The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction

This books goes over *everything* you need to know about if you want to start sewing pretty clothes! It's awesome because it goes through all the techniques, how to read a pattern, what you need to start out with and what you need during construction of a garment. She goes over how to choose fabric, how to determine your size, how to sew buttons, zippers, and seams, darts, gathering, tucks, shirring, waistbands & pockets, collars, sleeves, hems, and the finishing of a garment. I think this is a great book for a beginner, and an awesome book to have in your collection as a Go-To, when you need a little refresher. It has a TON of pictures plus well written instruction, so it's easy to understand. I would definitely recommend this book to any beginner to start with and keep as a reference book. There are a lot of great reference books, but sometimes they are big and bulky, but this one is the right size to slip in a tote bag for when you are sewing on the go. In case you didn't know, the author: Christine Haynes, has some of *the best* dress patterns out there for women!! I love her patterns, and that's why I bought her book, and I was definitely NOT disappointed! I think it's so important to support Indie pattern makers. They work SO HARD to bring awesome patterns that are easy to understand with awesome graphics. They really care about what they are producing, and Christine definitely has made some beautiful dress patterns that I am in love with, instead of recycling mass produced patterns every season. This are a few of many reasons why it's important to support awesome people like Christine Haynes. Go check out her website now, and get the cutest dress you will ever make!

This book is an excellent resource for sewing garments (but many tips and tricks can be used in any project).Part I goes over the supplies/tools that are needed to complete your project. Christine explains the different types of sewing needles, feet, pins, threads, etc and when you would want to choose one type over another. So incredibly helpful!Part II explains how to read a commercial pattern, what the different markings on the pattern means, how to choose the appropriate size, the different kinds of interfacing, fabric. She goes over how to prepare, mark and cut fabric. What stood out was her tips and pearls on cutting fabric with stripes, plaid and directional prints--things books and patterns never go over!Part III is full of clear photos and explanations of sewing techniques that are often not clear (for beginners like me) in commercial patterns, such as how to sew on buttons, finish seams, grading and zippers. The portion on zippers is great, especially because I am terrified of them! Her instructions are so clear and friendly.Part IV goes over, again in beautiful photos and clear descriptions, the different techniques you need to complete your garment (darts, pleats, gathers, shirring, collars, etc).Part V goes some finishing touches (pockets, belt, and hems).Bottom line : Comprehensive guide to help you in any garment sewing project, from start to finish. The explanations are very clear and are accompanied by beautiful, clear photographs. Every page has pictures on them! Full of wonderful sewing pearls and tips you can only get from someone with years of experience. I feel that it is very beginner-friendly, but experienced sewists/sewers will also appreciate her sewing pearls and techniques. Definitely will be right next to me the next time I attempt a dress pattern!

I bought several books when I first started sewing. I haven't looked at them after my purchase because it didn't have what I need to start sewing. This book is completely different. Everything I needed to know about clothing construction is in this little book. It doesn't just cover the basics of seams and darts. It covers different ways to finish a seam, different ways to sew a zipper, how to sew different darts, how to iron, and so much more. Yes, how to iron. I know it's simple, but it's such a crucial step in sewing. This book covers everything. The pictures are beautiful and the instructions are clear.I've sewn several garments over the past year, and I find this book helpful. Even though I know how to sew, I need the extra finesse and detail that is in this book. I know if I need information on a particular skill I'll go to this book first. I know the zippers, French seams, collars, hand sewing stitches will be thoroughly used. I wish it came out sooner because it would have saved me a lot of time and money because there were a lot of failed garments.This is book is a great complement to any pattern that you would want to make. It will teach you how to sew something where as the pattern instructions will just tell you to sew it. This book will be right by my side every time I sew. This book belongs in any seamstress's sewing library, and you won't regret it!

I have been sewing off and on since middle school. I never took any sewing lessons growing up and always just figured out how to make things work. I have been doing more things than I should admit in a more time consuming and frustrating way for several years now. I have been using this book to help make longer lasting, more professional looking clothes for myself and sometimes even my family.Christine does a wonderful job walking through every step of the process with pictures that are not only helpful but beautiful. When I get a new pattern I like to read through it with my copy of this book to make sure I am on the same page. I highly suggest this book for anyone just starting out with clothing construction or anyone like me that would like to have a more polished finished product.

This book took me back to school home economics class in year 7 - the basics that every person should know to complete any sewing task. If it wasn't for the photos I would recommended this book for those that find it difficult to read instructions and find visual learning alot easier. However about 30% of the photos are too far away from the viewer to be of any real use in most cases or patterned material is used with a matching button; thread etc. The lack of visual clarity is also due to the picture being too small in the photo. For example the photographer has taken pictures about 2.5 feet (75 cm) away to demonstrate stitch techniques using pink cotton on pink cotton material - as useless for demonstrating as using a chocolate teapot to make tea! or the material is so patterned its hard to find the subject.The book however, is aimed at the beginners market rather than the advanced market. The chapters include - tools of the trade/ patterns fabric and your body/ construction basics/ taking shape and finishing touches.In 'Tools of the Trade' the sewing machine is explained in detail including needles and feet, the difference in pins; hand sewing needles; pressing tools; marking tools; other tools - pattern weights, bodkin etc; measuring tools; closures; threads and notions which are lace, satin ribbon, woven ribbon, hem tape, corded piping, etc. there is a insert showing the anatomy of a garment .... again small spotted pattern showing knife pleats from the waist. The material pattern hid these of course - and this title is not mentioned in the index. The chapter dealing with patterns fabric and your body . ; choosing a size- mmmmmmmmm - 7 lines stating that pattern companies versus other pattern companies versus shop sizes are all different so from your personal measurements choose one on the back of the packet. !!?!!! (for those with experience will also know that you won't necessarily fit into a size on the back of the pattern packet either, this is not mentioned and neither is how to deal with this - the photograph showing a legend is too small (A6 size ) to compare with the real thing in your hand; what is clear (and not in photos) is drawings of pattern markings, however choosing a size is patterned dresses on headless mannequins cut off above the hemline as you would see in a shop demonstrates nothing except their style of pattern - they are supposed to be three photos demonstrating 'ease' - one dress in a grey with a flower print had short sleeves with a bodice and gathered waist - the other sleeveless wih the same neckline and a gathered skirt but up under the bust line. I don't know about demonstarting 'ease' but the decision was really a short or long bodice; sleeves or sleeveless? I won't even mention the other photo... , 'Types of fabric' - ( the materials were sampled in embroderiery hoops) they all looked the same just pretty printed patterns on circles of paper - they were supposed to demonstarte the weave and differences of voile to corduroy to knit; 'types of interfacing' ; preparing fabric - the advice was good the pictures was a white cloth in a steel bowl with hands which in the next photo was laid flat on a white towel for rolling (if you could see it); 'fabric construction' ; cutting layouts - all of this demonstrated on a busy small polka dot material in black with a pattern sheet from a packet - not good as the dots compete; pinning and cutting; special fabric layouts; marking fabric; and cutting notches. Construction basics covered stitches - sewing machine and hand stitches - the different types of buttons and how they should be sewn on the fabric again too far away and a green button on a green flowery material; types of zips and how they are attached including fly fronts; finshing seams; sewing curves and pivots; grading and trimming seams and sewing with knits. 'Taking Shape' including darts; gathering; pleating; pin tucks; elastic shirring; princess seams; basic waistband; in seam pockets; bias finishing; collars; sleeves; sleeve finishing sleeve cuff and placket. 'Finishing touches' include sash belt; hems; patch pockets.I guess you get the idea - the book does have positives in that there good photos and clear instructions - its the inconsistancy that lets it down - if the photos had been thought through first and what size they would be in the book for the reader to see this would have been a great photo guide. just can't believe this gross mistake was missed by the publishers.

ce livre (en anglais) est un bon basique pour les débutants en couture (qui savent parler anglais...) car chaque leçon est illustrée d'un pas à pas en photos très détaillé. Je l'ai d'ailleurs acheté pour cette raison car parfois, les explications ne suffisent pas, et quelques photos permettent de mieux comprendre la technique.Pour ce qui est des moins : la première partie est vraiment trop longue (sur le fil, le tissu, le matériel, ...) car même une débutante peut se débrouiller sans autant d'explications sur les fournitures.

Nice book and I bought it for my niece and she is loving it

I recommend this book to all of my sewing students, beginner or advanced. Even as a seasoned sewist, I find this book to be a great encyclopedia

Having been able to basics but not sewed for many years I bought this as a reference book for myself. Very well illustrated. Will be useful for my daughter in law when she starts sewing.