Dressmaking by Design - Tapa dura

This guide seeks to help women identify their better features and to provide patterns that will emphasize and enhance them, disguising less flattering points. The book centres on 12 basic patterns, any of which can be adapted to suit individual figures, and which provide combinations for over 57 different outfits. Each pattern can be made up in both summer and winter materials and comes with fabric suggestions so that ideal styles can be worn all year round. The patterns are considered to be suitable for both beginners and experienced sewers. The author has provided graphs and instructions for each pattern which are designed to be thorough and easy to follow. Charmian Watkins has made a 13 part television series on dressmaking techniques and her designs have been sold by major stores in Europe and America. She is author of "Designer clothes to make", "The clothes book" and "Decorating with fabric Liberty style".