For the past week and a half, I’ve been spending some of my free time reading my latest book, The Dressmaker’s Technique Bible. Not only does this book help you select styles that will flatter your shape, but also illustrates various techniques that will help you accomplish your look.
Like most sewing books, the “Getting Started” section of the book covers the basics needed before you start sewing – tools, a variety of scissors (and their uses), the styles of pins and thread (how and went to use both), and notions. The author also covers how to understand pattern markings, a brief introduction to adapting a pattern, and pattern selection. The best part of this book is the Body Shapes Guide which helps you identify your figure and suggests styles that will flatter your shape.
The rest of the book is devoted to garment construction and embellishment. Various techniques are discussed – everything from seam styles, darts, and tucks, to gathering sleeves, inserting different styles of zippers, and buttonholes. Each technique has numerous illustrations andor photographs of how to achieve the desired result as well as a brief description of the tools and materials needed.
So, what’s the bottom line? I really liked it. I thought it was a good reference tool that brought together a lot of techniques and good ideas. Although this is a book that beginners will find the most helpful, I’m keeping my close by my sewing table because the illustrations are so through you never know when you need to learn a new technique or bone up on a rusty one!