Customer Reviews

49 Sensational Skirts: Creative Embellishment Ideas For One-of-a-kind Designs

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I had been avoiding this book, as I really do NOT need any more books on making things - I own about everything ever published and had promised myself no more. Then I saw it in a store and leafed through it - and bought it! I will not kid you - you would be nuts to make any of these skirts if you are any larger than a size 8 - maybe a 10 for one or two, but only a couple. And my size 8 days are longer ago than most of the people who might buy this book were born! However old and pudgy I may be, I still make unusual clothing out of recycled clothing from thrift stores, and I thought this book had some inspiration and ideas worth enjoying. I'm glad I bought it and like leafing through it periodically.

That said, I would like to rant a minute: all the books about making clothing out of recycled thrift clothes with odd styling and peculiar decor are aimed at teeny and tiny sizes - and young and younger ages. Believe me, those of us who were both those things in the 70s and loved doing that very thing then, are still interested. Well, some of us are! I make skirts, shirts, and dresses out of mens shirts, linen calendars, neckties, cut up overalls, machine felted sweaters and vintage dresses - and have been doing it for decades. People stop me on the street and tell me they love my clothes, and occasionally someone asks me if I sell them - I don't. I get peeved at the assumption that women my age and size aren't into recycled couture books. I may not be emphasizing my hips - or even acknowledging them! - but I still make and wear some pretty fun and unique clothing. It wouldn't kill the publishers to keep this in mind - and might well increase sales if they do.

Okay, enough said on that subject - until I review another book about recycled clothing, anyway. However, I would recommend 49 Sensational Skirts as a fun approach to making and remaking garments.

I'm glad I bought this book, but I can't use most of the patterns "as are." If I did, at age 65 (but not looking quite that), the skirts would wear ME instead of the other way around. There are many springboard ideas that I can tone down and still enjoy wearing something creative.

I got this book because it seemed like it would inspire/teach me to make Anthropologie-esque skirts. I've had it for over a year now, and every time I take it off the shelf I get more frustrated with it. The cover promises lots of fun ideas, but it's really just an artist's portfolio in book form. The vast majority of the skirts are either too poofy, heavy or just too utterly ridiculous to be worn in daily life. For instance, the skirt that suggests you combine silk flowers with toy plastic food. Really? Imagine sitting in that.

There are some fun ideas--but they mostly involve lots and LOTS of repetitious work, and almost all the skirts have circles of something on them--see cover. How many ways can we put circles on dresses? Ribbons, flowers, paint, rolled fabric, folded fabric, buttons, etc. It's really not that creative overall. If you're looking to spend hours and HOURS to make a skirt into a piece of art (an unwashable one!), this is for you.

This is a really great book when you need a project for secondary school students who have some basic skills in construction techniques and surface embellishment and its time they ventured out into a more creative approach to their work in fashion and textiles. It could be used as a starting point when discussing intellectual property, counterfeits and 'knockoffs'. The main purpose is to demonstrate to students that they can start with the ideas and inspiration from a designer's work, but focus on their own interpretations. Why copy someone else's work exactly, when they can develop their own individual creations, and use Alison Willoughby's work as their inspiration
The images are excellent, the information and directions are logical and very easy to understand, and best of all there is an Alison Willoughby pattern to use as a starting point. What a talented young lady!!!

I was actually a bit shocked at how very, um, "creative" these skirts are. You will definitely get attention if you wear one of these creations! I bought it because I enjoy beaded embellishments and because I was so enjoying this book:

Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics

...that I thought I would look for more of the same. This is NOT the same or even in the same universe.

The title says it all 'sensational skirts'. the ideas, designs and techniques presented by the artist are fun, beautiful and clearly explained. Book production is quality engendering enthusiasm for skirt creations from beginning to end.