Folding Techniques for Designers: From Sheet to Form Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, a good book that methodically explain tesselated folds with a clear visual language. It's not the first book that deals with folding tesselations, but the first one many people will feel confident to achieve succesfully all the examples shown. The final part dealing with simple curvature folds with pinches is a great plus.

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Many designers use folding techniques in their work to make three-dimensional forms from two-dimensional sheets of fabric, cardboard, plastic, metal, and many other materials. This unique book explains the key techniques of folding, such as pleated surfaces, curved folding and crumpling. An elegant, practical handbook, it covers over 70 techniques explained by clear step-by-step drawings, crease-pattern drawings, and specially commissioned photography.

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Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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Couture Sewing Techniques Review

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(More customer reviews)This is truly a wonderful book for those ready to step beyond "speed sewing" and rotary cutting to creating beautiful garments with exquisit finishing. I've been sewing for 40 years and never knew how different couture sewing techniques are from those the rest of us commonly use. As precisely used in this text the word "haute couture" only applies to those 20 or so designer houses in France who meet certain strict standards regulated by the government. Fascinating!
This is a book to read and study, lots of carefully detailed text and good photographs of haute couture designs and finishing techniques. Did you know there are at least five different hand basting stitches and even more permanent hand sewing stitches for garment construction? Did you know couture houses don't use paper patterns? That their seam allowances are usually at least one inch wide? That most of their basting is done from the RIGHT side of the garment? That most seam edges are finished by hand -- even into the curve clips? That most garments are constructed entirely by hand? That steaming, shrinking and molding garment sections by pressing are as important to the shaping process as the sewing? And I'm not just talking about pressing seams open here. Wow! And I thought I knew how to sew.
While other books may use "couture" in their titles this book means it. While I've said this isn't for the fainthearted anyone who sews clothing will find some new and accessible technique here. Grab it, keep it near your sewing machine and if you only add one new technique with each project your skill, pride and satisfaction in your work will grow immensely.

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Sewers who have ever longed to create clothing with the distinctive look of haute couture will love this book. They'll learn the finer points of hand sewing, shaping, and finishing for a high-end, professional look. This book is for all sewing enthusiasts who appreciate fine workmanship.

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Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Men's Wear (F.I.T. Collection) (Language of Fashion Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have wanted to write a review of this book for months, but forced myself to finish a suit before writing. I made a sport coat and pants for my husband a couple years ago using an advanced Vogue Pattern and skills from a women's tailoring class and was not impressed with the results. I bought this book because I wanted to learn how to do men's tailoring the right way. Yesterday, I finished a suit, sport coat and pants following the directions of Classic Tailoring Techniques. All I can say now is, Wow! I have been sewing for 15 years, took several construction classes in college including a women's tailoring class and this was the most work of any sewing project I have ever done. The jackets are easily over 100 hours each. For every 10 minutes of machine sewing, I spent about 10 hours of hand sewing. In the middle of the project I thought I had lost my mind - I could have gotten a job at Burger King and purchased twice as many suits. But...the end result was absolutely worth it. Actually, I am going to start another suit tonight! Classic Tailoring Techniques has been the best sewing book I have ever purchased. Although my basic pattern was from Vogue, I didn't look at their directions even once during the project. The directions in the book are very different from Vogue or anything else I had ever seen. But the author's directions are very clear and with plenty of illustrations. If you follow the steps exactly (yes, every time he has you hand baste it's for a reason), I promise your results will be beautiful. This book has completely revolutionized how I sew - most notably pockets and collars, which have always been troublesome for me. Since I can now speak with the voice of experience, make sure you spend extra time in the fitting section of the book. Mr. Cabrara has very detailed instructions for correcting a pattern and getting the perfect fit. Making the muslin is worth the time. Also, it is a must to get the right understructure supplies. Good wool canvas interfacing feels very different from the stuff you will find at fabric stores. I called local tailor shops to ask where they buy their supplies. Most companies will send samples and let you order over the phone.
If you buy good fabric, good supplies and follow the directions in the book - your suits will be fantastic. My husband has always been spoiled with expensive suits, usually about $1,000 each. He has decided that the suit and sport coat I made are nicer than his purchased suits and has offered to do more cooking and cleaning if I will make him more suits. That has to be the best endorsement a book could get!

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Canvas Remix: Techniques For Creating Mixed-Media Accessories Review

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(More customer reviews)I recieved this book yesterday, and found a fountain of good information. Author Alisa Burke starts the book with definitions of tools and supplies, then on to stretching and priming canvas. (Most if not all projects are unstretched) There are 38 pages of techniques, with color photos for the steps, along with some helpful hints called "in the mix."
Most of the projects are beautiful, fun, and useful. There are several I want to try right away, including the tote, pouch, canvas beads, and i-Pod case. This book fullfilled my need of the basics of working with canvas, stretched, or unstretched. After learning the basics, you can easily craft whatever you want.
I would have given this book five stars, but I think some of the techniques could have been done more in depth. Otherwise I am glad I bought it, and it will get a lot of use.

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Strong colour, bold lines and funky ideas combine to introduce the reader to forty-five techniques and twenty-five projects using paint, collage and canvas.After a brief introduction to working with canvas (including stretching canvas, working with raw, unstretched canvas, working with a variety of paint, and several applications - blending colour, glazing, spattering, distressing), the reader will take their painted canvas to the next level with hand-carved stamps, adding journaling and writing, image transfers and more.Once the reader has learned to create their own graffiti-inspired works on canvas, they'll be guided through the step-by-step creation of twenty-five projects that use the canvas, such as upholstery, a tote bag, placemats, a lunch sack and even canvas beads for jewellery.

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Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers Review

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(More customer reviews)I will tell u - I was very skeptical about purchasing this book. The reason? Some months aback, I had bought a book which stated that it was about sewing techniques. What a dreadful mistake - the illustrations were wack and unprofessional, I could hardly follow what the author was trying to bring across. But this book, oh my gosh!!! The illustrations are in great detail... the explanations and procedures are clear and precise! A couple of reviews of this book i noticed are from students, but if you are a home seamstress/sewist like myself, u really need this book. It covers every single thing u need to know about putting a garment together. I kid u not! If you are deterred about the price, and I know in some aspect that u are, it is definitely worth it!!! Don't waste your time and money buying any other sewing technique books, this one has every thing in it. Don't find yourself buying a whole bunch different books that concentrates on only one aspect of sewing/designing. Get this book, trust me, u will not be disappointed. I love it, love it, love it!!! At last, a book that covers all sewing techniques and problems u may encounter and how to solve them. For those who bought PATTERNMAKING FOR FASHION DESIGN by Helen Joseph Armstrong, this book I think is the 2nd step. It shows you how to put your patterns together. Just buy the thing!!! It's great!!!

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Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers is a modern, colorful, and up-to-date sewing guide that teaches fashion design students the construction skills they'll need to execute their original designs in a professional environment. Each chapter covers a particular theme such as seams, collars, and zippers and reflects the order of assembly of any garment, offering many insights into techniques appropriate to varying levels of proficiency. Based on their belief that it is impossible to have good designs without having accurate patternmaking and quality construction skills, Cole and Czachor hope to increase student's sewing skills, inspire their confidence, and stimulate their creative experimentation from the beginning stages through their development as successful designers.

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