Wednesday 19 May 2010

Built by Wendy Dresses - Review


So you know how it is? When you say you won't buy anymore sewing books, due to the mixed results from too many of them? Well I saw this, it teased me on pre order for months, then I read the reviews, and Wendy's reputation is pretty rock solid, so I had to buy it. And for what you get it's a bargain.


So what is inside? Well 3 pattern pieces to make the above 3 dresses, a sheath, a shift and a dirndle!

Then what you get is a breakdown of each style of dress into how to alter the pattern into a variety of other dresses! Below is a selction:



From the Sheath dress.

Sheath dress.



Sheath dress.


Shift Dresses


Shift


Shift dress
Dirndle dresses
Dirndle Dress


dirndle dresses
dirndle dress
alterations example


pattern layout example


sewing up example
I just wanted to show how in depth this book is. It is not for a novice, but if you have done a bit of clothes sewing before, this would be suitable for an advanced beginner/ intermediate sewer. There are no seam allowances on the patterns, which is no big deal, as you copy them anyway.
The first step is to make a muslin, then alter that as necessary to fit correctly, instructions are in the book. Then once you have your own base pattern, you can use the other patterns and create a wealth of dresses! I'm making my 1st muslin, for the sheath dress, so I will see how that goes. But it is an exciting book, and offers great value for money (when most patterns cost £8+) I will post again on my successes/ failures!

2 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Mmmmmmmmm..........I have the same problem with any book or anything I am making! I tell myself I don't need the book or materials I already have something similar and what do I do I go and buy it anyway - then come home and think why did I do that!

Sasha Rocket said...

Thanks for this review. I've just ordered this book and now I can't wait for it to get here!

Trixie