How To Use, Adapt and Design Sewing Patterns
Lee Hollahan
In A Nutshell: Useful but uninspiring book providing the know how to make a selection of pattern alterations.
I think a good craft book should provide both nuts and bolts of the practical skills required, but also inspire with desirable projects that you itch to start. Lee Hollahan succeeds with the first, but fails with the second.
Admittedly she covers some very useful ground. The first section deals with basic sewing kit, choosing fabric and using a commercial sewing pattern. It takes you through pinning, marking and cutting out. There are instructions how to make basic pattern alterations such as altering the bust at the seams and changing trouser length. This is all something of a whistle-stop tour, but would suit a beginner.
Lee then moves onto designing your own patterns using blocks, either commercial ones, or scaling up the gridded ones included with the book. She demonstrates how to fit a toile, and make more advanced pattern alterations. These are not exhaustive. For example, the advice on increasing the bust area differed from other methods I have seen.
The most interesting part of the book is the section on adapting the basic block to design your own patterns. Lee provides guidance for various style variations such as changing bodice darts into seams, creating a half circle sleeve and adding a yoke to a skirt.
This is a book I will be referring to occasionally, but is unlikely to become a well-thumbed favourite.
