This comprehensive guide provides instruction in a wide range of dressmaking techniques, from how to use and adapt patterns, to sewing hems, zippers, and adding embellishments.

An invaluable resource, Dressmaking will guide you through all the stages of making, altering, and customizing clothes. Starting with the Tools and Materials, you will learn what you need to buy and how to use it. The Fabrics chapter demonstrates the drape and weave of fabrics and explains the best uses of each. The Patterns chapter covers everything from understanding a pattern to altering one. In General Techniques, close-up photography and guiding annotation to explain key techniques step by step. A section on Basic Patterns and Variations then guides you through creating six garments. Patterns and detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for a skirt, dress, shirt, tee, jacket, and pair of trousers. Instructions are also given for possible variations of each garment. Finally, chapters on Alterations and repairs and Customizing offer practical tips for repairing worn items and inspiration for modernizing tired pieces. Packed with essential advice and inspiration, this is the dressmaking bible that no budding seamstress should be without.

Learn how to make your own clothes in simple steps. A compact and comprehensive dressmaking resource for anyone who wants to learn how to make clothes at home. Learn how to make a dress, trousers, tops, and jackets--18 garments in all--by following clear and simple step-by-step sequences. Everything you need to learn to sew a wardrobe of clothes is included, from information on tools and materials, to key sewing techniques, to garment projects complete with sewing patterns.

Provides general instructions for fitting, constructing, tailoring, and finishing women's, men's, and children's clothing and for making curtains and bedcoverings.

The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction helps you master all of the techniques needed to sew clothes--including tops, dresses, pants, skirts, and even outerwear. This technique-driven book follows the entire process of clothing construction, including a section on the sewing machine and other tools/materials used, information on working with patterns and fitting, laying out the pattern pieces, cutting and marking, and on through every step of construction to the final button. Large, detailed photos guide you from start to finish and help give you a visual basis for learning the skills. This comprehensive guide is a long-lasting reference for anyone who sews clothes. It fills in all the technique details not supplied by manufacturers of the clothing patterns that most sewers use for all of their projects. The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction explains the reasons behind the methods, warns of pitfalls to watch out for, and provides you with valuable tips that help you reach a satisfying, successful end with every project. Examples show both men's and women's fashions as well as children's clothes.

Draping—the art of using cotton muslin to create womenswear directly on a dress form—is an essential skill for fashion designers. Through a series of step-by-step projects, designed to develop skills from the most basic to more advanced techniques, this book will guide you in creating both classic and contemporary garments, as well as historical styles and costumes. Draping projects include dresses, bustiers, and jackets, and highlight key fashion garments such as Audrey Hepburn's dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket. Starting with the basics of choosing and preparing the dress form for draping, the book advances through pinning, trimming, and clipping, and creating shape using darts and tucks, to adding volume using pleats and gathers, and handling complex curves. Advanced skills include how to use support elements such as shoulder pads, under layers, and petticoats, and how to handle bias draping. The book culminates with a chapter on improvisational skills. Each skill and technique throughout the book is explained with step-by-step photographs and line drawings that bring the art of creating womenswear in three dimensions to life.

The ultimate sewing guide for all skill levels, from basic seamstress to the aspiring Vivienne Westwood. Detailed photographs cover every sewing technique from sewing a basic hem to creating a couture look-alike. Inspiring step-by-step guide for any sewing enthusiast who wants to create, alter and repair his or her clothes in style.

Everything that a beginner needs to know including how to run a sewing machine & details of dressmaking.