The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing: Tailor Garments Easily, Using Any Pattern (Paperback)

by Anna Zapp (Author) "No matter how much you love to sew, you probably find that getting the right fit can be frustrating..." (more)
Key Phrases: zipper shield, trial pants, yoke lining, Anna's Tip, Measurement Chart, Suit Maker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Just sew and go" - Anna Zapp, designer for stars such as John Travolta and Robert Redford, shares her philosophy of no thinking sewing in this contemporary guide to primary garment construction. Her no fail methods, based on 30 years of experience, are fast, easy, efficient and sensible. Sewers will learn how to measure themselves and adjust any pattern to fit, producing highly professional, tailored looking results time and time again. The Zapp Method of Couture Sewing features no fail welt pockets, front fly zippers, bound buttonholes and one row waistband stitching. Clear, simple instructions and detailed illustrations will walk readers through copying their favorite fitting pair of ready to wear trousers - without taking them apart.

About the Author
Anna Zapp she has designed all of the original applique art, as well as constructed the garments for John Denver's stage clothes, along with many others in the entertainment business - Robert Redford, John Travolta, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. She also manufactured her own line of designer western theme shirts. Anna has written, illustrated, and published six booklets on her no fail methods of clothing construction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (March 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873496817
• ISBN-13: 978-0873496810
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

194 of 194 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and Unique , December 28, 2004

By	L. Miller (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, May 16, 2007

By	K. Y. Krawczyk "sew pro" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

38 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever, January 9, 2005

By	Faith (Tucson Az) - See all my reviews

I have a collection of sewing books. I got this one for Christmas. I wish I would of got this book earlier. I sew a lot of clothing, this book made the shirt I was makeing look pretty close to what you would buy in a store.

I would recomend this book to anyone who has any kind of sewing experence.