Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 646.404
EAN: 9781561584970
Format: Illustrated
ISBN: 1561584975
Label: Taunton
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Taunton
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 217
Publication Date: 2001-01-31
Publisher: Taunton
Release Date: 2001-02-01
Studio: Taunton

Starting with hand sewing - the basis for every haute couture garment - expert Claire Shaeffer guides the reader through the steps to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. She presents the sewing techniques practiced in the studios of such legendary designers as Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, and Balenciaga. Detailed instructions and illustrations make high style a snap.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great for anyone who sews
Comment: This was a great book. I wanted to understand what "Courture" sewing is and realized I have done it for years. I also learned some better stitches and methods from this book as well as an appreciation for the "art" of sewing. It makes me sad that sewing is no longer taught in schools since I spent a lot of time in middle school and high school sewing.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: reference
Comment: This book I liked. I am an accompliced dressmaker with tailoring experience. I like this as a reference book and also found some handy tips in it.
Lucie Zandstra

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Like a text book of information
Comment: The introduction is interesting and basically explains why Shaffer is qualified to give you this information. The rest reads like a text book, which, for me, is much easier. When I reach a road block with sewing, I simply refer to the applicable section and determine what stitch, seam, technique would best solve the issue. There are decent diagrams/pictures to walk you through each step. It discusses each type of seam, tools and their purpose, threads, needles, etc. It's a sewing dictionary.

Chapters include:
PART I
1. Inside the world of haute couture
2. The art of hand sewing
3. Shaping the garment: seams, darts, and pressing techniques
4. Edge finishes: hems, facings, and bindings
5. Closures
PART II
6. Skirts and pants
7. Blouses and dresses
8. Sleeves
9. Pockes
10. Jackets and coats
11. Evening wear

Draping was mentioned briefly, and in the little that was there, I was able to apply the information and successfully created/altered patterns.

Hope that helps, and good luck on your future projects!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great couture sewing instruction
Comment: Excellent book. Recommended by my couture sewing instructor at the London School of Fashion. It provides an excellent overview of couture sewing technique.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not much of illustration
Comment: actually this book is a complete...
the flaw is the illustration is not much...and the words are like written all in sub-chapter...it's not like a handbook...

i think for sewing books, illustration is important...

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