.

The only things I missed, but managed to figure out from the basic patterns in this book too, were sleeveless tops and camisoles -- these are much needed in the country where we live, as weather here is summer all year long.

My husband saw the shirt I made and asked where I bought it!!! Not bad for someone who had not sewn since childhood in 4-H and had forgotten so much. This book will get you going on sewing and make it fun and easy.... and your clothing will turn out great!!!!!!

This pattern book is amazing! I have such trouble fitting regular patterns and had used an earlier book of hers so when I saw this one I had to have it! The measurements work, I don't have to guess, the pants fitting is so easy!!!! Forget those books to tell you how to fit, get this pattern and sew a shirt and pants in a muslin according to your measurments and I bet you'll be surprised. The first pair of pants I made fit perfectly, so I made capris, and 3 pairs of shorts without trying them on a hundred times, zipped them up with the serger, serged on the elastic and that was it. T-shirts fit perfectly, the blouse fits. If you want to change the styles, just make another copied pattern, say for a square neck or tank top, you can do anything with these basic patterns. If you lose a little or gain a little, you can just copy a size smaller or larger, not have to go buy more patterns. This gets a 10 star review for me! Marsha Smith