I am beyond thrilled today to share with you an AMAZING clothes pattern book as part of the Sew Classic Clothes for Girls Book Tour. Not only that, but I also get to give away a copy of this book (read to the bottom of the post for giveaway details!)  Now, I need to preface this review by saying that Lindsay Wilkes, the author of this book and woman extraordinaire behind The Cottage Mama brand, is a dear friend. Lindsay and I met through blogging several years ago and it has been so exciting and inspiring to witness her build her pattern-design business.  I feel like Lindsay and I are kindred spirits – she is passionate about cooking, throwing parties for her three little ones, and she loves beautiful fabric.  When we chat, it feels like I’ve known her my whole life.  Plus, she’s one of the kindest and most business-savvy women you’ll ever meet. She is the best of the best.  If you’re not already familiar with The Cottage Mama, you absolutely MUST go see her talented collection of work for yourself!

The Sew Classic Clothes for Girls book is quite simply the most gorgeous sewing book!  With 20 patterns for everything from knickers to winter coats to hair accessories, this book will give you lots to work with.  The photography in the book is stunning – I think its Lindsay’s signature talent for choosing richly saturated and brightly patterned fabrics that results in clothing that pops right out of the book pages.  Lucky for us, she gives all the details on how to choose fabrics and notions . . . and how to use them to pull together a lovely garment.

Beyond the finished garment pictures, I noticed that all of the step by step instructions are in full color detailed pictures.  No guessing if the black and white sketch in a book goes with the pile of fabric that’s laying right in front of you during a project!

 

Also, the book has loads of, what should we call it…bonus material.  There are boxed off areas with sewing tips and tricks and extra techniques that instruct you on how to take an already great garment and really give it that next layer of customization.  I like “bonus material” in a book – makes me feel like there is plenty of room to grow as I sew the patterns with new fabrics and as my girls get older.

All of the patterns in the book are included as PDF files on a CD.  I don’t know about you, but I despise spreading out big sheets of pattern pieces from a book and trying to figure out which piece goes with which garment and then wondering if I’ve found all the pieces.  I like that, with this method, I can just print off the pieces that I need as I go and they will be easily accessible (and always available – no more worrying about losing that critical pattern piece!).

I loved flipping through this book to see the staging and accessories.  Being able to imagine where and when my own children are going to wear a garment provides loads of creative inspiration!  And again, the photography is gorgeous!!!!

I think my favorite garments in the book come from Chapter 3: Baby, It’s Cold Outside (love these titles, Lindsay!!).  These coats…the velveteen…the adorable girls and the horse/barn scenery – total and complete perfection!  Yes, I do believe that my first project from the book will be a velveteen coat! or maybe the wool…so hard to decide.

Thanks for flipping through this book with me!  See anything that catches your fancy?

“Sew Classic Clothes for Girls”  (a signed copy, mind you) can be purchased through
the Cottage Mama shop – click here.

It is also available through Amazon – an affiliate link here

Giveaway!! Giveaway is now closed.

If you’d like to enter for a chance to win a copy of Sew Classic Clothes for Girls by Lindsay Wilkes, leave a comment on this post!  The giveaway will remain open for one week and the randomly selected winner will be notified via e-mail.  If the winner fails to respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.  Alternate entry can be obtained by emailing me at girlinspired@yahoo.com with the subject line: Cottage Mama Giveaway.  Good Luck!!!!!  This giveaway is now closed – thank you to everyone who entered – the randomly selected winner of the book is Sandi – check your email, Sandi!!

And….you can read the reviews of other blogs on the tour by heading over to The Cottage Mama blog and following her links each day!