Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear (Paperback)

by Susan Khalje (Author) "The bodice of this gown is covered with daisy-patterned Austrian cotton guipure lace; its flowered border is placed so that it appears to continue around..." (more)
Key Phrases: bustling buttons, inner corselette, boning channels, Hong Kong, New York, Catch Stitch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Though ostensibly a how-to manual on wedding gown construction, this magnificent book teaches all about advanced dressmaking skills, and its principles can be applied to creating many other types of haute-couture-style gowns. The very thorough text details all aspects of fabrics and construction: the unique characteristics of each type of fashion fabric, including extensive information on manipulating lace; preparing the muslin mockup (a necessary first step to ensure a perfect fit); adjusting the bodice, sleeves, and skirt and joining them all together; adding ornamentation; and handling bustles and trains. The final chapter presents all the specifics of making four gowns of different styles. The novice and even the advanced sewer will learn much here, and perhaps best of all, pattern-drafting experience is not required--the author works her transformations on purchased patterns. If you're ambitious enough to make your own wedding gown, this book is absolutely essential, but even if you're hiring someone else to custom-make your gown, you'll find this an invaluable guide. And anyone pursuing a dressmaking career should have this important reference work on the shelf. --Amy Handy

Review
"A must for prospective brides..." -- Sewing with Butterick, Autumn 2002. "A must for prospective brides..." -- Vogue Patterns, October 2002.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 7 edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801987571
• ISBN-13: 978-0801987571
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE for all sewing enthusiasts, July 23, 2001

By A Customer

I bought this book never having heard of the author before. I was fairly "blown away" by the high quality of the information offered, the wonderful works shown and the fact that this author obviously cares about those who will use her book. She provides her readers with some of the best, complete and accurate information I have ever seen written in a book. The reader (in this case me) knows that she/he is being provided with information of the highest standard, the author doesn't withhold important facts and obviously loves what she does as seen in the quality work she produces. Sewing from the soul.

I don't do Bridal Sewing but am interested in Couture Sewing. This book is one of the finest on the subject. I highly recommend it.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wealth of Information, Regardless of Your Skill Level, August 11, 2000

By	Christine McGraw (Huntington Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is fantastic, regardless of how much knowledge you have on the subject of sewing or textiles. Susan's discussions of the various types of fabrics used in formal and bridal sewing will help novices speak knowledgeably about what they want. As a professional bridal seamstress with a background in costuming I was particularly impressed with the way the author emphasizes how a garment should "behave" and that she gives suggestions on fabrics to be used as linings and interlinings. How a dress is made on the inside is vitally important to how it looks on the outside, and this book will help novices understand why that is and help professionals to achieve it. This book is definitely a must have for anyone involved in making a wedding gown, whether you are a bride or a seamstress.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everthing I hoped for!, June 7, 2001

By	Darlene E. Lind (Spruce Grove, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

As an experienced amateur seamstress I was looking for a book that would guide me through both designing and sewing a wedding dress for my 6'3" daughter. This book was exactly what I needed to accomplish my goal. Step by step I was able to complete each part of the gown. The final product was stunning and much of the beauty of the gown was because of the construction techniques on the inside that no one would know about eg. lining the fabric (bodice only) with white baby flannelette and treating it as one piece. The beautiful, smooth, princess seams were perfect. In reading the details and applying them to my situation I was able to create a lovely gown. With a good sewing background, a passion for perfection, love for my daughter and her dream dress AND this wonderful book it was everything I had hoped for and would highly recommend it.