Dressmaking: The Easy Guide Mix and Match Skirts, Sleeves and Necklines for Over 80 Stylish Variations

Absolutely brilliant book for making my first block/foundation pattern. The author is really clear about how to manipulate the blocks so they fit perfectly. That means that every body shape is catered for and suddenly there is no body-shaming or feeling outside the norm. Figure-wise my bust and waist are a size smaller than my hips. In addition, I am only 5'2" which means anything I buy that is slim-fitting will be too long in the body and never looks chic. I've now made my blocks in cardboard so I can use them as templates again and again. My first dress using the blocks - a shift dress (Etuikleid) - looked so good and is so comfortable that I immediately made a second one. I've also used the blocks for a skirt and to adapt a bought pattern to fit me better. It's given me amazing confidence on my sewing journey! I really hope that at some point, Helen Rhiannon write a similar book for trousers!