A complete book for fashion sewing?

Question

Okay, so I'm looking for a book that covers everything such as: pattern making, fabrics, stitching, tailoring ect. I can't seem to find 1 book with everything... maybe there is no such thing? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Singer Sewing Book  I am not sure what the edition may be. I know this one to be one of the best for what you are wanting.

next best is ReadersDigest Sewing Book

I think either of these retails for around $50 at Hastings.

Answer 2

A regular sewing instruction book may not be what you are looking for.  When I was in design school we had a pretty good text book for my basic design classes that covered pattern making, different stitches and techniques, touched breifly on tailoring.  The book is probably out of date by now, but my suggestion would be to check with the local college book  store to see what text books are being used in the fashion design classes and start from there.

Answer 3

If it's going to have any depth at all, you're not going to find a single book covering everything.  Two of the leading patternmaking textbooks, for instance, weigh in at 4 and 5 lbs.  My personal sewing library, which is by no means complete or even comprehensive in its coverage is about 60 linear feet of books.

What do you want to tackle first?    (I'd suggest basic sewing machine operation, basic fabrics, cutting and sewing operations as a foundation for most.)  At what level do you want to operate? (thinking about being a fashion design or similar student; hobbiest; occasional thread bender...?  What experience do you have?  What do you want to sew?  Kites or bustiers?  backpacks or ballgowns?  kids' clothes or mens' suits?  

I'd probably either start you with one of the KwikSew books and something like Crawford's Guide to Fashion Sewing, or Readers Digest Complete Book of Sewing -- but it really all depends on your interests.

Some suggestions here, not all of which I agree with:

http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewin...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/creativema...

(you may have to join the creativemachine group to get to the files section)