Bridal Couture

Create a fantasy! Susan Khalje guides readers through the principles and techniques of designing, constructing, and embellishing wedding gowns and evening wear. Ideal for the bride-to-be or seamstress. Learn how to choose the right fabric, work with lace, and problem solve tricky construction issues.

From hand drawn sketches to stylised photographs at fashion shows, from backstage shots to close ups of accessories and details of the fabrics, the book contains an ample and varied selection of illustrations from renowned designers.

"Will teach you everything you need to know to make your second wedding run smoothly. You will learn what types of vows and ceremonies you should consider and how to deal with religious differences and etiquette for speeches and toasts. You will find useful advice on shopping, choosing a location, registering for gifts, and budgeting. There is also advice on how to plan your reception--from appropriate décor to the right entertainment. This book includes easy-to-use checklists, planning sheets, and a variety of samples to help you stay organized and on-track throughout your planning"--P. [4] of cover.

Women today are facing so much uncertainty—about life and the future. The need to pivot is stronger than ever, but many of us feel powerless to change or simply don’t know how to take that essential first step. For Lori Allen, business owner, breast cancer survivor, and star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, these vital life lessons are the inspiration for her new book. Say Yes to What’s Next is more than just a guide for our best tomorrows, it’s the beginning of a life-makeover movement for women of all ages. Lori Allen’s advice stems from the ups and downs of her personal life: from building one of the biggest and busiest bridal megasalons in the country to navigating her position in the sandwich generation and caring for a husband battling cancer during her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lori shares her life experiences with confidence, wisdom, and her signature humor to model how today’s women—especially those of us approaching age fifty and beyond—can live out the coming years as the best of our lives. Whether you’re feeling invisible, ignored, or like your voice doesn’t matter, or you’re simply uncertain about what’s next, Lori offers advice on what to do, what not do, and how to see your way through the unexpected. In Say Yes to What’s Next, Lori addresses crucial issues, such as how to pivot, embrace the unexpected, and live out your passion how to practice essential self-care that enriches your mind, body, and spirit how to make space for yourself and your priorities while still being a caring partner, parent, and friend how to maintain a close circle of girlfriends at every age and stage of life how to take charge of your money and attain financial freedom and security Say Yes to What’s Next is a life makeover and therapy session all in one, as Lori helps women from all walks of life shape their futures with confidence, style, and sass. This is your opportunity to get real with yourself, to give yourself the truest form of self-care by putting yourself first. Discover your potential by saying yes to what’s next.

'You know for an owner of a bridal shop you're awfully cynical about marriage.' As the owner of a second-hand bridal boutique in the little village of Alfriston, Paige Alby has seen too many tear-stained owners bring in wedding dresses that signal collapsed dreams to believe in happily ever after. So being the maid of honour at her mother's fourth wedding isn't exactly something she's looking forward to... Nor is the prospect of working with Cy, her mother's admittedly handsome but far too forward wedding planner. Cy Thorpe has spent the last few years building a wedding empire in London catering to the rich and famous. On a trip home to see his family, he takes on a small private wedding on a whim. The last thing he expected to find was love, but the more time he spends with Paige, the more he sees past her defences to the woman who has dedicated her life to saving the things others have neglected. The hopeless romantic to Paige's sworn cynic, can Cy get Paige to give him and happily ever after a chance? A warm and uplifting romance, The New Beginnings Bridal Boutique is perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Tilly Tennant and Donna Ashcroft. Readers are loving The New Beginnings Bridal Boutique! 'This book is all about what happens when a great romantic meets a love cynic.... A very emotional journey that is a delight to read' Vicky, NetGalley reviewer 'I absolutely adored this so much , I found once I picked it up I couldn't put it down' Tara, NetGalley reviewer 'Such a delightful, heartwarming read. A story of hope, you can't help but believe in love' Emma, NetGalley reviewer 'I really enjoyed this book, it was a quick, easy and fun read that I could not put down. It was well written, heart-warming and had me smiling with nearly every page' Kirsty, NetGalley reviewer

-- A comprehensive guide to creating couture bridalwear, including dresses, trains, veils, head dresses, and the use of decorative techniques-- Includes step-by-step diagrams and comprehensive instructions, and illustrated with sketches of the completed design-- Areas of interest include Introduction to Design: Revision of Basic Pattern Cutting Skills; Choosing a Style; Designing and Cutting Necklines; Trimmings; and Beading-- 170 b/w line illustrations

The Art of Couture Sewing, 2nd Edition is a practical guide to custom techniques in the construction of couture garments. Beginning with a brief history of haute couture, the book moves on to cover tools and supplies, matching fabrics with the appropriate needles and threads, pressing, and construction techniques. Basic draping skills, corset construction, and tailoring, as well as the variety of closures, hems and finishes used in couture are discussed. The text is filled with step-by-step techniques along with clear instructions and illustrations. Nudelman covers many embellishment techniques, including beading, embroidering, and an expanded range of fine and decorative stitches including eyelet overcasting and ribbon rosette. Highly illustrated with photographs of couture designs as well as close-ups of finishes and details, The Art of Couture Sewing, 2nd Edition will inspire the design of high-quality garments using haute couture construction methods. New to this edition ~Expanded coverage of the construction of facings, linings, underlinings, interlinings, and interfacings (Chapter 4) ~All-new chapter on constructing large skirts including trains, hoop skirts, and petticoats (Chapter 6) ~Chapter 8 features new fabric manipulation and embellishment techniques including couching, eyelet stitching, ribbon embroidery, goldwork, beadwork are stitching, motif beaded embroidery methods, and working with sequins, rhinestones, and crystals. ~Updated fashion photographs and new illustrations throughout the book Features ~End-of-chapter biographies discuss notable designers and their couture techniques, such as Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, and Elie Saab ~More than 850 color images, including over 185 updated fashion photographs and new illustrations digitally drawn by the author