228 of 228 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Useful and Unique, December 28, 2004
This review is from: The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing: Tailor Garments Easily, Using Any Pattern (Paperback)
This is a little hard to classify. It certainly is not for a novice, but once someone has mastered the basics, and is desiring to make an expensive-looking wardrobe, this would be a very good basic resource. The book seems to be quite a labor of love by the author, who clearly wants to pass on her wealth of experience. It is dense with practical material and has an incredible number of detailed photographs that go with the instructions. How to do all the scary stuff.
This is not the "Home Ec Way" of sewing, but techniques worked out by a lady who earned her living making quality clothing. It is not as general as the title suggested to me; it's an exact manual on creating pants, shirts, vests, and jackets in a precise and practical way. Starting with a much better fit.
For sewing pants, you start with a favorite pair that you own, and she has a detailed technique for copying their fit safely and accurately, and working from there.
I also applaud her on the many measurements she devises. As with another hero, Cynthia Guffey, she advocates taking the bust, waist and hip circumference measurements in front and back segments, not just circumferences. This change alone can make your sewn clothes fit much better. If you want the clothes to fit you well, you need to learn the contours of your shape. This book is the most practical I've seen on doing this with measurements.
I really could have used this years ago! If you want to sew nice clothes that you will wear, this would be on a short list, with Nancy Erickson's "Do you love what you sew" and Gale Grigg Hazen's "Fantastic Fit for Everybody" and Cynthia Guffey's seminar materials.
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, May 16, 2007
This review is from: The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing: Tailor Garments Easily, Using Any Pattern (Paperback)
This is a great book for the serious sewer. It has the best explanation of how to make a lined vest or lined sleeveless camisole that I have ever seen. And if you are interested in tailoring, you will really want to have this book. I always check books out of the library first. Then you know if it's a book you need to own. This one was a book I had to have in my library, and I've found it very useful.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not "any pattern", October 17, 2007
This review is from: The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing: Tailor Garments Easily, Using Any Pattern (Paperback)
Step by step instructions and large color photos make this an easy guide to follow. The principles she teaches you could help you fit many patterns to yourself if you are an experienced sewer. However, all you really learn to fit are dress slacks, dress shirt, and a camisole/vest. No instructions are provided for dresses, skirts, or jackets. You do learn a neat techniques for making a pattern out of your favorite pair of pants.
If a book on tailoring garments you already have is what you're looking for, a more comprehensive guide would serve better.
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