Sewing For Your Girls: Easy Instructions For Dresses, Smocks And Frocks (Includes Pull-Out Patterns) By Yoshiko Tsukiori Paperback

Oh silly me, being surprised and disappointed that, given this book's title, a full quarter of the patterns are NOT for dresses, frocks and smocks. 'Sewing for your Girls - Easy Instructions for Dresses, Smocks and Frocks' is a very misleading title, IMO.The book itself is lovely - well-printed, very pleasant to handle, beautifully-photographed, clear instructions mainly in pictorial form, lots of sewing tips and advice, and large sheets of printed, overlapping patterns (safely stored in a pocket attached to the book's inside back cover - ready to be traced off somewhat in the manner of Burda magazine patterns) for girls sizes equivalent to the major US paper pattern brands' sizing of about ages 3/4 to 10 or Burda 100cm - 140cm.There are eight basic patterns, each with one or more suggested variations with instructions. The basic patterns are as follows 1.Slip-on A-line dress w/ties at neckline 2. Back-buttoning blouse w/set-in puff sleeves 3. yoked dress w/invisible zip at CB, set-in sleeves and hand-smocking at front 4.Drawstring waist shorts/trousers 5.Shirred-bodice sundress 6.Long-sleeved raglan smock top w/elasticated neckline 7. Front-button-thru collared dress or top 8. Raglan-sleeved short jacket or bolero in a 'swing'-type style.I was very conflicted as to what rating to give this book but, after considerable thought, I can only give it three stars. I paid a heavily-discounted price for it, and thus will keep it, as I do like it very much - but if I had paid full price, I would've felt deceived, and returned it for a refund.My main criticisms of the book are as follows.A quarter of the patterns (two out of the eight - #s 4 and 8) are NOT for any type of 'Dresses, Smocks and Frocks' at all, and it's a hard push to describe # 2 as such - it's a blouse. I am a very experienced dressmaker, and although the instructions seem clear and thorough throughout and would be easy *for me* to follow, I doubt that they would be sufficient for a beginner trying to make some of the more difficult garments, or successfully complete the more advanced techniques used. However, the simpler garments would certainly be within the capabilities of a beginner, although they would have to be prepared to put in some work beforehand. To be entirely fair, the book's title doesn't claim 'easy patterns' but merely 'easy instructions' ... a fine distinction.To further confuse matters, the reader/sewer is instructed to use certain specific items of haberdashery and weights of thread, which are difficult and expensive - or impossible! - to obtain here in the UK, even from specialist suppliers, never mind the local haberdasheries which most of us like to support if possible, and some of the fabric recommendations are unobtainable here, too or at least not known under the names used in this book. A sewer with some experience would - hopefully! - have a good idea what might be both a suitable, and more easily-obtained substitute, but the beginner could find themselves on a wild-goose chase for elusive items.If the title honestly reflected the contents of the book, and some small changes were made to the terminology, or some sort of glossary added, it would deserve a five star plus rating, but, sadly, not as it stands.

Nice clothes and lovely ideas but the patterns and the steps are a bit hard to follow for beginners.

Super

Nice collection of simple girls designs.

Lovely book with good ideas and descriptions of methods, just a pity that the center part is in black and white.