The Essential A-Line // Sewing Book Review

 

A few weeks ago, Stash Books sent me a copy of The Essential A-Line: Make 17 Flirty Skirts from 1 Basic Pattern by Jona Giammalva.  Jona blogs at Stop Staring ... and Start Sewing.  For me, this is the perfect description of her first book, because it is what finally got me to stop thinking about making myself a skirt (I bought a great navy wool 3 years ago ...) and actually sit down and do it.This skirt is actually the first item of clothing I have sewn for myself (and worn in public). I must have been outwardly nervous about wearing it, because yesterday we walked into the school and a teacher said, "I love your skirt!" My 3 year old said, "Mama, see, I told you it was beautiful!" Now I just need to learn how to pose...

The Essential A-Line Book Details:

• 1 Master Skirt Pattern, 17 skirt variations
• Sizes 0-20
• The first 1/3 of the book teaches technique: how to orient & cut out a pattern, get the right fit, skirt making basics, and finishing techniques
• The last 2/3 of the book teaches how to make variations of the basic A-line skirt--adding pockets, pleats, belt loops, patchwork, ruffles, etc.
• $26.95 list price, selling on Amazon today for $19.05

Why I would recommend a friend take a look:Finishing Details: The book includes clear instructions on how to put in an invisible zipper, add darts, do basic alterations,  and line your skirt, among other things.

Style: I would love to make a linen skirt with these pockets!  For me, the strength of the book is the first 1/3, which really teaches you everything you need to know about making a skirt. My style is perhaps simpler than many of the skirt variations, but I can appreciate that others will like them.Space for Notes: Most of the sections include a space for you to take notes--what worked, what didn't, any variations you made, space to doodle, etc. I hate when my notes get lost--this solves that problem.  My notes for this skirt would be: work on putting in an invisible zipper.

Something Unique: This book includes directions on how to make a  maternity A-Line skirt, which I thought was kind of brilliant.Audience: The book seems geared towards the beginning garment sewer; I think more experienced garment sewers would also be inspired to try something new, whether it is edgestitching instead of topstitching, making a skirt with contrast pleats, lining a skirt instead of just making a facing,  etc.

 

Clear Diagrams: The diagrams are  clear and easy to follow.Sizing: My hips and waist measurements dictated that I should make two different sizes. I went with the bigger one. I should have gone with the smaller one. This is why you make a muslin, right?

Great Tips: Jona suggests making a muslin, and pinning the sides of the skirt together before sewing the side seams. Once I pinned the skirt together, I could see that the master A-Line pattern was a little too A-Line for my rather straight hips.  I was able to rework the pattern so it is slightly less A-line, and it fit me much better.  [Fabric is by Cynthia Rowley (Little Big Dot in Primary) for Michael Miller that I purchased from Drygood Designs].I Wish The Book Included: I realize that often things like this are left out by the publisher due to space issues, but I wish the book had included a section on fabric choice.  For example, how would using cotton, voile, denim, velveteen, rayon, knit, etc. change the shape, drape, and construction methods for a basic skirt.Just Like Sewing With My Mom: This is a compliment--the book teaches many of the same techniques that my mom taught me a few years ago, but that I couldn't *quite* remember. It is nice to have the book to refer back to; it is written in a very approachable style.Available on Amazon: The Essential A-line: Make 17 Flirty Skirts from 1 Basic Pattern