Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire Shaefer

A comprehensive source of techniques actually practiced in couture workrooms with focus on construction makes accessible the elegance, detail and polish of these garments. Exclusive fabric, flawless design, cut and fit, and the finest craftsmanship and high fashion sewing are the hallmarks of couture sewing. The author concentrates on specific details home sewers can duplicate and apply to garments they sew. Numerous photos of garments and samples illustrate techniques and diagrams detail handstitching and construction. Any student of fashion history or aspiring designer needs to have this book in their library.

Twinkle Sews - book and CD
25 Handmade Fashions from the Runway to Your Wardrobe Wenlan Chia

Many Twinkle fans were first introduced to Wenlan Chia's signature fresh, young, whimsical style through her knitting books. But before Wenlan knitted, she sewed. And the pieces in her fashion line, Twinkle by Wenlan, are seen not just on the fashion runways and in the pages of InStyle, Lucky, and Vogue, but in high-end stores with high-end prices such as Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Now, with the easy-to-follow instructions, keen advice, and 25 full-size patterns in Twinkle Sews, you can create your own couture! Choose from one of Wenlan's coveted patterns, including favorites like her Annie Hall Skirt, Origami Blouse, White Magic Dress, and Flapper Camisole. The patterns come in five different sizes –from 0 to 16– and are included on a CD for you to print at home. Each garment has its own PDF pattern that can be printed on 8½" x 11" (21.5cm x 28cm) paper. Follow the simple instructions to assemble the sheets and voila—full-size patterns are at your fingertips.

Along with providing inventive patterns, Wenlan teaches core home sewing techniques–how to sew a seam, insert a zipper, and interface fabric–and gives you the building blocks of garment construction. You’ll have all the tools you need to turn what you see on glossy magazine pages into what’s hanging in your closet.

From helping you pick the best fabric for each project to providing valuable sewing tips, Wenlan gives you everything you need to sew, unleash your creativity in fabric, and bring your fashion dreams to life. To wear a Twinkle piece is to feel both flirtatious and smart. To make one yourself is all that and more. It's the perfect book for the beginner sewer who has a desire to learn sewing in a very important fashionable way.

CUSTOMIZING COOL CLOTHES - by Kate Haxell
From Dull to Divine in 30 Projects

Whether your style is bohemian, classic, retro or edgy, the projects in Customizing Cool Clothes will stir your creativity. You'll learn to transform an inexpensive garment into a designer original, using simple materials and tools. A comprehensive technique section takes you step by step through all the basic skills you'll need, and further detailed process photography shows how to complete each project. A template section in the back of the book provides the motifs and designs used throughout. Each project takes a widely available garment - denim jean, a velvet jacket, straight-legged pants, or a flared skirt-and offers ideas and inspiration to create your own spiced-up version. Using a few simple trimmings, like frayed silk, sequins, beads, vintage buttons, printed fabrics, you'll soon transform your wardrobe from drab to fab!

Chic & Simple Sewing by Christine Haynes
With Full-Size Patterns for Skirts, Dresses, Tops, and Jackets

Easy to understand instructions and full - size patterns are designed to flatter and figure, and each of the more 20 stylish projects and endless variations: Remove sleeves, add a ruffle, change the fabric, and turn a dress into a completely different one. Fashion - savvy gals can find four seasons' worth of wardrobe in these colorful pages: a perfect for spring Sunday dress, a summery A-line skirt, even lingerie. Full-sized patterns are included in the side pocket of the book.

Sewing Bits & pieces by Sandi Henderson
The designer of Portabello Pixies patterns

"Turn your favorite fabric scraps into fresh and fun handcrafted treasures."

Sandi Henderson has created quite a stir on the children's fashion scene with her combinations of fabrics in one garment, almost like patchwork but more like fun fabric clothes. This book is straight from her creative heart and practical scrap fabric magic with 35 projects to make ranging from fabric flowers to adorable stuffed animals. "Whether you are looking for a way to stretch your sewing dollar, just ca't part with your faborite fabrics, or are looking for innovative projects from one of today's top designers, Sewing Bits & Pieces shows you how to make unique pieces for yourself, your kids, or your home"

Sweet Nothings by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader
Handmade Camis, Undies & Other Unmentionables

Lovely lingerie is one of the trendiest items with the hip sewing crowd—and these creative designs are adventurously fun, extraordinarily pretty, and wonderfully sensuous. With everything from low-rise panties and camisoles to comfy PJs and slinky robes to choose from, women will delight in discovering their personal style—and even adding their own flair to the delectable garments. Who could resist such adorable projects as a Venus Tanga in stretchy lace, a playful chemise that could double as a sundress, absolutely adorable polka dot bloomers, and a little silk bustier? A basics section covers everything stitchers need to get started!

A practical and creative sourcebook for anyone inspired by the elegant design of Japanese clothes, from beginners to more accomplished dressmakers, quilters and embroiderers. Providing everything you need to start stitching, this comprehensive guide included patterns, practical diagrams and step-by-step assembly instructions.

Includes instructions for making Japanese clothes for people of all sizes, including men and children. The simple panels of the kimono provide a blank canvas for the creative crafter, and ample opportunity to create your own stunning pieces with embellishment, adaptation and experimentation. Colorfully illustrated throughout, the photographs guide you through the history of Japan and the kimono, providing a stunning showcase for the art that is making Japanese clothes.

Contents:

• Introduction: A brief history of the kimono
• General Sewing Instructions
• A Japanese approach to design
• Decorative techniques- Applique, Piecing and Patchwork, Sashiko, Shibori, Silk Painting
• Kimono, Mompe, Hippari and Jimbei, Waistcoats, Hanten, Haori
• Additional pieces
• And PATTERNS!!!!

Opening and Closing by Lois Ericson

"Once you've past the point of figuring out how to put a collar on, or fitting a sleeve into the armscye ... sewing creativity is about using your imagination.  Think about it you've got possibilities!

Anytime two pair of lines intersect there could be a button hole, when buttons don't match .. great!  use them together, and if you only have one closure -- make it spectacular!

If you like to make garments that are unique, the closure is definitely THE detail that will make the difference.  There are over 100 closures in the Opening & Clothing books, with additional ideas, shown in the illustrations.  When planning your next sewing project, consider designing the closure that will be the pie'ce de re'sistance!"

The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques - Interweave Press

Couture sewing is an art, it's the underneath beauty of seam connections and detailed sewing techniques that makes the difference between home made clothing and hand made clothes. This book uncovers the secrets of couture sewing. You will learn seam binding techniques for professional finishes, designer flourishes and hidden details that help mark a piece as "couture", and the essential techniques that are the core skills of couture sewing all in clearly defined color photographs. Also included is a guide to all the essential equipment for the couture sewer and a directory of luxury fabrics and trims.

Fashion Design On a Stand - Dawn Cloake

Have you watched Project Runway and The Fashion Show and wanted to learn how to drape a garment on a stand then this is the book for you. Each step of draping is covered (pun intended) first by introducing you to truing up a basic block, then with examples of different styles of garments.

"Modelling on the statnd is an essential technique for today's fashion designers and dressmakers. With step-by-step instructions and clear illustrations Dawn Cloake removes the mystique and shows that once the basic skills of modelling classic blocks are acquired, even beginners acan progress quickly to interesting and challenging garment designs. The book concludes with extensive sections on clothes for special occasions, including evening dresses, fishtail skirts, and strapless and ruched bodices, and the new stretch fabrics - modelling garments such as swimwear, crop tops and leotards - so reflecting the needs of modern designers."

Sewing Edges & Corners by Linda Lee

This book is filled with potentials for your imagination, whether sewing fashion clothing or curtains for the house. "Here, collected in one easy-reference volume, is a range of classic and creative ways to make every project reflect your personal style. Included are Turkish box corners, mitered ribbon flanges, ruffles, hemstitching, and much more are clearly explained for sewers of all skill levels, and both hand and machine techniques are included."

The author has been a frequent guest on HGTV's Today at Home show. She is also the owner of The Sewing Workshop in San Francisco as well as Linda Lee Design Associates an interior design firm specializing in commercial and residential design and space planning.

The Sewing Machine Attachment Handbook - Charlese Phillips

"It's time to sew with your feet!". One of the fun things one can do with one's sewing machine is adding different attachments for different techniques but which one to use is always the question. This wonderful book goes through all the different types of attachments with all the techniques used. It is a great resource for all levels of sewers. It helps to identify 25+ of the most common attachment feet and accessories with detailed illustrations and pictures, including rufflers, binders, hemmers and more. It gives you clear step-by-step instructions for using each foot to yeield the best results. It helps in choosing a sewing machines including info on what to look for in a new or used sewing machine.

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