Designer Techniques Couture Tips For Home Sewing [Hardcover]

Kenneth D. King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

Offering innovative tricks for achieving fashionable looks with a sewing machine and serger, this book by fashion designer Kenneth King describes the techniques he has developed for adding stylish effects. It shows how to deal with difficult fabrics, make a fine rolled edge on sheer and transparent fabrics, pipe buttonholes and pockets, create a fool-proof welt pocket, construct a shoulder pad with no visible height, and many other tricks of the trade. Many of these tips can be applied to home furnishings as well as to garments.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

King, host of the PBS series Sewing Today, here offers his resource guide for the home sewer who wishes to add couture touches to clothing and home decor items. King concentrates on edge finishes, piping, pockets, shoulder shaping, embellishments, and finishing touches and provides clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions for each technique. Recommended for public libraries and costume collections.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806994894
• ISBN-13: 978-0806994895
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best techniques, ideas, and photographed sewing book!, March 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Designer Techniques Couture Tips For Home Sewing (Hardcover)

Mr. Kings grasp of the world of Designer Techniques is immesurable. This book is a treasure. Techniques are shown and techniques described in easy to follow instructions for the home sewer. The book has some real COOL TRICKS to incorporate into your next sewing project for garments and home dec. Mr. Kings life story is just as facinating as his "bag of tricks." This book covers a mirad of subjects from what tools and equiptment you should have in your sewing room, through pocket techniques and tasseled handbags. Don't get the wrong idea, this is not just high end couture sewing techniques, it is shortcut methods and sound advice for any sewer - a great reference. I especially like the descriptions and ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS of the different interfacings, and underlinings and cordings and piping, so that I can go into a store and point to what I want!!! If you have limited $$$ to spend on your sewing library, don't leave this one on the store shelf!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible Couture Sewing, May 9, 2004

By 

VL (Menlo Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designer Techniques Couture Tips For Home Sewing (Hardcover)

Finally, someone has written a book on sewing techniques for those of us who also like beautiful clothes. It's fun to see how exciting clothes can be made using techniques and materials accessible to any home sewer. He uses pictures of his own creations to demonstrate the success of his techniques. The instructions are detailed and thorough. He tackles hard techniques and shows you the steps you must go through to get results. I was tired of books that showed me easy techniques, with only so-so results. I find this a book that I use over and over again... and I have many sewing books. I believe this is a book written by someone who actually uses the techniques himself to create beautiful clothes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed, January 24, 2010

By 

Patricia J. Brick "quixotesmom" (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DESIGNER TECHNIQUES: COUTURE TIPS FOR HOME SEWING (Hardcover)

I purchased this book on King's reputation and was very disappointed. The first third of the book covers very basic subjects that every sewer knows, I don't need information on irons, marking tools or fabrics. The book is basically about cording. I sort of like the way he used it on one outfit which is all that's shown in the book. There are a couple small pictures of some beading that I would like to be able to see or have any comment on putting together. The one brief bit about edging sheer fabric is okay but one technique I've seen many times.