The Art of Couture Sewing

The Art of Couture Sewing is a practical guide to custom techniques in the construction of couture garments. Beginning with a brief history of haute couture, the book covers tools and supplies then discusses matching fabrics with the appropriate needle, thread, pressing, and construction techniques. The types of closures, hems and finishes used in couture as well as basic draping techniques are discussed. Filled with step-by-step techniques along with clear instructions and illustrations, this edition features expanded coverage of corset history, design, and construction plus a new chapter on constructing large skirts including trains, hoop skirts and petticoats. Nudelman covers many embellishment techniques, including beading, embroidering, and fine stitching with added sections on shisha, couching, eyelet overcasting and ribbon rosette stitches. End-of-chapter biographies discuss notable designers and their couture techniques, such as Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Vera Wang. Highly illustrated with photographs of couture designs as well as close-ups of finishes and details, The Art of Couture Sewing will inspire the design of high-quality garments using couture techniques.

Zoya Nudelman is an Assistant Professor in the Fashion Design Department at Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago, USA, where she teaches eveningwear and couture embellishment design specialties classes, draping, advanced draping, and more.