The Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences founded by Mary Brooks Picken offered a wide variety of correspondence courses to women beginning in the early 1900's. This beautiful reproduction is a very early edition of the school's coursework guide. It provides a synopsis of the lessons in sewing, dressmaking, tailoring & millinery. It also includes interesting articles explaining the value of the education the women would receive including saving money, creating a profitable business and improving their style & fashion sense.

An invaluable resource, Dressmaking will guide you through all the stages of making, altering, and customizing clothes. Starting with the Tools and Materials, you will learn what you need to buy and how to use it. The Fabrics chapter demonstrates the drape and weave of fabrics and explains the best uses of each. The Patterns chapter covers everything from understanding a pattern to altering one. In General Techniques, close-up photography and guiding annotation to explain key techniques step by step. A section on Basic Patterns and Variations then guides you through creating six garments. Patterns and detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for a skirt, dress, shirt, tee, jacket, and pair of trousers. Instructions are also given for possible variations of each garment. Finally, chapters on Alterations and repairs and Customizing offer practical tips for repairing worn items and inspiration for modernizing tired pieces. Packed with essential advice and inspiration, this is the dressmaking bible that no budding seamstress should be without.

Learn how to make your own clothes in simple steps. A compact and comprehensive dressmaking resource for anyone who wants to learn how to make clothes at home. Learn how to make a dress, trousers, tops, and jackets--18 garments in all--by following clear and simple step-by-step sequences. Everything you need to learn to sew a wardrobe of clothes is included, from information on tools and materials, to key sewing techniques, to garment projects complete with sewing patterns.

Express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for you and your body! Maybe you learned to sew in school and have a sewing machine, but it hasn't seen the outside of the closet since your last move. Or maybe you are completely new to the craft, with a lot of enthusiasm, but no idea how to thread your machine. No matter where you're coming from in terms of experience, this sewing workbook offers four basic patterns--two tops, a skirt, and a pair of pants--that empower you to express your personal style and make clothes that are comfortable for your body type. After explaining the basic concepts of sewing and construction, 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip then provides suggestions for mixing the basic patterns together to create new garment iterations as you gain confidence--structural adjustments such as full bust, no bust, long torso, big, small, etc., as well as a range of possible alterations and embellishments including sleeves, pockets, hems, and more! Going beyond simple pattern instructions, this book will make sewing garments accessible for every body type--each pattern comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. With inspiring essays on Sonya's sewing philosophy that speak to the slow and ethical fashion movement, this will be the go-to guide for all aspirational and seasoned sewists.

With her "choose-your-own-adventure" approach to sewing, Tanya Whelan offers an invaluable collection of patterns that empowers sewers to become designers. The trick is a set of patterns for 6 skirts and 8 bodices that line up perfectly at the waist, plus an additional 4 sleeve styles and 4 necklines. Tanya gives readers clear instructions and easy-to-follow step-by-step diagrams that allow them to use the enclosed pattern pieces to create up to 219 fitted dresses, including simple strapless designs, sheaths, and halter gowns. The book covers basic dress construction and altering techniques for women of all shapes and sizes.

Includes fully graded patterns to fit a wide range of dress sizes.

Sew stylish separates featuring swinging silhouettes that flatter every body type. The tunics, vests, dresses, jackets, and skirts are both easy and comfortable to wear, and with one-size-fits-all construction they are easily made up and adaptable to make a look that suits you. Included are concise instructions for getting the fit right, and choosing fabrics, plus all the dressmaking basics every sewer needs to know to make up the projects in the book. Additionally, there are a variety of ideas for making the clothes your own, including how to alter the fit to suit your shape or style, or personalize your pieces with pockets, pleats, and drawstrings. - Each piece has been designed with flowing, elegant lines that skim the body, to create a bold, dramatic and very flattering silhouette. - These beautiful clothes are as easy to make as they are to wear - just print out the pattern in your size from the CD, and follow the straightforward step-by-step instructions in the book. - Illustrated guides explain all the sewing skills you need to construct each garment and give it the perfect finishing touch.