Love at First Stitch: Demystifying Dressmaking

This book is amazing! It starts you off with "plug in the sewing machine" and starts you off with simple projects, like making a scarf. It gradually takes you to making skirts, a blouse, and ends with a lined, zipper dress, with variation suggestions for each. It has information that is useful for a new sewist, including detail about what fabrics to use and when, how to behave at a fabric store (it can be intimidating the first time), and how to read patterns. It has tutorials on many sewing basics: pressing, preparing your fabric for cutting, pattern tracing, inserting an invisible zipper, buttons, etc. It also includes the patterns. I got the book Friday, and Sunday I made the scarf and pjs. Definitely the perfect book start you on your sewing adventure.

I have only taken one sewing lesson in my life - and that was the complimentary class that was included when I bought my sewing machine. I've gotten "beginner" sewing books before that have been a drag to read because the authors usually assume the reader has some knowledge of sewing terms. Tilly doesn't assume. She explains everything clearly and concisely, without being condescending. When I opened the book and started reading, I felt like I was talking to a friend. I got this book three weeks ago, and so far I have made the first project (a square neck scarf) and I have washed, cut, and pinned my fabric for the second project (pajama pants). Tilly's book gives me the confidence to channel my inner seamstress. She doesn't bombard you with unnecessary jargon or make the world of sewing seem overwhelming. I like the section where she talks about her sewing philosophy and she says, "You can make sewing as easy or as difficult as you like." That quote resonates with me. In reading other books, sewing seemed like an insurmountable task because there was SO MUCH information being thrown at me at once and patterns with complex step-by-step instructions (and I'd be googling and youtubing for ages trying to deconstruct what in the world each step meant). But, in Love at First Stitch, Tilly only presents you with information bit by bit so that it's not too much all at once. I like that. I've even been inspired to work on a couple of other projects outside of the book, and have sewn one pattern from OhhhLulu and started on a second. I've also been inspired to sign up for a beginner sewing techniques class at a local college. Thanks Tilly!

Absolutely recommend! I'm an advanced-beginner sewer and in the past have only sewn regular commercial patterns, and have been having some fit issues and trouble understanding pattern directions. The instructions here are very clear and very well-organized, so you can go back for help with a technique even when working on a different project. It's also loaded with inspiration for adding details and making your clothes unique. The book is charming and a fun read. I will say that I read it cover to cover but haven't actually sewn anything yet; I'm in college so my sewing machine is at home. Unlike reading a pattern, you will learn lots of technique just from reading it before you start sewing. And if you are in a bit of a sewing rut now, you will find inspiration and motivation in this cute book!

I want to love this book. It's beautifully (and readably) laid out. The projects are actually something I will use and wear. The learning curve is steep (on purpose) but manageable. Most of the techniques are explained very clearly. The progression of new skills is great. The pictures are a joy, the anecdotes are fun, and the tips and insights are both quirky and useful. What's not to love? Doing the projects is making me crazy!! Yes, the book includes full-size printed patterns... but they are printed on BOTH SIDES of the paper. So I have to trace half of them onto new sheets anyway. Then once I'm into a project, the steps are almost, but not quite, detailed enough. There are so many places where one more picture, or a clearer diagram, would make the difference between clarity and frustration. The idea seems to be that you can go from no sewing skills, to making a fully lined dress, in a straightforward series of challenges. Which is awesome, and this book almost succeeds. There is NOT enough information for a novice to complete the projects. There are a few instructions where the measurements leave me scratching my head saying "This can't be right" (and at least one where it's definitely wrong). I wish they'd done a final run-through of all the projects. Bottom line: This is a good book, but you will need more than just this.

I am a VERY novice sewer-- as in, I just started sewing a month ago. This book has helped me learn and conquer so many things that I didn't understand before. A lot of sewing jargon and terminologies intimidated me, especially when looking at a pattern and realizing that I had no idea what half the words meant. Her approach to teaching is very easy and down-to-earth. I am currently working on one of her skirt patterns and have yet to go to the internet or ask for help. If you're starting out and are interested in making your own clothes like me-- start here with Tilly. Her retro-y cute patterns are simple but so cute and easy to customize! I can't wait to make everything in this book!

I just bought love at first stitch and IM OBSESSED. I’ve been trying to get around to learning to make my own clothes for years, but it always felt like their was a language barrier and I always hit some huge block. I grew up with the basics of sewing, but had no clothes making experience. The book is SO GOOD and has walked me right along and I already moved on to a pattern from the store and felt confident I could figure it out after this book covered the basics. It does cover all the very beginner things if you’ve never touched a sewing machine, but also does a fabulous job of moving along at a fun pace so you are constantly progressing and I was shocked at how much I learned by the end of the week! I bought two other books to help me, but honestly haven’t touched them since this book covers everything so well. I’ll be buying all the books!📚 I attached my first ever skirt and top made from the patterns included! (Made the top from the dress pattern without the skirt!) Good luck!

I recently started to get back into sewing. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos that referenced this book, so I looked into purchasing it. I looked inside the book (love that Amazon feature) to see if it was worth my while. Although I used to sew a lot when I was younger, I definitely lost some of my skill set, so I thought having a reference book wouldn't hurt. I also like the patterns provided to build my skill set back up. The book is well illustrated. The instructions provided are clear and easy to follow. I'm looking forward to working my way through the book.

This book was totally worth the wait. I have been reading Tilly's blog for years now and was thrilled when this book came out. It is geared toward the total beginner, explaining how to thread a sewing machine all the way to making a dress. I had to skip some as I have been sewing for years, but as a self taught person who figured out most of what I know by trial and error it was awesome reading what all the things I have been doing are properly called. The patterns are super cute and easy to understand. You have to trace the patterns off on other paper as they are printed on two sides, but I do that anyway so it was nothing to me. I have recommended this to several people who bought new sewing machines and bought one for a friend when I found out her husband was getting her a machine for Christmas.

I love her style. I was not expecting to also get patterns.

good for beginners. simple projects to understand pattern making .

This was bought for a friend to take back home for a young person. She loved the simple pattern and knew her friend would like it.

Excellent intro to dressmaking. I picked this up specifically to learn how to make my own dresses, and liked it so much I have recommended this book to others. Her tone is very encouraging and down to earth, and makes the process seem very simple. I have made the projects in the first half of the book and all have turned out well so far. I like her technique pages which focus on one specific skill in detail (lining a garment and inserting an invisible zipper were two very useful ones). Each project lists the necessary skills and where to find the technique page for that skill, and each project builds on the previous so you can really see yourself progress as you work through the book. The patterns are actually clothing I would (and do) wear, which makes it all the more fun. I have found that have been able to extrapolate what I have learned from here to create simple patterns for my daughter, and produce dresses for her that look well-finished and fit properly. Looking forward to making the rest of the projects in the book!

Ho acquistato anche altri libri di questa stilista. Cartamodelli facilissimi e le spiegazioni molto chiare ( sono in inglese ma ci si arriva comunque poiché sono presenti molte foto). In più , a differenza delle riviste di settore , copre un range di taglie molto vasto. Bisogna solo fare attenzione che qui i margini di cucitura (1,5) sono inclusi ( per cui non bisogna nemmeno ridisegnarli su carta. La consiglio assolutamente