Skip to content

The Beginner’s Guide To Dressmaking by Julia Hincks (Paperback Book) - SP

Original price £14.99 - Original price £14.99
Original price
£14.99
£14.99 - £14.99
Current price £14.99

Sew 8 stylish, versatile garments with this essential beginner's guide to dressmaking, from best-selling author and teacher Julia Hincks.

This fully illustrated, step-by-step guide contains all the techniques you need, plus four full-size (1000 x 700mm) pattern sheets for sizes UK 6-30 (US 2-26, EU 34-58).

In this complete course, popular sewing guru Julia Hincks covers everything you need to get going: discover the essential tools and materials, how to read and use a sewing pattern, choose fabrics, make seams and understand dressmaking terminology. Clear step-by-step photographs and easy-to-follow instructions make it accessible for all, whether you are creating your first garments or revisiting the basics.

The 8 projects are carefully chosen by Julia to teach you new skills each time, so that you can build up your confidence through practice. Each of the stunning projects will teach you new techniques and terminology, and will gradually develop your skills as you work through the book. 

Choose from 8 stylish garments:

  • pattern-free skirt
  • top
  • robe/jacket
  • skirt
  • shorts
  • vest
  • trousers
  • dress

Full-size pull-out pattern sheets are included, graded in 13 sizes from UK 6-30 (US 2-26, EU 34-58).

Table of Contents

Introduction 6
Tools and materials 8
Taking body measurements 24
Pattern formats 28
Pattern markings 30
Altering patterns 33
Preparing your fabric 35
Following the pattern 42
Getting started 44

TECHNIQUES AND PROJECTS 54

Creating an elastic casing 56
1. Pattern-free skirt 58

Stay stitching 62
Attaching a facing and understitching 62
Stitching in the ditch 64

Hand tacking 65
2. Top 66

Tailor’s tacks 74
Patch pockets 76
3. Robe 78

Hip pockets 88
Machine tacking 91
Attaching an elasticated waistband 92
Ladder stitch 95
4. Skirt with hip pockets 96

In-seam pockets 102
Altering the crotch 110

5. Shorts 106

Darts 114
Bias binding 116
Moving the bust dart 122
6. Vest 118

Adding length to the shorts 126
7. Trousers 128

8. Dress 132

Moving on 141
Index 144