Customer Reviews

Couture Sewing Techniques

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Having tried to find books for advanced home and hobby sewers in German (almost impossible), I came across this book, and have never regretted buying it a single second. And having aimed at perfecting my skills with regard to creating wardrobe, I was amazed about how little I have known so far. Why could I not find such book a lot earlier!!
Even while browsing through it, a lot of questions that I had always had were simply solved by reading instructions, and by the conciseness of the illustrations. My only - personal - problem is that the language is quite technical, and at worst, I have to read with a dictionary by my side, as my English is not so advanced on technical discussion level, but all of Ms Shaeffers instructions are self-explanatory and very precise.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone ready for a new challenge in spicing up their wardrobes. And yes, even if you 'only' use the odd trick here and there, your clothes will start looking different - much more professional - as you start paying more and more attention to little details, and learn to avoid mistakes by focusing on how something should really look like - not that I wasn't focused on what I was doing before, but this is like the difference between your first watercolours and your first picture in an exhibition.
Thank you, Ms Shaeffer, for taking the time to write this absolutely, truly, wonderful book, and keeping good traditions alive.

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.

I own several of Claire B. Shaeffer's books, and I prize each one. However, this is my favorite. If you are interested in learning haute couture sewing techniques, this is the book for you. The book accurately and thoroughly describes and illustrates many techniques that will assist you in producing beautiful, well-made, and long-lasting garments for yourself or for others.

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.

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.

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.

This is an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to take the next step toward creating exquisite, professional garments. It will transform your sewing from finished to "professionally finished". It is accessible even to beginners who have reached the level of creating a basic garment.

The book is clearly written and walks you step-by-step through the most simple hem to complicated padding techniques, frequently using drawings to help visualize the instructions.

Shaeffer includes background information and uses for each technique, as well as beautiful color photos of dresses and suits from Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Dior and others as examples. The book is a beautiful piece of publishing on its own, using fine paper, endpapers and backing, making owning the book as pleasureable as working with it.

As a student in fashion design at Parsons School of Design in New York City, I have found Couture Sewing Techniques to be the book I turn to most often as a resource for sewing my designs. I couldn't recommend it more highly

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.

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.