I started taking sewing classes at age 11, and when I was in high school I decided to use my mom’s dress patterns from the 50’s and make my own dresses by mixing and matching the bodices and the skirts from different patterns. I loved how they turned out and enjoyed wearing them for years. When I saw Sew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time, it reminded me of that exact same concept from my youth and several of the finished dresses look very similar to what I made as a a teen.

Sew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time includes patterns for different types of bodices, necklines, sleeves and skirts and it gives ideas and complete instructions for combining the different elements into lovely dresses. There are full size patterns included in a pocket in the back of the book, which is really convenient. I love this idea of combining the pieces that would work best for whatever style dress you need or want to make. Depending on the material chosen, these patterns would work well for casual or more formal dresses. I’m excited to share these with my daughter who is learning to sew now, too.