Fashion Designing: Book Review : Chic & Simple Sewing By Christine Haynes

Chic and Simple Sewing ByChristine Haynes

Contents

Chic & Simple Sewing is a Book for Beginners. The Book includes Four Sheets of Pattern Pieces. Best Patterns are Wrap Dress, Opera Dress and The Cape. Sewing instructions are good especially for the Wrap dress.

In total there are 23 items in this book but few people may be disappointed as there are only 9 patterns and the rest 14 patterns are variations of the nine patterns. For example variation with strap but that too halter strap, front tie strap, cross strap which could be disappointing.

Patterns are very simple and lovely which could be made in a day and for the beginners the best part is that there are no darts, no zippers and no interfacing. Elastic of either ¼ or ½ inch is used in Sleeves, Bust and Waist areas.

Four Sheets of Paper with Patterns Printed on One Side

Patterns are Organized with Numbers

Sample of Pattern Piece Which I Used for Creating Wrap Skirt

Clear Instructions of Pattern Pieces

The Book includes 5 Tops and Jackets, 3 Skirts and 15 Dresses

Patterns – with its variations:

Baby Doll Top – Baby Doll Dress
Trench Coat – Jacket
Circle Skirt – Wrap Skirt, Cape
Wrap Dress – Wrap Top
Sunday Dress with Bodice, A-Line Skirt, Ruffle – A- line Skirt
Strapless Dress – Indian summer dress with strap, Halter dress
Tie Shoulder Shift Dress – Retro dress with neck band, Back to School Dress with Sleeve
The Sundress with Sleeve – The Date dress without sleeve, The LBD with cross strap, The Tie front strapless dress with front tie strap, The Nightie with net Strap
Opera Dress

Good Points:

No Zipper or Button Closure
Patterns are printed on one side only so you can cut the pattern pieces
Patterns are organized with numbers so it becomes easier to find the pattern pieces
Dresses can be made in a day or two
No Lining, No Interfacing, No Darts
No Boning in Strapless Dress

Bad Points:

Size Chart

Only three Pattern sizes
Lining is used but detail not specified – In Baby Doll Top and Dress, Sunday Dress and Opera Dress.

Ex:- Instructions are given “To take Four Bodice Back Pieces” in Baby Doll Top where two pieces are for inside part of the top, so instead of lining four pieces of main fabric should be used. This could be a problem if fabric is not chosen correctly as some fabrics have sequins or any other detail so you can’t use it as a lining.

Only 9 Patterns - 14 out of 23 Patterns is repetitive, few of them with simple variations like halter strap, front tie strap, cross strap .

Loose fittings as no darts

Though there are fewer patterns in this book, Overall the ideas in the book are very nice and easy to make which could be useful to everyone not just the beginners. Like the Strapless Dress idea can be used to make Strapless Jumpsuit.

Best Dresses: