I enjoyed your review! I think you covered all the bases, and I liked your comparison to Ahead of the Curve. I'm not a new sewist (and I have 3 zillion sewing books) so I'll probably wait a bit for this one but I would still like to get it just to support Cashmerette, and get that wrap skirt! Maybe I should put it on my Christmas wish list for one of my sons to get it for me ... hmmm.
I am glad the comparison was helpful. From what I could tell, that seemed to be where the majority of the confusion was coming from. I am considering getting rid of some of my older sewing books in favor of this one, but I feel like Ahead of the Curve will still be my main one. And the wrap skirt is adorable.
Thanks for the review! I have been sewing for more than 20 years, so I don't really need a beginner's book, but then, I've yet to find a sewing book that does NOT offer at least some tiny trick that I did not know before 😁 Also, I love Cashmerette so much! I wear a G cup and only a few years ago really started altering patterns - I had done FBAs before but it seems that I added way too few width and length so patterns still did not fit me. With Cashmerette patterns, I first saw how patterns for my shape _should_ look like. Seam allowances are not standardised over the world. For me as a German, US-American seam allowances are _so huge_! Classic German patterns don't have any seam allowance included and that's what I prefer because everyone can add the seam allowance that they want and it's so much easier to do alterations and merge different patterns. I just merged a Cashmerette pattern with another pattern with a different seam allowance included and that was so much more work than using a pattern without any included seam allowance.
I bought this book specifically for the sheath dress, super excited! Ive been a quilter for a while and when I wanted to start making clothes 20 years ago there really werent any indie plus size pattern companies and just frumpy choices..so glad to see garment sewing for plus sizes has come a long way!
I disagree about the 5/8 s/a. I learned on them 60 years ago but once I was proficient, found them a redundant annoyance. I now prefer 1/4 to 1/2. Less trimming, less fabric waste. Thanks for the excellent review of this book. Cashmerette rocks.
I used to have a commerical maxi dress with no sleeves, fish eye darts and slits up to the knee. It was made from rayon and had bias bound seams at the neck and armholes. It doesn't fit me anymore and I bought fabric to copy it off and size up but I never did. I think that sheath dress would be the perfect starting point!
Great review thank you! I can't believe I haven't found your channel before, so helpful for this plus size beginner who just keeps trying to get into sewing but struggles 😅
Really appreciate this review. I recently bought Ahead Of The Curve and am working on the Foxhill dress for a friend. I will have to think about this new book, but I love Cashmerette patterns!
I’ve decided to stop limiting my dreams and I really appreciate that I stumbled upon this typing in plus size sewing for beginners. I’m not even a full 5 minutes in and I know I want to buy this book or have it gifted to me. Thank you.
I haven't made a garment yet. That will change soon, but I'm not making one for me yet. My husband is getting a pair of lounge pants. He's an easy to fit straight size, and that feels like a safer place to start. I don't even know what fruit shape I'm supposed to be 😀Thanks for your review of this book. I just put it on my wish list.
Hi Ashley, thanks for the great review. I hopped over to Amazon to pick up the book and I am not sure whether I want to get a physical copy or a Kindle copy. Does the physical copy of the book come with the paper patterns? Or are all the patterns supposed to be printed as PDFs? That would help me make my decision as to which version of the book to get. Thank you very much!
The printed copy does come with the patterns. Be aware they do slightly overlap, so you will have to trace but its not nearly as bad as like a burda or something if you have seen those. They both come with a code for the patterns in pdf form so if you would rather do that either will work.
I enjoyed your review! I think you covered all the bases, and I liked your comparison to Ahead of the Curve. I'm not a new sewist (and I have 3 zillion sewing books) so I'll probably wait a bit for this one but I would still like to get it just to support Cashmerette, and get that wrap skirt! Maybe I should put it on my Christmas wish list for one of my sons to get it for me ... hmmm.
I am glad the comparison was helpful. From what I could tell, that seemed to be where the majority of the confusion was coming from. I am considering getting rid of some of my older sewing books in favor of this one, but I feel like Ahead of the Curve will still be my main one. And the wrap skirt is adorable.
Thanks for the review! I have been sewing for more than 20 years, so I don't really need a beginner's book, but then, I've yet to find a sewing book that does NOT offer at least some tiny trick that I did not know before 😁 Also, I love Cashmerette so much! I wear a G cup and only a few years ago really started altering patterns - I had done FBAs before but it seems that I added way too few width and length so patterns still did not fit me. With Cashmerette patterns, I first saw how patterns for my shape _should_ look like.
Seam allowances are not standardised over the world. For me as a German, US-American seam allowances are _so huge_! Classic German patterns don't have any seam allowance included and that's what I prefer because everyone can add the seam allowance that they want and it's so much easier to do alterations and merge different patterns. I just merged a Cashmerette pattern with another pattern with a different seam allowance included and that was so much more work than using a pattern without any included seam allowance.
I bought this book specifically for the sheath dress, super excited! Ive been a quilter for a while and when I wanted to start making clothes 20 years ago there really werent any indie plus size pattern companies and just frumpy choices..so glad to see garment sewing for plus sizes has come a long way!
It really has! Its been crazy in the last five years; there are so many good options now!
Rushmore has a UA-cam where she sews the Elmley dress, start to finish. It's a great tutorial. 👍
As others have said, very timely review with Christmas coming up! 🎄🎁
Glad it was helpful! I mean they did pick a good time of year for it to come out.
For sure going on my birthday wishlist. I am a new sewer who has not yet made a thing and that skirt is sooooo tempting.
Sending a hello from a fellow newbie. We can do this! 🙂
I disagree about the 5/8 s/a. I learned on them 60 years ago but once I was proficient, found them a redundant annoyance. I now prefer 1/4 to 1/2. Less trimming, less fabric waste.
Thanks for the excellent review of this book. Cashmerette rocks.
Cashmerette does rock! Glad it was helpful!
Going on the Christmas wish. Thanks for the review! I agree about the 1/2 inch seam allowance.
I am glad it was helpful! The half inch annoys me but like I said, one nit pick about an otherwise excellent book isnt too bad 😝
Thanks for this excellent review- you've given such a great overview of what's inside!
I'm so glad it was helpful!
As a plus sized new sewist, the last thing in the world I would want to make is a tent. 😂 a tent dress is want I want to get away from. Lol
Totally fair! at least this one has a bit of shaping over the bust so it just doesnt go off into the sunset 😝
Added this to my Christmas wishlist! Thank you for the video!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.
I used to have a commerical maxi dress with no sleeves, fish eye darts and slits up to the knee. It was made from rayon and had bias bound seams at the neck and armholes. It doesn't fit me anymore and I bought fabric to copy it off and size up but I never did. I think that sheath dress would be the perfect starting point!
For sure! You would be way better off.
Great review thank you! I can't believe I haven't found your channel before, so helpful for this plus size beginner who just keeps trying to get into sewing but struggles 😅
Im glad it was helpful! I hope you stick around!
I got mine from Santa ( ie Amazon) today! Trying to decide if I keep it for Hubs to give me for Christmas or just let him get me something else! lol
Excellent! Well I hope you enjoy it! Maybe he can get you some other Cashmerette goodies for Christmas!
Really appreciate this review. I recently bought Ahead Of The Curve and am working on the Foxhill dress for a friend. I will have to think about this new book, but I love Cashmerette patterns!
I am glad it was helpful! It is very tempting with the cute patterns!
I’ve decided to stop limiting my dreams and I really appreciate that I stumbled upon this typing in plus size sewing for beginners. I’m not even a full 5 minutes in and I know I want to buy this book or have it gifted to me. Thank you.
You are so welcome! Thank you for telling me how you found me
So glad I found your channel. I bought the first book, and frankly I think it's too advance for me. I will have to put this in my Amazon wish list.
For sure! This one would be a great place to start.
I haven't made a garment yet. That will change soon, but I'm not making one for me yet. My husband is getting a pair of lounge pants. He's an easy to fit straight size, and that feels like a safer place to start. I don't even know what fruit shape I'm supposed to be 😀Thanks for your review of this book. I just put it on my wish list.
There are some pj pants in here for you too! This would be a great place to start. Youve got this!
Sewing newbie here and will be getting this asap. Amazing that there is now a book for us curvies! So glad I found you and this video
Welcome! I hope you really enjoy it!
can you do a video on sewing one up
Hi Ashley, thanks for the great review. I hopped over to Amazon to pick up the book and I am not sure whether I want to get a physical copy or a Kindle copy. Does the physical copy of the book come with the paper patterns? Or are all the patterns supposed to be printed as PDFs? That would help me make my decision as to which version of the book to get. Thank you very much!
The printed copy does come with the patterns. Be aware they do slightly overlap, so you will have to trace but its not nearly as bad as like a burda or something if you have seen those. They both come with a code for the patterns in pdf form so if you would rather do that either will work.