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Skirt-a-Day Sewing: Create 28 Skirts for a Unique Look Every Day
Design and sew your own fabulously stylish skirts. In this fun guide, Nicole Smith shows you how to draft a pattern for a custom fit and shape it into one of four basic wrap, straight, flared, and high-waisted. Each skirt can then be easily redesigned into seven distinct looks — one for each day of the week. Suitable for beginners and expert sewers alike, Skirt-a-Day Sewing will inspire you to express your unique personal style as you stitch up great new pieces for your wardrobe.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2013
About the author
Nicole Smith
152 books11 followersThis is the disambiguation profile for otherwise unseparared authors publishing as Nicole Smith
See also:
Nicole Smith, author of the Sully Point series
Nicole Smith, author of Sideshow
Nicole Smith, author of Brand Your Instagram: How to Increase Your Followers and Generate Income
Nicole Smith, author of works on managing food allergies
See also:
Nicole Smith, author of the Sully Point series
Nicole Smith, author of Sideshow
Nicole Smith, author of Brand Your Instagram: How to Increase Your Followers and Generate Income
Nicole Smith, author of works on managing food allergies
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 5, 2017
Found this book at the library and love it! The first chapter taught me how to make my own, customized-to-me basic skirt pattern. The rest of the book teaches you how to modify the base pattern to make a variety of skirts.
So far I've made a muslin test skirt and a straight skirt. It's so excited to make a garmet off your own pattern and have it fit! Can't wait to try more silhouettes, and I'd definitely recommend the book.
P.S. The book and a few yards of fabric would make a great gift for a crafty friend.
So far I've made a muslin test skirt and a straight skirt. It's so excited to make a garmet off your own pattern and have it fit! Can't wait to try more silhouettes, and I'd definitely recommend the book.
P.S. The book and a few yards of fabric would make a great gift for a crafty friend.
July 18, 2016
This book is really wonderful and full of amazing ideas, but I wouldn't recommend it to beginner sewers other than for inspiration. It's a great guide for making your own skirt patterns, and when I gain more sewing confidence and am ready to draft my own patterns, I will definitely be referring to this book.
Favourites: Spring-Loaded Wrap Skirt p. 91, Quick Draw Skirt p. 107, Twiggy Skirt p. 123, Great Scot Skirt p. 129, Block Party Skirt p. 138, Super Fly Skirt p. 147, Velvet Crush Skirt p. 156, Girlie Show Skirt p. 167, Line-by-Line Skirt p. 176, Violet Femme Skirt p. 193, Jazz Age Skirt p. 201, Coney Island Skirt p. 205, Hit the Sack Skirt p. 224, Tough Luxe Skirt p. 228.
Favourites: Spring-Loaded Wrap Skirt p. 91, Quick Draw Skirt p. 107, Twiggy Skirt p. 123, Great Scot Skirt p. 129, Block Party Skirt p. 138, Super Fly Skirt p. 147, Velvet Crush Skirt p. 156, Girlie Show Skirt p. 167, Line-by-Line Skirt p. 176, Violet Femme Skirt p. 193, Jazz Age Skirt p. 201, Coney Island Skirt p. 205, Hit the Sack Skirt p. 224, Tough Luxe Skirt p. 228.
March 10, 2013
As seen on The Everyday Reader
Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for my advanced reader copy
In Skirt-A-Day Sewing Nicole Smith guides you through the process of designing your own skirts from scratch, using four different styles (wrap, straight, flared and high-waisted) and multiple variations on those styles to create 28 unique projects.
On the plus side, the projects are all unique and appealing. They easily cover the variation in skirts that a home seamstress could wish for. The instructions given are well-written, thorough and easy to follow, with plentiful professional looking diagrams. I can actually say it’s probably some of the best instruction I’ve seen in a sewing title, which so often are wordy with not enough pictures. The instructions here are perfectly clear, using concise language. The diagrams seem perfectly placed to help you through the difficult bits. I’ve seen very few titles on pattern drafting for the modern home crafter (the several I own are all from the 80′s or earlier), so the title definitely fills a hole.
But, I think what it comes down to is that this book just tries to be too much. That, or it’s not being marketed quite right. From the blurb I expected a title that concentrated more on altering four included patterns to suit your needs, rather than drafting completely from scratch. The blurb also specifically states that the book is suitable for the beginners. That is truly a stretch. I think there a very few beginners that would feel confident enough to dive into pattern drafting, despite the wealth of information from fabric types to ironing needs included in the introductory sections. Not to mention the expense that they would have to go to set themselves up. I’d consider myself an intermediate seamstress and getting towards intermediate dressmaker and I own less than half of the equipment listed in the book as essentials for its projects. At the same time, two large chapters are dedicated to topics like interfacing and how to hem neatly, effectively redundant subjects for those with dressmaking experience. By trying to hard to be too much Skirt-A-Day Sewing falls short of the niche where it could be extremely successful: an on-trend and modern guide to beginner’s pattern drafting for the experienced home dressmaker.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for my advanced reader copy
In Skirt-A-Day Sewing Nicole Smith guides you through the process of designing your own skirts from scratch, using four different styles (wrap, straight, flared and high-waisted) and multiple variations on those styles to create 28 unique projects.
On the plus side, the projects are all unique and appealing. They easily cover the variation in skirts that a home seamstress could wish for. The instructions given are well-written, thorough and easy to follow, with plentiful professional looking diagrams. I can actually say it’s probably some of the best instruction I’ve seen in a sewing title, which so often are wordy with not enough pictures. The instructions here are perfectly clear, using concise language. The diagrams seem perfectly placed to help you through the difficult bits. I’ve seen very few titles on pattern drafting for the modern home crafter (the several I own are all from the 80′s or earlier), so the title definitely fills a hole.
But, I think what it comes down to is that this book just tries to be too much. That, or it’s not being marketed quite right. From the blurb I expected a title that concentrated more on altering four included patterns to suit your needs, rather than drafting completely from scratch. The blurb also specifically states that the book is suitable for the beginners. That is truly a stretch. I think there a very few beginners that would feel confident enough to dive into pattern drafting, despite the wealth of information from fabric types to ironing needs included in the introductory sections. Not to mention the expense that they would have to go to set themselves up. I’d consider myself an intermediate seamstress and getting towards intermediate dressmaker and I own less than half of the equipment listed in the book as essentials for its projects. At the same time, two large chapters are dedicated to topics like interfacing and how to hem neatly, effectively redundant subjects for those with dressmaking experience. By trying to hard to be too much Skirt-A-Day Sewing falls short of the niche where it could be extremely successful: an on-trend and modern guide to beginner’s pattern drafting for the experienced home dressmaker.
August 19, 2013
I have had this book for about two weeks now. I got it for review from the publisher.
This is one of those books, that makes you want to dive into your fabric stash and get going. HOWEVER! My stash is not that extensive and I really don't have any fabric I would like to be seen in. SO I have to be happy with reading, until I can get my hot little hands on the right stuff.
From what I read so far, I declare, this book is fabulous! It explains everything in detail. Not just the notions and tools you will need, but the measurements, how to measure and why it is important to get this step right. It is not one of those know-it-all books, that intimidate someone (like me) that does not trust a sewing machine as far as she can spit. It rather builds one's confidence. It assists instead of lecturing. It breaks the process down into steps that are manageable and easily comprehended. No fear sewing! That's what I like!
It also seems more like a "recipe" for the skirts rather than "follow the instructions or else" type of manual! I love that it builds confidence right from the start for changing what one does not like about a particular pattern! Don't like the pockets? Leave them off! Want a separated front? Go for it!
It makes you draft your own basic pattern for your own skirt and then gives you variations on how to use it! Brilliant!
I had no idea, that from one such basic pattern you can manage to make this many wonderful and diverse skirts. Looking at the front page (which displays all the patterns given in the book) I did not think they all come from one basic pattern and just changing little bits of it.
This book is definitely a God-sent for me! I want to get into making more of my own clothes. I also have definite ideas, as to what I want those clothes to look like and haven't found any commercial patterns to accommodate me in this endeavor. THIS BOOK is opening a door for me, that seemed locked with seven seals!
THANK YOU, NICOLE SMITH! I will be eternally in your debt!And so will be my wardrobe!
My recommendation: if you are a beginning seamstress, or just a fraidy cat like me: GO GET THIS BOOK AND DON'T LOOK BACK!
I will definitely sew up a few skirts, as soon as I can find the right fabric! Ready? Set! SEW!
This is one of those books, that makes you want to dive into your fabric stash and get going. HOWEVER! My stash is not that extensive and I really don't have any fabric I would like to be seen in. SO I have to be happy with reading, until I can get my hot little hands on the right stuff.
From what I read so far, I declare, this book is fabulous! It explains everything in detail. Not just the notions and tools you will need, but the measurements, how to measure and why it is important to get this step right. It is not one of those know-it-all books, that intimidate someone (like me) that does not trust a sewing machine as far as she can spit. It rather builds one's confidence. It assists instead of lecturing. It breaks the process down into steps that are manageable and easily comprehended. No fear sewing! That's what I like!
It also seems more like a "recipe" for the skirts rather than "follow the instructions or else" type of manual! I love that it builds confidence right from the start for changing what one does not like about a particular pattern! Don't like the pockets? Leave them off! Want a separated front? Go for it!
It makes you draft your own basic pattern for your own skirt and then gives you variations on how to use it! Brilliant!
I had no idea, that from one such basic pattern you can manage to make this many wonderful and diverse skirts. Looking at the front page (which displays all the patterns given in the book) I did not think they all come from one basic pattern and just changing little bits of it.
This book is definitely a God-sent for me! I want to get into making more of my own clothes. I also have definite ideas, as to what I want those clothes to look like and haven't found any commercial patterns to accommodate me in this endeavor. THIS BOOK is opening a door for me, that seemed locked with seven seals!
THANK YOU, NICOLE SMITH! I will be eternally in your debt!And so will be my wardrobe!
My recommendation: if you are a beginning seamstress, or just a fraidy cat like me: GO GET THIS BOOK AND DON'T LOOK BACK!
I will definitely sew up a few skirts, as soon as I can find the right fabric! Ready? Set! SEW!
July 4, 2013
What a treat! I have been sewing for about 15 years and make most of my own patterns and still I found this book exciting and inspiring. Even a beginner will find detailed instructions on measuring, patternmaking, sewing and appropriate tools to build her skills. Skirts are labled as beginner, intermediate and advance with a nice variety of each although most are beginner or intermediate. Every step is illustrated so you can have a visual reference instead of just a description of what to do. The designs are super cute and wearable. I really like them all (sure, some more than others but I do like the all). What I was the most impressed with was the many design elements in the skirt which help you add viariety to your wardrobe and build your sewing skills. There are really 32 skirts: a basic pattern for the four styles of skirts plus seven variations of each. I think that is a great deal pattern wise. I only wish for two things (and this is just me getting greedy because the book definitely delivers what it promises): more photos of the finished skirts to view them from different angles and poses (but I underestand the step by step illustrations take a lot of space) and a little more detail on fitting bu since the patterns are make to measurement there likely not be many fitting issues the authors does not cover.
March 20, 2013
I really liked this book. It contained a lot of step-by-step instructions so that the sewer would feel comfortable enough in making their own skirt. There are four main patterns (Wrap, Straight, Flare, and High-Waisted) and then approximately seven variations of each of those patterns. I love this approach because 1.If I feel comfortable with the initial pattern I am going to want to make each variation and will have the confidence to do so. 2.You're learning or using new techniques for each different skirt variation which is awesome. I would definitely recommend this book!
September 26, 2013
I have read SO many sewing books without actually sewing anything that it's pretty disgraceful. This time I'm gonna do it! Well, probably not. But I did really like this book. It teaches you pattern drafting and modifying and I just know she is right about how easy it will be, as long as I can make time and get my cats off the fabric when I'm trying to cut it!
May 8, 2015
7 versions of 4 types of skirts are patterned: wrap, straight, flared, and high-waisted. Shows how to make the patterns as well as the skirt.
I liked looking at these, but I wont be making any.
I liked looking at these, but I wont be making any.
August 31, 2020
Another big fave here. Scribd has it, and I got the paper edition from the library, too. So many very cool skirts in here, and so much engineering info about drafting the patterns. This one has you create a master template that you can adapt to any specific skirt, and it explains how. I can see where that would save a lot of time if you make a lot of skirts. Like, clearly a person should do that if they want to make as many skirts as I was fantasizing about this spring.
Somehow, the thought of all that engineering seemed like a little too much for me, though. I kinda just wanted to cut some half-circles out of knit fabric, sew ‘em together, and see what happened. So far, I haven’t done that either. But the good news is: once I finally bought some fabric, my skirt-sewing obsession faded and let me get back to living a semi-normal life. I still hope to make some skirts at some point, though!
Somehow, the thought of all that engineering seemed like a little too much for me, though. I kinda just wanted to cut some half-circles out of knit fabric, sew ‘em together, and see what happened. So far, I haven’t done that either. But the good news is: once I finally bought some fabric, my skirt-sewing obsession faded and let me get back to living a semi-normal life. I still hope to make some skirts at some point, though!
July 10, 2023
As someone who has been sewing since I was about 11 years old, I assumed this book would offer nothing new, but perhaps would inspire me to create some new skirts. As it turns out, the book offers a lot that I didn't have in my purview. The author is an expert at what she does, which is sew, create patterns, and teach others to do so confidence.
Many of the styles in this particular book are a bit too young for me, however, I have managed to modify the concepts to suit me. This is a valuable tool for anyone who sews.
Many of the styles in this particular book are a bit too young for me, however, I have managed to modify the concepts to suit me. This is a valuable tool for anyone who sews.
September 3, 2019
This book was great explaining how to make your own skirt pattern, to fit your own body measurements. It also had several ideas that you could sew for variety. I also learned a few tricks about sewing in the process. Super easy to read.
April 25, 2018
No patterns. How to draft different kinds of skirts.
September 7, 2020
Very unflattering skirts. Great for learning how to construct a skirt, especially as a beginner.
August 23, 2019
Love the opening chapters- great description of hand stitching and sean options
Orherwise...Directions are not super clear in this. I'm not exactly sure how these patterns are supposed to be cut. Perhaps pattern making is going to be a later learned skill.
Would revisit:
Pintucks on Quick Draw Skirt
Girlie Show Skirt
Line by Line Skirt
Heavy Metal Skirt
*Vilent Femme Skirt
French Toast Skirt
Orherwise...Directions are not super clear in this. I'm not exactly sure how these patterns are supposed to be cut. Perhaps pattern making is going to be a later learned skill.
Would revisit:
Pintucks on Quick Draw Skirt
Girlie Show Skirt
Line by Line Skirt
Heavy Metal Skirt
*Vilent Femme Skirt
French Toast Skirt
June 3, 2013
I received a copy of this through Netgalley.
This book begins as if it is for the very very inexperienced seamstress, as if you will be sewing your first projects ever. It describes basic sewing equipment, types of needles, types of threads, woven versus interlock materials, etc., in very great detail with clear and pretty pictures. It explains seam allowances and several types of seams, several types of hems, inserting a zipper, etc. The diagrams are clear, information adequate.
The reader than goes about creating a sloper from measurements. This again is described to a novice. You are recommended to create your muslin sloper, which will then be used for all the other skirts in the book. The information is accurate, though I would have liked to see more actual fitting advice as this book is so much geared for the novice. There are some common problems that may come up in fitting, where some diagrams could be helpful, such as sway back, body shape issues, adjusting for protruding tummies, etc.
Chapters thereafter describe changes to your sloper to create the various skirts in the book. What I love is that there truly are several variations described that give quite different looks, and many of them simulate "ready to wear" styles with exposed zippers, interesting seaming, etc. There is a whole lot more here than the basic pull-on versus zipper in the back versus A-line that so many skirt books have already done. These truly area interesting variations for your basic sloper. However, given the focus of the book towards the very novice seamstress, I'm a bit concerned that someone would be overwhelmed trying to create some of these variations as they involve at times a skilled hand at sewing, e.g. the one with the curved asymmetrical darts. Even the example picture has some puckering at the darts, and a novice might end up frustrated with final his/her attempts at that. It's a fine line between enough of a challenge and a completely frustrating learning experience in the beginning.
Some of the skirts also show some challenging fabrics, such as working with velvet or aligning stripes, and I feel not enough information is given to the reader to be able to handle the nap on the velvet or the alignment of the stripes confidently. If this book were geared towards the moderate to advanced seamstress I would expect no extra help in that regard, but again the introduction and preliminary chapters make it clear this is geared towards the novice. As such, some more information on the fabrics chosen would be helpful to give the reader the very best chance of duplicating the project.
So, I give this book 4 stars as a moderate seamstress, but I would not recommend it to my most novice friend as I think she would be frustrated at the turnout of the projects if using only this book as a guide. I give it 4 stars because it is so very visually appealing (Storey publishing always has the most visually appealing books IMHO), and appeals to a modern woman (up to date styles). I love that it does not require pattern sheets with the book but rather teaches you to draft your own sloper. This gives you ultimately endless possibilities for variation (showing you several of course in the book). I do highly recommend it for those with at least basic sewing experience as a fun book.
This book begins as if it is for the very very inexperienced seamstress, as if you will be sewing your first projects ever. It describes basic sewing equipment, types of needles, types of threads, woven versus interlock materials, etc., in very great detail with clear and pretty pictures. It explains seam allowances and several types of seams, several types of hems, inserting a zipper, etc. The diagrams are clear, information adequate.
The reader than goes about creating a sloper from measurements. This again is described to a novice. You are recommended to create your muslin sloper, which will then be used for all the other skirts in the book. The information is accurate, though I would have liked to see more actual fitting advice as this book is so much geared for the novice. There are some common problems that may come up in fitting, where some diagrams could be helpful, such as sway back, body shape issues, adjusting for protruding tummies, etc.
Chapters thereafter describe changes to your sloper to create the various skirts in the book. What I love is that there truly are several variations described that give quite different looks, and many of them simulate "ready to wear" styles with exposed zippers, interesting seaming, etc. There is a whole lot more here than the basic pull-on versus zipper in the back versus A-line that so many skirt books have already done. These truly area interesting variations for your basic sloper. However, given the focus of the book towards the very novice seamstress, I'm a bit concerned that someone would be overwhelmed trying to create some of these variations as they involve at times a skilled hand at sewing, e.g. the one with the curved asymmetrical darts. Even the example picture has some puckering at the darts, and a novice might end up frustrated with final his/her attempts at that. It's a fine line between enough of a challenge and a completely frustrating learning experience in the beginning.
Some of the skirts also show some challenging fabrics, such as working with velvet or aligning stripes, and I feel not enough information is given to the reader to be able to handle the nap on the velvet or the alignment of the stripes confidently. If this book were geared towards the moderate to advanced seamstress I would expect no extra help in that regard, but again the introduction and preliminary chapters make it clear this is geared towards the novice. As such, some more information on the fabrics chosen would be helpful to give the reader the very best chance of duplicating the project.
So, I give this book 4 stars as a moderate seamstress, but I would not recommend it to my most novice friend as I think she would be frustrated at the turnout of the projects if using only this book as a guide. I give it 4 stars because it is so very visually appealing (Storey publishing always has the most visually appealing books IMHO), and appeals to a modern woman (up to date styles). I love that it does not require pattern sheets with the book but rather teaches you to draft your own sloper. This gives you ultimately endless possibilities for variation (showing you several of course in the book). I do highly recommend it for those with at least basic sewing experience as a fun book.
April 12, 2013
I received and Advance Reader's copy of this book on NetGalley.
A great beginning sewing book, very suitable for high school or college girls. Skirts presented are all very on-trend (high waisted, front-butt pleating, bubble skirts, etc) which will keep this demographic interested. (At least for now, other than the pretty timeless sections on sewing skills, this book is not likely to age well.)
The first 73 pages are devoted to basic sewing skills such as knowing your notions, pressing, measuring your body, etc., and the next 10 pages to basic pattern drafting, so this is clearly more of a learning-to-sew book than strictly a collection of pattern drafting ideas. Skirts are also arranged from easiest to hardest, assuming the reader will work through them as a skill-building exercise. Illustrations are a mixture of modeled photographs of the clothes and detailed drawings that will be very useful to beginning sewers.
However, majority of the skirts are not particularily flattering shilouettes. For example, their version of a flaired skirt would be made much more flattering by dropping the flare to below the hips. The book is missing the usual discussion of figure-suitability that goes with most sewing books. Violet Femme (a tailored pleat skirt), Jazz Age (high waisted trumpet skirt), and Line-By-Line (gore skirt) are the only ones I would consider flattering to most people. However, this may be more of a comment on current skirt trends than the book.
Would be a good addition to public libraries, residence hall libraries, high school libraries, and also a neat gift idea for a teen girl in your life you want to get into sewing (you might throw in some fabric and notions though!)
A great beginning sewing book, very suitable for high school or college girls. Skirts presented are all very on-trend (high waisted, front-butt pleating, bubble skirts, etc) which will keep this demographic interested. (At least for now, other than the pretty timeless sections on sewing skills, this book is not likely to age well.)
The first 73 pages are devoted to basic sewing skills such as knowing your notions, pressing, measuring your body, etc., and the next 10 pages to basic pattern drafting, so this is clearly more of a learning-to-sew book than strictly a collection of pattern drafting ideas. Skirts are also arranged from easiest to hardest, assuming the reader will work through them as a skill-building exercise. Illustrations are a mixture of modeled photographs of the clothes and detailed drawings that will be very useful to beginning sewers.
However, majority of the skirts are not particularily flattering shilouettes. For example, their version of a flaired skirt would be made much more flattering by dropping the flare to below the hips. The book is missing the usual discussion of figure-suitability that goes with most sewing books. Violet Femme (a tailored pleat skirt), Jazz Age (high waisted trumpet skirt), and Line-By-Line (gore skirt) are the only ones I would consider flattering to most people. However, this may be more of a comment on current skirt trends than the book.
Would be a good addition to public libraries, residence hall libraries, high school libraries, and also a neat gift idea for a teen girl in your life you want to get into sewing (you might throw in some fabric and notions though!)
April 14, 2014
Image from mesewcrazy.com
I absolutely love the styles and variations of the skirts in this book and bookmarked almost half of them but sadly, it's a pain for me to admit that I can't recreate them because of the unclear instructions.
The instructions for the skirts are very confusing and with very limited, unclear illustrations.
I can't say whether the basic skirt sloper instructions were good or not as the illustrations just gave me a headache so I used my other pattern drafting book instead.
However, I did draft the basic wrap skirt pattern and the end results were so so- since I found the waistband and tie assemblage confusing and all the pictures of the different skirt styles don't have a technical sketch to show you what the skirts really look like by themselves without the fabric prints and colours.
But you know what I'm really angry about?
The bellows pocket instructions.
The instructions were again, super confusing and the illustrations just made the anger boil even more because they were drawings and they just didn't make sense to me, THEY WERE PARTIAL DRAWINGS! DOESN'T EVEN SHOW THE ENTIRE POCKET! WHY CAN'T IT BE PICTURES! GODDAMN IT
THANK GOD I DID NOT BUY YOU, BOOK.
June 3, 2013
As seen on http://adisabledmomslife.blogspot.com/
In Skirt-A-Day Sewing Nicole Smith guides you through the process of designing your own skirts from scratch, using four different styles (wrap, straight, flared and high-waisted) and multiple variations on those styles to create 28 unique projects.
As a beginner sewer I would not try to make any of this skirts because I find them hard to do. The first 77 pages are telling you about the basics. She tells you have to make your own custom patterns for a perfect fit. Which I think would be hard if you don't have someone to help you with measurements. The next four chapters give you a pattern for a skirt for each day of the week. Out of all the patterns the only one I would make is the Great Scot Skirt as I find the others out dated. The instructions here are perfectly clear, using concise language. Which makes it easy to follow if you have advance skills in sewing.
This book is definitely not for beginners or people who like modern patterns. I would recommend it for sewers who have done their own patterns before.
2/5 stars
Skirt-A-Day Sewing is released on May 15th
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy of Skirt-A-Day Sewing thanks to Netgalley and Storey Publishing. I received no other form of compensation and was not obligated to share my review.
In Skirt-A-Day Sewing Nicole Smith guides you through the process of designing your own skirts from scratch, using four different styles (wrap, straight, flared and high-waisted) and multiple variations on those styles to create 28 unique projects.
As a beginner sewer I would not try to make any of this skirts because I find them hard to do. The first 77 pages are telling you about the basics. She tells you have to make your own custom patterns for a perfect fit. Which I think would be hard if you don't have someone to help you with measurements. The next four chapters give you a pattern for a skirt for each day of the week. Out of all the patterns the only one I would make is the Great Scot Skirt as I find the others out dated. The instructions here are perfectly clear, using concise language. Which makes it easy to follow if you have advance skills in sewing.
This book is definitely not for beginners or people who like modern patterns. I would recommend it for sewers who have done their own patterns before.
2/5 stars
Skirt-A-Day Sewing is released on May 15th
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy of Skirt-A-Day Sewing thanks to Netgalley and Storey Publishing. I received no other form of compensation and was not obligated to share my review.
October 4, 2016
Skirt-A-Day Sewing, by Nicole Smith, is an ambitious idea. The author wants to give you the tools and ideas you need to make a skirt for every day of the month. Further, it is her hope that you will use these as a starting point to create your own designs.
The book begins by giving an overview of necessary tools, materials, and methods that you will need to have on hand/be familiar with to create the projects. If the reader is a beginning sewist, or a sewing hopeful, I would think that much of the information in this section, although useful and laid out quite nicely, would be completely overwhelming.
That, I think, is really my issue with the book. It seems to be aimed at the novice sewist but contains projects that would be very difficult for a beginner. There are no "starter" projects. The very first project is a wrap skirt, which contains some steps that could prove very tricky for someone who's not sewn anything before.
In addition, on a more personal note, I don't think many, if any, of the skirts would be flattering on me and some are impractical/inappropriate for my professional life. That also makes the books somewhat less appealing.
However, if someone picking up the book finds the patterns sufficiently attractive enough to motivate them through the learning process, I think they would end up with some valuable skills and a super cute wardrobe.
The book begins by giving an overview of necessary tools, materials, and methods that you will need to have on hand/be familiar with to create the projects. If the reader is a beginning sewist, or a sewing hopeful, I would think that much of the information in this section, although useful and laid out quite nicely, would be completely overwhelming.
That, I think, is really my issue with the book. It seems to be aimed at the novice sewist but contains projects that would be very difficult for a beginner. There are no "starter" projects. The very first project is a wrap skirt, which contains some steps that could prove very tricky for someone who's not sewn anything before.
In addition, on a more personal note, I don't think many, if any, of the skirts would be flattering on me and some are impractical/inappropriate for my professional life. That also makes the books somewhat less appealing.
However, if someone picking up the book finds the patterns sufficiently attractive enough to motivate them through the learning process, I think they would end up with some valuable skills and a super cute wardrobe.
March 4, 2013
I liked this book quite a bit! With Spring approaching, I found some must have styles in here! The best part about all of it was if you take the time to read & draft your pattern as described in the first few chapters of the book, you can manipulate that same pattern for every single skirt in the book! Which is better than standard sized patterns that usually come with these kind of books.
I am an experienced seamstress, but in reviewing this I stepped out of my comfort zone & found it very easy to follow along with the author's directions. I spent close to 3 hours on my preparation for the pattern (I did own all of the tools already). After I chose my fabrics & started sewing, each skirt averaged about 2 hours. Most of the time was in the layout, cut, & iron phase. As you can see, it was extremely easy!
I have successfully made 3 out of the 28 skirts! An entire new wardrobe with excellent embellish ideas & techniques that are offered with each skirt! I will hang on to this book for sometime. It has a wide range of style & can be used for all seasons. The author even incorporated knits into her book which is wonderful. Too many of these books are catered to beginners & don't offer any fun insight into the wonderful world of stretch!
I am an experienced seamstress, but in reviewing this I stepped out of my comfort zone & found it very easy to follow along with the author's directions. I spent close to 3 hours on my preparation for the pattern (I did own all of the tools already). After I chose my fabrics & started sewing, each skirt averaged about 2 hours. Most of the time was in the layout, cut, & iron phase. As you can see, it was extremely easy!
I have successfully made 3 out of the 28 skirts! An entire new wardrobe with excellent embellish ideas & techniques that are offered with each skirt! I will hang on to this book for sometime. It has a wide range of style & can be used for all seasons. The author even incorporated knits into her book which is wonderful. Too many of these books are catered to beginners & don't offer any fun insight into the wonderful world of stretch!
May 8, 2013
I've only recently overcome my fear of using my sewing machine and now that I realise that it's not as scary as I thought (it had been 14 years since I'd used one) I really want to experiment and make things.
I've never made clothing before, always stuck with home furnishings so I'm glad I found this book. I found it very informative with clear instructions and I have been inspired to make a few of the designs when I get a chance.
I only have this book on my computer for another 50 days so I'd best cracking. I'll more than likely purchase a copy of this book when it is released as craft and sewing books are so much better on paper than a screen.
An advance reader copy was kindly given by the publisher through Netgalley.
I've never made clothing before, always stuck with home furnishings so I'm glad I found this book. I found it very informative with clear instructions and I have been inspired to make a few of the designs when I get a chance.
I only have this book on my computer for another 50 days so I'd best cracking. I'll more than likely purchase a copy of this book when it is released as craft and sewing books are so much better on paper than a screen.
An advance reader copy was kindly given by the publisher through Netgalley.
June 22, 2013
I would probably give this one a 3.5-4.
I think this is a neat concept, def. for a more advanced sewer. I got this from net galley thinking it would be more patterns, but it is actually how to make patterns for you to sew your own skirts. Kind of a cool concept, but at the point I'm at, it might be a little over my head.
Maybe if I was in the store looking at the book I might have been able to see that, but purchasing it as an ebook it is a little hard to tell that.
Again for a more advanced sewer who can put all that together I think this is awesome and will do well with the concept.
I think this is a neat concept, def. for a more advanced sewer. I got this from net galley thinking it would be more patterns, but it is actually how to make patterns for you to sew your own skirts. Kind of a cool concept, but at the point I'm at, it might be a little over my head.
Maybe if I was in the store looking at the book I might have been able to see that, but purchasing it as an ebook it is a little hard to tell that.
Again for a more advanced sewer who can put all that together I think this is awesome and will do well with the concept.
April 28, 2013
I received and free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.
I love the idea of empowering sewers with the recipe behind the skirts rather than being limited to a pattern. I look forward to trying some of these out, many of the designs look great and relatively simple to sew. It looks like you can use this book as a basis to make so many different types of skirts. There will be a learning curve, but it will be worth the effort, I think.
I love the idea of empowering sewers with the recipe behind the skirts rather than being limited to a pattern. I look forward to trying some of these out, many of the designs look great and relatively simple to sew. It looks like you can use this book as a basis to make so many different types of skirts. There will be a learning curve, but it will be worth the effort, I think.
August 8, 2013
Intermediate sewing. Though the photos are sometimes less than inspiring and don't showcase the construction quite as much as I'd like, the author has put together a thorough breakdown of the process of drafting a skirt to fit perfectly, adapting your pattern to create different styles, and finally adding dozens of different embellishments to fully make it your own. Not so much for the "quick and easy" sewist, but if you want to learn how to draft patterns, this is for you.
January 27, 2014
some of these skirt ideas are a bit silly (but maybe i just don't like ruffles), but there are a few that i'm interested in trying out. i wish there were better fabric recommendations because right now i'm mostly working with fun cotton prints, and the project i'm most attracted to, it's unclear if that fabric will work well, but she makes a lot of assumptions with what knowledge you might already be working with. so either i'l try it out and see how it goes, or ask a pro.
January 3, 2014
As a beginner sewist I found this title inspiring. I've sewn several skirts before, but enjoyed the various methods of giving them my own touch. I have not yet made any of the projects so cannot speak to the quality of instructions for certain, but they seemed clear and straight forward to me. I'm very much looking forward to trying a few of them in the future.
May 10, 2013
If you have experience sewing, a great book for making/designing your own skirts. The patterns were a little more complicated than I had hoped, but with time and practice even the novice seamstress could compete all the designs.
April 24, 2014
I don't care much for the skirt designs, but I picked this one up for the pattern-drafting instructions, and it doesn't disappoint. Not only instructions on how to build your base skirt pattern, but where and how to alter for other shapes. Can't wait to try them out!
May 12, 2015
This is well written with great diagrams and directions for custom fitting the skirts. It walks you through how to draft your own pattern. All that said, I, personally, wouldn't wear any of these. Will probably draft a few in my 9yo's size because she loved a lot of them
November 22, 2015
A nice collection of shorter (knee length and mini) skirt patterns. Offered detailed instructions and tips. I think this are all above my skill level but hopefully it will be resource in the future.
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