Dressmaking: The Easy Guide: Mix and match skirts, sleeves and necklines for over 80 stylish variations - Hardcover

Rhiannon, Helen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1782218912 ISBN 13: 9781782218913

Publisher: Search Press, 2023

Synopsis

Create bespoke garments that fit and flatter!

Awarded 'Best Sewing Book' at the Creative Book Awards, 2024.

In this comprehensive, informative book, Helen explains how to create beautiful, customized dresses for every shape and size. Choose the exact size that fits and flatters you from a bespoke sizing chart that takes into account differences in body size across bust, waist and hips. 

Trace off your pattern pieces, then create a sample (toile) in calico which you can then adapt to create the dress of your dreams, in your own choice of fabulous fabric. 

There are four style options each for sleeves and necklines, including a flared sleeve, a capped sleeve, a sweetheart neckline or a boatneck; and five skirt options, including a fitted pencil-style skirt, a zhuzhy circle skirt, and an A-line, with or without pleats. 

You can also choose to add a sweet, classic Peter Pan collar, or inseam pockets, to your garment. Alternatively, you can even create a skirt as a separate garment, simply by adding a waistband or facing.

The language of sewing and dressmaking is demystified at the beginning of the book, as well as the equipment you need to get started.

Nothing is left unexplained; and stunning images of the finished dresses, on a mannequin and on a model, are interspersed throughout the book to inspire your own finished pieces.

Extra copies of the full-size pattern sheets/pattern templates exclusive to Dressmaking: The Easy Guide by Helen Rhiannon are available here.

About this title

About the Author

Helen Rhiannon is an award-winning designer specializing in bespoke wedding dresses.

Helen was fortunate to grow up by the picturesque coastline of Gower in Swansea, Wales, where she still lives. She creates beautiful, timeless, handmade gowns from her studio. Helen has gained a solid reputation for her superlative dressmaking skills which has led her to naturally share her knowledge and passion through teaching.

As a fully qualified teacher and lecturer, Helen Rhiannon set up the ‘All Sewn Up Wales’ sewing workshops in 2010, designed to help people learn and develop new skills, whilst meeting like minded creative people.  She runs sewing workshops regularly, teaching people how to make items such as bags, toys and naturally garments. Helen enjoys being able to inspire others from aged 6 to 106!

Her expert tuition has attracted students from around the world and she regularly makes guest appearances on national television.

For more information on Helen’s work, visit www.allsewnupwales.co.uk where you can also find an extensive online sewing shop, a wide range of tutorials and Helen’s YouTube channel.

Her bespoke bridal wear website can be viewed here: www.helenrhiannon.com

Follow Helen on her social media channels: www.facebook.com/AllSewnUpWales and www.instagram.com/all_sewn_up_wales/

Helen's first book for Search Press, Sew Perfect Pets, has sold almost 9,500 copies to date.

From the Back Cover

Demystify dressmaking with this practical, visual guide from award-winning designer Helen Rhiannon.

Create customized dresses that are a perfect fit for your body and a perfect match for your style. There are full-size patterns provided for every shape and size; simply trace off your 5 pattern pieces, create a sample, or toile, from calico and alter it to your unique shape using Helen’s clear, expert guidance. Then choose from a selection of stylish neckline, sleeve and skirt options – from classic V-necklines to flouncy 50s-style circle skirts – to make the dress your very own.

• A no-nonsense guide to dressmaking for all skill levels;
• Mix and match design elements for over 80 variations;
• Over 90 full-size patterns to cater for UK sizes 6–44, European sizes 34–72 and US sizes 2–42.

Edition details

• Publisher: Search Press
• Publication date: 2023
• ISBN 10: 1782218912
• ISBN 13: 9781782218913
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160