The Illustrated Hassle-Free Make Your Own Clothes Book by Joan Wiener Bordow

The Illustrated Hassle-Free Make Your Own Clothes Book Reviews

• 
  Grace

  This book is really easy to understand, and while way hippied out (among other things, it tells how to make a sorcerer's dress and a hobbitop!), it still has fewer hideous things in it than similar more modern books I've looked at, and has useful ideas. Also, it taught me that the reason "men's" clothing has buttons on the right side is because of swords! (this was told to prove that dividing clothes into men's and women's is passe)
• 
  Judith

  A fun, nostalgic read with hand drawn illustrations and valuable instructions. Now, we have YouTube and blogs for practical help. Creativebug has project centered sewing classes. Either create your pattern from a t shirt or print out an epattern and tape it together. It's harder to find decent fabric than it is to find Chinese produced garments cheaper than you could make them nowadays. All those books from a few years ago on repurposing thrift shop clothing are based on the premise that clean, natural fiber, used garments actually exist. I've not found any that don't reek. So, a peek at frugal life from fifty years ago is still worthwhile even for making hems, mending clothing, or making contemporary masks.
• 
  Catherine

  Poncho dress!
• 
  Chrissy McCann

  I'm new to sewing. I don't think this book is meant for a novice. Perhaps using different language in regards to technique would make it easier. I do feel that this book would be better for altering or transforming your current clothes more than actually making something from scratch. She often says to lay out a piece of current clothing and then trace it. Obviously I'm new to this stuff, but that doesn't seem like it would always work...for pants perhaps. She also doesn't seem to go into too much detail on finishing garments so they are durable...mostly just says to hem. Great book, but could definitely have a bit more detail for beginners.
• 
  Jennifer

  Fun! A reprint of a book first published in 1971. I love the Boston Public Library... I look for books about sewing from your own patterns, and find two books that together answer my questions. This book, along with the more structured "Make Your Own Patterns...." makes it seem very do-able to design and sew some simple things in a few evenings. Last summer I started making skirts because I couldn't find the exact skirt I wanted for summer and then realized how easy it would be to make exactly what I want. Now I want to get more adventurous.
• 
  Heidi

  Great for figuring out the basics
  
  Machine or by hand, this is a nice tutorial on how to make all the basics for any shape or size. Afterwards, embellishments make each piece suited to age or personality. a great back to basics book. love the angel dress and sorcerer robe.
• 
  Barbara Shoemaker

  A reprint of a book published in the 70s
  
  umm.
  photos of finished garments would be nice, better than what I picture in my imagination.
  money is referred to as "bread".
  you could use this book to make clothes.
  what else is there to say?
• 
  Karin

  Who knew sewing would be so politically subversive. ;-) My daughter is excited to try some of these projects.
• 
  Angie

  The idea is good. The patterns look a little outdated. Maybe if you are into more of a bohemian style....I'm sure if I really wanted to, I could find a way to update the ideas.
• 
  Anne

  A dated, yet fascinating look at a sewing culture.