Reading List:
General Sewing Reference Books
While my books and booklets are devoted to Middle Eastern
belly dance costume design, I find that many novice seamstresses
purchase my products and find they need a little more specific
construction directions. There are already many books on basic
sewing technique available from booksellers today. Here are
three of my favorite titles:
Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-By-Step
Teaching Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Furnishings
by Readers Digest
ISBN # 0888502478
I feel that his is an indispensable book for anyone who sews!
With clear, easy to follow directions, and beautifully drawn
illustrations, it's a dependable workhorse of a book. I personally
have used this book as a text when I was teaching at a local
community college. This book covers every aspect of sewing in
an encyclopedic layout. From hand sewing stitches to complex
installations of zippers and pockets as well as more advanced
tailoring techniques. It's filled from cover to cover with tips,
instructions and helpful hints on all aspects of sewing. Even
after two decades as a sewing professional, I still turn to this
book for help and guidance when faced with situations that are
new or problematic. If there is ONE book to buy, this is it!
The Vogue/Butterick Step-by-Step Guide
to Sewing Technique by Vogue Butterick Patterns.
ISBN # 1573890049
This book is laid out in alphabetically in dictionary format
and it's focus is entirely on garment construction. The illustrations
are clear and clean although some are fairly small. The instructions
are good, and every technique I have worked through has produced
good results. I recommend this book especially for dancers who
are using patterns to make dance gowns. There are many finishing
techniques for custom garments throughout this book and it's
a good reference for the library of every seamstress.
Vogue Sewing by Vogue
and Butterick Patterns.
ISBN # 1573890162
This book is excellent, not only for it's easy to follow,
yet high-level couture sewing techniques, but also for the well-written
opening chapters. With sections on fabric selection, an introduction
to design principles and an in-depth discussion on understanding
patterns, this book is an excellent source for more than just
step-by-step sewing details. Perhaps one of the most useful
parts of the book, is the section on body analysis and style
selection. I highly recommend this book for it's practical approach
to high-fashion design.
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