Girl with a Sewing Machine: The No-Fuss Guide to Making and Adapting Your Own Clothes

(Paperback)

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Description

This beautiful, instructive book from The Great British Sewing Bees Jenniffer Taylor shows you how to make and adapt your own clothes without the need for shop-bought patterns. Using Jenniffer's fun and imaginative ideas, this book will teach you how to get started transforming unloved items of clothing into new and exciting outfits; how to customise clothes with doilies, tassels, tie-dyeing and block printing; and finally how to measure yourself, create patterns and make clothes from scratch, including dresses, skirts, tops, trousers and a coat.

The book is packed with all the tricks of the trade that Jenniffer has learned along her sewing journey, and it will get you started on your own #sewingrevolution!

Reviews

I have just had the pleasure of reviewing this book . I've been a fan of Jenniffer Taylor's since the Sewing Bee & I was over the moon to be chosen to review her book .
It's a book that will be useful to the experienced & newbies alike . The step by step instructions & accompanying photos are easy to follow . The instructions are written so as to give you enough information without over complicating matters.
What I like in particular is the recycling ethos this book promotes. Perhaps we don't want to throw an old favourite piece of clothing away but it looks like it's seen better days . This way we can update & rejuvenate clothing. We don't always want to make something to wear from scratch or we can't find what we want in the shops . Perhaps we've picked something up in a charity shop . With Jenniffer's book we can create our own designs using items we've already got
I would give this book a Five star rating without hesitation. Now to get to work on some of the ideas !

* Julie ironmonger *

Jen's way of writing puts you at ease and makes every task seem easy. The pictures are clear and the instructions are easy to follow even for a beginner. I love the way she recycles old clothes into something new.

* Alison Stevens *

If you love sewing you need this book! It covers all aspects of sewing, starting with basic things you need to know about fabric and tools through to sewing terms and seam finishes. The book starts with an interesting chapter by Jennifer about her passion for sewing and how she started out. A wide range of projects from beginner to more advanced are clearly explained and well photographed. Most of the designs do not require patterns and clear instructions are given on how to create your own templates to your size. I own lots of sewing books but this is probably one of the best ones I have come across as it is very comprehensive. The book is great value for money too. It certainly won't be remaining on the shelf like a lot of my books, as I can see myself making lots of the garments in it..Jennifer's personality comes across in the book and it is written in a very friendly and easy to understand way.

* Judith Rigg *

or a beginner like me this book I fab! I have a few sewing books and have been trying to teach myself to sew for a while but this one is definitely one of the best. The best part for me is the taking measurements section, have actual photographs of a person being measured is much better than the drawings other books have. I love all the 'top tips', little things someone like me wouldn't think about but which make sewing that little bit easier. I can't wait to get started customising clothes, my husband better watch out as I may steal a few of his shirts for my first project!!

* Cristin Williams *

The first thing I enjoyed about Girl With A Sewing Machine was reading about its author, Jenniffer Taylor, and discovering how she began sewing. If youre a beginner when it comes to sewing and are particularly daunted by the prospect of making your own clothes, you will perhaps be heartened to learn that her first from-scratch project was making her wedding dress and it looked fabulous!

Before jumping into any projects, the book provides several pages of information on sewing kit items, sewing machines and fabrics, which are a helpful way of making sure that you are prepared and organised before you begin sewing.

Each project has an introduction, a list of materials you will need, easy-to-follow steps interspersed with Jennifers top tips, and is comprehensively illustrated with clear photographs. This format is extremely helpful regardless of level of experience.

There are three main sections to the book: the first, Getting started, eases you in with some fairly simple projects and includes guides to making a vintage pincushion and turning an old jumper into mittens and a snood; the next section, Customising Clothes, has some wonderful ideas to help you get creative and upcycle and refresh existing items, from using tie-dyeing and embroidery to finding a use for Nans old doilies; the final section, Making Clothes From Scratch, starts with a great guide to taking measurements, and includes a number of projects to make a variety of garments including tops, skirts, dresses, coats and trousers.

I found Girl With A Sewing Machine extremely well thought-out and this is evident in its content and layout. Jennifers ability to explain things succinctly and comprehensibly makes this informative book a pleasure to read and an exceptionally great addition to any creative individuals library and toolkit.

Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

* Dawn Andrews *

This is a beautiful book; basic, yes, but the best ideas are the simplest and anything that inspires and fires your imagination is good in my world. We start with the basics, then some re-purposing before heading into the tunic on the cover.
I like the fact this book promotes trial and error, having a play and experimenting while given enough tips for you to be proud of your results.
If you want somewhere to start with your sewing machine without laying out a mortgage payment in the fabric shop (it's all so pretty!), a taster to grow in confidence written in a friendly, accessible style then this is a good book for you.

* Kate Menhinick *

Great book to get you started on sewing.
I really enjoyed the pictures and the very clear instructions.
It does not contain any pattern but a lot of sewing recipes instead. I think that is very useful as it helps you to make adjustments and bring anything to your style/figure standards.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get into sewing, especially for those who are more looking into up cycling and being creative with textiles!

* Sophia Komninou *

This is another fantastic book from Search Press. With clear pictures and friendly wording it's like having your own private tutor guiding you through every step. This book shows you don't need to spend a lot of money when making your own clothes and has handy tips on acquiring fabric, making a pattern to fit *your* measurements and customising your current clothes to put your own, unique spin on them.

The sewing kit list includes a few surprises in addition to the usual pins, scissors etc but I can see that these items will become essentials in my sewing kit. I particularly like the section on seams which explains what seam to use and why.

There is a good choice of clothes to make for all seasons using a variety of fabrics. The instructions are clearly written, avoiding any "technical jargon" accompanied by close-up pictures.

* Sarah Dennis *

Taylor, a former contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee, brings her retro style to this collection of easy-to-sew projects, including several that repurpose thrift-store finds. The first section focuses on customizing clothes by repurposing or altering them, and the second features easy garments, often showcasing reclaimed fabric. Some garments are a bit sack-like and shapeless, including a top made of two square scarves sewn together, and others are just plain odd, such as the T-shirt that has been altered so tassels hang off the arms. Still, Taylors easygoing manner and free spirit will appeal to sewists looking for quick, fun projects with a retro vibe. VERDICT Taylors easy-to-sew projects will help beginners build confidence, and the down-to-earth tone is a pleasant change from the Pinterest-perfect aesthetic that often plagues similar sewing books.

* Library Journal, USA *

Issue 46

Jenniffer Taylor (of The Great British Sewing Bee) is a self taught seamstress, who started out by adapting clothes she already owned or making new ones using a few body measurements. This is her guide to help you do the same, with ideas for customising old pieces using vintage doilies, tassels, embroidery, block printing and tie-dyeing, or creating new garments from upcycled fabrics such as vintage scarf top and blanket coat. With simple instructions and helpful photographs for each of the 17 projects, anyone with a sewing machine can join the sewing revolution and create their own unqiue wardrobe.

* Reloved *

Following her participation in The Great British Sewing Bee, Jennifer was encouraged to put together the skills learned into this inspiring book, presenting fifteen fabulous projects, suitable for all skill levels. As Jennifer enjoys up-cycling there are several ideas showing how to create new garments from unwanted clothes and accessories while other projects in the book are created from scratch. By using a series of body measurements marked onto the fabric length, no actual pattern pieces are required, but by following Jennifers instruction and guidance it is possible to create a range of very wearable items. Whilst the designs will appeal more to the young-at-heart, inspiration can be taken by all who enjoy sewing and creating their own unique clothes.

* East Kent Embroiderers Guild *

If you have a sewing machine that is gathering dust, or you want to get one and have a go at making your own clothes, you will find something for you in this book. From adapting existing items to making garments from scratch, there is plenty of help for the sewing novice and intermediate stitcher alike.

Like myself, the author of this book is self-taught, and this is very much a book aimed at the modern person. You dont need to buy up the shop in order to get kitted out and many projects focus on remaking charity shop purchases. Even the garments to make are all basic daywear that are quick to make and slow to date. In short, this book is ideal for anybody who wants to free themselves from off the peg fashion and might not have a lot of time or mon

Author Bio

Jenniffer Taylor's addiction to sewing began when she decided to design and make her own wedding dress. The experience unlocked her creativity and for the first time she found she was able to express her individual style, empowering her to create garments that she always wanted but was unable to get.

Jenni's husband Kirk recognised her passion for sewing and secretly submitted an application for the Great British Sewing Bee 2014. After the show finished, Jenni was determined to make something of the experience and she is now a prominent and popular personality on the sewing scene, running 'sewing revolution' workshops, presenting on TV and being featured in sewing magazines, exhibitions and shows.