Sewing Love: Handmade Clothes for Any Body

by Sanae Ishida

Draft patterns and sew clothes that fit your unique body! In this garment-making primer, sewing is an act of radical kindness and self-care. Learning to sew for yourself enables you to make exactly the kinds of clothes you want, and empowers you to solve the fit issues that come with buying commercial clothing designed to fit one 'ideal' body type. Sanae Ishida, author of the award-winning Sewing Happiness, guides you through the process with her inspiring personal story and gentle instruction in the simple art of pattern-making and garment sewing. Create a complete capsule wardrobe of tops, bottoms, dresses, tunics, and outerwear. Each of the 15 projects (including variations) is designed to look good on a wide variety of body types - they're fashionable yet timeless, and let you move with ease. Every pattern is self-drafted (no printed pattern sheets here - you will learn to draft and customize basic shapes to your own body measurements for a comfortable fit). Patternmaking has never been easier than in this intuitive, fully illustrated book.Includes:
Lookbook with photographs of the projects on diverse models
Primer on basic sewing, pattern drafting (slopers and muslins), and fitting
Step-by-step illustrated instructions for all 15 projects and variations
Heartwarming personal essay on the author's journey to body positivity

• ISBN10: 163217281X
• ISBN13: 9781632172815
• Publish Date: 23 August 2022
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Sasquatch Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781632172815

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Sewing Love: Handmade Clothes for Any Body is is a tutorial sewing guide with instructions for drafting patterns for clothing which really fits the reader's style and body written by Sanae Ishida. Released 23rd June 2022 by Sasquatch Books, it's 288 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. The book also includes a wonderful message of kindness and body positivity and meets readers where they *are* honestly and respectfully.

The fabrics pictured are gorgeous. Pure cotton, linen, and blends. It's full of photos with models of different shapes and sizes showing the designs in the book which helps to visualize the drape and silhouette of the finished garments. The author has included resource links and lists for sourcing fabrics and further info and instruction.

I did not finish any of the garments, but a close read-through of the construction notes didn't turn up any glaring mistakes. The included tutorial diagrams are good, and on a par with those included with commercial patterns.

I really liked a lot of the designs here and there are numerous subtle details which are not immediately apparent. The style is absolutely not fussy or overly fitted. For me it's five strong stars especially given the reasonable and gentle positivity for meeting readers where they *are*. So much of commercial fashion is so very toxic that I've heard 5 year olds (girls) saying they want to be on a diet.

This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, classroom instruction, and home studio.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.