The Dressmaking Companion

Whether you are making your first garment or your fiftieth, this comprehensive mini guide is a treasure trove of knowledge, perfect for dipping in and out of for quick reference and trusted advice. Inside you'll find: Sewing machine anatomy: a tour through a machine's anatomy along with advice on choosing needles, threads and feet. An overview of essential tools: everything you need to get going, including cutting tools, marking and measuring aids and pressing tools. A complete guide to fabric: understand construction, grain and bias, and discover an indispensable photographic library of 30 key dressmaking fabrics, each given with suitable garment use and care instructions. Patterns demystified: understand pattern language and symbols, how to take key body measurements and learn how to arrange your pattern pieces on fabric most efficiently. 40 key hand and machine sewing techniques: discover 40 essential techniques, each shown clearly step by step. Start with hand-sewing, seams and hems; discover more advanced techniques such as adding bias binding and piping; before moving on to adding details and features such as darts, pleats, pockets and gathers.