It Starts with a Square: Learn to Sew Your Own Clothes Using Simple Shapes--No Patterns Required! - Paperback

by Cris Wood (Author)

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 Customizations: Tips on customizing garments for fit and function
• Inclusive Visuals: Over 200 illustrations and photos, including every project modeled 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!

Author Biography

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.