Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book: A Modern Guide to Sewing Fabulous Vintage Styles (Gertie's Sewing)

I ordered this last week and so far am very very pleased with it! There are pattern pieces and instructions for 23 dresses, BUT, every bodice and skirt is interchangeable which means the permutations are only limited by your imagination! The sleeves and cuffs are all interchangeable too. It's a real goldmine of pattern pieces. There is a lot of information too - sewing slippery or tricky fabrics, matching patterns, hemming, setting sleeves, pattern adjustments and on and on - it's pretty much everything Gertie has ever learnt about dresses all in one place. If you're new to sewing dresses it's invaluable, if you're not new to dresses you get lots of patterns, either way I would recommend it!

Beautiful book which I use over and over. The patterns are great and this is a brilliant manual to refer to all the techniques of making these beautiful dresses. I am a plus size so had to upsize the patterns but it hasn't deterred me at all. The graphics show in detail how to put together a dress and there are lots of wonderful idea's to help you 'build' your own designer dress too. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. I loved it so much I purchased a second one for my sister's Birthday. Well done Gertie!!

This is a lovely, beautifully produced book, immaculately designed and proofread. The techniques for making dresses are well explained and illustrated, and make it possible to design and make your own dresses with confidence. I particularly like the way the construction process is broken down into units. Gertie’s instructions for inserting side seam pockets is delightfully straightforward. Commercial pattern instructions for pockets are usually needlessly complicated and difficult to get right. The book would be perfect if it were not for an important omission. There is no pattern, or explanations, for constructing a bodice with front button fastenings instead of the usual zipper. That would have made this truly an “ultimate” dress-making book. For a front fastening garment, you need to buy Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing. Perhaps that was the intention! Anyone who’s ever been flummoxed by unclear sketches and inadequate instructions in commercial patterns will be so relieved to find clear guidance in this book.

I bought this book because I have previously bought Gertie's other titles. This book follows in the stead of the previous 2 books. Loads of useful information and great patterns. The fact that all of the bodices and skirts are interchangeable means that you get a lot more out of the patterns. these books are great to read through and very informative and useful for sewers who are beginners or more experienced.

Bought this for my girlfriend and she's made a few dresses already. Brilliant book, easy steps to follow and makes a brilliant dress to finish. If you're looking for a book to make your own dresses, this book (and this author) is the best around.

Love Gertie and love her new book it's a must for anyone sewing room there's so many dresses and ways to mix and match your spoiled for choice only tried one at the moment but there easy to put together draft out and the sizes are good to work with not much alterations needed

This book is fantastic! Gertie's style is phenomenal, and her collection of dresses will suit many different body types. I love the fact that you can mix and match the different elements to each dress, ensuring they compliment your own shape. The patterns are easy to follow and have plenty of instruction to guide you. Lovely photos and illustrations throughout.

Bought this book after seeing it in a sewing magazine, I was surprised when it arrived as it was a lot better than I expected. I have not used any of the pattern's yet but can't wait to as I love the styles that are included.