This book is a recent release. I had been kinda warned off it by a friend who knows that I’m not only not mathematical, I’m almost innumerate (defined as: lacking knowledge and understanding of mathematical concepts and methods). Okay, I can balance my checkbook and I do keep the books for my husband’s business and for my own business. But, I don’t like it. I don’t like numbers. I thought this book would not only be over my head, but would likely be a snooze for me.
Boy, was I wrong! I love this book. Lily Chin has scored again, IMO. The reason this book works for me when other design books have not is that Chin uses lots of schematics to demonstrate how to accomplish proper fit and drape of garments.
The same friend who had warned me off the book was not surprised that I like this book when she later learned that I had a pretty extensive background in sewing garments (and quilting). The use of sewing-pattern-like schematics makes such sense to me. I am able to see and understand exactly the techniques that Lily Chin uses in her design process. Designing and constructing garments is no longer something that I will require a lot of crochet patterns for. With this book in hand, I think I can design and crochet my own garments.
To that end, I have crocheted the entire body of a sweater. I have only the sleeves to make now. Then, I have to join the components together. But measuring and gaugeing make more sense now and I feel confident that I can do this on my own – well, with the help of Lily Chin and this book.
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