Pattern books – advanced beginner

Pattern books have a core group of patterns, perhaps enough for a basic clothing capsule.

I think books in this post could be good guides for people making the transition from confident beginner to intermediate.
Two books from sewing specialists, one from a clothing designer.
These books have very different style of clothes and style of instructions. Two of them have 10-12 patterns. It would be bulky to supply so many patterns on tissue paper, and these books have chosen different formats for their patterns.
I enjoy them all, but can’t guarantee they suit your clothing or learning style.

Full size patterns.
All patterns for B cup.
All patterns have these proportions unless mentioned :
waist = bust – 8″
hips = bust + 2″.

Extra skills at this level, not just more sewing skills but also pattern work : improving fit and changing styles.

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Dressmaking by Alison Smith.
Classic styles.

12 scaleable or full size download patterns.
Simple instructions for pattern alterations to make 31 styles in all.
Detailed photo sewing instructions with brief text.
Illustrated in dull fabrics so they look frumpy, but that’s easy to change.
Section on fit.
bust 32 – 45 in.

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Gertie’s new book for better sewing
‘Modern vintage’ style.



Full size traceable patterns. 10 patterns (no drawings for sheath dress, lined jacket, coat dress).
Variations for 23 garments in all.
Emphasis on vintage ‘slow sewing’ methods.
Photos and line drawings in techniques sections.
Project instructions are quite brief with some line drawings. You need to supplement them by searching the techniques sections.
Brief chapters on fit, simple pattern changes.
bust 32 – 46 in, hips = bust + 4”.

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Sew U
Casual styles. Much advice on pattern changing, sewing technique guidance rather minimal. Some people find the patterns do not fit well.
These books are out of print but still easy to obtain.

Tissue patterns
Shirt with band collar, pants with fly zip and jeans details.
Here are lists of sew-alongs with extra sewing help :
Shirts with band collar
Pants, jeans
Simple pattern altering instructions for many style variations, from a designer who has her own clothing company. See how easy it can be to make clothes look different !
All illustrations are drawings.
Her book on knits is also good. Books on dresses and jackets have problems with patterns, and very brief sewing instructions, though many ideas for simple variations.
bust 31 – 38 in., hips = buat + 3-1/2″

She also had books on knits, dresses, and outerwear.

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if you’d like something easier, here are some suggested books for :
Complete beginners
Near beginners

Pick a book to work through, and celebrate your marvellous sewing skills 😀
When you know most of these skills, you’ll be able to make most patterns, including many ‘Average’ Vogue patterns.
Though there are many topics to learn more about if you want to : tailoring, special occasion wear, couture, embellishment, fitting, pattern making. . .

What do you want most from your sewing ? reward ? challenge ? fit and flattery ? relaxation ?
Enjoy 😀

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Pattern books – near beginners

Pattern books have a core group of patterns. And they often claim to teach sewing.

Moving on from your first steps with making clothes ? Gain skills beyond the level of patterns marked Easy (Vogue patterns Very Easy).
Again of course I can’t guarantee you will like these books. But at least these give me pleasure instead of annoying me with all the mistakes !

Full size patterns.
All patterns have these proportions unless mentioned :
waist = bust – 8″
hips = bust + 2″.

The choice here is interesting. These books not only have different styles of clothes. They also have different extras.
Once you have a few sewing skills, there are so many other aspects of garment making you can explore, and they can give such pleasure.
Such as doll clothes, embellishment and heirloom stitching, combining different prints, stretch fabrics, pattern changes to alter styles, fit, wardrobe planning.

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Colette Sewing Handbook

tissue patterns.
Embellishments – scalloped hem and shaped neckline, narrow tucks, bias cutting, bias binding, draped overlays.
bust 33 – 48 in., C cup, hips = bust + 5-1/2 in.
Chapter on fit.

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Sew Serendipity

3 basic tissue patterns
pattern pieces for 6 variations of each garment.
Ruffles and fabric combinations.
bust 32 – 44 in., B cup.

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Easy sewing the Kwik Sew way

traceable patterns for tee, blouse, elastic waist skirts and pants
simple instructions for pattern alterations to make many other styles
bust 31 – 45 in., B cup.

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Perfect Plus

4 basic tissue patterns for petites with lengthen lines, pattern pieces for 14 styles in all.
(Imagine them in bright colours/ naturals/ pastels if you don’t look good in grey !)
Section on fit.
Advice on wardrobe planning.
bust 40 – 50 in., D cup.

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Which of these would suit your clothing style and what you most want to learn ?

Would you be happier with something easier ? or looking for help with moving to intermediate level ?
Here are some suggestions for other pattern books :
Complete beginners
Advanced beginners

if you’d like more support with sewing skills while working through one of these pattern books, try a beginners sewing ‘bible’. These are good.
Me and my sewing machine
Sewing machine basics.

Enjoy written instructions ?
Pick a book to work through at this level, and you’ll have a marvellous collection of sewing skills – and clothes 😀

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Pattern books – complete beginners

Pattern books have a core group of patterns. So working through a good pattern book could be a compact way of learning the main sewing processes.

I haven’t seen every pattern book there is (would that be possible !), but I think these have good sewing instructions.
I’m fascinated by patterns. And I love reading pattern instructions. So I’m a fan of pattern books, and have rather a lot of them. But I do know they’re not to everyone’s taste !
Of course I can’t guarantee these will fit either your clothing style or your learning style. But at least these books aren’t full of little mistakes !

The books in this post start right at the beginning. These are for people taking their first (trembling ?) steps with fabric, patterns, sewing machine.

Books at this level are meant to be worked through in sequence. Later projects in these books use skills learned in earlier ones.

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Projects before your first garment

Learning to use a machine, handle fabric, use a pattern, and get the most basic skills.

Sew Over It pattern’s beginner e-book – learn new skills with each project as you make a cushion/ pillow cover, drawstring bag, tote bag, bag with zipper, wrap skirt, pyjama pants. Links to technique videos (click Continue or Start Here on the page you get to when you click on the red circle link). You may find you want supplements, such as for threading your model of machine. Patterns included, clothes for body with hips 34″-60″, 86cm-152cm.

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Making clothes

Love at First Stitch
Print book by Tilly and the Buttons. If you find the jump from a scarf to pyjama pants too large, she has on-line video classes for elastic waist skirt and knit top on her site.

starts with a scarf.
full size traceable patterns.
instructions with photos, techniques described within projects.
bust 30 – 44 in., B cup, waist = bust – 6″, hips = bust + 3″.

Both dresses have fitted bodices. Patterns are designed to fit an ‘average’ body shape. Many people need to alter a pattern to get the best fit for their specific body.
She doesn’t say much about this. Our bodies differ in so many ways, fit is a huge topic. Even if you follow only a little of her instructions, at least you will have dresses that fit better than Ready To Wear !
Some people find fitting a challenging process. Not for early beginners. If you want to do more fitting work later, look at a specialist fitting resource – suggestions in this post on common fit challenges.

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if you’d like more support with sewing skills while working through one of these books, try a beginners sewing ‘bible’. These are good.
Me and my sewing machine
Sewing machine basics.

Already have a bit of sewing confidence ? here are some suggested books for :
Near beginners
Advanced beginners

Enjoy written instructions ?
Pick a book to work through at this level. You’ll have a marvellous collection of basic sewing skills 😀
After ‘Love at First Stitch’ you’ll be able to use Vogue Very Easy patterns, which are more difficult than most other Easy patterns.

I find I feel more confident if I’ve watched someone doing a process. Lots of links in the right side menu to on-line video classes and DVDs.
Though I like to combine that with a book with good photos or drawings so I haven’t got to remember all the details of what to do.

Good Luck for trying 😀

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