Pre-order
1
of
1
The Dressmaking Book
A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Original Clothes to Suit Your Style
Series: Ultimate Craft Guides
Brief Description
Everything you need to know to design, create, and customise original clothing The Dressmaking Book is the ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that flatters and expresses your personal style. This comprehensive, easy-to-use dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$5999
$7500
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
24th
November 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "The Dressmaking Book" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Dressmaking Book
$5999
$7500
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Standalone Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels I Keep Recommending
These are the standalone Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels that Lizzy has loved and keeps recommending...
Li Chen visits Book Hero
We were so excited to have the incredible author and illustrator Li Chen come to...
The Book Briefing: 2nd October
Get stuck in with all the latest from the literary world including book announcements, controversies...
The Book Hero Team's September Reads
September was an especially busy month for the Book Hero team as we did the...
Come Celebrate New Zealand Bookshop Day with Us!
Next Saturday, New Zealand celebrates Bookshop Day - a day to celebrate the special place...
See more
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Everything you need to know to design, create, and customise original clothing
The Dressmaking Book is the ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that flatters and expresses your personal style.
This comprehensive, easy-to-use dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make timeless wardrobe staples and show-stopping outfits. It's a must-have for beginners and expert sewers alike. With introductory sections that cover all the key tools and materials needed for dressmaking, dedicated technique, pattern, and project chapters put the learning into practice, before rounding off with guidance on customisation.
The Dressmaking Book includes:
- Step-by-step instructions accompanied by clear, full-colour photography and illustrations
- Guidance on choosing the perfect fabrics
- Downloadable patterns that can be used to create multiple garments
- Over 80 techniques, including how to cut out a pattern, machine stitch, and hand stitch
- 20 projects including skirts, dresses, trousers, tops, and jackets
Series: Ultimate Craft Guides
View all-
The Knitting Book
Everything you need to create flawless knitted clothes, accessories, gifts, and homeware. Cast on with confidence and master even the trickiest of stitches with The Knitting Book. This bestselling guide features over 250 step-by-step techniques, showing you everything from simple knit and purl stitches and techniques for casting on and off, to colourwork, cables, brioche, and lace, as well as...Hardback$4400Elsewhere:$5500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Pre-orderThe Dressmaking Book
Everything you need to know to design, create, and customise original clothing The Dressmaking Book is the ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that flatters and expresses your personal style. This comprehensive, easy-to-use dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make timeless wardrobe staples and show-stopping outfits. It's a must-have for beginners and expert...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7500Unit price /UnavailableOut 24 Nov 2026Pre-order
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241765043
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 19 November 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: DK
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 232.0mm
Height: 282.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Alison Smith MBE is a sewing expert and tutor. Her sewing school, the Alison Victoria School of Sewing, is the largest independent sewing school in England. Alison regularly speaks at specialist sewing shows, is a regular contributor to sewing magazines such as Sewing World and Love Sewing, and has appeared on the ITV television series Ladette to Lady. In 2013 Alison was awarded an MBE for services to sewing and corsetry.
Also by Alison Smith
View all-
Can't See the Wood for the Trees?
A guide to using the metaphorical language of a “stuck” situation to discover the solution. Can't See the Wood for the Trees? shares an easy, fun process of exploring well-known sayings as a means to identify new solutions and get unstuck in life and work. It explains how to bring clarity to a problem, highlight alternative perspectives, bypass any conscious...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$3499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Dressmaking Book
The new edition of DK's dressmaking bible with more than 80 step-by-step techniques, a refreshed design, and updated patterns. This is your complete guide to dressmaking, from designing, creating, and customising your clothes. Master every dressmaking technique in the book! Fully illustrated and easy to use, this dressmaking book covers all the essential skills and techniques you need to make...Hardback$6500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Tailoring Book
The Tailoring Book is the only book you will ever need to create a tailored garment. With over 80 step-by-step techniques on measuring, cutting, altering, and finishing, this is the essential guide for creating and altering tailored garments. Alison Smith MBE, one of the world’s leading tailoring experts, shares her trade secrets and practical know-how necessary to master this heritage...Hardback$6500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Sewing Book (New Edition)
Everything you need to know to make your own clothing and soft furnishings with a sewing machine Everything you need to know to sew your own clothes and home furnishings. Demystify your sewing machine and get to grips with essential techniques with The Sewing Book. This bestselling guide covers over 300 techniques with illustrated step-by-step sequences, showing you how to...Hardback$6500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
More from Arts & Culture
View all-
Dylan's PickBold Types
A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Home Again
Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Odyssey
Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3599Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Iliad
When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...Hardback$4499Elsewhere:$5299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
This Angry Pen of Mine
This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...Hardback$7299Elsewhere:$8999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Did I Ever Tell You This?
In this unexpected memoir, written in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022, Sam Neill tells the story of how he became one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has worked with everyone from Meryl Streep to Isabel Adjani, from Jeff Goldblum to Sean Connery, from Steven Spielberg to Jane Campion. By his own account, his...Paperback$3799Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
They Bloom Because of You
Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Odyssey
The Odyssey by Homer is a monumental epic that has enthralled readers for centuries with its rich tapestry of adventure and human struggle. It chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, the cunning King of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the fall of Troy. During this ten-year odyssey, Odysseus confronts myriad dangers, both natural and supernatural, that test...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseSplit Enz
'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...Hardback$5199Elsewhere:$6500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Beautiful Chaos
The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Leaves of Grass
A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...Hardback$2200Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Arts & Culture lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry of Aotearoa
Check out some of the amazing local talent we are spoilt with right here in Aotearoa.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry for Beginners - Where to Start
10 Books I'd recommend to someone new to reading poetry - a mix of old and new, all magical introductions to the...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Lizzy's Favourite Books of Poetry
If I could only have 10 poetry collections to survive on for the rest of my life, these are them. Or maybe...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Books to read for Women in Translation month!
August is Women in Translation month, but at any time of year it's worth checking out these incredible novels written by women...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Inside the World of Film
Step behind the scenes of the world of filmmaking! Discover iconic directors and movie history of some of the world's memorable films.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Books to Celebrate NZ Music Month
New Zealand Music Month happens every May, it's a reminder that we have so many talented musicians, singer, songwriters here in Aotearoa....View the list
