Update November 2023: Sewing the Curve is now available!

Yes, I did it again! My second book, “Sewing the Curve: Learn How to Sew Clothes to Boost Your Wardrobe and Your Confidence“, a guide to learning to sew for plus size sewists—with 6 (six!) brand new patterns in sizes 12 – 32 (UK 16 – 36) and cup sizes C – H—is coming your way in November! You have two pre-order options:

1. Pre-order directly from us and get a copy signed by me! (Ships from the US)

2. Pre-order from Amazon or a local bookseller. (Click the button below to view options in your area.)

I had so much fun writing my first book, “Ahead of the Curve”, and it had such a fabulous reception that I decided to give this book-writing thing another whirl. And, this time, I focused on a sorely underserved part of the sewing world: plus-size beginner sewists (though read on, non-beginners: there are goodies for you here too!).

Why I wrote my second book

When I learned to sew, I bought a popular sewing book, along with some fabric, tools, and a sewing machine. And then, discovered to my dismay, that none of the patterns came in my size, despite the fact I was a totally average size. I ended up making a wrap skirt which would *sort of* fit, though it was definitely not trustworthy on a windy day, and eventually I had to learn how to adjust sewing patterns in order to actually make truly wearable garments. So I know all too well how disheartening it is to be learning to sew and not have patterns or instructions that actually include you, or to have to do tons of *extra* work to achieve the same result.

Although the overall state of the plus size sewing market has improved radically since I learned back in 2010, I realized there still wasn’t a “learn to sew” book out there for plus size people: and thus, “Sewing the Curve” was born!

What is “Sewing the Curve” all about?

In “Sewing the Curve”, I cover everything from the very basics, like how to choose a sewing machine, how to understand sizing, where to find plus-size friendly patterns, and how to use printed and PDF patterns, through to the five core skills of sewing, and then, how to actually sew your first garments. Highlights include:

• 6 brand new Cashmerette patterns, including a woven swing dress and tunic, a really cool wrap skirt (finally, one I could have fit into!), an awesome t-shirt, snazzy knit pants, a bust-friendly darted quilted jacket, and a gorgeous lined sheath dress. Even if you’re not a beginner, the book is a total bargain for the patterns alone, which are worth over $130!
• Photographic step-by-step tutorials on all the key skills you need to learn when you’re sewing – read through, then refer back as you start your garments.
• Tons of videos to accompany the tutorials, and full sewalongs of each pattern! Over on our website, the accompanying videos will let me give you loads more tips and perspective on the instructions in the book, plus the occasional joke 😀
• An encouraging, body neutral-to-positive tone that will have you excited to sew. So many sewing books can weirdly make you feel bad about yourself, whether it’s direct or more subtle, like only using very small models, or never referring to anything above a size 12. Not here! This book is exclusively tailored for plus size sewists.
• GORGEOUS MODELS THROUGHOUT. Including some familiar faces! I find there’s nothing quite as inspiring as seeing garments on bodies like mine.

I’ll be sharing more about how I wrote “Sewing the Curve,” as well as details on all of those amazing sewing patterns, over the next few weeks and months. In the meantime, if you’re interested, please do pre-order—it makes a huge difference to the support we get from bookstores when they see people enthusiastic to order, so it means a lot! And if it’s not for you, maybe there’s an aspiring or beginner sewists in your life that might be interested, so consider sharing the word!

Photos by Linda Campos