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Using some of my handwoven foxfibre cotton fabric, I used the Kimono pattern from Susan's book and achieved excellent results.
I had an opportunity to read this book and to try out some of the patterns. I have intermediate sewing skills and I found this book quite easy to follow. And it works!
How to make your own bias tapeWith this set of tools, I feel confident to mix and match the designs in the book to create my own unique variations. Thank you, Susan.
How to sew shoulder darts
How to sew slit and patch pockets
How to add facings
How to add collars
How to install zippers and other closures
How to make rolled cuffs
How to add inside plackets onto jackets
How to make shaped armholes
Where to serge, topstitch or finish edges
Collar variations
Susan Lilly has now made the first chapter of her book available for free downloading at her website: The Weaving Room
Clothing Patterns from the Weaving Room by Susan Lilly-- 230 page black & white paperback of twelve patterns with many photos and drawings, color cover and spiral binding.
Begin at the Beginning, and build your skills with each pattern. Clothing Patterns from the Weaving Room teaches easy design and construction techniques as you go. The patterns are designed to show off your fabric with clean lines and simple cuts. The styles are perfect for modern living, for those who like to wear handwovens every day. Most designs can be made with approximately 20" - 30" wide handwoven yardage. Garment designs include ponchos, vests and cropped jackets.
Here are a couple of other reviews of this book:
"Clothing Patterns from the Weaving Room is a wonderful resource for students. The approach to garment construction is especially useful for the beginning handweaver. Susan Lilly's clear direction and reliance on large basic shapes makes construction fun and accessible."If you would like more information about this book, you can contact the author at:
Barbara Setsu-Pickett
Associate Professor, Fiber Area
Department of Art
University of Oregon
"I've been weaving nearly thirty years and found Clothing Pattern from the Weaving Room a useful book. It follows the ancient historical teachings of using material straight off the loom, which is a wonderful way to make loose fitting garments. But if you're a beginner, you need to proceed slowly with this book.
Not all of the directions are easy to follow, especially if you don't already have a strong background in sewing. It would be a good idea to make the initial patterns out of inexpensive muslin.
A practical way to use this book would be to follow it pattern by pattern from beginning to end. Lilly tends to build on the experience gained from proceeding patterns, and always emphasizes the simplicity of making clothing straight from the loom. She emphasizes the use of no darts, no interfacing, buttonholes, sleeve caps, lining, no padding and no handsewing. One of the problems with weaving is finishing the edges, and while I don't use Lilly's techniques, she offers good advice in this area and her use of bias tape works well.
Overall this is a book whose time has come. It's definitely needed. I teach weaving and know of other pattern books for weavers but this one is much more creative. Certainly the designs she presents are classic and comfortable. For making loom shaped clothes, this is a good book to keep in the studio."
Carala Gomez
The Woolly Times
PO Box 123
Pecos, NM 87552
Spring 2001
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