THE MAKER’S ATELIER: The Essential Collection by Frances Tobin

By Torie Jayne @

Author... Frances Tobin

Photography By... Amelia Shepherd & Katya De Grunwald

Publisher... Quadrille

Release date... February, 2017

Price... £30.00

About the author...

Frances Toibin has been making clothes for as long as she can remember. Initially taught dressmaking as a child by her mother, Frances then trained in Fashion & Textiles and graduated from the Royal College of Art. While Frances went on to design fashion ranges for many leading brands, including Gucci, Esprit, and French Connection, she always continued to make her own clothes to her own designs rather than using commercial patterns in order to get the look that she really wanted. After continual compliments on her clothes, Frances decided to launch her own range of dressmaking patterns and determined to make them the most stylish dressmaking patterns available, and so The Maker's Atelier was created in 2014.

My Review...

THE MAKER’S ATELIER: The Essential Collection by Frances Tobin is a sewing book that comes with eight essential patterns, with variations to create a collection of 31 versatile pieces. The soft back book with a novel bookbinding feature allows you to open the book all the way without having to split the spine with the seven dressmaking patterns in sizes UK 8 to 20, supplied in a lovely string tied folder on the other. The collection is mix-and-match, offering lifestyle outfits for office days to weekend dog walks to elegantly glamorous evening wear, including a stretch pencil skirt, a pair of cigarette pants, a drape-front top and an over-sized t-shirt.

The book starts by explaining how to choose and use fabrics, from woven fabrics to knitted and jersey fabrics, technical fabrics to fine silky fabrics and leather.

Next up there is a great guide to measuring, making a toile and fitting a garment with clear diagrams, measurements and information on preparing to sew.

Patterns...

Pattern One, The Stretch Pencil Skirt

Pattern Two, The Drape Front Top

Pattern Three, The Cigarette Pants

Pattern Four, The Tie-Neck Blouse

Pattern Five, The Book Bag

Pattern Six, The Raw-Edge Coat

Pattern Seven, The Wrap Skirt

Pattern Eight, The Over-Sized T-Shirt

Included within every pattern chapter are great introductions by Frances on the personal history of the patterns and why she has included them in her book, full clear well written step by step instructions with diagrams on how to make each garment, finishing details, how to make more with the pattern, fabric choices and lots of styling options shown on several different models and combined in different ways so you really get the idea of how these garments can work together in a wardrobe.

"Only simple sewing skills are needed, and clear illustrations guide you through making each piece, so you can confidently concentrate on creating your own essential collection."

THE MAKER’S ATELIER: The Essential Collection by Frances Tobin is a great soft back book with lovely and clear instructions on how to make a stylish, modern collection of garments, at a recommended price of £30.00, I think this soft back book is a great buy and value for money with actual paper patterns included.

A signed copy of the book costs £30 from their shop:
https://themakersatelier.com/book/book

THE MAKER’S ATELIER: The Essential Collection by Frances Tobin (Quadrille, £30.00) Photography: Amelia Shepherd & Katya De Grunwald Styling: Frances Tobin