Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

text book
I've purchase many books for sewing instructions & tips. But this one is awesome for specific details, and has very clear and concise directions.

Like a home sewing course
I bought this book to fill in the gaps left from being self-taught sewing. It more than meets this brief. Combined with the workbook to go with this book, I feel that by the end of completing the exercises I will have a much better foundation to take my domestic sewing to the next level as well as a comprehensive set of samples to refer back to.

After buying the book, I realised that it could be used as a foundation to teach my daughter how to sew for herself. She prefers to be shown what to do, whereas I like to work things out for myself so this book is going to be well used over the next twelve months and hopefully longer.

what you need to know
this book covers most of what you will need to know about garment construction for designers.
i use this book as reference for students and myself on different projects when questions arise!

One of the Best!
In the past several weeks I have checked out all the major titles in sewing instruction from the library, to suss them out before buying... and I've narrowed it down to two titles. This is one of them.

I have been sewing for 24 years and find this title to be the most instructional, encouraging, inspiring, and thorough. It is very well-written, and I'm enjoying reading it cover to cover. I believe it is worth the price they are asking for - as a resource for ambitious sewists. I can't believe I haven't read more of these sewing titles sooner in my sewing career -- it's a bit embarrassing, actually! I now have this title, as well as Vogue Sewing, on my Wishlist. I'm looking forward to the publication of The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques. If that is a good resource (for a quarter of the price of this one) it will supersede this one on my Wishlist!

Fairly comprehensive;
This book is definitely an improvement over the sewing book I used in school back in 1999...
but I would expect it to be as it's been nearly 11 years.That being said, the Amanda Crawford
book we were forced to purchase was not cheap at around $70.This book is analogous to parents
telling their children how when they were going to school they had to walk 5 miles in 3 foot highsnow.
It is a vast improvement over what has been available and I am definitely glad to have it.

If you were to get only 1 book, I would say this is the most comprehensive one available.
However some techniques are explained vaguely or not covered, so it is not 100%.
However, I think 93% great is still considered an A.

You should buy this book if, 1. you can't afford art school or 2. want a solid reference for most
sewing techniques and methods.

Also, I found some of the design ideas shown in the drawings to be very practical.Slightly
classic, not too avant-garde, but solid application of the techniques featured. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (10)

So many ideas!
Where do I start with this book? there are so many ideas and options here that I can't deside what to try first. I will be dyeing many things before I run out of ideas gathered from this book. Love it.

Clear and helpful
Clear instructions, helpful step-by-step photos, inspirational images: this book is what I was looking for.

Not just another Shibori book
I own 5 Shibori books all of which have their niche. THIS book is a workbook as well as a source of wonderful examples of shibori. VERY practical.

Fantastic Find
Instructions are very easy to follow and well illustrated with full color photographs. The book covers a wide range of techniques and explains them all in detail.

Beautiful photography and details
Not a book of "patterns" for you to follow...but lots of detailed instructions for many types of shibori.Beautiful photography.This book is a great reference/resource. ... Read more

Product Description
Sewing teacher Pat Moyes takes readers step-by-step thrugh the process of making pockets, from the most basic to quite complex. Moyes provides all the techniques and tricks to give every pocket a professional look. This well-organized book gives all sewers the inspiration and instruction to design and create beautifully executed pockets for any garment. 32 photos. 60 drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

I highly recommend this book
This book is an excellent reference for someone who wants a good pocket reference or someone who wants to take their pocket sewing skills to the next level.I highly recommend this book.The author gives great directions and ideas. I only wish that she gave some insight and/or suggestions as to how to create some of the high-end design details she pictures as suggestions.

This is a great resource guide to learning about pockets :)
This a good book, I always had problems with sewing pockets to my garments.It has good pictures to show you how to place pockets on your garments.It helps you express your creativity with your garments.You can make all kinds of pockets.I use this book whenever I want to do something different with my garments.Very Good book indeed.

Good Book To Have!!
This book offers a variety of ways to design pockets.Unlike like the traditional "patch pockets", you need this book especially if you desire new ideals!!

OK, but not too creative
I was expecting some more creativity.Ms. Moyes delivers with instructions on lots of basic pocket styles, but I was hoping for some exotic couture stuff.She gives directions on how to make a difficult curved welt pocket, which I've seen in couture, and shaped facings covering a pocket.If you're looking for a gallery with a lot of neat-o ideas: it's not in this book.Otherwise, it gives straightforward advice on straightforward pockets.

My favorite reference book on pockets
I keep this book always in reach when I sew pockets. It is my favorite reference book as it provides instructions on an amazingly large number ofdifferently styled pockets:

CHAPTER 1: PATCH POCKETS including unlinedpatch pockets, lined patch pockets, patch pockets in sheer fabrics, patchpockets with foldover flaps and designer patch pockets. CHAPTER 2: IN-SEAMPOCKETS including side-seam pockets, slant-front pockets, waistbandconcealed in a slant-front pocket and designer in-seam pockets. CHAPTER 3:INSET POCKETS including basic inset pockets and variations of the basicinset pocket. CHAPTER 4: HIDDEN POCKETS including constructing a welt/flap,breast pocket, ticket pocket, coin pocket and zippered welt pocket.

Thisbook is very well written (as all the other books I've read from Tauntonpress). The instructions are clear, the use of diagrams and photos are veryuseful and I think this book will be of great help whether one isrelatively new to sewing or a more advanced sewer. The ideas on each typeof pocket at the end of each chapter are a challenge and an inspiration forany sewer looking out to create beautiful garments. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (10)

Bruce Smith is a master
Yes I do wish there was a bit more on lighting, but he's coming out with a new book on that.This is by far the most complete and best organized book on fashion photography I've seen.It's helped me tremendously in my work

Great overall resource, very thorough
Very well rounded book with many helpful details.As a beginner/intermediate photographer looking to expand my knowledge and enter the professional photography arena this book was perfect.

I would highly recommend it to a friend/colleague and I am reading for the second time, currently.

Waste of money
This book is so vague on everything that you might as well learn on your own by trial and error.. waste of money!

Excellent Fashion Manual
This is a very good book for someone who is aspiring to Fashion photography. It touches all aspects from location, people involved and some typical lighting examples.

Please pay attention that for UK Amazon this same book has a different cover but the contents are the same. Here is the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Digital-Fashion-Photography-Techniques/dp/1905814380/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a to it so you won't be tricked on buying both.

Best book of its kind.
I took Bruce's online course and learned a lot from the experience, not simply from reading ,but doing all the exercises, planning and shoots required to complete a fashion editorial spread.

His direct, to the point book is wonderful as it cuts to the heart of what's really involved in creating and marketing fashion imagery. No fluff, no theories, simply information gained from 30 years in the biz.
I've rarely seen any book on the arts that so squarely nails what's essential, in very clear language that leaves no room for misunderstanding.It's very obvious he's a master teacher & photographer. ... Read more

Product Description
Contributions by Thimo Teduits, San Van de Veire. Text by Luc Derycke. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Was revolutionary in it's time...
I bought this when it first came out in 2000, and remember thinking how crazy & original everything looked! But when I brought it out again in 2006 for old times sake, I couldn't help but think how childish and over-designed it all looked 6 years later.

I'll probably never buy another over-priced fashion book again after I realized this happens with every fashion book I've bought in the past. Oh well, I sold it for 3 times as much as I paid for it! Suckers!

Burn Your Clothes!
It's time that we see fashion as more than just clothing. Fashion is who we are or who we want to be. Fashion is thoughtful. Fashion is many things to many people as seen in the designs shown in this book.

"Belgian Fashion Design" tracks all of today's major Belgian fashion designers, from Ann Demeulemeester to Veronique Branquinho, and some lesser known designers; from conception of an idea to the runway, or swimming pool (depending on where the designer decides to show his or her collection).

This book has hundreds of great color and b&w photos spanning the last two decades, as well as interviews with the designers giving insite to their ideas, inspirations and reasons for designing.

"Belgian Fashion Design" is a must have for any design professional, design student or anyone who thinks clothing is more than protection of the body from the elements. ... Read more

Product Description
This quintessential guide to patternmaking offers comprehensive coverage, clear illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, providing users with all the relevant information necessary to create design patterns with accuracy regardless of their complexity.Covers the three steps in the development of design patterns—dart manipulation, added fullness, and contouring—with a central theme that all designs are based on one, or more of these three major patternmaking and design principles. Includes a fashion sketch for each project with an analysis of the design, and focuses on pattern plot and manipulation for developing the patterns. Illustrates several methods for knock-offs, and dedicates new sections on fitting corrections for the basic pattern set and the four pant foundation; menswear;patternmaking for bias-cut garments; revised drafting instructions and standard measurement charts; how to modify the bodice to fit the different sizes of bust cups; constructed support for strapless designs, and more. Presents additional and more challenging design projects for the advanced reader.For dressmakers, home sewers, manufacturing companies, and professionals in fashion design and fashion merchandising. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (57)

A Love For Sewing
Love the book! Everything is simple and easy to follow. And if there's something that you don't quite understand, the author is available to you via email! It only takes her a day or so to reply.

Not metric
Yes its my own fault i should have checked the reviews more thoroughly before buying this book, but i only seemed to read the positive ones.Book is very thorough, and has ALOT of info, but it ISN'T in metric, which is REALLY disappointing.And even though i can probably apply the same formula, the effort in converting into metric just makes me want to close it and put it back on the shelf.If your used to working in feet/inches I think it would be a great book to buy....if not, save your money!

Worth investing on for a lifetime of fashion design and pattermaking!
I ordered this book and it came in perfect condition. i love that this was a rare hardcover bound edition because my college only sell the ones in a binder which rips so easily. This makes my book stand a part from others because it looks a lot more expensive. The Drawings in the book are very nice and modernized and they are fairly easy to understand for pattern students. The designs featured are actually pretty stylish, unlike old books with 50's styles that no one wear now a day. The DVD wasn't super helpful and only includes additional stuff the book didn't cover. Love it overall and plan to keep this the rest of my career in fashion design.

Excellent book for creating commercial designs
This book is helpful in guiding first time commercial pattern making.It gives suppliers and necessary equipment.I will definately keep it as a reference book.It is written at a very high level of instructions.Sometimes it takes me several readings to understand with the instructions.I have sewn for 40 years, and have a good knowledge basis, and this book is teaching me quite a bit.Very helpful!

Pattern Making for Fashion Design
I love this book,I only wish that it was spiral bound, I thought that is what I ordered, I will get used to this though and use the book often. ... Read more

Product Description
FIGURE DRAWING FOR FASHION DESIGN offers a concise, topic by topic guide to acquiring and perfecting these skills, concentrating on the female form. The coverage provided means that this book is ideal both for those who want to apply themselves professionally to fashion design, and for all enthusiasts of drawing the human body. Fashion plates are the primary means of visualizing ideas and concepts in costume and fashion design. To give an accurate impression of what is in a designer’s mind it is vital to have complete mastery of the rules of figure drawing. Here, realism and anatomical precision are the chief values, whereas for costume and fashion, stylization and exaggeration are ways of adding individuality and verve to a plate, and of focusing attention on specific elements. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Great Help for Learning the Basics
We got this for our teenage daughter to learn the beginning steps of fashion design.I think for the reviewers who said it was too basic for them, they may be more advanced, but for beginners this is a lot of foundational groundwork to learn about drawing bodies and clothing.Each page shows drawings/ sketches, and explains the technique and how to learn to draw QUICKLY as a fashion designer presenting ideas, not just a casual sketcher.

I would recommend this for high school age and above as a first book to try out their talents and learn some of the basics.For an introduction to fashion design it is a huge and detailed volume.It covers enough of the business side of fashion design that it can help a person decide if the career would really interest them.Well worth the price!

loved this book
this is great for drawing different type of figures,
many different facial profiles and ideas for hair too

great for novice and up
I bought this book in order to help me with a Principles of Design class. It was mostly a sketching class and the book helps the student understand how the body is divided when it comes to drawing fashion and croquis. Overall, I think its a fantastic book because it also includes how to draw faces, eyes, hands, etc as well as how textures are drawn and comes with a few color sketches and ideas to get you started. The rest is up to your own imagination.

Exactly what I was looking for
This is a great book.It is exactly what I was looking for.It demonstrates how to draw the body, face, poses and fashions.

Nice pictures
I got this book and was not thrilled. It has some nice pictures, but they don't teach much about drawing. There is also nudity for no real reason. Some of the illustrations look more pin-up than fashion. I find most of the illustrations very short waisted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good illustration manual but aimed at those who can already draw and paint
I have this book and I find it excellent, however I would caution that it is aimed squarely at those who can draw, and in fact those who already know the basics of the techniques shown in the book.

The book offers many varied, full and detailed examples of how to render clothing on the clothed figure in the five core illustration techniques of watercolour, pastels, wax crayons, felt-tip pens and pencils, and ends with a brief discussion of the application of collage. It is assumed the reader knows the techniques. However, the photographic reproduction is art quality therefore individual strokes, variations in thickness of stroke and gradations in wash and pencil mark are clearly visible so the viewer learns through seeing. If you can learn by seeing and/or are the kind of artist/illustrator who sees a new idea, new style or technique and instantly wants to try it then you will probably get a lot from this book.

Incidentally, I would also suggest this book to someone who knows the basics and has reached a level where they are starting to include figures in their landscapes, cafe scenes etc. By its very nature this book includes many examples of the clothed figure, albeit all female.

Also incidentally, what explanations there are come in three languages, English, French and German.

Not what I expected
I bought this book a month ago looking for advice on how to improve my sketching techniques as a fashion designer-to-be. the book lists most of the "tools" used in fashion illustration (like pastels, pencils etc.) but misses out on explaining how to use each of these. All it does is present the reader with illustrations and state which method was used (like coloured pencil, oil pastel etc.).

I would not advise anyone to buy this book. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

My wish book
The instructions, ideas, and illustrations are beautiful.Even if I never get around to creating one of the purses, I enjoy looking at this book time and time again and dreaming of possiblities for art purse ideas.If you are a fiber artist, this book is geared toward purses as an art form, so if you enjoy new art forms, this book would be worth your time and money.

great inspirations!
This is a wonderful book to get your creative juices flowing.It's not so much a pattern book as a book to give you ideas, and suggestions to create your own work of art.This is the best book on making purses that I have found.If you are looking for a book to take you through step by step directions, then this is not the book for you.But, if you are looking to be inspired, buy it! ... Read more

Product Description
The Practical Guide to Patternmaking for Fashion Designers: Juniors, Misses, and Women offers
an in-depth look into the techniques and theories of pattern drafting for women s garments.
Covering a wide variety of styles, textiles, and sizes, this book is useful for a wide
range of pattern courses from introductory to advanced. It provides a sound introduction
to the concepts and the processes of patternmaking, as well as a more advanced analysis of
style and design. The author offers helpful techniques on taking measurements and adjusting
the fit of garments for all body sizes, patterns, and types of fabrics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

a must have book along with helen joseph armstrong
this book is not as detailed as helen joseph armstrong,but it serves the purpose of second reference material.it has photographs of how to take measurements on the body(missing in H.J.A) and illustrations for taking measurements on the stand.i had problems making the one darted basic bodice block using H.J.A,however on reading the instructions in this book, i realised that i was leaving out some tiny details like ease on the shoulder slope and like.i did have to alter my toile though, but it was a lot easier than the one i made using H.J.A. the part that i simply loved was the chapter on draping the basic 2 darted bodice and two darted skirt on the stand.this chapter is very detailed and explains the process through photos which is very helpful for the draping newbie. drafting the basic blocks like one darted bodice,basic sleeve,trousers,dartless jeans, one darted&double darted skirt block, one darted&double darted torso block,dartless torso block,jacket and coat blocks are all explained as well.all these i feel are necessary items in pattern cutting, however where it loses out is the fact that there are almost no variations given.instead it takes complete garments like a particular style of shirt(western stle) or trouser(like sailor pants) and gives you the construction process of the various components like sleeve,body,cuff,collar etc.buy it only if you find it difficult to follow instructions in H.J.A and as second reference

Excellent supplementary or 2nd pattern-drafting book
This is a great book for a more contemporary look at styles and pattern-drafting, highly relevant to 21rst-century designers. I would say this book does *not* stand alone....you need a drafting "bible" (such as Patternmaking for Fashion Design or Patternmaking Made Easy) to really make full use of this, because it is not organized in the way most drafting "bibles". Most drafting books are organized into chapters covering a specific topic (sleeves, collars, cuffs, etc), while this one presents whole projects (for example, a complete coat with cuffs, lining, pockets) to complete. This is a great way to see how all the design elements come together to form a total garment, but you need additional books because it does not cover ALL style details, some stuff is left out. Great book though!

Would someone please review this book!?
Apologies for the fake rating. One can't post here without a rating. There should be a 'review requested' button or something.

I'd like to know how this title compares to Helen Joseph Armstrong's book. What does it cover differently? Does this book cover anything that Joseph Armstrong's book does not? For example, does it cover the pants sloper thoroughly and well? Are there errors?

I *have* the Joseph Armstrong, and would greatly value another approach/point of view -- or even a second way of presenting the same material; and would love some complementary information, as well. But I prefer to minimize exact repetition. This book is not cheap, but it is affordable, so I am considering it, but can't afford to buy 'blind'. HELP!

And - it would help my decision enormously if I could see the table of contents and index online. With more information, I might buy the book. Without it, I definitely will not. ... Read more

Product Description
Starting with hand sewing - the basis for every haute couture garment - expert Claire Shaeffer guides the reader through the steps to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. She presents the sewing techniques practiced in the studios of such legendary designers as Dior, Chanel, Givenchy, and Balenciaga. Detailed instructions and illustrations make high style a snap. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (63)

Couture sewing techniques
Excellent book. Detailed and precise explanations. Good pictures and photos. A good glossary of terms and a metric equivalency chart. Very comprehensive book. A must for all those interested in couture sewing.

Excellent guide for intermediate sewists
This was one of the first "moving beyond beginner" books that I bought -- on the recommendation of my sewing instructor.I find Ms. Schaeffer's writing technique to be clear and concise.One of my biggest complaints about other books is that they may or may not show how the techniques that they are discussing are incorporated into true couture work.In this book, Ms. Schaeffer illustrates the technique, describes how you would make the technique work, and then has lovely pictures of garments by Valentino, Givenchy, Schiaparelli and other houses where they utilize the technique.

The other thing that I particularly like about this book is that -- while it assumes that the reader knows how to use a sewing machine -- it also emphasizes hand work techniques.So much of what distinguishes couture technique is exceptional, perfect hand sewing.So, that was much appreciated.

I would recommend this book for intermediate sewists -- i.e., those who have moved beyond the simple pillow case, have made a few garments, and are interested in kicking their sewing up a notch.As the title implies, it is garment-focused and the illustrations are primarily (if not exclusively) women's garments.The techniques, however, could be utilized in men's clothing as well.

Great source!
I recently purchased "Couture Sewing Techniques" to expand my knowledge about sewing. This book is just a must have source for those who intend to go into high end fashion. It leds you from history to practice by introducing a useful amount of information, charts and schemes that covers the main sewing techniques used by european couture houses throughout the years.

No waste of money at all!

Excellent Book
Anyone who is serious about sewing should have this book in their library.Its an excellent reference book with detailed photos.I've lived in Paris and have "window-shopped" in many of the fashion houses on Avenue Montaigne mentioned in this book.Highly recommended.

Cover to Cover
I like to have reference books on hand to jog my memory and expand my skills but I usually scan through them and then put them on the shelf until their needed.This book was an exception, as I read it cover to cover!The author not only clearly explains the techniques, with helpful illustrations, but she also explains why and when they are used.The photos of couture garments are inspirational and coupled with the techniques used makes one feel like similar garments are achievable in your personal sewing studio. highly recommend this book if you are looking to expand your skills. ... Read more

Product Description
Written in interview format, this text presents the techniques of 18 modern costume design masters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Inspiring
A must have for anyone interested in bettering your own renderings. Well worth the price.

a great chance to see what happens before....
This book is filled with sketches from some of the best costume designers alive!The chance to see the different sketching styles and read their interviews is a rare opportunity.The book scratches the surface, giving only few pages to each designer, but I felt that the wide scope of the book was a positive balance to that.Each designer represented is interviewed for several pages and offer their unique perspective on costume design.
Every costume design student should own this book and Lynn Pecktal needs to get working on the sequel!

Review of Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters
As a student in costume design, I found this book to be of great interest and indeed help in gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing costume designers.
The writing documents interviews of 18 professionals who tell about their lives and careers, the joys and difficulties of costume designing and the odd tip for aspiring students
The designer's sketches are plentiful and in glorious colour and while the book would not suit as a text book for costume design methodology it is an excellent source of inspiration.

Great for inspiration!
This is a great book that I bought when I was starting out in costuming.I found it to be a fun read for those who are interested in costume design.It isn't really a resourse book, but if you love costuming or design, it has wonderful interviews with famous costume designers that I found interesting and inspiring.For those times of the year that I wonder why I am still in the costume business (October) this is a great book to rekindle my love for design and theatre.The renderings are beautiful.For designers who do renderings, these would be good to refer to, to see different styles of presentation.

Not what you think it is...
While this book is absolutely gorgeous, it isn't a book *about* costume rendering.It's not a how-to book, but I'll add that it's a wonderful book for inspiration.The text portion (that I find is often skipped over in favor of looking at the pretty pictures) is worth a read as well, since it goes into some detail on various costumers' processes.Good book, but not an essential read for costume students. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Excellent
I purchased this book because of my interest in marketing, brand management and luxury goods. This book receives full 5 stars from me. It is THE book to learn a lot about brand management for luxury fashion and it is really no surprise why this book was chosen by Harvard Business School for its students. I am highly recommending this book.

Luxury Insider
Uché Okonkwo's book, Luxury Fashion Branding has been a reference for me and my colleagues since I discovered it two years ago. I have read it twice and found it very well researched, in-depth and very relevant for both fashion and other areas of luxury. It is also a pleasant read, with all the colour pictures etc. I have since had the opportunity to meet the author and I must say that she is one to admire. Thank you Uché for this book and I hope there will be more books from you on luxury in the future. We're waiting....

Save your money!!
This book might be OK for very very young readers with no previous exposure to business and especially brand marketing. It is very simplistic and shows very little new insight into the luxury industry and the luxury consumer. Very little up to date information has been included and as I read the book I wondered why I was wasting my time. No mention of consumer psychology leaves the book shallow and very disappointing. I find it strange that there have been positive reviews.

Skip It, there are better books on the subject.
After reading The Luxury Strategy (Kapferer, Bastien) and this book, I have to say that the former is FAR superior. Although both appear to be about the same topic, they COMPLETELY contradict each other on many topics. I don't think Okonkwo understands the concept of a true luxury product. I found that Luxury Fashion Branding made a lot of generalized claims about the luxury industry and the luxury consumer without using any fact or references to back up the statements. I was actually offended by some of the statements, for example "The luxury consumer has a disposable attitude". HUH??? Buying a luxury product is about buying something of high quality that will last a life time, not something you dispose of after a few months. Also "The authority in the luxury market now belongs to customers and they know it"- this is a ridiculous claim, if the customers are in control then why are people eager to sit on a waiting list for 2 years to own a Ferarri or 5 years for a Hermes bag. I would highly recommend The Luxury Strategy over this book!

Common Sense Advice
while there's nothing specifically objectionable about this book, most of the author's recommendations are a bit obvious to anyone remotely familiar with luxury brands and the luxury industry. thematic organization is also a bit lacking between chapters - there's a tendency to jump around somewhat.

overall, a decent book for anyone with no experience in luxury. still, it's difficult to take any book very seriously that includes Macy's and Coach in the luxury category. ... Read more

Product Description
fabulous line drawings and 14 Harper’s Bazar covers, 8 in full color. Erté’s exotic temptresses with tassels, fur muffs, long trains, coifs, more. "Imaginative and colorful...A fascinating glimpse into the development of fashion."—Arts Review (London).
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

This book shows why ERTE` was so popular....
This book shows why ERTE` was so admired and so popular during the 1920's-1930's and beyond.

I have always wanted to see ERTE's drawings from Harper`s because those drawings are what ERTE` was (and is)known for. Well, this large paperback book introduces the reader to some of the exciting and creative designs that ERTE` created and printed in HARPER'S BAZAAR during the 1920's and 1930's.

"WOW", is the word I have to apply to the Harper's drawings created by ERTE`!! His designs were ABSOLUTELY ahead of their time! His designs were completely amazing and creative! Erte's drawings showed the type of clothes worn by famous Hollywood actresses during the 1920-1930's!! (I can visualize Joan Crawford wearing a fabulous Erte` design!)

There are a few colored HARPER`S magazine cover reproductions in the middle of this book, but the black and white line drawings that ERTE` included in the HARPER's magazines are what draws the reader to this book.

Pleased
This book is great.Erte was a genius.I love looking through this book and only wish I could sew some of the fashions.

Fashion Drawings and Illustrations from "Harper's Bazar"
As a designer of embroidery designs, this one was a winner for me.I love all of the publicatins from Dover!

Just Fabulous-bought another copy after I wore the 1stout!
Great graphics, imaginative design, fabulous period reference.Outstanding in every way!

Quaint text and dynamite illustrations of original fashion
Vogue editor Diana Vreeland once said that no one in the 20th century had a greater influence on fashion than Erte, this desite the fact that he worked for a competitor, Harper's Bazaar. That's an indication of just howrevolutionary his work was for the times. Working with virtually nodirection to blunt his creativity, Erte published paintings and sketches ofingenious fashions that are as playful and lighthearted as they areluxurious and exquisite. He envisioned modern women (from 1915 to 1926) asgoddesses, ultra-chic stars, children of nature, and totally femininecreatures to be adored and exalted. His fashions reflect this,individualistic and charming, colorful and startlingly functional. The 8color covers and many B/W illustrations show insight into a dimension offashion that one normally sees only on the show runways: the never-endingwell of creativity brought to life by a truly inventive mind unhamperedwith concerns of marketability. Peruse the illustrations and noticeallusions to gardens, paper-weaving, architecture, tennis, various membersof the animal kingdom, ceremonial draperies, sailing ships, and flames.Dresses, coats, masks, swimming costumes, sleepwear, and gowns allornamented with beads, fur trim, sheer draperies, corded lacings, silverembroidery, leather and straw. Practical? Not really. Mass manufacturing?Not in a million years. This is extreme fashion, the stuff of couture, suchas would be worn to the salon of writers and intellectuals. Erte loved bestto design for the stage, and the drama and fantasy of theater is inevidence in each ornate illustration. Although for 3 years he produceddesigns for Altman and Bendel in NY, most of his work was strictlyconceptual, and many readers of Harper's saved covers and sketches to museover as they would an art history volume, as evidence of another world.Ignoring fashion trends, Erte generated innovative and outre designs thatstill amaze and delight those of us who appreciate true originality. I'drecommend this book to anyone interested in textile or fashion design, butalso to graphic designers, sculptors, and those who really enjoy art forits own sake. This book is, in one word: luscious. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A life saver!
Before this book I barely felt comfortable drawing stick figures, but now I feel confident and proud of my costume sketches!This book is also great because while it teaches you the essentials, it still leaves room for you to develop your own style.It is a must for artists and non-artists alike!

excellent book
this is a great book for teaching the beginning designer figure drawing.It goes step by step through the process, then explains variations.I strongly recommend it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Mitchenor rocks!
Thank you, Mitchenor!The book I ordered arrived promptly and the condition of the book is better than I expected it would be.I definitely recommend this vendor.

Ok but too simple
Was hoping for more in-depth detail.Pictures are not the greatest.Good for the office to help less experienced co-workers.I'm in the fashion industry.

Great book - one of the few focusing exclusively on men's wear
Overview:
This book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn about tailoring a men's suit jacket & pants. It provides detailed instructions on every step of the process, from selecting the threads, materials, and fabrics, to laying out patterns, to sewing in the canvas, etc. It also provides very useful instructions on modifying store bought jacket patterns to fit varying body types (e.g. sloped / broad shoulders, wide /thin body, erect posture, bow legs etc.).

This book completely eliminates the need for the instructions which come with the pattern. And it also gives instructions on how to modify the pattern style (e.g. changing vents, lined or unlined jackets, changing pants pocket styles etc.). As the book states: "all you will use from a pattern envelope are the basic pattern pieces: the jacket front, side panel and back, the sleeve and the undercollar. You will be able to create the rest of the jacket on your own."

A few drawbacks:
The book contains both line drawings and photographs. The luckily, most of the illustrations are the line drawings which are simple and very useful. However, in the paperback version which I purchased brand-new from Amazon (perhaps the only version still in print) the photographs are extremely dark, and hard to see. They look and feel almost as though they were photocopied (poorly) from the original B&W pics in the hardcover book.This was, in my view, the biggest disappointment of this book.

As well, though not necessarily a drawback, it should be noted that the book focuses only on the "Classic" tailoring techniques (i.e. custom / hand stitching method). Those seeking information on the quicker (though inferior) machine and fusible methods of jacket construction will find no help.

Conclusion:
This is perhaps the most in-depth book you will find on men's jacket construction still in print today. It is used (I believe) in college courses on tailoring and fashion, and it is not difficult to see why. The smallest details are covered, and innumerable options are provided for customizing a jacket to your exact style and taste. If it wasn't for the terrible picture quality I would probably have rated it a 5.

As a side note,I found that it was useful to supplement the low resolution photographs in this book with the full colour photographs in Tailoring: The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket(though the latter focuses mainly on women's clothing, many of the techniques overlap). With the two of these books one will be well armed to construct a very nice men's suit.

?
This book is for persons who are just starting out, not tailors.It is good to have reference books in your library but this book has the same construction directions that a vogue men's pattern has in it.If this book costed 5 or 10 dollars it would be worth it but not for this price. Thank you

Difficult read
This book is not for beginning sewers!It's not an easy book to get through.If you are really ready to make a suit jacket that will be comparable to $1,000 designer jackets, I'd recommend you also have on hand Tailoring: The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket.The pictures in that book are much clearer and easier to follow.And that book shows methods of tailoring with fusible interfacing.

Also, the Zapp Method of Couture Sewing has a great chapter on sewing a tailored jacket.Still, I do believe that a really fine jacket needs to use sew-in hymo hair canvas just as Roberto Cabrera (the author) recommends.It makes a tremendous difference.

If you must use fusibles, then Anna Zapp's method using Fusible Acro is best.I think, however, you will find it eventually separates after many dry cleanings.

You'll most likely need the internet to find these interfacings because places like Jo-Anne's certainly don't carry them! ... Read more

Product Description
KET BENEFIT: CFMF teaches the skills and techniques that enable new ideas for fashion to be communicated with precision and flair, showing the way forward for a new generation of fashion designers. CFMF teaches how to draw fashion using colored markers, a medium that is easy to use, convenient, inexpensive and easy to learn. CFMF includes step-by-step drawings and photo sequences as well as clear and complete textural explanations that provide all the technical information and expert guidance needed to draw all types of modern garments. Photos of actual applications of technique with accompanying text. Unprecedented in linking fasion and Color/Design theory and illustrating the concepts using examples from fashion. Explains how to use color effectively in defining the tones used on the face, body and hair, for all skin tone colors and hair types. Shows how to draw garments of every type of a wide range of different fabrics. Designed to be used by readers of all levels of ability. Also an invaluable source of reference, inspiration and pleasure to everyone interested and involved in modern fashion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great Buy!
I love this book!It shows you how to render everything and gives you in depth review of how to render fabric. Great buy!Recommended for everyone!

Detailed and Beautiful
I purchased this book to help me increase my fashion drawing knowledge.I have taken a fashion Illustration course in college, but we spent very little time discussing colored drawings.This book really tries to address the needs of illustrators at all levels.This topic is suprising complex, and this book tries to simplify the process by giving detailed explainations in specific chapters dedicated to shading the figure, creating specific fabrics, ect.I love this book- the illustrations are gorgeous, and there are a lot of them.The 3-4 step process makes it look (deceptively) easy, but I think that it is going to take me quite a bit of time and practice before I can really replicate anything well.

Absolutely love it
This is a book that I have had my eye on forever (since I love her other book, 9 Heads), but since there weren't any sample pages, I didn't feel like spending money on something that I knew nothing about (the blocks of yellow don't really tell you anything about the content). I recently googled the book and found examples, and thought it looked great. The next order I placed, the book was included. I had some shipping issues (it was about two hours North of me in Richmond in the CA Bay Area, then it went all the way to Philadelphia, then back to Richmond, and about 10 days after it was sent I finally got it), but I have had hundreds of positive experiences with Amazon, so I'm not really bothered by it. I opened the book and flipped through it 3 times before being able to put it down. Although meant as an instructional book for rendering fashion with markers (with the help of some other tools, like colored pencils), I enjoyed it as a book of fashion illustration as well. I could just sit and look at it without ever picking up a marker, as I could look at 9 Heads without picking up a pencil. I recommend them both!

I hope that Amazon starts adding sample pages to all their books. Think of all the money they would make! I hate to judge a book by its cover, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has put off buying a book, or decided not to buy it, ever, because they didn't know what was in it.

Amazing book to teach you color!
This is one of the best books to own if you're doing any type of color illustrations. This has excellent color guides and shows many techniques. This book cannot get any better!

great
Great book on fashion illustration. High quality drawings. There are tutorials for each chapter which you can do yourself. The only thing I would comment is that the book should be proofread before printing. ... Read more

Product Description
Move from fabric lover to fabric designer! Discover simple techniques for making dazzling original fabrics that will add texture and dimension to any fabric-based project you create. Learn to "capture" colorful items--such as threads, ribbons, yarns, lace, silk flowers, beads, glitters, and more--under a layer of sheer fabric to create fascinating one-of-a-kind designs.

Fantasy Fabrics includes step-by-step instructions for creating one beautiful piece of fantasy fabric, along with more than 100 variations on the basic method. Find inspiration for using your new fabrics in quilt blocks and borders, whole-cloth quilts, clothing, frames, and more with over 60 full-color photographs that showcase a range of extraordinary fantasy fabrics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Famtasy Fabrics
If you are a crafter,you will love this book. A used copy is a treasure. Books are quite expensive.It gives good advice on embellishing fabrics. For quilting or scrapbooking. I really loved it and the price. Try to save on a used copy. It will inspired you to buy more craft items.

Quilts and quilts
I got this as a gift from someone who knows I quilt. I have mixed feelings, and most of it is because I quilt for utility and beauty, and this is a technique that seems more suited to beauty.

The instructions are clear, and give you lots of directions to go off on your own, as well as lots of useful pointers (if you're using glitter, remember that gravity will affect things). The results are gorgeous.

That said, I don't know that this book serves my needs for something that can be washed again and again, thrown on beds and floors and grass, and stand up to the rigors of quilt-like use as opposed to wallhanging art-piece news.

If you are looking for an interesting way to add depth and sparkle to your art pieces, this is the book for you. If you plan to wrap a scared dog in what you make, not so much.

A very creative technique
You know all those beautiful floral applique quilts you have pictured in your mind?The ones you will stitch when you have time?Fantasy Floral Quilts by Bonnie Lyn McCaffery teaches a very clever method for creating floral quilts by capturing silk flowers under a layer of sheer fabric.

I found this book to be well-illustrated, packed with content, and offering an approachable can-do style.Very detailed quilt examples accompany every technique. Twisted Branches is one of Bonnie's clever techniques for creating a unique and realistic "branch" look and gave me a great idea for a Tree of Life quilt.

Bonnie teaches how to apply color schemes, color value, and flower positioning. One very creative suggestion was to view silkflowers as flowing blocks of color, adding dimension to landscape quilts. Embellishments of thread, beads, buttons, charms, and silk ribbons are an integral part of Fantasy Floral quilting. I really liked the french knots created from silk ribbons and used for flower centers.

Fantasy Floral Quilts by Bonnie Lyn McCaffery is a fun, creative book for all quilters and is a great second step for fans of her first book, Fantasy Fabrics: Techniques for Layered Surface Design.

Fantasy Fabrics by Bonnie McCaffery
This is a wonderfully visual book with page after page of inspirational photos of the artist/author's exotic quilts (and works by other talented textile artists) and her methods of creating the most amazing textures through her layered surface design techniques.It iseasy to read with photos laid out very clearly alongside theappropriate directionsand it includes ideas for using both traditional objects and not so traditional, all done with a particular artistic effect in mind.

This book is an excellent source of information on creating truly exciting textures with textiles as well as being just sheer pleasure to thumb through for inspiration with its brilliant use of colour.

Create Your Own Fabric For A One-Of-A-Kind Look
Here are some excerpts from my review of this book. You can see the complete review on the Quilter's Review website.

"Have you ever looked for fabric but couldn't find exactly what you wanted? Maybe you found a great print, but it was a little too bright. Or you found something close, but you really wished it had some gold sparkles in it....

"Bonnie Lyn McCaffery shows you how to create the fabric you want, and how to have fun doing it.

"Bonnie has worked out all the details of turning run-of-the-mill fabric into something not only personal, but spectacular. The only limit is your imagination. And if your imagination is limited, Bonnie will help you with that, too.

"Bonnie's technique begins with a base fabric. Cotton, the choice of most quilters, works well, but so do silks, satins, metallics, and many others. To the base fabric she applies a sheer fabric to add a shadow layer, or to create a slight color change. She explains the properties of the different base and top fabrics, and how they work together....

"I collected a printed invitation, small silk flowers, and a folding fan from a bat mitzvah, and have been trying to figure out how to incorporate them into something to commemorate the occasion. I'd thought my only choice was to make a shadow box or frame for these memories, even though I really want to make a quilt. But now, Bonnie's book has given me the ideas and know-how I needed to create a commemorative quilt.

"I can't remember when I've had so much fun playing with fabric. Thanks to Bonnie's book, I now have a whole new relationship with my stash." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

hard to get, but not bad
Considering the specialization of the subject, it is well done.I would have liked more emphasis on the history of velvet, though.However, I think it is a good addition to the fiber enthusiast's collection.

If you love velvet...
Lots of detail and some fascinating details.

Fashions, furnishings and more
Lots of fun for the costume historian, and inspiring for any home sewer, this book shows velvets from about 1450 C.E. to the present and how they were used in fashion and interior decoration.There's also a nice section at the end on the techniques of weaving and dyeing.While the content is great, I do have some complaints about the quality of the book: the captions needed to be proofread, as there are a lot of misspellings and typos; and some of the color reproductions are just muddy enough that one cannot see clearly the details of the fashions.But I don't know of any other book like this one, so it gets my recommendation for costumers and fashion historians. ... Read more

Product Description
With the growing trend of licensing apparel, accessories, and home fashions under a single
logo, today s students must expand their portfolios to include concepts with broader applications.
Marker Rendering for Fashion, Accessories, and Home Fashions provides detailed
instructions for marker rendering methods relevant to a variety of products. Allowing
designers to express their ideas immediately, the marker is an essential tool for the design
professional. The author s step-by-step instructions provide a sound introduction to the
skills that students need, and teaches methods of overlapping media applications for an
assortment of colors, patterns, and materials. The lessons are taught as a progression of
skills, building slowly from basic to complex rendering methods used in the design
industry today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Amazing!
This textbook is absolutely amazing, clear, concise and extremely helpful. Very well put together and thorough. ... Read more