Anyone who has sewn from purchased 'standard' paper patterns knows how much fiddling and fitting is necessary to achieve really good results. This book takes a vital wardrobe staple, the shirt, and shows how to drape, fit, create a pattern muslin, choose fabric, along with thorough construction and finishing information. The instructions are very well photographed and the tutorials are very clearly written in a clear step-by-step manner.
The book is peppered with sidebars covering fitting and compensating for common body anomalies such as uneven and rounded shoulders, 'bodybuilder' shoulders/arms, protruding abdomen, and others. After an explanatory introduction about shirts, their parts, and different outline shapes, there are three chapters on creating loose-fitting, close-fitting, and tight-fitting shirts. The book also includes four design projects. There is a cross referenced index and resource list.
Although this book presupposes some familiarity with sewing, a keen beginner could follow the directions (especially if they have occasional access to a sewing mentor/friend). Advanced sewists will also find value here for getting the best results. I admit that I'm quite guilty of wanting to rush ahead and finish a project RIGHT NOW. I'm the bad sewist who cuts into the 'good' fabric without fitting or making a muslin. I'm the bad knitter who generally skips gauge swatching before starting a new project. This book really has inspired me to do better and drape fit my next shirts as well as creating good muslins/slopers.
Five stars. This is a superlatively written book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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