The Maker's Atelier: The Essential Collection: Sewing with Style

This book is my low-key style encapsulated in one book! I plan to create an entire capsule wardrobe with variations (style and fabric) of the patterns in this entire book. Each pattern includes a description for why it's included and how it evolved. The photos of variations for each pattern is my favorite part! It includes the pattern variation options as well as fabric type/color variations.These photos (there are more in the book) include pieces from all patterns:Stretch Pencil SkirtDrape-Front TopCigarette PantsTie-Neck BlouseBook BagRaw-Edge CoatWrap SkirtOver-Sized T-ShirtMy sewing teacher had this pattern book for us to explore so of course I had to buy it too! I love looking through it. The pencil skirt is what I plan on sewing next. I just need to find the right fabric first. She has already sewed a beautiful raw-edge coat, several pencil skirts, all of the tops, and the cigarette pants.

I'm an avid seamstress and own many sewing books and individual patterns. I just received The Maker's Atelier today and already know this will become a favorite of mine. There are eight patterns in the collection: the stretch pencil skirt, drape-front top, cigarette pants, tie-neck blouse, book bag, raw-edge coat, wrap skirt and over-sized t-shirt. The book begins with an introduction from the author, followed by selecting fabric and fitting the patterns before moving on to the patterns themselves. In each chapter, aside from the developmental history of the pattern and the technical pattern instructions, the author also shows examples of how to wear the item and how to take the pattern further (making it more than just basic). Since I haven't made anything yet, I can't speak to the drafting itself, but I've read through a few of the pattern instructions and they seem solid enough (I would rate them advanced beginner and above - they don't seem too hand-holdy, but nor are they as sparse as a Burda magazine). I look forward to making the patterns and reporting back on the drafting.

I've had this book since it came out and I will admit that when I got it I was somewhat disappointed. The first pattern is an elastic pencil skirt that looks like something a novice could draft very easily. Even more outrageous, you can buy the skirt pattern by itself for thirty dollars. However I stepped backed and looked at all the clothes I have that I love. The simplest are some of my favorite. And while I reflexively rail against elastic waist pants, my absolute favorite pants are Eileen Fisher elastic waist linen pants. So I gave the skirt a shot. It's awesome. Not cut like a novice at all. Went together in an hour, looks amazing. The only caveat I have is that most of these clothes seem designed to depend on high quality fabric to hang well. I can't wait to sew up the rest.

I decided to leave a review even if I haven't sewn any projects from this book yet, because I find it of good quality, the print the patterns and the instructions are very good. it is a very important part of a review to have tried the patterns, but I hope to get to that soon and extend this review.

I like this book very much. I purchased the book used, but it had all the patterns as well as the instructions from the original publication. The book looked almost new and arrived quickly. I am pleased with this order.

Wonderful information. Make a few garments that look good, make you feel great, and display your talent.Maybe a new one but, satisfying and healthy!,,

Full disclosure: I only flipped through this book and didn't actually make any of the clothes. Read on to find out why.I'm conflicted about this book. While it is marketed for "all women from novice to advanced", it really is for the beginning sewer. There are soooo many beginning sewing books out there, I was hoping for more. Was well organized and written regardless.There 8 unique patterns with variations, which is good. But they are all really basic, with little shaping or features to make them flattering. I would say most of them would make me look fatter than I am. Not what I'm going for. On the other hand, the boxy and billowy designs will minimize fitting issues, so if you are slender this book might be a win for you. If you are curvy, these patterns will likely fit but they might not look very good.The patterns only go up to a size 16, which I don't get at all. This book feels marketed to the older woman--and even says it is for "all" women-- but doesn't contain plus sizes? Weird...The physical book itself feels expensive and elegant with a unique book jacket design (it is hard to explain). However, upon flipping through the book once, I had difficulty closing it afterwards. I had to press the pages flat to get it closed. My impression is that the book will likely start to fall apart after some use.I might recommend this book to a beginning sewist who is older, slender, and doesn't mind boxy or billowy clothes. Others might want to check it out from the library before buying to see if they would actually wear any of the designs.

Amazing collection of styles and patterns from designer Frances Tobin. Would highly recommend to any sewers and those with an interest in simple, elegant styles.

I found this book both practical and inspirational. It rekindled my joy of sewing. It provides patterns and detailed instruction for classic tops, skirts, pants and coats, plus interesting variations for each pattern to give you a complete capsule wardrobe. Everything is thoughtfully arranged for quick, uncomplicated sewing. Love this book!

Es gibt so viele Nähbücher.Warum jetzt dieses noch?Ich finde den Stil von Frances Tobin einzigartig.Sie geht auf die Sechzig zu und schwärmt immer noch von "clothes, boys and music". Hier schreibt eine Frau, die seit Jahrzehnten in der Mode tätig ist und sich nun mit einem kleinen Schnitt-Lable selbstständig gemacht hat. Erfrischend unbieder!Die Stoffe, die sie wählt, finde ich wunderschön. Sie machen Lust auf eine Art eigene Kollektion.Ach so, die Schnitte.Für die Book-Bag und das Oversize-Shirt braucht man kein Buch kaufen, schon klar. Wer schon länger als drei Monate näht, braucht vielleicht auch keine fünf Seiten Anleitung für einen Bleistiftrock aus Stretch. Aber die Fotos machen so Lust auf einen engen Rock! Auch, wenn man vielleicht nicht (mehr) Gr. 38 trägt.Überhaupt die Models: Die Frauen haben ein unterschiedliches Alter, recht unterschiedliche Figuren und alle ein tolles Strahlen.So funktioniert dieses Buch auch als ein schönes Bilderbuch, nur so zum Blättern.O.k. - ich gebe es zu: Ich habe noch keinen Schitt aus diesem Buch genäht.Ich habe zwei Einzelschnitte von The Markers Atelier (mit 22,50 GBP irre teuer). Sie funktionieren sehr gut, sie sind einfach umzusetzen und sitzen einwandfrei. Ich verwende sie immer wieder.So würde ich auch blind den Schnitten im Buch vertrauen: Es gibt für blutige Anfänger eine Wasserfallbluse ohne Ärmel, der Bleistiftrock und eine Einkaufstasche. Für Anfänger, die sich an die ersten Ärmel herantrauen, einen einfachen Mantel (echt simpel!), eine Schluppenbluse und ein Oversize-Shirt. Kein Ärmel muss eingehalten werden, was es leicht macht. Der Wickelrock ist ebenfalls einfach zu nähen, doch den Fotos nach funktioniert der Verschluss m.E. nicht so gut. Und dann gibt es noch eine schmale Hose, die so auf Figur geschnitten ist, dass sie vermutlich eigene Anpassungen braucht.Fazit: Die acht Schnitte sind gut, aber nicht unbedingt einmalig. Sie sind mit wenig Erfahrung umzusetzen, die Anleitungen sind detailreich beschrieben und bebildert. Das Buch ist sicher eine gute Handreichung für die erste selbstgenähte Garderobe.Doch wie unschwer zu erkennen:Für mich macht der Stil von Frances Toben den Wert des Buches aus.

Sewing with Style is a collection of stylish patterns for women of all ages by fashion designer, Frances Tobin. The format is well designed and opens with the book on the left and the patterns neatly stored in an envelope on the right. I particularly like that the book opens completely flat so you can have it open while you are following the instructions. The photography and styling is beautiful and the patterns themselves have an elegance and simplicity that is hard to find elsewhere. There are eight patterns altogether but each one has lots of possible variations and I can see myself making multiple wardrobe pieces, especially the pencil skirt and raw edge coat! The book also has lots of useful information on how to lengthen/shorten a style, apply a different finish or use an alternative fabric. To make the process even easier, Frances recommends the perfect fabrics to suit each garment and lists her favourite shops in the back of the book. All in all, this is a must have book if you want to make yourself, or your friends, a beautiful collection of stylish clothes.

ordentliches Buch für Nähliebhaber-innen.

The book is beautifully put together with full size patterns included. Everything that you need to make a wardrobe of elegant classic clothes.