Love at First Stitch: Demystifying Dressmaking (bestselling sewing book, learn to sew, sewing for beginners)

What an absolutely fantastic book this is, I have been looking for a book like this for ages. I was one of those people that did a "little" bit of sewing at school (when it was still traditional to do that kind of thing), and did a "little" bit of dressmaking in my late teens and early twenties, then other things got in the way, and 30 years later, finding myself once again inspired to have a go thanks to the Great British Sewing Bee, found much to my annoyance and surprise that I couldn't remember a single thing about it!. But never mind I thought, I will just get a book on the subject and that will be that. Oh no it wasn't!, as trying to find a suitable book that would cover everything I needed to know in a way that I could properly understand it, has been surprisingly difficult, and I have looked at many, in fact this is now my 16th sewing book would you believe!. It's not that there is particularly anything wrong with other sewing books, a lot of them are very nice and very thorough, but the problem for me has been that in the same way a cookbook tells you how to cook all the individual elements of a roast dinner, but doesn't tell you how to put the whole roast dinner together from start to finish and in some sort of order, that's what I found with the dressmaking books, lots of diagrams, techniques and how to's, but what I wanted was somebody who would walk me through the whole practical process of what was required to create a garment, in some sort of logical order, that at the same time would build my skills to enable me to then tackle any project, and that is exactly what we have here with this book. Don't worry either about the "style" of the projects, because even if they're not to your taste, it really doesn't matter, you wouldn't need to make any of them in order to still learn from all the given techniques, and because of the way she has laid out all the skills, you really feel at the end of it you could tackle anything, in fact the final chapter is entitled "What next", which even encourages you to toy with the idea of creating your own designs!. Of course you would not need this book unless you are a total beginner, and given I have now accumulated such an alarming amount of sewing books I thought it might be helpful - in case anyone else is struggling to know which books to choose - if I gave some hints as to which books I think are best for what purpose.1. For a total and utter beginner, you haven't got a clue what to do a) Learn to Sew with Lauren (Lauren Guthrie) - is brilliant and gives all the basic information along with some clothing, accessories and home sewing projects, perfect to start with.2. To follow on from above I would recommend a) Sewing machine basics & Sewing School basics (Jane Bolsover) - really good techniques, and some very good mixed projects. b) Sewing made simple (Tessa Evelegh) - mixed projects c) Elementary Sewing Skills Merchant and Mills - very simple very basic and is just dressmaking skills d) Love At First Stitch - (Tilly Walnes) - as reviewed3. A bit more adventurous a) The Great British Sewing Bee ("From Stitch to Style" version) - lots of all round useful techniques and clothing patterns4. If you want to get more advanced/in depth techniques a) The Sewing Book (Alison Smith) - step by step photo's of individual skills, very thorough b) Dressmaking Technique Bible (Lorna Knight) -very good handbook of individual step by step skills c) Complete Dressmaking (Jules Fallon) - excellent and well thought out all rounder5. Aspire to be expert/would be able to use to tackle ANYTHING a) Reader's Digest complete guide to sewing (1970's version) - you could be a professional tailor with this along with home sewing as well! b) Vogue Sewing (1980's version) (I found both the 1970's version and latest reprint were a bit confusingly laid out) - I like this book very much, it makes me feel, well, "elegantly enabled" to accomplish anything!

This book is for anyone who has an interest in dressmaking, beginner or those with more experience.The layout is very well thought out (plain yellow for instructions and a grid pattern for techniques)Tilly works through the basics of threading up your machine, very handy if you have purchased a second hand one without a manual and then your off into the first project, a simple neck scarf. Great for practicing straight stitches and cutting.The other 6 projects are a pair of pj bottoms, 2 skirts a blouse and 2 dresses. Full sized patterns are included in the back of the book, but you will need to trace them off as they are printed on 2 sides. No hardship, I do this anyway as I would hate to spoil my original patterns. Printed on thick paper. No silly tissue to get torn or screwed up.The wording is very clear and easy to understand, all the projects include variations and there is lots of helpful information including choosing fabric and where to go next after you have finished this book.The photos both for the instructions and the overall look of this book is chic and stylish. Tilly looks amazing!I can't think of any reason not to buy it.

As a beginner this book is really clear and simple to understanding - the photos and written instructions make it easy to understand which is very refreshing. I have had other sewing books in the past which are not so clear. I am just about to start making the pyjama bottoms and feel confident that the instructions will help me complete them successfully.

...But even I managed to make my first item of clothing with this book and I am SO PROUD!So, things I love are:- It takes you straight from sitting at the sewing machine for the first time, right through to sewing things that feel more advanced, like darts and fiddly bits. It was my first time using a sewing machine since school.- I like that you're learning by doing!- I like the style of the explanations and the photos are really, really helpful.However:- The bits introducing tracing, transferring markings and cutting a pattern for the first time could have been a little more beginner friendly. I got super confused marking and sewing together my Margot pyjamas because the drawstring holes were not explained well enough or with enough photos, either at marking stage or at construction stage, so I ended up actually using the buttonhole mode on my sewing machine and watching youtube videos to learn how to do that instead of following the instructions. I also messed up the crotch area because even though Tilly says to just match the raw edges together, it seemed to cause too much wrinkling. That said, they look ok on, but I'm sure I did it wrong...more pics for this bit would have appreciated.

Embarking in dress making again after a few decades! Tilly's book was highly recommended, so I bought it.Lovely presentation, clear instructions. More info on their website too!Patterns are all very nice and I can't wait to get started!Highly recommend for a newer sewer or someone wanting some detail in getting a product started.All her patterns you can buy come with a booklet filled with a lot of detailsto walk you through your dress making. Great confidence builder. The book is the same.I would highly recommend this book, for beginners, for confidence and for the lovely patterns!

got in excellent conditionclear explanation and pictures

This book has been so helpful! I've learned loads as the photos and accompanying descriptions are quite clear. I haven't yet (nor will) make all the garments but the pj pants have been perfect! Looking forward to trying more as time goes on.

Mai visto un sottotitolo più adatto: "demistificare cucito". Ti prende per mano e ti spiega una marea di trucchetti che avrei voluto avere quando stavo cominciando a cucire da hobbyista. Purtroppo tutto quello che trovi in giro sono sempre consigli super-avanzati, gente che ti dice che devi fare corsi annuali e tecniche avanzatissime che alla fin fine non servono se tutto quello che vuoi farti è un vestitino o una gonnellina semplice.Tilly ti spiega questo ed altro, compreso come non farsi prendere dal panico quando entri in un negozio di vestiti e non sai neanche cosa chiedere. O cosa aspettarsi quando compri cartamodelli vintage degli anni 30 o quando compri i cartamodelli delle grandi case o quando compri quelli dei piccoli designer indipendenti. Fino ai consigli tipo 'controlla prima con qualche tuo parente se hanno una macchina da cucire da darti prima di andare a spendere soldi!' (dove sei stata, Tilly, prima che comprassi la mia macchina e mi ritrovassi con 3 zie e 2 nonne che mi hanno detto la stessissima identica cosa: "ma non c'era bisogno di comprarla: ti davo la mia!!")La prossima volta che qualcuno mi dice "ah ma l'hai fatta tu questa gonna? Eh beata te che sai fare queste cose, io non sarei mai in grado" (successo veramente tantissime volte) gli darò questo libro, perché veramente prende cio' che è visto dai più come una cosa inarrivabile e la semplifica in modo da essere accessibile da tutti.

Mejor de lo que pensaba. Sin duda una compra estupenda. Me encanta. No tardó nada en llegar, y aunque venga en ingles se pueden sacar los patrones perfectamente. Muy bien explicado todo con fotos geniales

I am delighted to have this book complete with patterns included. As a 63 year old woman, I had wanted to update my wardrobe (what shall I wear???) and found that classic patterns are too boring, and morgue-like.She explains things with youth, spirit and good humour and you feel quite "with it" when you're in front of your sewing machine. The book itself is colourful and the photos clear and very well explained. Particularly useful was the chapter right at the beginning learning to sew curves/straight lines, zig zags, etc. It is a happy book and inspiring. I had recently made a dress very similar to the one she included in her book - the Megan dress - and even my 35 year old daughter noticed it, and heads certainly turned when I wore it.I have already bought one of her commercial patterns - the Olga blouse - and was impressed with the instructions. I love the irreverent way she refers to the "toile" as a mock-up.She takes away the fear of cutting into a new material.This is a very inspiring book. Delighted that I have bought it and can't wait to start making the patterns.