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Clothing Construction
The aim of this book is to explain dressmaking procedures as clearly as a teacher might explain them by firsthand demonstration to an individual student. To this end it includes over five hundred photographs and over a hundred drawings, specially made to show construction procedures step by step as they were worked out in actual garments.
The first elements of dressmaking procedures are given in the early chapters, so that one who has never sewed before can learn to use a sewing machine, to select and check commercial patterns, and to cut out and assemble dresses.
The first seven chapters, preliminary to those on construction processes, offer such instruction for the beginner, but like the others they also include material relating to advanced work so that the reader with sewing experience can find help for her problems too.
It is believed that the inclusion of advanced as well as elementary work will give the beginner added incentive, for she should find her elementary work worth while if she sees it in terms of what she can expect to do later.
The chapters on actual construction give procedures for each major type of collar, placket, sleeve, and so on. A detailed index, as well as the many cross references in the text, give the book maximum flexibility.
The first elements of dressmaking procedures are given in the early chapters, so that one who has never sewed before can learn to use a sewing machine, to select and check commercial patterns, and to cut out and assemble dresses.
The first seven chapters, preliminary to those on construction processes, offer such instruction for the beginner, but like the others they also include material relating to advanced work so that the reader with sewing experience can find help for her problems too.
It is believed that the inclusion of advanced as well as elementary work will give the beginner added incentive, for she should find her elementary work worth while if she sees it in terms of what she can expect to do later.
The chapters on actual construction give procedures for each major type of collar, placket, sleeve, and so on. A detailed index, as well as the many cross references in the text, give the book maximum flexibility.
- GenresSewing
403 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 8, 2015
Another sewing reference book I'm always referring to. It goes into great detail and I was completely overwhelmed by it when I first started sewing but now it's the book I turn to when I want to make sure I am doing something properly. There are no shortcuts here, nor modern materials used, but if you want to perfect your craft this book will take you step by step through the best techniques.
December 28, 2014
Originally I gave this a 5-star rating but I downgraded it on accoun of the quality of the photos. In common with many books of this era, the photos are grainy and lack contrast, especially through their mid-tones. Where the photos are intended to illustrate a process this makes it very difficult to interpret the picture as much of the necessary detail is hard, if not impossible to make out.
Elsewhere, the book makes good use of line drawings which ably demonstrate techniques such as construction of cord froggings and I think the book would have been better had line drawings been more widely applied. The artistic licence that an artist can apply to emphasise certain points and downplay others is especially useful when demonstrating intricate detail. The photograph labelled 19.13, for example, illustrates a technique of inserting a decorative band made up of short lengths of bias strips, sewn to a strip of paper. These short strips are then each nipped and stitched across to secure their cinched centres and give a decorative, bow-like finish but neither is this last point described in the accompanying text nor is it mentioned in the label and it was only by giving the photograph some intense scrutiny under a good light that I was able to discern exactly what I was looking at.
Leaving the photos aside though, this book has certainly surprised me, and favourably so. I very nearly left it unpurchased; a quick flick left me unmoved and fairly sure it would offer nothing new to my groaning shelves full of similar sewing books but it was only £2.99 so I decided to buy it anyway and prepare to give it some more attention.
I am glad I did. Truly. There is a lot of emphasis on couture techniques and good and thorough coverage of such essential, if supplementary skills such as pressing.
The contents list follows:
1) sewing equipment
2) the sewing machine
3) basic hand sewing stitches
4) pattern and fabric
5) pattern alterations and fitting
6) layout, cutting and marking
7) assembling dress for fitting
8) seam construction
9) pressing
10) methods of handling fullness
11) bias and its use in cordings, bindings and folds
12) buttonholes, buttons and fasteners
13) plackets, fly fronts and concealed closings
14) pockets
15) collars, necklines and closings
16) sleeves
17) waistlines and belts
18) hems
19) decorative construction
Appendices
A) sewing supplies
B) preparing a blue chalk board
C) directions for making pressing equipment
D) home methods for shrinking fabrics
Index.
Do give it shelf room if you are lucky enough to find it.
Elsewhere, the book makes good use of line drawings which ably demonstrate techniques such as construction of cord froggings and I think the book would have been better had line drawings been more widely applied. The artistic licence that an artist can apply to emphasise certain points and downplay others is especially useful when demonstrating intricate detail. The photograph labelled 19.13, for example, illustrates a technique of inserting a decorative band made up of short lengths of bias strips, sewn to a strip of paper. These short strips are then each nipped and stitched across to secure their cinched centres and give a decorative, bow-like finish but neither is this last point described in the accompanying text nor is it mentioned in the label and it was only by giving the photograph some intense scrutiny under a good light that I was able to discern exactly what I was looking at.
Leaving the photos aside though, this book has certainly surprised me, and favourably so. I very nearly left it unpurchased; a quick flick left me unmoved and fairly sure it would offer nothing new to my groaning shelves full of similar sewing books but it was only £2.99 so I decided to buy it anyway and prepare to give it some more attention.
I am glad I did. Truly. There is a lot of emphasis on couture techniques and good and thorough coverage of such essential, if supplementary skills such as pressing.
The contents list follows:
1) sewing equipment
2) the sewing machine
3) basic hand sewing stitches
4) pattern and fabric
5) pattern alterations and fitting
6) layout, cutting and marking
7) assembling dress for fitting
8) seam construction
9) pressing
10) methods of handling fullness
11) bias and its use in cordings, bindings and folds
12) buttonholes, buttons and fasteners
13) plackets, fly fronts and concealed closings
14) pockets
15) collars, necklines and closings
16) sleeves
17) waistlines and belts
18) hems
19) decorative construction
Appendices
A) sewing supplies
B) preparing a blue chalk board
C) directions for making pressing equipment
D) home methods for shrinking fabrics
Index.
Do give it shelf room if you are lucky enough to find it.
May 31, 2013
Another great reference book!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews