Introduction Chapter 1: Premium Fabrics *Handling fine fabrics *Selecting and caring for fine fabrics *Working with bold patterns: stripes, plaids, flowers *Laying out and matching bold designs Chapter 2: Fitting *Taking measurements *Matching pattern to figure measurements *Matching pattern to muslin (in depth) Chapter 3: Couture Techniques *Basic stitches of couturier *Collars *Linings visible and invisible *Pickets discreet flat welting *Hemlines flared or reinforced *Waistlines inset, contour, seamed *Seams welt, corner, etc. *Fasteners concealed or revealed
Peg Couch is an amateur seamstress and book acquisition editor at Fox Chapel Publishing. Fox Chapel Publishing crafts information for a hands on world. With over 350 backlist titles, two magazines and over 35 new books each year; Fox Chapel specialises in educating and inspiring crafters working in a variety of mediums including sewing, woodworking and others.
I've been given the opportunity to review a few books in this line,
and I chose Couture Techniques first because I knew I didn't have
the slightest clue about what constitutes couture. And I was right!
I thought couture was just a fancy schmancy term for "expensive
clothing made by famous designers." But really, these garments are
set apart for a reason. So much thought and care goes into how
these pieces are created, resulting in well-fitting, long-lasting,
beautiful clothing. This book was surprisingly easy to understand.
I wondered if I'd just be wading through fashion-industry-gibberish
accented by pretty pictures of clothing. Instead I found
user-friendly charts and lots of great diagrams that teach you how
to do everything, from choosing the right fabrics for your purpose
to trouble-shooting common problems in clothing design. You won't
learn how to draft patterns here, but you will learn a lot about
fitting existing paper patterns to your measurements. It has never
been quite clear to me how to execute those changes, and I'm
certain this will be a valuable resource next time I'm working on
my pieces. The only thing I actually missed were more pictures of
the final products. Partially so I'd have a better idea of whether
or not I'd like to attempt some of the techniques (a tie collar??
I've got to see someone looking cute in that before I'll attempt
it!), but mostly because I like to look at pretty pictures I'd be
surprised if any intermediate seamstress was disappointed in this
book. It might be overwhelming for newbies, but it wouldn't be a
bad idea to check it out. I could have benefitted from some of
these tips long ago!
This illustrated sewing guide takes readers through the
characteristics that separate basic sewing from couture such as a
custom fit, meticulous handwork, and quality construction. Learn
how to create one-of-a-kind fashions that have shape, strength, and
beauty.
Following on from Tailorit1g - A complete course 0" Making a
Professional Suit featured in last month's book reviews and also
edited by Peg Couch, the Illustrated Guide to Sewit1g Couture
Teclltliques contains similarly comprehensive instruction.
Including lots of dressmaking tips and techniques, the book guides
the reader through the processes of creating designer quality
clothes by graduating from basic sewing techniques to the elements
that make up couture garment construction. This book is not aimed
at beginners to making clothing and the reader will need some
degree of experience. Instructions include laying out fabric,
pattern adjustment and useful shaping and couture techniques that
include inserting invisible fasteners and handwork.
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