Review: Chic & Simple Sewing

I got a sneak peak at Chic & Simple Sewing at CHA, and I’m so excited it’s finally out. What a tremendously useful sewing book for beginners!

Christine Haynes has done an amazing job of decoding the process of making garments, but more on that in a moment. Because I think the real genius of this book is in the collection of patterns.

There are 23 projects in this book, each of them just right for a new seamster. None of these garments employs buttons or zippers. All of them are designed to work best with woven fabrics.

And yet, as beginner-friendly as these designs are, they also manage to be so pretty and modern.

And they’re endlessly customizable. This cute trench coat, for example – I could easily lengthen the sleeves, or add contrasting bias tape trim, or sew on some appliques. I could make a ribbon belt. Fantastic.

The projects are rated in difficulty from 1 to 5. Here’s an example of a level 1 project: an elastic-waist circle skirt. A great starter project for a newbie.

Here’s a level 5 project – a cute wrap dress with a ruffle and ties at the shoulders. As Christine says in the intro: “Keep in mind that a level 5 project is for a beginner; it’s just slightly harder than, say, a level 1 project.”

And here’s another genius element to this collection of designs: fit! So many beginning seamsters have trouble getting their handmade garments to fit well. Christine has taken so much of the guesswork out of this by keeping the silhouettes simple, and employing wrap designs for the fitted garments. A wrap dress or skirt will fit just about any body type well.

(I should also say: the collection contains tops, skirts, and dresses – which are the most beginner-friendly of garments.)

Oh – and I should point out that all the full-size patterns are included in a handy envelope inside the front cover. (And, spiral binding! Yippee!)

Update: I’ve had a number of emails asking what the size range is for the patterns, so here you go. Thanks for the question, everyone – this is a very pertinent point.

Chic & Simple Sewing also has one of the very best basic instruction chapters I’ve seen in a sewing book, including a nice overview of sewing machine settings and a phenomenal breakdown of laying out a pattern and cutting fabric.

Christine offers the same precision and attention to detail that my mother and Home Ec teachers drilled into me – and these are necessary if you want to turn out well-made garments. But Christine’s clear and friendly writing makes this information fun to read and easy to understand.

There’s also this very well-thought-out bit of design: all the basic techniques in the book (things like adding a patch pocket, making a hem, etc.) are collected in one section. They’re explained nicely in both text and illustrations.

Each project, then, has the section above in its instructions – so you can refer back to the techniques you’ll need. For beginners, this is super helpful.

And yet another smart element to the pattern collection – you’ll see design details show up in more than one pattern. So, if I make this cute sundress (which I WILL)…

…I should have no trouble mastering this dress, They have a similar yoke design. (And by the way, I think this dress is utterly charming.) And also, as you can see, I can take this basic design from warm weather to cool by choosing appropriate fabrics.

If you love that trench above, there’s a kimono-style jacket pattern that has many of the same elements. What a genius way to help new seamsters build on the skills they’ve learned!

Okay, one more, and then I’ll shut up. This lovely nightgown has design elements in common with several cute sundresses in the book.

Not only can you begin your sewing adventure with this book, it could also be the basis of your wardrobe for years to come.

Again I find myself wishing for more thumbs to put up! Bravo, Christine!

Tagged as: craft book, review, sewing