MTU Library Catalogue

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Couture sewing techniques / Claire B. Shaeffer.

By: Shaeffer, Claire B [author].
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Newtown, CT : Taunton Press, [2011]Copyright date: ©2011Edition: Revised and updated.Description: 250 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm.Content type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 9781600853357 (paperback); 1600853358 (paperback).Subject(s): Dressmaking | Tailoring (Women's)DDC classification: 646.4
Contents:
Part one: The basics of Couture sewing -- Inside the world of Haute Couture -- The art of hand sewing -- Shaping the garment -- Edge finishes -- Closures -- Part two: Applying Couture techniques -- Skirts & pants -- Blouses & dresses -- Sleeves -- Pockets -- Jackets & coats -- Designing with fabric -- Special occasions.
Summary: "The world of haute couture is a place where only a privileged few can ever hope to reside, right? Wrong. Fashion historian Claire B. Shaeffer opened the door to this exclusive realm in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, the industry bible, Couture Sewing Techniques, has been revised and updated throughout -- with new photos and a chapter on specialty fabrics. No one can unravel couture garment construction the way Schaeffer can, from the art of hand sewing to mastering edge finishes, from classic closures to shaping a garment for a perfect fit. Readers learn all the basics -- and more importantly: how to apply the techniques -- on skirts and sleeves, pockets and jackets, evening gowns, and more. Gorgeous photos, clear illustrations, and concise language combine to make this the most complete couture-sewing course available"--Provided by publisher.Summary: "Best-selling couture sewing reference that presents in clear photos and illustrations and concise prose the basics and applications of couture sewing, as well as its cultural importance"--Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Barcode
General lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 646.4 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 00218789
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

If you can sew, you can sew couture.

Fashion historian and couture expert Claire B. Shaeffer opens the door to the techniques used in the world's most prestigious fashion houses. In this revised and updated edition of the classic reference, she demystifies couture garment construction and shows sewers how to apply professional methods to garments of every type.

No one explains couture construction more clearly than Shaeffer. From hand sewing and edge finishes to closures, shaping, tailoring, and specialty fabrics, she reveals the techniques that give couture garments their exceptional fit, structure, and beauty.

Inside you'll learn:

* Couture hand-sewing methods
* Edge finishes and professional garment details
* Closures, pockets, sleeves, and jackets
* Tailoring and garment shaping techniques
* Working with specialty fabrics
* Techniques for skirts, eveningwear, and more
* How to apply couture methods to your own projects

Featuring hundreds of color photographs, detailed illustrations, and clear step-by-step instruction, Couture Sewing Techniques remains one of the most respected resources available for home sewers, dressmakers, tailoring enthusiasts, and fashion design students seeking professional results.

Bibliography: (pages 244-246) and index.

Part one: The basics of Couture sewing -- Inside the world of Haute Couture -- The art of hand sewing -- Shaping the garment -- Edge finishes -- Closures -- Part two: Applying Couture techniques -- Skirts & pants -- Blouses & dresses -- Sleeves -- Pockets -- Jackets & coats -- Designing with fabric -- Special occasions.

"The world of haute couture is a place where only a privileged few can ever hope to reside, right? Wrong. Fashion historian Claire B. Shaeffer opened the door to this exclusive realm in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, the industry bible, Couture Sewing Techniques, has been revised and updated throughout -- with new photos and a chapter on specialty fabrics. No one can unravel couture garment construction the way Schaeffer can, from the art of hand sewing to mastering edge finishes, from classic closures to shaping a garment for a perfect fit. Readers learn all the basics -- and more importantly: how to apply the techniques -- on skirts and sleeves, pockets and jackets, evening gowns, and more. Gorgeous photos, clear illustrations, and concise language combine to make this the most complete couture-sewing course available"--Provided by publisher.

"Best-selling couture sewing reference that presents in clear photos and illustrations and concise prose the basics and applications of couture sewing, as well as its cultural importance"--Provided by publisher.

Excerpt provided by Syndetics

After the original Couture Sewing Techniques was published, I visited the workrooms of James Galanos shortly before he retired. He insisted initially that he was not a couturier since most of designs were sold in stores. I disagree; the standards which he set were of the highest quality so I have included him in this edition. More recently, I visited the workrooms of Chado Ralph Rucci--the only American invited to show his designs with the couture collections in Paris. He is a master of the art and the craft of haute couture. Shortly before I began the revision, I had the opportunity to work with Phyllis Magidson, the curator at the Museum of the City of New York, on a project that focused on Mainbocher and Charles Frederick Worth. This research expanded my knowledge of techniques used in the first hundred years of haute couture while reminding me that many techniques which I had written about earlier had changed little, if at all. This edition includes several photographs from that project.   Many of the photographs in the first edition were no longer available so I've selected many new ones from the Chicago History Museum, The Ohio State University, Phoenix Art Museum, and Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising as well as from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Metropolitan Museum of Art. I've also included photographs of many garments in my personal collection.   No matter what your sewing expertise, this book will expand your horizons. Most importantly, it is a practical guide for learning the craft of haute couture, but it will also provide new ideas for applying the techniques which you already know. Some techniques are less suitable for beginners and some are impractical for everyday sewing; but most will be of value to the average home-sewer and can be used on a wide range of garments and fabrics. I hope you'll experiment with the techniques and look for new ways to apply them when you sew.   Like most of you, I have a limited amount of time to sew and cannot make all garments a la couture. For some garments, I mix couture methods with ready-to-wear and traditional home-sewing techniques to achieve the results I want. I encourage you to do the same. Use this book as a resource, whether you limit your couture sewing to a detail here and there or decide to make an entire garment from beginning to end with couture techniques.   I find sewing by hand and with couture techniques extremely rewarding. The pleasure of both making and wearing beautifully constructed garments far exceeds the time and effort required to complete them. I hope this book will help you develop the same skills and perfect old ones, and in turn, reward you with years of pleasure--and a closet full of beautifully made garments. --Claire Sheaffer Excerpted from Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised and Updated by Claire Shaeffer All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Claire B. Shaeffer is a respected couture expert, fashion historian, lecturer, instructor, and author whose work has helped generations of sewers master professional garment construction techniques. She has written numerous books on sewing, tailoring, fabrics, and couture methods, including the bestselling Couture Sewing Techniques . Through her teaching, writing, and research, Shaeffer has become one of the most recognized authorities on couture sewing and fashion craftsmanship. She lives in California.