It Starts with a Square
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It Starts with a Square
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It Starts with a Square introduces 17 size-unlimited, low-waste garment patterns for beginners and beyond-no paper patterns, special notions, or sewing experience required.
Learn to sew your own low-waste, size-free wardrobe—starting with a simple square.
Tired of confusing sizing charts and tissue-paper patterns? Discover a beginner-friendly method that's inclusive, modern, and sustainable with It Starts with a Square.
In this innovative guide to garment sewing, designer Cris Wood presents 17 wearable projects made entirely from basic squares and rectangles—no pre-sized pattern pieces or special notions needed. With Cris's guidance, you'll learn to measure your body and draw each pattern piece directly onto fabric, creating custom-fit clothing that's both stylish and waste-conscious. With no zippers, no buttons, and only straight seams, this book offers the perfect on-ramp for new sewists.
Inside, you'll find:
- Styles You'll Make Again and Again: 17 size-unlimited garments, including tops, skirts, and dresses, plus variations
- Beginner-Friendly Support: A glossary of sewing terms and beginner FAQs
- Inspired Ideas for Confident Sewists: Hacks for mixing and matching pattern components
- Make it Your Own: Tips on customizing garments for fit and function
- Inclusive Visuals: Over 200 illustrations and photos, including every project modelled on different body types
More than just a how-to, this book encourages you to have fun while you sew, exploring necklines, sleeves, skirt styles, and more, to build a modular, personal wardrobe. Packed with detailed illustrations, clear step-by-step instructions, and an innovative size-inclusive method, It Starts with a Square is your must-have guide to sewing garments you'll love!
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781577158752
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 August 2026
Country: United States
Imprint: Quarry Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 191.0mm
Height: 248.0mm
Weight: 458g
Pages: 144
Collections
About the Author
Cris Wood is a self-taught sewist, designer, and maker with over 30 years of experience, including work in costume design, vintage denim repair, and re-use fashion. Known for her signature approach to low-waste, size-inclusive garment design, Cris has built a loyal following for her PDF patterns, which emphasize simplicity, sustainability, and confidence-building for all skill levels. She shares her work and process with a growing audience on Instagram (@criswoodsews), where she connects with a passionate slow fashion and handmade clothing community. Cris lives in Seattle, Washington, and is dedicated to making sewing more accessible and more joyful for everyone.
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