This book gives step-by-step methods to alter a garment to your proportions. It teaches how to analyze your figure and what patterns suit your shape. If you can overlook the '80's feel (but copyright is 2005?) then you can learn everything you need to know about sewing. The pictures and illustrations are invaluable, especially to a beginner such as myself. If this is your first foray into sewing, I highly recommend this tool. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars , is that the pictures are dated- I know, petty.