Dressmaking: The Easy Guide: Mix and match skirts, sleeves and ne

From just 5 basic patterns elements, learn to mix and match these elements to create over 80 different bespoke garments that are unique to you. With full-size patterns to cater for dress sizes 2 to 42.

Creative Book Awards 2024 - Winner - Best Sewing Book from Crafts Beautiful Magazine

Let Dressmaker Helen Rhiannon guide you through every step of the process to help you create a classic, customized dress that’s perfect for your body and your personal style.

There’s a pattern for every size and shape (2-42). Simply choose the size closest to your own measurements, trace off your pattern pieces, create a sample in calico and alter it to your unique shape. Then, choose from a selection of basic, but beautiful, neckline, sleeve and skirt options – from classic V-necklines to flouncy Fifties-style circle skirts – to make your dress your very own.

• Basic techniques needed are covered at the start of the book – including seam allowances, notches, cutting out, pinning, machine sewing and finishing.

• The basic sewing kit you need is covered, as well as fabric advice and advice on lining.

• There are 4 style options each for sleeves and necklines, including a flared sleeve, a capped sleeve, a sweetheart neckline or a boatneck; and 5 skirt options, including a fitted pencil-style skirt, a zhuzhy circle skirt, and an A-Line, with or without pleats. 

• The 5 patterns can be put together to create 80 different dress styles; adapted to make 4 different skirts or 4 tops; or the pattern for the straight skirt can be joined to any of the bodice patterns to make a straight dress.

Let Helen take you from novice to creator of your own bespoke clothes with this exhaustive guide

Helen is an award-winning fashion designer creating beautiful, timeless, handmade gowns from her home in Swansea, Wales. Over the last 10 years, Helen has worked on a huge range of projects from prom dresses to National Costumes for pageants and bespoke dresses for Cardiff Singer of the World finalist, Natalya Romaniw, and also the international opera star, Katherine Jenkins. With a love of making beautiful, timeless dresses, Helen decided to specialize in Bridalwear and launched Helen Rhiannon Bridal in 2010.

Also a fully qualified teacher and lecturer, Helen set up the All Sewn Up sewing workshops in 2010 (www.allsewnupwales.co.uk), designed to help people learn and develop new skills, and to be creative. She runs sewing workshops regularly, teaching people how to make items such as bags, cushions, toys and garments.

Helen's first book for Search Press, Sew Perfect Pets, has sold almost 9,000 copies to date.

www.helenrhiannon.com