Comments on: Book review: Sew U by Wendy Mullin and Eviana Hartman

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:56:31 +0000

This book has been on my Amazon wishlist for ages, and if it is truly a good book for beginners that outlines a lot of the basics, then I might have to just bite the bullet. The patterns are pretty darn cute, but it’s a real bummer that she didn’t include larger sizes.

By: ar

ar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:00:31 +0000

“The pattern offers sizes from 0-12, and XS-L, so if you’re looking for a pattern for larger sizes, you might be a little disappointed” A little disappointed? As a size XL/16, I’d say I am a LOT disappointed. I already feel excluded from so many of the cute clothes I’d love to wear. Boo on her, seriously.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:42:48 +0000

I went all crazy and *started* with the pants, and even though the only thing I’d sewn before 3 weeks ago was a pillowcase (yeah recangles!), mine turned out great! I mean, they’re a little wonky, but I used cheapo fabric and they are quite respectable first pants. Since then, I have made another pair and they turned out *perfectly*.

The tissue paper is a little annoying to work with, and I wish some key info (sizing charts, yardage, etc) was gathered in one central place. But overall, I am impressed. I made pants!!

By: amyng

amyng — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:24:51 +0000

I found the pattern for the skirt and shirt needed a little adjustment on my end, mostly because I have a small and high waist, and the shirt needed to be adjusted a little. But because I know how to draw a pattern out from scratch using my body measurements (japanese patterns usually needs you to do this), so the adjusting was a little easier.

But you may be right about the pants – I’ve been putting it off because it’s bold step for me, but I think I might just try it in the coming weeks.

By: natasha

natasha — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:25:01 +0000

this is one of the books i ordered from amazon when i decided that i am finally going to overcome my fear of the sewing machine and start making clothes that fit and i like. and are cheap. let’s not forget that. anyway, i haven’t tried to make anything yet, but i agree with everything i have heard so far as the tups are good, the chapters and i love the illustration of each different garment on top of the original. i also think that it is crummy that the point of the book is to be able to make your own stuff, yet the sizes don’t go above 12. fortunately i fall into that size bracket, but most women don’t.

By: beth

beth — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:59:20 +0000

I love the patterns in this book and I liked a lot of her tips; unfortunately the pattern instructions are hard to follow, and I found some errors.

For example, the size chart is buried in one part of the book, the yardage chart is buried in another part, and you don’t find out whether your size is “L” or “10″ until you unfold the paper patterns.

I liked the idea of the diagrams that show the garment put together, with each pattern piece colored differently. But, in my edition (maybe it’s been fixed) the instructions about the pants waistband are vague about which piece is which, and the overview diagram gets it wrong!

The diagrams that go along with the instructions are often not detailed enough to let you see what’s going on (diagrams in your average Simplicity pattern are much much better). I’ve made all three patterns, but I feel like sometimes I was only able to get through the pattern because I’ve made pants and shirts and skirts before, and I didn’t panic when it turned out the jazzing-up instructions left out some crucial details.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I really feel like the book needed some extra attention to the instructions and diagrams, just a little more detail and error checking, and I find it hard to believe that a beginning sewer would be able to make sense of them. On the other hand, I use these three patterns ALL THE TIME. I have 3 pairs of jeans made from this book (wearing one right now), two skirts, and a shirt that I love. Since I’ve made the patterns several times, I know where the pitfalls are and I adjust accordingly. (Actually, when I sew the pants I refer to the instructions from a McCall’s pattern that uses a similar construction).

I’ll probably have a half-dozen Sew U inspired skirts by the end of the summer. I liked the tips on sewing things like piping (the piping package doesn’t come with instructions!) and the advice on working in a small space. The tips on how she ran her small business from a tiny apartment were really inspiring.

The book makes references to a possible sequel, and I can’t wait to see it.

But really - size 12 as an upper limit?? What kind of crazies decided on that?