Alison Freer

I'd been wanting to read this, as I've enjoyed Alison Freer's columns at xoJane for ages (speaking of which, they seem to have disappeared since the book was published). The local library still doesn't have it, so I finally plunked down $8 for the Kindle copy (the price has dropped since it was first published). It's a quick, easy read and will be a useful reference for years to come, especially for the chapters on stain removal and basic alterations.

I do wish there had been a few more illustrations in the discussions of alterations. Most – certainly not all – of the alterations she discussed require only basic sewing skills and many readers could probably figure out how to do them with just a little more description and a couple of line drawings. I've been hemming my clothes pretty much entire life, as it's a necessity at my height, and I've learned to do a few other basic alterations as well. As a teen in the 1970s when we were all supposed to be wearing men's jeans, I figured out the so-called secret of putting a couple of darts in the back of the waist to make my pants fit better (even then, I did not have boyish hips). I'm no seamstress, but I've also taken in the top half of a dress at the side seams to remedy gaping armholes; I'm confident I could manage other such basic alterations with a bit of guidance.

Having said that, I really do appreciate how thorough this book is about making sure your clothing fits properly and in providing instruction in how to take proper care of your clothes.… (more)