Din
Couturier
Posts: 6 
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Post by Din on Jul 28, 2014 17:10:36 GMT
I'm building a library of books about couture sewing. Any recommendations?
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Post by Frabjous on Jul 28, 2014 19:13:13 GMT
I think Claire Shaeffet's books are a must! Except for "Shortcuts"
Susan Khalje's Linen & Cotton & Bridal Couture
Roberta Carr's Couture Sewing
Vintage Couture Tailoring by Thomas Von Nordheim
These are the most used books in my library for real couture reference
I also consult Claire Shaeffer's couture patterns, since she used authentic couture garments as an 'inspiration' for those patterns, with only very little style deviations. Construction is, however, very close to her originals.
Shaeffer's DVD, also available for online viewing to all Threads Insider subscribers...
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Din
Couturier
Posts: 6
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Post by Din on Jul 28, 2014 23:43:16 GMT
Thanks! I have all of those except the Thomas von Nordheim book (I even have Shortcuts  . I'll look into his book and the Threads DVDs. |
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Post by renee on Aug 11, 2014 13:11:15 GMT
Are the Susan Kahlje's books still available? I am looking for her Bridal Couture book but can't find it anywhere. Any suggestions where I need to look to find a copy of this really wanted book?
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Post by philippa on Aug 11, 2014 19:15:14 GMT
The Bridal Couture book by Susan Khalje is available on CD from her website - susankhalje.com/books/ and also pdf downloads are available on various sites. The original book is still available (Amazon) but is very pricey; over £80. |
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Post by renee on Aug 12, 2014 10:22:32 GMT
The Bridal Couture book by Susan Khalje is available on CD from her website - susankhalje.com/books/ and also pdf downloads are available on various sites. The original book is still available (Amazon) but is very pricey; over £80. Where can I find the pdf dowloadables? Could you give me some sites I can buy them from? |
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Post by Frabjous on Sept 1, 2014 9:11:35 GMT
free PDF downloads of Bridal Couture are distributed illegally. You can only buy a hardcopy or the CD that contains the PDF version of the book. I would also recommend ordering the CD from Susan, she ships right away. You can then, if you want, print it out at a copy shop on a heavier stock and ask for a spiral binding, it will often be much cheaper than the used copy from Amazon. I would check it first with the copy shop though  |
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Lisa
Couturier
Posts: 7
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Post by Lisa on Sept 30, 2014 23:27:52 GMT
Susan's book is also normally available at public libraries in the United States anyway. A better option than a pirated PDF.
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Lisa
Couturier
Posts: 7
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Post by Lisa on Oct 1, 2014 16:43:45 GMT
Some supplementary books that support couture sewing would be books on textiles and fitting. I love the "All About..." series of books: All About Wool All About Silk All About Cotton www.raincitypublishing.com/index.html Get them directly from the publisher. Amazon's used prices are often sky high. Their books have fabric swatches for each fabric and info on the weaves of fabrics, their uses and fabric care. A good fitting book just released is The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting by Sarah Veblen. |
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Post by Frabjous on Oct 3, 2014 4:40:18 GMT
Thanks, Lisa! I have all three 'All About..." books and bought them all used, looking for a fair price, sometimes for months. But I had no idea that you can order them from the publisher. Great tip!
Also Sarah Veblen's books are very good. She stresses the importance of the grain line and balance much more than any other fitting book author and that makes it invaluable for less experienced 'fitters' among us)
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Lisa
Couturier
Posts: 7
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Post by Lisa on Oct 4, 2014 3:05:09 GMT
Yeah, I am not sure why they do not sell the All About books on Amazon as some folks are making a killing selling used books. The publisher's site doesn't even come up in Google's results very often. Dunno.... Now here is a book I'm interested in.... Haute Couture Ateliers: The Artisans of Fashion [Hardcover] Hélène Farnault (Author), Alexis Lecomte (Photographer), Hubert de Givenchy (Foreword) Release date: October 7, 2014 Haute Couture Ateliers takes the reader on a tour of fashion’s backstage, inhabited not only by exceptional designers but also by lace makers, weavers, textile finishers, pleaters, jewelers, feather workers, leather makers, embroiderers, and many other specialized craftspeople. With painstaking attention to detail and exceptional workmanship, they can create anything and everything a designer can imagine. Exquisite photography captures this unchanged world of small workshops where artisans practice ancient trades—though a number have evolved with the times: while some weavers still use looms, others use high-speed precision machines, guided by proprietary software. Hélène Farnault, France’s leading authority on haute couture crafts, explains the rarefied hierarchies and mysteries of these extraordinary artisans, bringing talented milliners and trimming experts into the spotlight. www.amazon.com/Haute-Couture-Ateliers-Artisans-Fashion/dp/0865653178/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1412391437&sr=8-5&keywords=couture |
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. I'll look into his book and the Threads DVDs.