sewing, dressmaking, fashion design books

Table of Contents
Introduction

* Book Smart
* Overview

Chapter 1 Getting in Gear

* Tools: It's okay to break the rules
* Shopping list
* Ready, Set, Invest: How to shop for a sewing machine
* Space Odyssey: Creating a comfortable place to sew
* Get Organized

Chapter 2 Living in a Material World

* Fabric Types
* Buying fabrics
* Preparing Fabric before you cut and sew
* Extra credit: trims and notions
* Storage ideas

Chapter 3 Pattern Behavior

* Listen up! Why patterns matter
* Half life: Why patterns look like that
* Anatomy Lesson: The components of a pattern
* Measure for measure: Sizing Yourself up
* Preparing and handling patterns

Chapter 4 Chop Chop

* Fabric pointers: Two things to remember before you place the pattern pieces
* By the slice: Basic Layout and cutting steps
* Isn't that special? Layout tips for plaids and stripes
* After the cut: Marking your mark
* Staying Organized after cutting

Chapter 5 Welcome to the machine

* Prepping and understanding your machine
* Sewing: a crash course

Chapter 6 Skirts

* Pattern Pieces
* Cutting
* Sewing your Skirt
* Built by You: Skirt Design Ideas
* Built by You Projects
Chapter 7 Shirts

* Pattern Pieces
* Cutting
* Sewing your Shirt
* Built by You: Shirt Design Ideas
* Built by You Projects
Chapter 8 Pants

* Pattern Pieces
* Cutting
* Sewing your Pants
* Built by You: Pants Design Ideas
* Built by You Projects

Chapter 9 Plan B
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Index

This a hardback and spiralbound book perfect for keeping open as you work. For all those that are beginner sewers that want to make your own clothes than this is book for you. Wendy writes in a way that takes the fear of sewing away and makes it seem like making dump cake. This book encourages you to experiment step out of the box and be yourself and look the part.
There are no photographs but the illustrations are clear and make it easy to follow along with the directions. The comes with the patterns you need to make the clothes in the book, which includes an a-line skirt, shirt, and pants pattern.
To a brand new beginner this is a must have and for the more advance it has lots of ideas for changing up your patterns.

for more pics of the book you can visit my blog at http://farhanasews.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-sew-u.html

Make Your Own Dress Patterns by Adele P. Margolis is a nice book for a beginner in fashion design or patternmaker or who wants to self teach themselves the art of patternmaking. It does not have you draft the base patterns but instead shows you how to use any pattern and change them to your desire and gives a very straight to the point on nonsense approach. The voice of the book is very down to earth with slight humor, I like her style. It is very easy to read and follow and so that you get full benefit she has a set of quarter scale slopers so that you can do the exercises in the book. For anyone looking in to designing their own clothing is a must have for your fashion design book collection.

Part 1 Pattern Whys
Chapter 1 Geometric Gems

Chapter 2 An Art to a Dart

Chapter 3 It's a Pattern

Chapter 4 Divided Darts, Added Interest

Chapter 5 Control Is What It Seam

Chapter 6 The Fullness Thereof

Chapter 7 A Set of Slopers

Part 2 Styling

Chapter 8 Notable Necklines

Chapter 9 Easy Access

Chapter 10 The Pocket Picture

Chapter 11 Collar Capers

Chapter 12 The Set In Sleeve Scene

Chapter 13 Sleeves In One with the Bodice

Chapter 14 Sleeve Finishes

Chapter 15 Remnants