Couture Sewing Techniques

Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointing
Review: After hearing so much regarding this book from peers and followers of Ms. Shaeffer, I was disappointed to find the book offers little in terms of true couture technique -- it seems more of an abridged edition of some of the more complete sewing technique manuals. I am hard-pressed to find anything in this volume that I could not have learned in other, more well-rounded guides, and to top it off, several of the techniques and ALL of the stylings in this book are out dated.

As other reviewers have mentioned, several of the techniques are not accompanied with pictures, and the instructions for some techniques are difficult to understand even with illustration (unless you already understand the techniques -- then why purchase this book?)

I'd purchased this in hopes to add some new techniques to my repertoire, and being that I've already studied seamstressing for many years, I thought this was the ideal place to begin. I was wrong, and regret spending my money on a small volume containing no information I couldn't have found in greater detail on the internet for free.

Rating:
Summary: A truly wonderful book
Review: An excellent, excellent book. Beautiful to look at, and wonderful for all seamstresses.

This book is good in particular for costume/ historical sewers. It describes each technique it detail, and revives the fine art of hand sewing. It also outlines embellishing methods, such as couching, beading, and so on. If you want to bring your sewing to the level of true art, this is the book for you. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: couture Sewing techniques
Review: Fantastic book, hand sewing techniques being the art in itself. Written in a friendly way, making it possible to achieve a really finished fit and look for the clothes. Details on how to make clothes structurally is something you always wanted to know, and this book gives a profound help. Not as nice layout as in High Fashion Sewing Secrets, which has better print quality, larger font and clearer pictures. Copy I received is even smudgy partly.

Rating:
Summary: A Fine Finish
Review: I have encountered a good deal of frustration in learning to sew because it seems that most of the books available focus on sewing things fast and taking shortcuts. Given that one can buy inexpensive, fashionable clothes at Target or Ross Dress for Less, my focus in sewing is to make clothes that are better than what I can afford to buy. If you want to take the time to give your clothes the best possible finish inside and out, this is the book. The instructions are clearly written. The only draw-back to some readers might be that the book is written in narrative form. Use a hilighter while you read so you can easily find the techniques you want to use. Also, the techniques are sometimes not illustrated.

Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I was looking for
Review: I wanted to learn what differentiates a haute couture garment from a ready-to-wear garment or a garment custom-made by a seamstress or tailor. Then, I wanted to know HOW to incorporate couture quality into a custom garment. This book gives just enough history of the haute couture industry and a very detailed description of haute couture processes. The numerous hand stiches are explained in detail, along with where to use each stitch and which threads are appropriate. The first section of the book explains the couture process and techniques in detail. In addition to the above, it includes garment shaping, edge finishes and closures. The author also references techniques common to home sewing, but does not waste time describing them since they are readily available in other sewing books. The remainder of the book describes examples of different garment types and gives construction and fitting techniques unique to each type of garment. Each page is an education and the illustrations (photographs and artwork) are well selected to illustrate the techniques and results. With the anecdotal information the author provides, it's like a virtual field trip. This book is a pleasure to read and a gold mine of information.

Rating:
Summary: A good start
Review: I was so excited when I first got this book. I thought I was going to enter the world of couture and not have to go to France. I like how the author talks about the couture world, it gave me a lot of inspirationg. When it got down to technique, I thought some of the descriptions were a bit confusing and I wish the author would have said more on pressing. She showed the pressing tools, but did not explain the techniques in using them. Other than that I thought this was a very excellent book on couture for someone beginning to study it.

Rating:
Summary: How interested in haute-couture are you?
Review: The reviewer who said "not for the faint hearted" was understating. High fashion details, starting with the truly bizarre jacket on the cover, are probably not for the majority of us. The photos are an interesting history of fashion but I don't know how much of the interesting touches and admittedly time-consuming processes would find their way into anything I sew. I don't necessarily want my clothes to last forever and end up in the Smithsonian, so I would not recommend this unless you are really, really into detailed, multi-process construction work.

Rating:
Summary: couture Sewing techniques
Review: This book provides a lot of history and inspiration to the advanced seamster. It really helps you break out of "in the box" thinking. Lots of gorgeous pictures and techniques to drool over. However, most are only a dream for all but the most advanced sewers.

Rating:
Summary: Not just pretty pictures
Review: Though there are wonderful pictures of couture garments, this is a how-to book. It is filled with detailed instruction and many easy to follow diagrams. "Haute Couture" is defined, and the chapter "Inside the World of Haute Couture" will be of interest to anyone who loves sewing or clothing. Then she goes on to discuss many couture techniques and applies them to a number of garments that any intermediate sewer could duplicate. This is how you get from intermediate to advanced! The best book I've found for information on women's tailoring, and it includes my favorite reference when someone asks me how to make bound buttonholes. If you want to take your sewing to the next level, get this book in your library.

Rating:
Summary: Not just pretty pictures
Review: Though there are wonderful pictures of couture garments, this is a how-to book. It is filled with detailed instruction and many easy to follow diagrams. "Haute Couture" is defined, and the chapter "Inside the World of Haute Couture" will be of interest to anyone who loves sewing or clothing. Then she goes on to discuss many couture techniques and applies them to a number of garments that any intermediate sewer could duplicate. This is how you get from intermediate to advanced! The best book I've found for information on women's tailoring, and it includes my favorite reference when someone asks me how to make bound buttonholes. If you want to take your sewing to the next level, get this book in your library.