Synopses & Reviews
Learn the techniques to create flawless details and a perfect fit. You've seen the work of top fashion designers on the red carpet, the runway, and glossy magazines. Their garments are always of the finest fabric while the craftsmanship-from the perfect fit to the impeccable seams- is of the highest standard. How do they create such elegant, one-of-a-kind fashions? With the Illustrated Guide to Sewing: Couture Techniques, you can now create your own designer-qualitty garments by learning the elements that separate basic sewing from couture sewing. The clear illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions wil guide you through the time-honored methods of custom fitting, meticulous handwork, and quality construction that, when combined with premium fabrics, result in one-of-a-kind garments with strength, shape, and beauty. Best of all, by learning the couture standard of excellence, you will have the satisfaction of creating fashions that represent your own high standards of style, detail, and elegance. Timeless Sewing Techniques that Never Go Out of Fashion The Ilustrated Guide ot Sewing Series teaches the classic techniques that have been employed by seamstresses and desisgners for years. Whether makinga tailored suit, a little black dress, or custom drapery- this series covers everything you need to know about choosing fabric, taking measurements, altering patterns, fitting, design, and more. Other books in the series include: Tailoring Garment Construction
Review
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.
Review
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!
Review
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.
Synopsis
llustrated Guide to Sewing: Couture Techniques guides readers through the characteristics that separate basic sewing from couture such as a custom fit, meticulous handwork, and quality construction. Starting with an overview on important topics such as working with fine fabrics, custom fitting garments, and hand stitching, readers will go on to learn how to create one of a kind fashions that have shape, strength, and beauty with close up chapters on creating couture collars, necklines, sleeves, and more.
Synopsis
Learn sewing methods that will never fall out of fashion Sew your own couture designs We've all admired the work of top fashion designers. Couture techniques can be seen on the red carpet and the runways of New York, Paris, and Milan. You can't pick up Vogue, InStyle, or Elle from the newsstand without being amazed and inspired. These couture garments are made of the finest fabrics and craftsmanship with exquisite fit and impeccable seams. How do dressmakers and tailors do it? How do they create such elegant, bespoke fashion? Now, thanks to the Illustrated Guide to Sewing: Couture Techniques, you can create your own designer-quality apparel by learning the details that separate basic sewing from couture sewing...*Easy-to-follow instructions to guide you through basic steps *Photographs and drawings to walk you through the sewing process *The basics of couture techniques *Designed for experienced dressmakers looking to expand their knowledge and abilities. Let editor and experienced seamstress Peg Couch guide you through the methods of custom fitting and handwork that, when combined with high-quality fabrics, will result in your own specially-tailored couture design. You'll learn how to create amazing collars, necklines, sleeves, and much more. With Peg's advice, you will be able to craft your own one of a kind garments with the strength, shape and beauty of any runway dress or outfit
Synopsis
Learn the timeless skills and techniques of sewing designer quality fashions, and creating one of a kind, custom fitted pieces that have shape, strength and beauty.
About the Author
Fox Chapel Publishing publishes books, magazines, patterns, and videos for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. We inspire and inform readers who enjoy a variety of crafts and hobbies, including woodworking, arts and crafts, home and garden, outdoor projects, cooking and much more. Our greatest joy comes from working with talented craftspeople to make their designs and techniques available for everyone who shares the love of creating things by hand. We publish two magazines, Woodcarving Illustrated and Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts, and have over 1000 backlist titles including Design Originals, Heliconia Press, and Plain White Press imprints.Peg Couch is an amateur seamstress and Editorial Director at Fox Chapel Publishing. She served as the style editor for Tree Craft and the editor for the Illustrated Guide to Sewing Series.
Table of Contents
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