Singer Perfect Plus: Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes (Spiral-bound)

3 Responses to “Singer Perfect Plus: Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes (Spiral-bound)”

1. Ryann Says:
   December 20th, 2009 at 4:40 am

   I heard about this book and put it on my wish list, then ran into a copy of it. I’m glad I did. The beginning of the book covered how to put together a coordinating wardrobe which looked like it had some interesting points. When I got into the ‘meat’ of the book is when I started getting diappointed. Please note this book should have been titled Perfect Plus for Petite Plus. The patterns are sized for a woman 5′ 2″ tall. As a plus sized woman that is 5′ 10″ I’m not anxious to start cutting apart and adjusting EVERY pattern piece as they would be too short. At least plus sized patterns from the regular pattern manufacturers are based on a 5′ 6″ woman. Huge difference.

   As others have stated in their reviews, they were very disappointed in the looks of the clothes on the model (or was it the author?). I cringed when seeing the striped shirt in a full front view. The stripes on the collar weren’t matched at all and so it looked like it was made by a careless sewer, either at a factory or home. I’m trying to get away from the ‘dorky homemade’ look in clothes, so that set my bells ringing. Assuming these were the best possible examples for the book, I wonder what all else in the book isn’t made correctly. The same blouse shown without the jacket didn’t look like it fit at all and had all sorts of ripples. My husband looked at the blouse and agreed with me that I wasn’t being fussy, it was sewn wrong.

   I commend the author on completing the daunting task of writing a book, but this book needed more prepublication work that would have had me buying the book rather than taking a pass on it.

2. Astrella Says:
   December 20th, 2009 at 9:12 am

   I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of this book when I first read about it’s publication. I have not been disappointed.

   Perfect Plus is like a textbook with all the answers. It’s ultimately readable, very well organized, loads of photos and diagrams (charts, too), great instructions, excellent tips, and great incentive to take four simple patterns and be creative by varying choice of fabrics, colors, etc. for a complete wardrobe. Kathleen has even provided information how to fit and flatter my non-standard body which is neither petite nor plus size.

   With four patterns included, plus the wealth of information provided, this book is worth every penny!

3. Emele Says:
   December 20th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

   This is just the book for me as I’m returning to sewing after many decades. Kathleen’s book is much more than an instruction manual on fitting a pattern. The chapters on evaluating your needs and designing your wardrobe could have been written with me in mind. As a recent retiree I have moved to a rural location with plans to travel several times a year. My old city work wardrobe is woefully inadequate. Kathleen walks the reader/sewer through the steps to creating a coordinated wardrobe that works for all phases of life. I’m a former teacher and find that her book reads like the ideal textbook as the instructions are clear and concise, her style is warm and supportive and the text is supported by graphics and pictures that emphasize the main points. I’m just ready to cut out my first pattern and feel confident that I can do it!

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