Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I must be a less educated seamstress that the other reviewers, because I found the directions to be less than complete. There is an assumption in this book that you know what the seam allowance should be in some instances, that you know which is the "right" side as opposed to the "wrong" (not to be confused with the right and wrong side of the fabric), and that you can interpret drawings without having a clue as to which side is truly right or left or why that makes a difference. Also, as an example of deficient instruction, the photo of the trapeze dress is shown with ample box pleats while the pattern show meager ones and none in the back. However, when you try to put it together it's clear that there should be some in the back. I will have to rework and adjust the entire pattern to come up with anything that looks like the photograph. It's a sad lesson to learn after using material that I could not afford to waste. I also made the wrap around skirt in large/extra large and after struggling to interpret the minimal directions, I find that it is too small. Granted, I'm a size 14 to 16, but the pattern is a 10 to 12 and that's not large/extra large, to me. Measurements would be a good thing to have for reference on the patterns. All of this is regrettable as her pictures are so appealing and her styles are so lovely with such clean lines. My ultimate opinion is that the author is a talented artist with, as many artists are, an inability to translate into precise, detailed instruction. Again, perhaps I am simply too much of a beginner, but beginners should be able to make lovely things too.