The world of haute couture is a place where only a privileged few can ever hope to reside, right? Wrong. Fashion historian Claire B. Shaeffer opened the door to this exclusive realm in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, the industry bible, Couture Sewing Techniques, has been revised and updated throughout — with new photos and a chapter on specialty fabrics. No one can unravel couture garment construction the way Schaeffer can, from the art of hand sewing to mastering edge finishes, from classic closures to shaping a garment for a perfect fit. Readers learn all the basics — and more importantly: how to apply the techniques — on skirts and sleeves, pockets and jackets, evening gowns, and more. Gorgeous photos, clear illustrations, and concise language combine to make this the most complete couture-sewing course available.
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With clarity and a profound respect for technique and application, Claire Shaeffer brings one into an haute-couture atelier, where the realm of possibility has no boundaries. She imparts the secrets of hand-work that allow a garment to become weightless, a wisp of dimension for the wearer. She pays homage to the gods of the craft and bows to the church of haute couture. --Ralph Rucci, designer
As every Vogue Patterns reader knows, Claire Shaeffer can unravel couture garment construction better than anyone, and her revised and updated version of Couture Sewing Techniques is the authoritative guide to haute couture techniques In it, Shaeffer demystifies designer garments and gives you the confidence to try the techniques and practiced in the ateliers of the haute couture. A must-have for all serious sewers. –Vogue Patterns
About the Author
Claire Shaeffer is an acclaimed couture designer and recognized expert in the history of fashion. She gives twice-yearly workshops to select few, and has published many books on the topic of couture techniques including the first edition of Couture Sewing Techniques, which has sold more than 80,000 copies.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
191 of 193 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ten reasons why you should own the revised version of Couture Sewing Techniques
April 30, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
1. Better layout:
The layout is so much better! Text is set in different colors to differentiate the content, tips, pull-out boxes, blurbs. This dramatically improves the book navigation!
2. More Content:
over thirty more pages of content added as a result of the author's recent research.
3. More images:
Claire added more images to illustrate instructions, and they are invaluable!
4. Improved instructions:
Clearly marked step-by-step instructions for all processes of couture construction. If you own the previous edition, you know how the instructions were presented in run-on paragraphs making it difficult to use the book as a quick reference.
5. More how-to illustrations:
6. Claire's Hints:Excellent short tips, mostly absent in the previous edition.
7. contemporary couture techniques from the worksrooms of Ralph Rucci and James Galanos
8. techniques by Mainbocher and Charles Frederick Worth: Shaeffer says in her acknowledgements that she worked on a research project that focused on Mainbocher and Worth. She seems to have added some of the new techniques as a result of this research
9. New chapter "Designing with Fabric": Shaeffer introduced this chapter to demonstrate "a variety of design ideas and specific techniques to inspire you to use fabrics more creatively". A master of observation, Claire describes techniques used in haute couture garments by Antonio Canovas del Castilo, Hubert de Givenchy, Chanel, Worth, Hanae Mori, I. Magnin, Balenciaga, Victor Edelstein, These techniques are not necessarily obvious, but so easy to learn and to apply in your own garments.... Read more ›
The layout is so much better! Text is set in different colors to differentiate the content, tips, pull-out boxes, blurbs. This dramatically improves the book navigation!
2. More Content:
over thirty more pages of content added as a result of the author's recent research.
3. More images:
Claire added more images to illustrate instructions, and they are invaluable!
4. Improved instructions:
Clearly marked step-by-step instructions for all processes of couture construction. If you own the previous edition, you know how the instructions were presented in run-on paragraphs making it difficult to use the book as a quick reference.
5. More how-to illustrations:
6. Claire's Hints:Excellent short tips, mostly absent in the previous edition.
7. contemporary couture techniques from the worksrooms of Ralph Rucci and James Galanos
8. techniques by Mainbocher and Charles Frederick Worth: Shaeffer says in her acknowledgements that she worked on a research project that focused on Mainbocher and Worth. She seems to have added some of the new techniques as a result of this research
9. New chapter "Designing with Fabric": Shaeffer introduced this chapter to demonstrate "a variety of design ideas and specific techniques to inspire you to use fabrics more creatively". A master of observation, Claire describes techniques used in haute couture garments by Antonio Canovas del Castilo, Hubert de Givenchy, Chanel, Worth, Hanae Mori, I. Magnin, Balenciaga, Victor Edelstein, These techniques are not necessarily obvious, but so easy to learn and to apply in your own garments.... Read more ›
84 of 84 people found the following review helpful
By J. R. R.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I teach all levels of sewing at a comm. college and would recomend this book to my intermediate and higher skilled students. When you are ready to pay more attention and time to details, this book is for you.
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful book designed to give the small relatively easy to do tips for what differentiates couture and fine finished ready to wear from home made clothing. Read through once for the history and then for ideas. I'll never pick up a pattern again without looking at the design and thinking about how it can be fit perfectly and finished perfectly. Not so much as difficult as time consumming
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Stephanie
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am in love with this book! I can't put it down! It is by far the best sewing/history reference book I have ever bought! Not only is it a great read, but it has so many interesting and unique finishes that I have never heard of or even knew how to do.
I have been sewing for 14 years now and have always wanted to know more about hand sewing and couture in general. I also have been attending fashion college for 2 years and no teacher of mine has even attempted to show students some of the techniques that Claire Shaeffer has taught me.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone just for the great information and pictures of couture clothing, but you definitely need to know how to sew if you are going to use this book as a reference. So if you are an intermediate to an advance sewer this book is for you!
It has taken me a really long time (and many expensive buys) to find a book that I not only found interesting, but was also able to challenge me and teach me some new tricks.
I have been sewing for 14 years now and have always wanted to know more about hand sewing and couture in general. I also have been attending fashion college for 2 years and no teacher of mine has even attempted to show students some of the techniques that Claire Shaeffer has taught me.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone just for the great information and pictures of couture clothing, but you definitely need to know how to sew if you are going to use this book as a reference. So if you are an intermediate to an advance sewer this book is for you!
It has taken me a really long time (and many expensive buys) to find a book that I not only found interesting, but was also able to challenge me and teach me some new tricks.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
3 years ago i shunned my dying sewing machine (partly because it scared my dog) and took to sewing garments by hand. I am mostly self-taught, and learned a lot about construction from tv shows, youtube and closely examining garments in high end retailers. This book is a god send. It's not for the beginner sewer, or someone who wants easy or quick fixes. If you are an experienced machine sewer or enjoy sewing by hand and want to learn how to properly fit and construct garments this is your book. It is full of tricks, anecdotes and details (seriously, you will need to read this a dozen times to internalize and remember the content), and so worth it. I'm about to look for more of Claire's books because this one is so well developed I feel like I can trust her technique and delivery more than any other so source I've found. I never considered skipping darts in certain fabrics for shaping via shrinking and stretching. I have been dying for a detailed guide to welted pockets. I have Vogue's Guide to Sewing, which is wonderful, but this is sewing for another league. I may not be coming into this book with the skills of some other reviewers, but if you think you're about my level when I bought this book, you will appreciate what Claire has to offer. And at this price?!?! Unreal. On to find more books by this author...
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By katiesue
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
After years of not sewing and getting back into the sewing groove on some simple projects, I wanted to improved my techniques and Couture Sewing Techniques is exactly what I needed. I am refering to often even though I am still following basic patterns. Each project I work on I use Couture Sewing Techniques to learn more details. I am not ready for couture fabrics or the more involved embellishments, but when I am, the steps and diagrams in the book are so helpful I won't fear trying them out.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beatiful photos
inspiring details and well documented, what a book should be.
Would like to have seen a little more history about each dress, but again, well worth the money.
Would like to have seen a little more history about each dress, but again, well worth the money.
Published 9 days ago by Airemail
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good addition to my sewing library
This book holds a treasure of information and inspiration. Now as I develop a pattern or alter an existing outfit I hesitate and think how I can make it unique, how I can improve... Read more
Published 19 days ago by V. Apo
5.0 out of 5 stars
great reference for couture sewing techniques
Absolutely wonderful book. Clear directions and diagrams explaining techniques used in the couture fashion industry. Read more
Published 1 month ago by cg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised and Updated
If anyone ever wants an excellent sewing book on techniques, this is the one to get. The advertisement indicated the book was "gently used" and this gave me pause to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robert S Verser
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
I have found this book to be very informative. I am a beginner sewer, but I'm looking to expand my horizons so this has been a great resource for me.
Published 2 months ago by Mama2Bug
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great purchase
Bought the book for my wife who is an aspiring couture designer. She thinks the book is very informative. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Yeong-Hao Han
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as a present, was a hit
Really nice and bought at about half the price of B&N. Very pleased overall. Would recommend - very detailed book.
Published 2 months ago by lisajotheshoppingho
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I make a lot of doll clothes, but I refer back to this book for sewing tips and pattern design changes. I want my doll clothes to be very nicely made and I do a lot of hand sewing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. Psychologist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glad I got it.
A good friend of mine let me borrow her copy for a few minutes. Since I wasn't able to take the information with me, I got my own copy. I'm really glad I did. ^^
Published 3 months ago by Malissa Mackey
2.0 out of 5 stars
Small pictures
I'm a visual learner when it comes to sewing. This book has small images. I resold my copy and bought a different book with very large pictures.
Published 3 months ago by Artemisia Moltabocca
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