Vintage Couture Tailoring

Traditional tailoring is a fascinating craft, which has not changed for many centuries, however, the techniques are now known only by a few practising in the best couture ateliers and bespoke tailor's workrooms. Nothing feels quite so luxurious or sophisticated as bespoke clothes, but the tailoring skills they require are often seen to be shrouded in mystery and the clothes therefore only accessible to the rich and famous. This practical book reveals the trade secrets of couture tailoring and brings vintage couture tailoring within the reach of all. With step-by-step photographs and professional tips throughout, it shows how a ladies' jacket is made and thereby introduces a range of fundamental tailoring techniques. These can be used for garments for either gender, as well as other sewing projects: moulding fabric to shape with the iron; employing loose interfacings; hollow shoulder construction; pad stitching canvas; interlining and weighting hems;making tailored and bound buttonholes;.... and many more forgotten techniques.Written by a tailor of international repute, Vintage Couture Tailoring is dedicated to all who appreciate the highest standard of craftsmanship, and who like using their eyes and hands to produce beautiful garments.Vintage couture tailoring is practised by only a few establishments around the world today and this practical book reveals the trade secrets of couture tailoring. An invaluable guide for professionals wishing to further their skills, and for enthusiasts with an interest in traditional tailoring. Shows how to make a ladies' jacket from preparation through to assembly and reveals the exquisite finishing details that are the hallmark of couture tailoring. Superbly illustrated with 417 colour step-by-step photographs.Thomas von Nordheim is a tailor of international repute.

Fashion historian Shaeffer opened the door to the exclusive realm of haute couture in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, "Couture Sewing Techniques," has been revised and updated throughout. Full color.

Sheets of patterns are in an envelope inside the front cover, each sheet is doubled sided.

"Learn the tailoring techniques and sewing secrets of such renowned designers as Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga...a complete sewing workshop packaged in a DVD and book ensemble. Whether you want to add a special detail to a project or bring couture elegance, detail, and polish to all that you sew, this book-plus-DVD workshop offers essential technical know-how." -- Back cover.

Tailoring is the complete photo guide to sewing jackets and coats. Written by sewing professionals, this book teaches the trusted, proven methods for sewing tailored jackets with impeccable details and perfect fit. Written for the intermediate sewer who wants to move on to more challenging projects, this book ensures success with detailed, step-by-step instructions, more than 400 photos, in-depth discussions about products and how to use them. Tailoring offers guidance for every aspect of tailoring a jacket: fitting and pattern alteration, fabrics and tools, interfacings, interlinings, seams and finishes, hand stitches, collars, pressing, topstitching, shaping shoulders, setting in sleeves, sewing pockets, vents, and making perfect buttonholes.

Bestselling author Claire Shaeffer teaches you everything you need to know to plan and sew the perfect jacket. Based on couture techniques learnt from master tailors, this book begins with the equipment, materials, design elements, and sewing and construction techniques used in all types of tailoring. Part Two provides an illustrated step-by-step guide to making a couture jacket, explaining all the design options and alternative methods for making every element including collars, sleeves and pockets. Couture Tailoring includes over 800 step-by-step illustrations throughout, over 200 photographs of couture jackets by Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and more than 100 couture tips. Any aspiring tailor must have this book in their fashion library.

In this practical guide, Michelle Pye demystifies the process of making a handmade jacket. As an experienced bespoke tailor and teacher, she explains each step of the process from making a toile for fitting, cutting out, inserting the pockets, the application of the sleeves and collar, through to hand finishing and pressing the jacket. Much emphasis is placed on the preparation stage and then the alteration steps to ensure you get a fantastic fit. As well as explaining tailoring terms, Ladies Couture Tailoring warns of common mistakes and describes the techniques of the trade - such as using a clapper to absorb steam or shrinking out fullness to make the sleeve easier to put in - so you can enjoy making your jacket as much as wearing it. It is a rare opportunity to learn from an experienced tailor keen to share her skills and advise you throughout with her personal tips.

The 1940s were an iconic period of women's dress history, with the familiar square shoulders, crepe tea dresses and seamed stockings paired with red lips, victory curls and head scarves. This book explains the period's sewing techniques and makes a range of 1940s outfits to recreate the look of those vintage years. With detailed step-by-step instruction and over 300 photographs, it captures the style of the time and explains the impact of wartime austerity on the cut and construction of women's dress. Contents include: historical context and details of government regulations of the time; instructions and patterns for recreating a range of women's clothes, including blouses, skirts, slacks, shirt frocks, evening dress and tea dresses; key techniques such as transfering pattern markings, making darts, fastenings and finishing touches; examples of how to complete the look with hairstyles, make-up, shoes and accessories. This new book will help you recreate the clothes and the vintage style of the 1940s 'make do' years, and will be of particular interest to costume designers, fashion designers and students, dress historians, historic revival and reenactment participants and home dressmakers with a general interest in vintage dress. Superbly illustrated with 331 photographs and patterns.