Book Review Week: Singer Perfect Plus

I recently got a copy of Singer Perfect Plus: Sew a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe for Plus and Petite-Plus Sizes to review, and it's taken me a while to get to it, being neither perfect nor plus-size.

Perfect Plus is a very straightforward book, nothing fancy. You're not going to get any couture techniques here, or anything too fashion-forward or art-to-wear. This is primarily a book for petite, plus-size women who are not fashionistas, but are frustrated with the tatty stuff they see in stores (or with the price tags on the nicer plus-size garments) and who don't have a ton of sewing experience.

The book includes four patterns (a blouse with collar & sleeve variations, pants, an elastic-waist skirt, and a jacket with very nice pockets) and many, many pages of help on how to choose fabrics, construction tips, and fitting.

If you are newish to sewing, need a very basic petite plus-size wardrobe and want a lot of hand-holding, this book is ideal for you. These garments are so simple, though, that your fabric choices are going to be very important. Cheap polyesters or badly-designed prints will make these look like a dog's breakfast -- upgrading to better-quality cottons and silks and good buttons (and taking your time with construction) will make all the difference here.

If you're already an experienced sewist or you want garments with more advanced design elements, I'd save your money -- there's nothing here that you probably haven't already made on your own. You'd be better off getting a good book on fitting patterns (like Fit for Real People) and altering patterns that you really like.

I don't need to keep this book, so I'm giving it away ... the person who writes me the best haiku about pockets will get it! You can email your verse or leave it in the comments. (If you leave it in the comments and you want the book, make sure there's a way for me to reach you.)

Comments

[Jen ~ MOMSPatterns]

I don't need the book but want to play!! .. I will add to your prize and give your winner a $10 coupon to use at the MOMSPatterns site so they can try their hand at sewing with patterns when they're ready to move on up!Here's my try for fun:Cradle my lipstickCapture the dust from tissuesDeep squares on my hips.

[Beth]

The book looks interesting, so I'll toss my entry in the ring:Phone in one pocketLipstick in the oppositePurse gets thrown away

[Perpetual Beginner]

What the heck, I'll give it a go.Nothing incarnateYet so handy for holdingA hole of ones own

[The Rotund]

I am so frustrated - what about the plus size sewist who DOES aspire to being a fatshionista and doesn't want to spend the rest of her life grading patterns? *cry*Emptiest pocketsholding nothing but my handwith no room for yours.

[sandritocat]

I'll give it a try:I Love BIG pocketsand the BIGGER the BETTERto swallow my stuff

[I have an idea...]

Cell, cards, keys, toys, wipesmints, scraps, threads, pens, dreamsEasy reach--pockets.

[courtney]

Digging deep, I findTissues, tokens and trinketsPockets hide it all.

[Anonymous]

Pockets! I am free.All my needs are stowed within,Let me venture forth.

[Anonymous]

"what about the plus size sewist who DOES aspire to being a fatshionista and doesn't want to spend the rest of her life grading patterns?"You want Burda Plus magazine. Skinny girls stop me to ask where they can get those clothes. Very fashion forward.

[San Antonio Sue (suemetzler@aol.com)]

We all need pocketsMichelle to the rest of usNo purse - pockets rule!

[Cookie]

Kangaroo PocketA perfect design, indeedWhy did She stop there?

[Syl]

I did get this book, less because of the patterns (elastic-waist skirts? no-lapel jackets? eeeek!) than because of the big section that demonstrates wardrobe capsuling. So I look at it as more of an idea book than anything else. It may indeed find a new home later, but it's useful for now.

[Kai Jones]

I got the book for the basic sewing instructions--it's not just petite-plus, the patterns are also for (standard-height) plus. The patterns are not my style at all, although I may be able to make something out of the skirt and the jacket. And the pants pattern is certainly basic enough. The added value of the clear instructions for basic patterns and for the most common fit changes (narrow shoulders, big bust, etc.) make it worth my effort to find some nice fabric and walk through the basics of construction. I've never managed to make a garment that fit me but this might be my chance.

[janet]

fidgeting fingerscan rest nestled in pocketsof blue gingham dress

[anthrokeight]

A dress with pocketsMeans my insulin pump doesNot go in my bra

[Tricia]

When I was youngerTreasures: buttons, pennies, string,Bouncy balls, lost jewelsThen permission slipsFolded homework, notes for boys And my two shy handsNow: rescued barrettesA tiny sock, my "lost" phoneAnd my kids' treasures

[1912 Suffragette]

Even though I'm almost six feet tall, I bought this book to help me with wardrobe planning. It's aces for those of us with no skill in that area. I'm going to use the skirt pattern (it's cute) and the blouse pattern (ditto)and maybe the jacket pattern, too; just have to lengthen them A LOT which I usually have to do anyway. Would recommend it to those who want to get away from sewing clothes that don't go with your lifestyle or anything in your closet. . . .and yes, beautiful fabric choices will make a great deal of difference to the look.

[Pinup Dresses]

a square of fabricsteady pace of the needlebusy day sewing... kitten stowaway! cute :)

[Evelyn]

In a deep safe placestill and hidden from all eyesmy pocket serves me

[karooble]

Awww! Kitten stowaway is my favorite so far. :)

[Anonymous]

I'm a super-size fashionista sewist, and I like 'Sewing for Plus Sizes' by Barbara Deckert. She covers lots of the most common pattern alterations you need to make for plus-sizes. I will check this book out too, but it sounds like it will be too simple.My Haiku is not a fan-fest for pockets;Pockets bulge, gape, pullFishing around, groping; arrghh!I prefer my purse

[Beth]

I am in the process of making the jacket, and found the patterns are made especially for the author's especial interest, petites. This means I had to alter things a lot more than I would normally . I wish I'd known before I started.

[bluecanvass]

Pocket HaikuPockets are uniqueFun place to flirt with fabricCloth in lays on dress I enjoy your blog every day.Blue

[Gretchen]

None in women's clothes - Why? We have belongings too.Time to learn to sew!(email's on my contact page)

[Margret]

Haiku---fun stuff! I enjoy your blog.Tiny hiding placeOr roomy, handy holder--Pockets are my friends!margret303@yahoo.com