Cutting and Draping Special Occasion Clothes: Designs For Eveningwear and Partywear [Paperback]

Dawn Cloake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2003

Learn how to develop basic design blocks to create a wide range of garments, then mix and match the elements for something unique for that special occasion. Also includes tips on combining pattern-cutting with modeling techniques.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Batsford (June 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713483326
• ISBN-13: 978-0713483321
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,347,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Never judge a book by its cover!, November 12, 2002

By 

"myabrides" (Lagos, West Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cutting and Draping Special Occasion Clothes: Designs For Eveningwear and Partywear (Paperback)

I forgot the old adage and was seduced by the dazzling photo on the cover, but that was where my joy ended. To put it simply this book was very DISAPPOINTING!
My first problem was that after the author went into a lengthy diatribe about the importance of a well made primary block, (which all her secondary blocks are made from), she gave no instructions on how to make one.
The book continues along this vein of vagueness and half-explanations, which means one would need to have enough previous pattern-cutting experience in order to fill in the blanks. Therefore I would say this book is definetly NOT for beginners because most will be very confused.
I dont think the book will be very usefull to the advanced pattern cutter either because the styles she explains are very basic and you would probably have come across them in other patterncutting books where they were not being touted as "eveningwear".
The book also mentions draping in its title, which I find laughable as it covers draping on a total of THREE pages and with the exception of a cowl-neck top, I dont think ruching bits of fabric across the shoulders really qualifies as draping.
Suffice to say I do not recommend this book to ANYONE, as I found it totally useless, and I only gave it one star for the pretty picture on the cover which I shall frame to remind me CAVEAT EMPTOR!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Draft a Strapless Bodice Sloper for Evening Wear!, July 31, 2003

By 

JosyMaude "josymaude" (Sarasota, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cutting and Draping Special Occasion Clothes: Designs For Eveningwear and Partywear (Paperback)

This book is not for beginners in dress drafting. But even though I'm a novice, I did find the information informative... drafting dressy clothes requires starting with a different sloper rather than the slopers used in the drafting of regular daytime garments. The books on this subject are hard to find and limited, so this book would still be helpful for someone seeking information on drafting evening garments. I believe it is meant to be a supplement to further study. I would say that it would help someone who already is intermediate or advanced in drafting to start exploring drafting evening garments. I did enjoy this book very much!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I personally love this book, March 27, 2008

By 

Kara CK "Kara" (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cutting and Draping Special Occasion Clothes: Designs For Eveningwear and Partywear (Paperback)

I'm not sure why the bad review, this book is NOT for the beginner and I do think it was very thorough and many of the techniques are extremely helpful. If you are just beginning, this might not be the right book for you, but if you are expanding your knowledge, this is a great book to add to any sewer's library. I'm very pleased!