Discover how fun it is to create these simple, colorful skirts. Sew What! Skirts assumes no prior sewing experience and doesn’t slow you down with complicated instructions or patterns. The authors offer up 16 great styles, including A-line, circle, wraparound, gored panel, tiered, layered, and more. All it takes to get started is basic body measurements (no need to buy a pattern), a sewing machine, great fabric, fun embellishments, and a few simple techniques. The designs in Sew What! Skirts are sure to unleash the creative spirit of every budding sewist.
Sew What! Skirts
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"With its straightforward instructions and style… a great choice for the no-frills seamstress who wants a little flounce."—Rose Annis, Bust Magazine, November 2006 (Rose Annis Bust)
“If you’re a teen or tween with an itch to stitch….check out Sew What! Skirts.” – Washington Post
From the Back Cover
Don't Let Old-Fashions Patterns Hem You In!
You'll be amazed by what you can sew with no patterns at all. Fun fabrics that inspire you, a basic sewing machine, and an adventurous spirit are all you need to get started. Create a new wardrobe that reminds you just how much fun sewing can be!
You'll be amazed by what you can sew with no patterns at all. Fun fabrics that inspire you, a basic sewing machine, and an adventurous spirit are all you need to get started. Create a new wardrobe that reminds you just how much fun sewing can be!
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249 of 259 people found the following review helpful
By Arcania
Format:Spiral-bound
I sew almost every day. I never use patterns. I hate them. I mean, what's the point of putting all that time into making a garment if it's going to look like something you bought at the store?
That's why I design all my clothing and handbags, and this book is now one of my favorites. It doesn't come with built in patterns, but directions for how to measure yourself and make patterns or - better yet -mark the skirt dimensions right on the fabric. What's more, the designs are unique and versatile, and the author encourages personal creativity.
The day after I bought it I sewed the Country Charm skirt using some quilters cotton and another cotton fabric I'd hand-dyed a few days before. The directions were simple, accurate and within a couple of hours I was done. Thanks to the wonderful instructions, my fabric choices and an applique I ended up with unique, wearable work of art and a new style of skirt to sew for myself or others.
It's not often I'm impressed with a sewing book. This one gets my highest recommendation.
That's why I design all my clothing and handbags, and this book is now one of my favorites. It doesn't come with built in patterns, but directions for how to measure yourself and make patterns or - better yet -mark the skirt dimensions right on the fabric. What's more, the designs are unique and versatile, and the author encourages personal creativity.
The day after I bought it I sewed the Country Charm skirt using some quilters cotton and another cotton fabric I'd hand-dyed a few days before. The directions were simple, accurate and within a couple of hours I was done. Thanks to the wonderful instructions, my fabric choices and an applique I ended up with unique, wearable work of art and a new style of skirt to sew for myself or others.
It's not often I'm impressed with a sewing book. This one gets my highest recommendation.
162 of 168 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a terrific book - it's visually attractive, the binding makes it easy to use, the skirts are fashionable and adaptable, many (if not all) patterns show an alternative skirt in the same style, and the directions (and the reasoning behind them) are clearly explained.
But my one complaint is that very little is mentioned about fabric quantities - something one would need to make a completed garment, yes? There is a brief paragraph in the beginning that defines her use of the word "length" and gives a size small as an example, and from there on out there is one quantity given for each skirt. Since one of the reasons for this book is to make a skirt that fits a specific person, this doesn't strike me as enough information. Running out of fabric (and possibly not being able to buy more) would be tragic, and having enough fabric to make two skirts (and not being able to return it) would be frustrating. For this book to be perfect, more discussion would need to be given to such an important topic.
But in every other way I can think of, the book is terrific, fun, educational and effective.
But my one complaint is that very little is mentioned about fabric quantities - something one would need to make a completed garment, yes? There is a brief paragraph in the beginning that defines her use of the word "length" and gives a size small as an example, and from there on out there is one quantity given for each skirt. Since one of the reasons for this book is to make a skirt that fits a specific person, this doesn't strike me as enough information. Running out of fabric (and possibly not being able to buy more) would be tragic, and having enough fabric to make two skirts (and not being able to return it) would be frustrating. For this book to be perfect, more discussion would need to be given to such an important topic.
But in every other way I can think of, the book is terrific, fun, educational and effective.
77 of 78 people found the following review helpful
By S. Orr
Format:Spiral-bound
I ordered this book from Amazon on a whim. I thought it sounded good so I took a chance and I'm glad I did. I am really happy with this book. I plan to work my way through the projects. This book would be great for a beginner. I am an intermediate seamstress but love the idea of not running out to buy a pattern everytime I need a new skirt. The author walks you through the steps of drafting your own pattern for your body measurements. Each skirt has a different technique and the projects grow in dificulty level, although none of them are very dificult. She has excellent instrucions and the pictures are inspiring. I believe there are 16 skirts in here but you could easily take the different ideas and come up with many more patterns. I would love to see more of these books, maybe one on tops and another on pants. The book is well worth the money especially if you think about the cost of patterns these days. Great job Francesca, I love it!
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By S. Mortimore
Format:Spiral-bound
Due to the increasing prices of clothing and the lack of cute styles out there, I decided to take on the task of learning how to sew my own clothes. I've made a few simple baby quilts, but that's about it. I started by purchasing a Betsy Ross pattern and cute Amy Butler fabric. My first attempt at sewing a skirt was a disaster. Even though I cut out the pattern that fit the closet to my measurements it was HUGE! After all of the anticipation and the money I had spent on a pattern and fabric I wanted to CRY! I purchased this book on Amazon in a last ditch effort to live the dream, of crafting my own beautiful skirt, that would fit and not cost a fortune. This book is amazing!!! Just this weekend I whipped up the cutest little A-line skirt in about two hours and it's just darling! In fact, I'm wearing it right now. It fits me better than any skirt I own. I used a big funky pink and brown Amy Butler floral fabric and my skirt looks like it would have been purchased from a hip little boutique, but cost me about 15.00. The directions were simple, the pictures were incredibly helpful, and I imagine I'll be sewing up at least five more of these for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.
86 of 92 people found the following review helpful
By book worm
Format:Spiral-bound
There is something wrong when one has to do the proofreading before following a pattern. Does anybody proofread before publishing, especially when math is so crucial to pattern writing. Much to my major disappointment, when I finally pull the book out to sew a skirt with much anticipation and expectation after buying a pretty piece of fabric at a very pretty price and proceed in following the directions to make a semi-circular wrap-skirt, and having cut accordingly, I discover that the math is completely off. N.B. Do not divide the final waistline measurement by 6. This is incorrect information. Yeah, I didn't end up with the skirt I had in mind... and I don't give praises for books that give the wrong information and can cause one much grief and an emptier wallet than initially planned.
32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Spiral-bound
Well maybe not but I can assure you that with an ounce of patience and a cupful of enthusiasm you will be whipping up custom made skirts in no time at all. You'll even be holding your hand out to your friends in a slow down gesture, take a number please... (I wrote a reveiw on Aussie Bid dot com for this book too)
Seriously this book is that good, and I've been sewing for nearly 20 years now! The book is a breath of fresh air. The picures and diagrams are lovely and easy to follow. Remember that this book was written in the USA so be prepared for coversion if you are a metric kind of person (thank goodness Australian tape measures come with metric and imperial on the one tape).
When you order this book go and get yourself some butchers paper, a ruler and some pens/ textas. You need to draft a a very basic flat pattern using your own measurement. This becomes your basis for creating marvellous skirts that will fit you. My first project was the straight skirt, I made this with a black fabric with a self-print. Even with the modifications I did (it has a lovely thigh split,the book guides you through this, with the addition of press stud tape for modesty)skirt- from drafting to wearing, took less then 1 1/2 hours.
The thing that made me fall the most in love with this book is that it has very clear and visual instructions on setting a zipper /fly (or what ever you call those things with teeth that hold your skirt together).
The book I bought from Amazon is hard covered with spiral binding. The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat when you are working from it )(without the pages flipping shut).... Read more ›
Seriously this book is that good, and I've been sewing for nearly 20 years now! The book is a breath of fresh air. The picures and diagrams are lovely and easy to follow. Remember that this book was written in the USA so be prepared for coversion if you are a metric kind of person (thank goodness Australian tape measures come with metric and imperial on the one tape).
When you order this book go and get yourself some butchers paper, a ruler and some pens/ textas. You need to draft a a very basic flat pattern using your own measurement. This becomes your basis for creating marvellous skirts that will fit you. My first project was the straight skirt, I made this with a black fabric with a self-print. Even with the modifications I did (it has a lovely thigh split,the book guides you through this, with the addition of press stud tape for modesty)skirt- from drafting to wearing, took less then 1 1/2 hours.
The thing that made me fall the most in love with this book is that it has very clear and visual instructions on setting a zipper /fly (or what ever you call those things with teeth that hold your skirt together).
The book I bought from Amazon is hard covered with spiral binding. The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat when you are working from it )(without the pages flipping shut).... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
sewing
another cute book of multiple ideas for a large variety of skirts; it showcases different types of fabric and helps to enhance the imagination
Published 21 days ago by Joy Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book is in very good shape and was received on time.
This is a cute book with a lot of ideas for creative skirts; among them are styles I would never have thought of before.
Published 28 days ago by T. Machusak Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for all sewists
This book is great for beginner and experienced sewists. The instructions are easy to read and understand which makes it very easy to jump in and start a project right away. Read more
Published 2 months ago by swzende
4.0 out of 5 stars
Build your wardrobe and your design skills!
Sew What! Skirts is a clever book. The authors teach a framework for creating template patterns for a variety of basic skirt styles (including A-line, wrap, circle, straight and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by No Ordinary Tomato
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book for skirts!
I use this to create my own patterns because traditional store bought skirts don't fit right. It was the best book I have bought and it is easy to follow.
Published 3 months ago by Stephanie Norman
5.0 out of 5 stars
So many skirts!
This is a great book for sewing various skirts. Great illustrations and easy to understand instructions. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Horsey gal
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book!
My daughter was teaching herself to sew and this book gave her some good ideas. She's made several of the skirts and even adapted a few of them to suit herself. It's a good book!
Published 5 months ago by Tori
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very cute and good book
My daughter in law in U.S.A.really loved it because it introduced her to sewing skirts,I looked at it when I was there almost a year ago,kept thinking should I buy it? Read more
Published 6 months ago by Thorarna Palsdottir
1.0 out of 5 stars
Did not receive order - not on my kindle or anywhere
I am not sure what happened but would be willing to change my review if only I could receive this book. I have checked my kindle and it is still not there. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Woody
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleased
I recently began sewing. I was having trouble finding clothing that fit well - especially store-brought pencil skirts. Read more
Published 11 months ago by SimplySimple
