Customer Reviews

The Dressmaker's Technique Bible: A complete guide to fashion sewing

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has a lot of information that should be helpful to those new to sewing, as well as those needing a refresher. It starts at the very beginning - how to read a pattern envelope - and goes from there. There is even a section with body types and the best sort of clothes for each. A chart that describes basic articles of clothing seems at first almost too basic; doesn't everyone know what an A-line skirt is? But on closer look, this chart notes ways to embellish and finish each garment, which is helpful no matter what your level of expertise. Most of the drawings demonstrating each technique are clear and easy to understand, and photos of the finished result are given, though a couple of the finished examples look a little sloppy. Sadly, it doesn't go as in depth as a more advanced seamstress or tailor might like. For example, the section on kimono sleeves mentions adding a gusset, and shows a small picture, but does not go into detail on how to do this other than to say it involves cutting a diagonal slash under the armpit and adding a piece of fabric. I've got some vintage patterns with kimono sleeves and I need more information than that to adjust them!

This is a good reference to have in the sewing room. The information is ell organized. Great spiral binding, though I do wish the book were larger; the print is a bit small.

Really found this book to be an inviting, encouraging, complete as well as easy-to-use reference. The spiral type binding allows the book to lie flat,too - so I'm not fighting holding the book open while handling fabric and pins! The drawings / illustrations are large and clear (to me with age 49+ eyes) and the layouts of each page make finding what I am looking for not so burdensome as my other older traditional text - type books (everyone knows that Vogue tailoring book from the 1970s - wonderful but try holding it open while you work!) I sewed during my junior high years, and off and on thereafter - never with the ease and ambition and skill my mother had (she made all my clothes in high school, and all my school uniforms in junior high - beautiful work). I found this book to be both factual and encouraging as I pick back up on a skill I always wanted to perfect.

Are you new to sewing or refreshing your skills after a long break? Then this book is ideal. I take this book off the shelf regularly to refer to methods or meanings. I think is a great resource and I only wish I had had a book like this when I starting out. It will also be a book that I will keep and pass on to my children in years to come. In my opinion a good investment.

I agree with the other reviewers who suggested that this is a good reference for a new or returning sewist. There are clearly better books for some topics covered in this book -- The guide to fabrics, for example, isn't in the same class as Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide.

It also isn't comprehensive in how it presents techniques. For example, in the discussion of making your own bias tape (easy, cheap, not hard), it only talks about the most basic technique (cutting it out and sewing it together). It doesn't talk about alternative techniques including a continuous bias tape technique, which I find to be much easier.

I find that I return to this when I need a refresher on how to do a technique that I've done before. Just the other day, I wanted to do a french seam on a blouse I was putting together. I haven't done one in a few months so I peeked at the helpful diagram on page 57 and away I went. It fits nicely on the small bookcase next to my sewing table, so I like to keep it handy when I'm working on projects. Please don't misunderstand, I like it really quite a lot, it just isn't the only book in the library.

I bought this book to replace a much more expensive textbook. For the price and size this is an excellent technique resource book. For an experienced sewer the book is a great reminder on how to sew various seams and finishes. It also has basic information. I bought three books--one for me and one for each daughter.

I've been sewing for 40 years now and this book is wonderful, this book is a bible for those newbies and for the oldies in sewing. Dressmakers gives every detail for everything from tools to choosing fabrics: from felting to beads: from lining a jacket to sleeves, this Dressmakers Bible has it all. There were things I had forgotten and this book reminded me how easy they were. I recommend this book to every sewer out there.

The great thing about this book is that it has so many things pictured in it and gives people who sew good ideas for what to do with their projects. The bad thing about it is that the instructions aren't as comprehensive as the larger how to books. I HIGHLY recommend searching the singer sewing reference library books and finding the book with the topics you are looking for because these are very comprehensive. Since they are from the 80's, some of the designs are out of style, but the technique is timeless and most of these books are under $5.

Love this book! It has every technique and answers for every question I need to make my dressmaking business a success. It's very simple and straightforward. Easy to find any information needed.

Update, October 2009: I ended up buying this from Amazon. I like it very much.

I have an extensive sewing library but am always looking for the next new book. I spent a lot of time going through this book in a bookstore. Although it's not as comprehensive as, say, the Reader's Digest book, it's a lot less overwhelming and there are a lot of helpful illustrations. I love the small size because I often need a good portable guide and the fact that it stays open. A few months ago I bought another book by the same author; I think it was called the Textile Bible. I'm strongly considering buying this one as it's not that expensive.

this books is amazing....i'm a self-taught sewer and this book helped fill in the many gaps in my limited knowledge. its fantastic...everyone needs one....