5.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews. – Customer review on 24/02/2010

I purchased this book for my best friend's birthday, and I wanted to keep it so badly that I made myself wrap it up so I wouldn't be tempted.

The designs in this book are very classic, but funky, unique, and modern. I wanted to try 9/10 of the patterns (also considered copying the accompanying CD to my laptop, but thought better of it!)

This is an excellent gift for a budding seamstress, or a present to yourself if you're interested in fashion design and clothes-making. The front section includes detailed how-tos, such as inserting a zipper.

Not a book for a beginner, I'd say, but somebody with a basic understanding of patterns and the process of sewing.

Beautifully photographed.

5.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews. – Customer review on 02/06/2010

This book is fantastic, I have made the little black skirt, will attempt the tops next. Found the instructions good, probably not for a beginner. The patterns where easy to print and modify.

5.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews. – Customer review on 17/03/2010

My best Fishpond purchase so far. Patterns are real east to put together.

4.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews. – Customer review on 31/12/2009

While the clothes in this book are fabulous and I'm itching to get on to making them I get the impression that this is going to challenge my sewing and instruction-following skills! You definitely need to know what you're doing with this book, no beginners need apply. I consider myself a fairly competent seamstress, but I do like detailed instructions and this book doesn't have them. There are very few photos of the construction process, it's all briefly covered in text. In many ways this book is like a Japanese pattern book - there are nice photos of the clothes being worn by models, and then a page with all the garments laid out flat - it's a nice mix. The only issue I have with the patterns is that they're seemingly designed for slim builds. A lot would depend on the fabrics, she uses a lot of wool, silk and natural fibres which have lovely drape. The sizing is a bit odd too - the book cover says 0-16 which should cover me (just) but boy the 16 is a pretty small one! It's weird that, because I'm pretty sure it's an American book and when I was in the States last year I was buying size 12-14. I thought I was safe as a NZ 16, but I guess not. Overall a big thumbs up at this point, with a few reservations and a certain amount of trepidation about how well I'll go with the instructions, but I feel encouraged to step outside my comfort zone both stylistically and technically with this book. So full marks for style and presentation, marks deducted for poor instructions on how to make them!