Book Review: Little Green Dresses

I recently recieved a new sewing book to review from Netgalley, Little Green Dresses: 50 Original Patterns for Repurposed Dresses, Tops, Skirts, and More by Tina Sparkles.  I was quite excited to look through it, and I wish that I had a sewing machine here in France so that I could have tried some of the ideas.

Little Green Dresses is the kind of book that the younger generation interested in sewing will love.  As the title implies the book focuses on ways to re-use old garments and other sources of fabric and make these into new favorite wardrobe pieces.  In some cases the projects detail how to change a certain type of item, such as a shirt, into another, like a dress.  In other cases, the projects simply suggest finding large objects like old sheets for re-use in new clothing.

While the book contains plenty of green ideas for creating new clothes, it's other
strong point is that it outlines how to create your own patterns.  A beginning section includes things such as making measurements, how to adjust already made patterns, and how to make a
basic pattern for a dress that fits you exactly.  This basic dress pattern is used throughout the project section of the book.  The projects have a good range of difficulties.  There are enough easy projects to get used to making patterns and practice sewing and also enough more challenging projects that you won't get bored.  My favorites of the projects tend to be the dresses and the skirts.

Although there is a section of the book devoted to sewing techniques, the book is not a
sewing reference book.  If you already know the basics of sewing, are interested in learning how to draft your own patterns, and have an interest in re-using and remaking clothes, then this book
will be interesting for you.  The patterns are aimed towards young people who are adventurous when it comes to fashion.  Personally, I would not wear about half of the projects shown in the book despite the fact that I am probably one of the target audience, but since there are 50 projects, that still leaves plenty that I would. 

Book Review of The Party Dress: How to Sew the Best Dress in the Room

Although I wasn't looking to find this book, when I walked by the stand of new books at the public library (one of my favorite places), the cover of this book instantly caught my eye.

The Party Dress Book: How to Sew the Best Dress in the Room by Mary Adams contains sections detailing Mary Adams' career as a designer, being inspired by colors, sewing techniques, and a final section on how to sew your own party dress.  The book also includes a pattern which I was unable to view in this copy.

If you are looking for inspirations on creating dresses that stand out from any other dresses you might see on others, then this book could be what you are looking for.  Especially if you like lots of ruffles and fun colors.

I, personally, don't think that my sewing skills are quite up to creating dresses as beautiful as the dresses shown in the book.  However, I would love to learn to make dresses like those.  So, I've now added the book to my already impossibly long wish list.  Some other books about more basic sewing will probably come before I purchase this one, but then again, I may get it just to look at the inspiring pictures.