Dressmaking: The Indispensable Guide - Hardcover

Fallon, Jules

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1770859381 ISBN 13: 9781770859388

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2017

Synopsis

A practical illustrated guide to techniques, tools and troubleshooting from a couture dressmaker.

This book is a beautifully presented and comprehensive resource for dressmakers new to the craft and for those who want to take their skills further. It features scores of step-by-step sequences showing every kind of technique, from using and adapting paper patterns, to couture-inspired seaming techniques that will take garment-making skills to a new level.

Some notable and practical features of the book are:

• all photos illustrate the sewer's perspective from above, whether hand sewing or using a machine
• fine details (such as a small notch) are shown in close-up photo call outs
• photo annotations point out important details
• lengthy descriptive captions leave no opportunity for confusion.

The contents cover the full breadth of dressmaking. The following are just a few of them.

• Sewing Kit -- the tools and materials required, including a sewing machine, overlocker/serger, and how to choose and use them
• Preparation -- Natural and synthetic fabrics, how to choose fabrics, prepping and handling, pre-washing, types of thread, interfacings, understanding and sizing a pattern
• Cutting -- Laying out and pinning fabric and patterns, weighting, marking, and tacking
• Making - Pressing is not ironing, creating shape, open and closed seams, pockets, openings and closures, zippers, sleeves and cuffs, collars, yokes, waistbands, decorative features, sewing jersey
• Finishing -- Bound edges, facings, hems, and linings
• Resources -- Metric/imperial conversion, sewing machine needles sizes and uses, common seam allowances, and US, UK and European size conversions.

Other valuable topics covered are the anatomy of a stitch, correcting thread tension, fixing stitches, working 4-thread jersey, what selvedge is and how grain lines work, how to measure yourself (and why), how to alter a pattern to fit, making a toile (a personalized, muslin, fitting dress).

Dressmaking: The Indispensable Guide is an essential reference.

About this title

About the Author

Jules Fallon started out in fashion as an apprentice pattern cutter. She earned her Fashion Degree and became head of a college fashion department. She now designs and produces couture and ready-towear bridal and evening wear, and her company, Sew Me Something (sewmesomething.co.uk), runs hugely popular sewing workshops.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1770859381
• ISBN 13: 9781770859388
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256