Twinkle Sews: 25 Handmade Fashions from the Runway to Your Wardrobe [With CDROM]

By Wenlan Chia

Book Overview

Many Twinkle fans were first introduced to Wenlan Chia's signature fresh, young, whimsical style through her knitting books. But before Wenlan knitted, she sewed. And the pieces in her fashion line,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 030740935X
• ISBN13: 9780307409355
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.6" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Great book - but not for beginners!

I am a big fan of "Twinkle Sews" and her innovative designs. They are current, edgy & classy. Women of all ages can wear them. I am 50 and Wenlan Chia's designs are flattering on me as well as on my 20 y/o daughter. However, a word of caution: this book is not for beginners! You must have a good basic knowledge of clothing construction. Otherwise you may find this a frustrating experience. I've been sewing since 1974 so had no problems with the "interesting" directions...in other words, that means you'll need to wing it. A few other words of wisdom: 1. all fabric yardage requirements are based on 60" width, so you'll need to adjust accordingly. 2. all seam allowances are 3/8" or 1/2" (unless indicated otherwise). 3. the author is correct-invest in quality fabric. It really does make a difference. 4. That being said, I would suggest making a muslin first - you can keep it for future use. 5. If the garment is fitted across the chest, this appears to favor smaller busted women (of which I am one!) so if you're busty, you'll need to adjust your pattern before cutting. So if you're experienced, buy this book and have a ball. It has unleashed my creativity that has carried over to my other projects. It will do the same for you.

FINALLY!! No more boring patterns

Finally a sewing book that has current fashionable style that you can make at home and in my opinion anyway wear forever. I can't stop drooling over this book. I'm constantly day dreaming of the day and time when I can actually make something from this book because seriously, I would wear absolutely every single outfit. I don't think it is quite fair that I give it 5 stars since I have not actually made anything yet from looking at it at least 100 times I can say this much. That I haven't seen any other sewing book out there that matches this one and trust me I have a heck of a lot of sewing books. The patterns come in a CD which I like better but would have been happy if they offered both pre printed and CD patterns. There are some patterns that are labeled beginner but I think that you have to have at least a basic knowledge of sewing and using a pattern to make it through any of these outfits. The one thing I didn't like was that there are some really cute tops that they paired with the skirt but did not have patterns for. The dress on the front cover is so super cute. Honestly though, by the looks of this and from reading it you might want to invest in a making a muslin first. The fabric recomendations are far from cheap and affordable and not everyone can afford $35 a yard fabric, beading, and silk.

fabulous styles, pattern format needs help

I absolutely love the styles in this book--they have unique details and contemporary shapes, unlike many of the patterns from the style vortex of the Big Four pattern companies. All up and coming hipster craftster fashionistas will adore the styles in this book. However, the pattern presentation could use a little tweaking. Ok, a LOT of tweaking. Having to print off and tape together patterns is fine for online pattern shops ([...]), where the convenience of getting the pattern immediately balances out the inconvenience of wasting a bunch of time taping together patterns, but not for a physical book. Like the other reviewers, I'm puzzled by Potter Craft's choice to include a CD instead of paper patterns. Even a pattern sheet with all the patterns printed on top of each other in different colors would have been better than no pattern sheet at all. If sewing magazines like Burda World of Fashion (now BurdaStyle) can create a printed pattern sheet every month, then Potter Craft can certainly include printed patterns in a book. Also, experienced sewists will find it insane that each pattern piece is drafted as the entire piece to be cut from the fabric. For example, the piece for the front of a shirt, which normal patterns would include as half of the front of the shirt (because both halves are identical), is included as one gigantic piece, making the patterns huge, unwieldy and inconvenient. In fact, most of the patterns require well over 50 pieces of printer paper. In addition, neither the book nor the CD include the finished measurements of the garments or the amount of ease each pattern includes. Relying on a sizing chart alone can be a nightmare, as the other reviewer discovered. It wouldn't be a big deal IF paper patterns had been included, so you could measure the waist, bust, and hip of the pattern pieces yourself before you print out a bunch of different sizes (each size is a different file on the CD) or cut into your fabric. I applaud Wenlan Chia and Potter Craft for sharing cutting edge designs and for presenting them in a visually pleasing, well-photographed book. Keep up the good work, but next time, paper patterns please!

Most Exciting Sewing Book!

I've been searching for and buying as many sewing books as I can, and I came across this book and fell in love with the dress on the front! I think it's so far the best collection of patterns (the most exciting part, if you ask me) that I've seen. I haven't made anything yet, but I do plan on making almost everything in the book. There are a few things in there that I was disappointed to find weren't things you could make, but the things you can are super cute. Something else to keep in mind if you want this book is the items are all kind of baggy. the most fitted things are the dress and the skirts in the first section. all the other shirts and (very short) dresses are loose fitting and don't have much shape (but they have great details). But one great thing is she encourages you to alter the pattern and change the fabric, and even suggests a few completely different types of fabric that will also work with the garment. The blouse that is my absolute favorite in the book... isn't a pattern in the book... BUT it is available on [...] in their patterns section (unfortunately you have to buy it). One thing this book is lacking patterns for is a nice pair of pants. Overall, I'm extremeily happy with this book, and I know I'll be using it over and over!

I'm really excited about this book!

I couldn't wait to get this book, and when it arrived, I was even more excited to realize I would actually wear 90% of the clothes in it! A couple of tips though: The yardages are for 60", so keep that in mind when you are buying fabric!! I ran out once, and came very close a second time. I have made two items so far (in a weekend!) and they are really cute! The biggest drawback is that you have to print the patterns out on 8.5"x11" paper and then piece it together before you can cut them out, which takes a lot of time, paper, ink, and TAPE!! Also, sometimes the paper "puzzle pieces" do not match up correctly. I found that cutting out pieces as you go helps with this. With that being said, I am having a great time, and once the patterns are put together and cut out, you won't have to do it again! TWINKLE SEWS!!! PS. It also give tips as to where to buy fabric in some cities which led me to the most awesome fabric store in Atlanta!