Singer Perfect Plus: Making a Mix-And-Match Wardrobe for Petite-Plus to Full-Plus Sizes: Sew a Mix-and-match Wardrobe for Plus [Illustrated] [Spiral-bound]

Kathleen Cheetham owns Petite Plus Patterns and in this handy book she distills her expertise for the benefit of petite-plus and plus size sewers. I don t need to remind anyone that the Big 4 does not address the style and fitting needs of this group of sewers. Just go onto Pattern Review or Stitchers Guild and you ll get sense of how big and underserved this market really is. SINGER has added its imprint to Kathleen s new book Perfect Plus, Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes; and Jennifer Sauer, who many of us know from her sojourn at Threads, served as technical editor; her expertise is clearly evident in the high quality technical drawings and detailed photography. But I m getting ahead of myself here, this book is not just a sewing instruction book; the first 30 pages are devoted to wardrobe planning. There is a useful questionnaire that helps to establish exactly what kind of wardrobe you need for your lifestyle based on how you spend your time and what types of clothes makes you feel good. I have to say that the design aspect of fashion sewing is to me the most challenging; that is, how to really avoid that 'happy hands and home' look and really make garments that qualify as fashion. Kathleen provides a framework for a sewer that really de-mystifies the color and fabric selection process.The actual process of sewing starts in chapter three, and included with the book is a set of tissue patterns for four garments, a blouse with cap sleeves, long sleeves and two collar variations, tailored pants, a flared skirt and a princess seam jacket. The size range in the patterns runs from petite-plus to full plus size 14 to 24. Kathleen s sloper for these patterns is a D cup with a fuller tummy, but if your measurements differ she also includes excellent instructions for all types of alterations, including a full bust adjustment. The draft of the blouse and jacket sleeve is really impressive; its a two piece sleeve drafted for full upper arms. My only quibble with this wonderful book is the style of the patters; it s on the conservative side and not even close to being fashion forward, however, I think savvy sewers will use these patterns as a base for adding style and detail. If you re an intermediate or ambitious beginner sewer looking for a basic petite-plus or plus size wardrobe this book is great sewing room resource. --Sewing Diva, April, 2009;Plan a perfect wardrobe with this super title aimed at Plus and Petite Plus sized women. Containing four patterns sized from 14 to 24 for blouse, jacket, skirt and trousers along with variations for over 50 outfits, this book provides the ultimate capsule wardrobes for casual, formal and evening wear. There is plenty of practical advice about analysing profiles, choosing colours and textures, and creating core garments on which to build a wardrobe appropriate to the wearer s lifestyle. Using herself as an example, the author shows how to develop a full collection to suit a variety of occasions and the changing seasons. There are helpful tips on altering patterns to fit along with clear diagrams and a useful measurements chart. The four patterns come complete with lots of variations for sleeves, necklines and trims making them a great basis for a multitude of styles. Assembly instructions are provided with clear photos and there are lots of extra tips for using overlockers, adding linings and achieving professional results. The final section includes a mix-and-match wardrobe to show just how versatile a few great garments can be. --isew dot co dot uk;Perfect Plus is a very straightforward book, nothing fancy. You're not going to get any couture techniques here, or anything too fashion-forward or art-to-wear. This is primarily a book for petite, plus-size women who are not fashionistas, but are frustrated --A Dress A Day dot com

Kathleen Cheetham owns Petite Plus Patterns and in this handy book she distills her expertise for the benefit of petite-plus and plus size sewers. I don t need to remind anyone that the Big 4 does not address the style and fitting needs of this group of sewers. Just go onto Pattern Review or Stitchers Guild and you ll get sense of how big and underserved this market really is. SINGER has added its imprint to Kathleen s new book Perfect Plus, Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes; and Jennifer Sauer, who many of us know from her sojourn at Threads, served as technical editor; her expertise is clearly evident in the high quality technical drawings and detailed photography. But I m getting ahead of myself here, this book is not just a sewing instruction book; the first 30 pages are devoted to wardrobe planning. There is a useful questionnaire that helps to establish exactly what kind of wardrobe you need for your lifestyle based on how you spend your time and what types of clothes makes you feel good. I have to say that the design aspect of fashion sewing is to me the most challenging; that is, how to really avoid that 'happy hands and home' look and really make garments that qualify as fashion. Kathleen provides a framework for a sewer that really de-mystifies the color and fabric selection process. The actual process of sewing starts in chapter three, and included with the book is a set of tissue patterns for four garments, a blouse with cap sleeves, long sleeves and two collar variations, tailored pants, a flared skirt and a princess seam jacket. The size range in the patterns runs from petite-plus to full plus size 14 to 24. Kathleen s sloper for these patterns is a D cup with a fuller tummy, but if your measurements differ she also includes excellent instructions for all types of alterations, including a full bust adjustment. The draft of the blouse and jacket sleeve is really impressive; its a two piece sleeve drafted for full upper arms. My only quibble with this wonderful book is the style of the patters; it s on the conservative side and not even close to being fashion forward, however, I think savvy sewers will use these patterns as a base for adding style and detail. If you re an intermediate or ambitious beginner sewer looking for a basic petite-plus or plus size wardrobe this book is great sewing room resource. --Sewing Diva dot com

Plan a perfect wardrobe with this super title aimed at Plus and Petite Plus sized women. Containing four patterns sized from 14 to 24 for blouse, jacket, skirt and trousers along with variations for over 50 outfits, this book provides the ultimate capsule wardrobes for casual, formal and evening wear. There is plenty of practical advice about analysing profiles, choosing colours and textures, and creating core garments on which to build a wardrobe appropriate to the wearer s lifestyle. Using herself as an example, the author shows how to develop a full collection to suit a variety of occasions and the changing seasons. There are helpful tips on altering patterns to fit along with clear diagrams and a useful measurements chart. The four patterns come complete with lots of variations for sleeves, necklines and trims making them a great basis for a multitude of styles. Assembly instructions are provided with clear photos and there are lots of extra tips for using overlockers, adding linings and achieving professional results. The final section includes a mix-and-match wardrobe to show just how versatile a few great garments can be. --isew dot com

Kathleen Cheetham presents her original garment patterns and detailed sewing instruction so plus-size women can create a closetful of flattering shapes and silhouettes. By working with the 4 enclosed patterns, step-by-step construction, and fitting instructions, readers can create a wardrobe of versatile and stylish garments which can be adapted for office wear, casual wear, or evening wear just by varying the colours, fabrics, and finishing details. The four enclosed patterns are for pants, a blouse, skirt, and jacket, which yield 10 unique garments. Each garment is shown in petite to full sizes, from size 14 to 24. The author also includes her patented Perfect Fit guide for each garment style, based on grading rules she has developed herself for her own line of commercial patterns.