Francesca Sterlacci

Draping is the art of manipulating fabric directly on the dress form. It is the most creative way for a designer to turn design ideas into reality. Start by learning the basics, including how to use a dress form and how to prepare the muslin for draping. You will then move on to learn how to drape basic bodices, including a range of darts and necklines, and also basic skirts, and finally dresses. Each lesson in the book is illustrated in meticulous detail in a series of step-by-step photographs accompanied by photos from the catwalk.

Pattern making, patternmaking, pattern cutting or flat patterning, are all words that describe the process of creating a two-dimensional diagram or template of a garment, drafted on a flat surface from either body measurements or transferred from a draped muslin. The starting point of a pattern is a sloper. Slopers are basic patterns that are drafted containing a certain amount of wearing ease for the wearer's comfort and are created without seam allowances. Slopers are used as the foundation or template for creating design variations that are subsequently cut and sewn in fabric. In this book you will start by learning how to create a sloper for a basic sleeve before moving on to collars, bodices, skirts, and trousers. Each lesson in the book is illustrated in meticulous detail in a series of step-by-step photographs accompanied by charts, diagrams, and photos from the catwalk. Videos to accompany this book are available at www.universityoffashion.com.

Knowing how to sew will make you a better designer; you will learn what is possible, and be inspired by the creative possibilities of sewing techniques. In this book you will start by learning the basics: how to choose tools; how to choose and use thread; pressing techniques; and how to choose and use appropriate interfacings and linings. Basic techniques include seam and hem finishes, sewing buttons and buttonholes, working with knit fabrics, and finishing details including bindings and spaghetti straps, tailored pockets, and zippers. Each lesson is illustrated with step-by-step photographs.