The Maker's Atelier: The Essential Collection Sewing with Style Paperback – 9 Feb. 2017

Sewing with Style is a collection of stylish patterns for women of all ages by fashion designer, Frances Tobin. The format is well designed and opens with the book on the left and the patterns neatly stored in an envelope on the right. I particularly like that the book opens completely flat so you can have it open while you are following the instructions. The photography and styling is beautiful and the patterns themselves have an elegance and simplicity that is hard to find elsewhere. There are eight patterns altogether but each one has lots of possible variations and I can see myself making multiple wardrobe pieces, especially the pencil skirt and raw edge coat! The book also has lots of useful information on how to lengthen/shorten a style, apply a different finish or use an alternative fabric. To make the process even easier, Frances recommends the perfect fabrics to suit each garment and lists her favourite shops in the back of the book. All in all, this is a must have book if you want to make yourself, or your friends, a beautiful collection of stylish clothes.

I bought this simply because it was value for money with the patterns included - but the book is a joy!Lovely and clear instructions, even for the beginner.I am quite an experienced dressmaker, and buy Vogue patterns, but I love the way Frances talks about fabrics, a knowledge that most pattern makers expect you to have.My older sister has just inherited a Bernina Record from the '60's and has absolutely no idea, but she has made the skirt and trousers with only minimal supervision, and took on board Frances instructions about fabrics.When taking the book with me when I bought fabrics for a number of the projects, the male assistant in the shop was intrigued and I let him have a look while I made my choices. He makes womenswear for his friends and was very impressed with the simple styles and their ability to suit all shapes and sizes.It is obvious care has been taken in the finished product, and it is a lovely addition to anyone's bookcase.

I first saw “The Makers Atelier” stand at a Sewmance show in Brighton and loved all the made up samples of clothes. When I discovered this book I snapped it up and wasn’t disappointed. I have not been sewing long but I have made so many items from this collection. I love them and wear them all the time. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in sewing a whole new wardrobe - because you won’t be able to stop at just one!

I bought this book after looking at it at the Great British Sewing Bee Live where I didn’t want to pay a premium for a signed copy. It is a beautifully styled book and I am pleased I bought it. For me, as I am just returning to making my own clothes after a gap of decades it is quite inspirational because the designer has packed it with tips and advice about adapting the patterns to create a varied wardrobe of staple clothes that many women need, and recommendations for fabric suppliers. However, Apart from the cigarette pants and the wrapover skirt I doubt I shall use the patterns because those are the only two patterns with darts to shape the garments. Frances Tobin designed these patterns to suit her own body shape and height which I would guess to be around size 10-12 and about 5’7”. I am 5’3” with a very short waist with little definition and small sloping shoulders so the oversize shirts and coat would be quite wrong on me. If you have height and shoulders to suit unstructured clothes this book will be a real bargain for you as individually her patterns cost around £20. The sample clothes on the rail at GBSB looked beautiful made up in quality fabrics and construction appears straightforward. I would suggest you look at PatternReview.com where sewers leave very helpful feedback on patterns they have used. Happy Sewing,

This arrived really quickly and I absolutely love it. It is so stylish and explains how to adapt each pattern for different fabrics to achieve a variety of looks. I can't wait to start sewing and I want to make everything! A very classy collection of patterns. I would say you need some knowledge of sewing but having already made a few of patterns from The Maker's Atelier I know they are very well explained.

Nicely produced book. Most of the patterns use stretch fabrics though, which I don't particularly like sewing with. The patterns I have made do seem to size up quite big. Book and patterns in excellent unused condition. prompt delivery.

I only got it yesterday but I had a look before bedtime and what I seen so far I am happy with the design and the way it explain it all , Its too early to know if I be using it as a pattern or just look at it

Love this book, its well thought out and beautifully presented, with clear instructions and easy to understand illustrations. I am relatively new to the sewing scene, and the collection of eight stylishly simple patterns have got me excited about making. A real classic that I know I will use again and again. I have no hesitation in recommending, just go ahead and buy it you won't be disappointed.

This book is my low-key style encapsulated in one book! I plan to create an entire capsule wardrobe with variations (style and fabric) of the patterns in this entire book. Each pattern includes a description for why it's included and how it evolved. The photos of variations for each pattern is my favorite part! It includes the pattern variation options as well as fabric type/color variations.These photos (there are more in the book) include pieces from all patterns:Stretch Pencil SkirtDrape-Front TopCigarette PantsTie-Neck BlouseBook BagRaw-Edge CoatWrap SkirtOver-Sized T-ShirtMy sewing teacher had this pattern book for us to explore so of course I had to buy it too! I love looking through it. The pencil skirt is what I plan on sewing next. I just need to find the right fabric first. She has already sewed a beautiful raw-edge coat, several pencil skirts, all of the tops, and the cigarette pants.

I found this book both practical and inspirational. It rekindled my joy of sewing. It provides patterns and detailed instruction for classic tops, skirts, pants and coats, plus interesting variations for each pattern to give you a complete capsule wardrobe. Everything is thoughtfully arranged for quick, uncomplicated sewing. Love this book!

Es gibt so viele Nähbücher.Warum jetzt dieses noch?Ich finde den Stil von Frances Tobin einzigartig.Sie geht auf die Sechzig zu und schwärmt immer noch von "clothes, boys and music". Hier schreibt eine Frau, die seit Jahrzehnten in der Mode tätig ist und sich nun mit einem kleinen Schnitt-Lable selbstständig gemacht hat. Erfrischend unbieder!Die Stoffe, die sie wählt, finde ich wunderschön. Sie machen Lust auf eine Art eigene Kollektion.Ach so, die Schnitte.Für die Book-Bag und das Oversize-Shirt braucht man kein Buch kaufen, schon klar. Wer schon länger als drei Monate näht, braucht vielleicht auch keine fünf Seiten Anleitung für einen Bleistiftrock aus Stretch. Aber die Fotos machen so Lust auf einen engen Rock! Auch, wenn man vielleicht nicht (mehr) Gr. 38 trägt.Überhaupt die Models: Die Frauen haben ein unterschiedliches Alter, recht unterschiedliche Figuren und alle ein tolles Strahlen.So funktioniert dieses Buch auch als ein schönes Bilderbuch, nur so zum Blättern.O.k. - ich gebe es zu: Ich habe noch keinen Schitt aus diesem Buch genäht.Ich habe zwei Einzelschnitte von The Markers Atelier (mit 22,50 GBP irre teuer). Sie funktionieren sehr gut, sie sind einfach umzusetzen und sitzen einwandfrei. Ich verwende sie immer wieder.So würde ich auch blind den Schnitten im Buch vertrauen: Es gibt für blutige Anfänger eine Wasserfallbluse ohne Ärmel, der Bleistiftrock und eine Einkaufstasche. Für Anfänger, die sich an die ersten Ärmel herantrauen, einen einfachen Mantel (echt simpel!), eine Schluppenbluse und ein Oversize-Shirt. Kein Ärmel muss eingehalten werden, was es leicht macht. Der Wickelrock ist ebenfalls einfach zu nähen, doch den Fotos nach funktioniert der Verschluss m.E. nicht so gut. Und dann gibt es noch eine schmale Hose, die so auf Figur geschnitten ist, dass sie vermutlich eigene Anpassungen braucht.Fazit: Die acht Schnitte sind gut, aber nicht unbedingt einmalig. Sie sind mit wenig Erfahrung umzusetzen, die Anleitungen sind detailreich beschrieben und bebildert. Das Buch ist sicher eine gute Handreichung für die erste selbstgenähte Garderobe.Doch wie unschwer zu erkennen:Für mich macht der Stil von Frances Toben den Wert des Buches aus.

ordentliches Buch für Nähliebhaber-innen.

The book is beautifully put together with full size patterns included. Everything that you need to make a wardrobe of elegant classic clothes.