The Sewing Book

404 Pages·2009·84.68 MB·english

by  Alison Smith

SEWING
E
H
BT OOK
CLOTHES • HOME ACCESSORIES • BEST TOOLS
STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUES • CREATIVE PROJECTS
ALISON SMITH

SEWING
E
H
BOOK
T
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SEWING
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H
BOOK
T
ALISON SMITH
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London, New York, Melbourne,
Munich, and Delhi
PROJECT EDITOR
Norma MacMillan
PROJECT DESIGNERS
Viv Brar
Nicola Collings
Mandy Earey
Heather McCarry
PHOTOGRAPHY
Peter Anderson (Tools and Techniques)
Kate Whitaker (Projects)
For Dorling Kindersley
PROJECT EDITOR Ariane Durkin
PROJECT ART EDITOR Caroline de Souza
MANAGING EDITOR Dawn Henderson
MANAGING ART EDITOR Christine Keilty
SENIOR JACKET CREATIVE Nicola Powling
SENIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR Jenny Woodcock
SENIOR PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Mandy Inness
CREATIVE TECHNICAL SUPPORT Sonia Charbonnier
First American Edition, 2009
Published in the United States by
DK Publishing
375 Hudson Street
New York, New York 10014
09 10 11 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
SD397—04/09
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley Limited
All rights reserved
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part
of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means
(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise),
without the prior written permission of both the copyright
owner and the above publisher of this book.
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited.
A catalog record for this book is
available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978–0–7566–4280–8
DK books are available at special discounts when purchased
in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or educational use.
For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014 or [email protected].
Color reproduction by MDP, UK
Printed and bound in China by L.Rex Printing Co. Ltd
Discover more at
www.dk.com
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S Introduction 6 Pockets 210
Hems and edges 226
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TOOLS 10
Fasteners 248
N
Linings and interfacings 274
Sewing equipment 12
Professional techniques 280
Fabrics 38
E
Mending 296
Patterns 56
T
TECHNIQUES 84 PROJECTS 304
N
Stitch essentials 86
Directory of fashion and soft
O Darts, tucks, pleats, and gathers 104
furnishings 384
Facings and necklines 142
Collars 158 Glossary 390
C
Waistlines, belts, and tie-backs 168
Index, Acknowledgments,
Sleeves and sleeve finishes 188 and Useful websites 394
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INTRODUCTION
The Sewing Book provides a comprehensive guide to all sewing techniques, whether
it be for dressmaking, tailoring, crafts, or soft furnishings. If you are new to sewing, you’ll
find many tips to help and guide you; if you have been sewing for many years, there
will be lots of new ideas to try. I also hope the book will be a valuable reference for all
students studying textiles and fashion.
Having sewn since my teenage years and taught dressmaking and fashion for all
my adult life, I am truly passionate about sewing. It can be so therapeutic—relaxing
and satisfying. The ability to produce a unique item of clothing or something for
your home is truly rewarding.
The book is divided into three sections. The first, Tools, covers all the equipment
required to sew, including sewing machines; gives an up-to-date guide to fabrics—
their properties, care, and how to sew them; and explains how to alter patterns to
make clothes that fit you perfectly.
The next section is Techniques, with over 300 different sewing techniques to try, all in
a step-by-step photographic format, covering everything from basic stitches and
seams through to professional tailoring techniques. Each chapter begins with a
visual directory of what the techniques are used for, be it types of pleats or pockets,
necklines or sleeves, or buttonhole shapes.
The third section of the book is Projects, where you will find 18 items to make,
ranging from quick and easy hats through to Roman blinds and kimonos. All the
projects use techniques that appear in the second section of the book.
The final section includes an illustrated directory of fashion and home furnishing styles,
as well as a useful glossary of sewing terms.
Enjoy and happy sewing.
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ABOUT For the photographs, we have often All of the techniques and
used sewing threads of a contrast projects are graded according
THIS color in order for the stitching to be to difficulty, from * (simple and
visible. I recommend that you sew straightforward) to ***** (more
BOOK with a thread that matches your complex and challenging).
fabric as closely as possible.
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