Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: Proven Methods to Help You Sew Like the Pros (Rodale Sewing Book) (Hardcover)

~ Susan Huxley (Author) "As many sewers know, it is possible to make a garment with very few tools..." (more)
Key Phrases: crack stitch, cuff foldline, flat assembly method, New Look, San Francisco, Double Welt Pocket Maker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hundreds of clear photos, excellent step-by-step instructions, dozens of trade secrets from industry experts, and an A-to-Z approach make this one of the outstanding guides on the subject. Besides wonderful coverage of equipment choices and construction techniques, there is terrific information on altering commercial patterns to customize every detail for individual figure specifics, making a muslin, working with various fabric and interfacing types, and layout and cutting. This is an essential addition to any novice's sewing library; the more-experienced garment maker will also find it a very useful reference. --Amy Handy --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

While fewer people sew today, those who do are often more serious about it. This book is targeted at true enthusiasts who want to learn the timesaving and quality-enhancing techniques employed by professionals. Together the book's five contributors have worked for more than a century in the garment industry as designers, pattern makers, instructors, and quality-control specialists. With more than 800 photos, Sewing Secrets gives the reader an over-the-shoulder look at apparel construction, emphasizing details that can distinguish a run-of-the-mill garment from a fashion statement. An extensive "tips & techniques" section is arranged alphabetically from awls to zippers, while sidebars of inside information make for interesting browsing. Highly recommended for all sewing collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875967191
• ISBN-13: 978-0875967196
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Most Complete Reference, February 8, 2002

By	Jodie Davis (Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: Proven Methods to Help You Sew Like the Pros (Rodale Sewing Book) (Paperback)

I've been sewing for over twenty years, and have authored over a dozen crafts and quilting books. Just yesterday I checked this book out of the library and am thrilled at this discovery and am here on Amazon to order a copy.
The book gets into much more detail than most texts, and answers little questions that other books don't touch. The depth reminds me of articles in Threads. Things like: how and when to use feed dogs to your advantage; the nitty gritty on prewashing and how to test; excellent illustrated fabric ID photos and instructions (for all those pieces of yardage we have stored away;) )...
This book is an excellent deal at Amazon's price (Why did another reviewer complain? And BTW, I checked out the plaid cuff in question--it wasn't opened up fully!) and will be a welcome--and much used--addition to the sewer's library.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding advice from sewing professionals., October 3, 2000

By	G. Stanton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a competent stitcher, this is an ideal book for you to improve your skills. Every page is in full color, with each technique photographed step by step. My fitting, hems, collars, welt pockets, pressing and interfacing all improved after reading this book. There's also some healthy advice (2 pages worth) for those contemplating purchasing an industrial machine, and excellent needle/thread/tension advice. All in all, you really can't go wrong purchasing this book.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great text for sewing students, July 22, 2003

By	Ruth Ann (Pensacola, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: Proven Methods to Help You Sew Like the Pros (Rodale Sewing Book) (Paperback)

I am a sewing teacher at a college, and I discovered this book in the library as I was looking for texts to improve my skills and knowledge. I got so excited about the book that I read it from cover to cover. I am going to propose that we include this book as one of our textbooks for my Advanced Clothing Construction class to help them learn better sewing techniques and improve their skills. I like all the helpful hints throughout the book, as well as the alphabetical organization. I also like the pictures that show exactly how to measure yourself, and I think the book explains techniques pretty well. The only thing that I think needs improvement is that it is hard to see what they are illustrating in many of the photographs. The reason is because they used bright colored fabrics that look identical on the right and wrong sides, and the thread blends in so well that it is difficult to see. However, if you can follow directions, you can still understand how to do the techniques because their step-by-step directions are pretty good. I want to get one of these books for myself.