Before appearing on the BBC's The Great British Sewing Bee, Chinelo Bally had never used a sewing pattern. She wowed the judges with her ability to create stylish, fitted garments using a freehand cutting method that was taught to her by an aunt. In Freehand Fashion, Chinelo lets us in to the secret of how she does it. Using a series of basic garment blocks, Chinelo explains how this innovative technique can be used to create a whole wardrobe of fashionable clothes that will fit every shape and size - with no patterns required. Based on a traditional Nigerian technique, Chinelo has developed her own freehand cutting method. The emphasis is on the individual's own body measurements, and getting the perfect fit. This is a surprisingly simple technique that anyone can learn. No fancy equipment is needed - just a sewing machine, measuring tape, chalk and of course a good pair of scissors. Using step-by-step illustrations, the book shows how to draft, cut and construct the five basic blocks that are used - either singly or in combination - to make every item of clothing in the wardrobe. Once you have your basic blocks, you are ready to tackle the projects - practical garments that are fashionable, modern, stylish and versatile. There are tops, skirts, day dresses and eveningwear. This is an exciting sewing technique that will be brand new to most people, even experienced dressmakers. There really are no limits - and the beauty of this technique is that it can be applied to any body shape.

Minimise waste and maximise creativity with 14 stylish freehand dressmaking projects from Chinelo Bally. Making your own clothes is a sustainable, ethical and fun craft that is brought alive by bestselling author and designer Chinelo Bally. Using the freehand cutting method for which she has become so well known, Chinelo shows how to upcycle and make stunning new items from old garments as well as making clothes using interesting new fabrics, without the need for sewing patterns. The book features eleven projects for stylish women's clothes and three projects for children's clothes. Learn to turn a man's shirt into a fashionable dress and old pair of jeans into a sassy tutu skirt. Other projects include a one-shoulder jumpsuit and Chinelo's signature collared top. Throughout the book, Chinelo encourages the reader to make clothes to suit their own style and achieve results that are beautifully distinctive - and a far cry from throwaway fast-fashion. Projects include: * Women's Clothes: 2nd Date Night Dress, Angled-overlay Pencil Skirt, Asymmetric Peplum Top, One-shoulder Jumpsuit, Shirt to Button-back Dress, Jeans to Sassy Tutu Skirt, Pencil Dress Refit, Signature Collared Top, Versatile Maxi Dress, Showstopping Maxi and Strapless Wrap Dress. * Children's Clothes: Child's Peekaboo-back Dress, Shirt to Child's Dress, Jeans to Child's Dress Packed with tips, techniques and inspiration, Sew Chinelo reveals the secrets to producing sustainable and wearable clothes with style, feminine glamour and a professional finish that fit perfectly every time.