Customer Reviews

Pattern-Free Fashions: 12 Easy Styles to Sew, Serge, Fuse (Star Wear)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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Not only did I enjoy reading this book, but I also actually used it, and I'm glad I did. Blouses and tops are based on folding over fabric, and the fold is the shoulder line. That's fine if you have square shoulders. You can deal with it for sloped shoulders by using a wider neckline and/or shoulder pads. I made the Cocoon Coat by following the directions exactly, even when they didn't make sense, and I love it, even through several body size changes. It's a silk tweed lined with china silk. What a joy to wear. I made a straight skirt of corduroy and love it. It's important to allow enough ease. Comfortable and attractive. I made a blouse with long sleeves, shoulder tucks and a boat neck with a little "V" in the front of checked flannel. It slid around on me until I established the shoulder better with shoulder pads. Comfortable and attractive. I'm planning to make the sarong skirt, nightgown, caftan, and another coat and/or jacket or two. Another cocoon coat or two in exotic fabrics would be lovely. This book is easy to use, interesting, informative.

Originally I checked this book out at my local library. While it didn't suit my original purpose, it did provide me with an excellent kimono 'pattern' for my next project. I decided that I since I like this book so much I need my own copy.

I absolutely love fabric and often buy fabric that I think is just too beautiful to cut up. But the beauty of the designs in this book is that they are so clean, simple and uncomplicated that they really show off the fabric without requiring a lot of cutting, piecing, etc. I'm particularly partial to the Kimono Coat. It is so elegant and the layout so clean and simple that it would be ideal for silk brocades, velvets, or any fabric that you love but are squeamish about cutting.

The best part is it is a springboard for ideas. I suspect any of these designs could be made a dozen times in different fabrics and be absolutely unique and gorgeous. Thanks for a great book.

I bought this book after borrowing it from the library, I liked it so much. The styles in this book are not that "fashion forward" and some can be described as downright dowdy, but the swirly pajama dress, sure-fit palazzo style pants & shorts, kimono coat/houserobe, sarong skirt, and cocoon wrap are totally worth the price of the book. The timeless top and classic blouse are sorta granny/medical scrubby looking, but not bad if you just want to throw together a shell for layering purposes. The gathered skirt is ordinary, the jumper dress is good for a little girl, the caftan is well, a caftan, the easiest winter coat/summer wrap is pretty timeless, and the vest is hideous. Sorry Ms. Cole - but I wouldn't wish that vest on a Walmart greeter.

If you're a fabric hound, and enjoy using lots of large bold patterns for comfy, easy to wear leisure clothing this book is totally for you.

Filled with patterns and directions for creating garments using simple shapes. Tissues patterns are not necessary, but the author recommends creating your own once you are satisfied with the final garments. Myself, I'm satisfied to measure each time. Well written, populated with informative diagrams and beautiful pictures of completed garments. Most wonderful, these are truly a make it today, wear it tonight type garments; suitable for the beginner but still useful for an accomplished sewist.