Liesl GibsonOliver + S Building Block Dress: A Sewing Pattern Alteration Guide

I agree with all of the other reviewers -this book is incredibly useful. It includes a pattern for the dress shown on the cover, and then teaches you how to alter this pattern to make basically any look you want. I bought this book because my daughter wanted to be Rainbow Brite for Halloween and I wasn't willing to spend $50 for a vintage pattern on ebay. I used the techniques in the book to make Rainbow Brite's gathered long sleeves, square neckline, and flared skirt. There were still things I had to figure out on my own but I would not have even known where to begin without the basic pattern pieces I was able to make using Liesl's instructions. Now that Rainbow Brite is done, my daughters are having fun browsing through the pictures and imagining what we can make next. The techniques outlined in this book for altering pattern pieces give you a solid understanding of how to manipulate the shape of fabric for different outcomes and this knowledge can be applied to any pattern, so I really feel empowered as a self-taught seamstress that I can make almost whatever I want using this book.

The best girls dress sewing book I own! The instructions are detailed and illustrated. The author explains clearly how to modify the included (full size) pattern to make a plethora of different dress styles, from empire bodice to A-line dresses, to pleated dresses... This book renders most of my other dress making books obsolete. Love this book!

No longer buying various sewing patterns for my seven granddaughters. I just find pictures of cute dresses and then using the Building Blocks recreate the picture. To buy one book that is chock full of wonderful ideas and patterns is well worth the initial investment.

Well written and a good sewing pattern book. My only dislike was that the patterns included are printed on both sides of the paper pull out. Kind of annoying to trace and locate the pieces that you need. Others may not feel this is an annoyance at all. Not enough to give a lower rating.

This book is fantastic! It shows you how to change a dress so that you and your child love it. Don't like short sleeves? It shows you how to make longer sleeves. It gives you a overview on the different possibilities of sleeves, skirts, bodices....

This was just what I needed to bump up my sewing game. It takes the guesswork out of modifying a basic dress pattern into a thousand possibilities. The instructions aren't quite as detailed on the modification options as normal Oliver + s patterns, but it's not really geared to beginners. This book is terrific!

Love the detail and inspiration contained in this book. The photos are clear and show very well where to find the directions on achieving that look. I've even used the directions to modify other patterns.

I haven't actually sewed a dress yet, but I really enjoyed reading through the book and I am looking forward to making my granddaughter many dresses as she grows! My favorite part is that Liesl is actually teaching the reader how to adapt patterns.

Really good way to learn basics of pattern making, how pieces fit together and how to make changes. Well explained, I'm new to pattern making for dresses, have done some leggings and shorts, so some experience.

From some of the other reviews that I had read, I was expecting more from this book. I thought it was going to give me lots of ideas for hacking/drafting/ designing for all ages.. The pattern ideas are very limited even for a child's dress but I cannot say that they will not be useful.

Com moldes simples porem intercambiáveis,o livro é uma fonte de inspiração e boas ideias.Aprendi uma técnica de montagem de bolso chapado que nunca ninguém tinha me ensinado, e olha que costuro a mais de 25 anos.Adorei o livro. Modelagens infantis.

un libro magnifico y muy facil de entender. desde el principio eres capaz de hacer un vestido. y te muestra posibles variaciones

Un libro estupendo para aprender lo básico y también para aprender a hacer modificaciones y personalizar tus proyectos. Aunque está en inglés tiene muy buenas imágenes y se puede completar lo que el idioma no te permita. Lo recomiendo para las personas a las que le guste la costura para niñas.