I really admired Chinelo's creations on the Sewing Bee last year and was encouraged by the fact that although she'd not been seeing for too long she was able to create some beautiful and perfectly fitting garments. When I saw she'd produced a book explaining her methods I had to get it! The book is split into three main sections; techniques, blocks and the projects themselves. The techniques section is brief but I find it a nice addition as it provides a brief guide to some seams, hems and zip insertions. Moving on to the blocks, I must admit that I was a little confused as to the reasoning behind them at first as it wasn't something I'd come across before, but once I got my head round that it made perfect sense. I love the idea of having a basic structure to each garment you're making which is based on your own individual measurements. Like another reviewer said, I'd recommend having a go with the blocks on some cheap material first, just to practice putting them together and making them fit your shape, but that's not something you certainly have to do first. The projects themselves are really nice and are things I'll definitely be making more of. I find them to be well explained and broken down into enough steps for me to follow (and I'm quite an inexperienced sewer). Having the blocks also means you could venture on to new designs if you fancy. I'm used to working with patterns but it can be hard to find a garment I like or one that fits my body shape so I'm really excited to make clothes specific to my own measurements. Overall, I'm really happy with this book. It's a whole new way of sewing garments so it's going to take a little time to get the hang of things but everything's explained well and the clothes to make at the end are lovely. Definitely give it a go!
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I've just bought the kindle version of this book, I snapped it up as soon as possible because I was so impressed with Chinelo Bally's clothes when I saw her on Great British Sewing Bee. I enjoy sewing but I've only ever made a few basic skirts, because I find traditional patterns are just not made for people like me. I'm very short and plus sized so I never find patterns that fit me without me having to make significant adjustments outside the lines provided by the pattern. Not only are the busts and waists not in proportion for me but I find lengths and sleeves too long, to the point where buying a pattern is rendered pointless. So you can understand how I was excited for this book. I've read it in one eager sitting now and I feel very confident that I can make the projects in it relatively easily and that they will fit me. The instructions are very clear and the projects in the book are not overly fussy. I'm looking forward to making the maxi skirt and the wrap dress in particular and I can see myself making those two over and over again in different prints. The projects feel classic, not too modern but not old fashioned or frumpy either. It's clear that a huge amount of effort and thought has gone into the instructions, they are very clear and I believe that a beginner sewer could use this book easily. There is a section on techniques needed to make up the projects such as how to do French seams and other seams. I think this section is quite useful on it's own, because it's well worded and breaks the techniques down into sensible steps. I have the Kindle version of the book, it's been well adapted for the Kindle. I would say that if you have an older version of the Kindle that doesn't display pictures or diagrams you are better off buying the hard copy of the book because you do need to see the pictures and diagrams.
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Looks good, I had to re-read a couple of sections and finally it clicked into place. Having come from a background that uses patterns, I am having to relearn how not to use patterns, forget about respecting the grainline, etc and essentially be "free" with one's thinking on how to construct garments without following the set rules in sewing. I have to admit it was a little unnerving at first. Actually, in a nice way, my analogy to reading this book, it felt like being in school again, except with no rules to obey, you just do things in a different style and still get the results you want. Well, not many people will understand what I am trying to say, but that's how it feels. Anyway, I think some more illustrations to show the freehand techniques in more steps would have been extremely helpful in this book, for seasoned sewers and novices alike. In addition, some accompanying videos on YouTube, would give this book the gravitas it deserves. Apart from that, I will be trying out a couple of the methods Chinelo has put into this book. For her next book, and I hope there will be one, I hope she or her publisher will take note of the above comments, and leave out the sewing stuff like inserting a zip, etc, but also please include making trousers the freehand style.
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An excellent, thorough and informative book by Chinelo, which was delivered promptly and in excellent condition.
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Couldnt wait to order this after watching Chinelo on the great british sewing bee. I've just bought the kindle version of this book, I snapped it up as soon as possible because I was so impressed with Chinelo Bally's clothes when I saw her on Great British Sewing Bee. I have been sewing for well over 40 years and love this and I find it difficult to alter patterns to suit my size and my daughter who is tall. I always have to make adjustments. Chinelos book drew me in immediately and I feel very confident and ready to take on my next project. The patterns in the book are perfect and for everyone. Fashionable but not too modern they are classic and elegant without being old fashioned. Perfect for every age. I would highly recommend this for any sewing fan!
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私は日本人です。妻の希望で日本で注文しました。イギリスの本ですがとてもセンスのよい魅力ある本でした。たいへん参考になります。
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The delivery is *super fast* and the book looks great! Can’t wait to give it a try, as I find comercial patterns really fussy. Very happy
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Nice read!
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I love this book. It’s just what I’m looking for to help me in designing and working without a commercial pattern and my clothes have form. Thank you for such a great book!
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Chinelo makes the complicated easily understood . It's a book that lends itself to those who would love to create their clothes to fit their own body shape . While being inspired by others designs now have skills and confidence to make clothes that fit comfortably.
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