Chic & Simple Sewing: Skirts, Dresses, Tops, and Jackets for the Modern Seamstress

by Christine Haynes

End Those What-To-Wear Woes!
No more spending more than you can afford on clothes! Chic & Simple Sewing shows you how to make modern, stylish, and fun clothes you’ll want to wear every day. Plus, you’re in control. You pick the fabrics, the cut, the size--all tailored just for you, not mass-manufactured on an assembly line. For about the price of two or three commercial sewing patterns, this book will give you full-size patterns to make the more than 20 garments, including a classic shift, A-line skirt, and figure-flattering wrap dress. What are you waiting for? Your new, one-of-a-kind wardrobe awaits!

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Spiral-bound

First published April 14, 2009

About the author

Christine Haynes has been sewing since she was 10 years old, when she learned from her mother in small-town Michigan. She has a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and started her own line of vintage-inspired sewing patterns in 2011. Her first book, Chic & Simple Sewing, published by Potter Craft in 2009, led to a career teaching sewing, which she still does today in Los Angeles and at conferences like the Craftcation Conference (2011-2014) and the American Sewing Guild Conference (2012). Christine's work has been seen in many sewing magazines and press outlets such as The New York Times, Threads Magazine, Sew News Magazine, The New York Post, Sew Stylish Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Martha Stewart's Radio Channel, and NBC's Today Show, and Christine was a guest on season two of PBS' Sew It All. She also teaches her 1960's inspired Sassy Librarian Blouse on-line at Craftsy and contributes to the Craftsy blog. Visit Christine's website www.ChristineHaynes.com or her popular blog, City Stitching, www.ChristineHaynes.Blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Hoan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend gave me this book as a gift, and it is so sweet! The best thing about this is that it's got patterns that you can interchange with other patterns, like use this sleeve on that dress or that bottom with that top. Simple instructions and pretty pictures! Though it is for a beginner so you'll only find very simple lines and shapes. If you're looking for more unique or complicated embellishments, you should get an advanced sewing book. Otherwise, if you're a novice like me, you will enjoy the little tips and tricks as well as the quickness of each outfit!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just happened along this book at the library looking for skirt patterns/designs. This was a great find. The patterns are given to you inside the front cover and the designs are great.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only book I bought this year since it has patterns. I'm excited!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't actually read this book cover to cover, but a friend bought it, and it's FULL of super cute patterns. If I had interest in making my own clothes, I'd definitely pick this up.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on my wish list. I want to sew almost every pattern in this book. It is very current and the clothes are gorgeous.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

we liked the classic wrap dress. comes with patterns.

[Mellissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've made several garments from this book. I personally do not find any of the patterns to be challenging and have this book on my shelf as a "when I want to make a dress in an hour" go to.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it says simple and chic, but everything looked soooo generic and cheap. The only thing I really looooved was the off shoulder poncho. Now that had POTENTIAL!

[Scarlett Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've made three items from this book now and am working on a fourth. When I bought this book, I had just bought a sewing machine after not having sewn in 15+ years. The instructions are mostly pretty easy to follow... there were a few bits that were kinda confusing to read but then when I got started they became more clear. The things I made look pretty good; the only thing is that since the patterns are meant to be very easy there are no buttons or zippers, most of them have elastic which can look weird.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems good, seems easy. Will pick up when I start sewing...

[BookMouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute patterns but just not my style.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally cute styles and photos. Comes with patterns and I can't wait to get started!

[Gaile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in two hours. Alas! It had nothing to teach me. I have already sewn every garment featured in it. Perhaps I should write my own sewing book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has 9 patterns that I plan to make. These are just my style!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute dresses... And loved the multiple use of the same shapes.. Ie a wrap dress from a wrap shirt and circle skirt pattern. I have plans to make about half the pieces!