NEW BOOK! Couture Sewing - The Couture Cardigan Jacket, Claire B. Shaeffer

Image Source: Amazon

Eeek, I've done it again! I've just pre-emptively added to my ever burgeoning sewing-book library AGAIN!

The reknowned Ms. Shaeffer has added a new title to her Couture Sewing series of books... this time it's a tome about that timeless classic The Chanel Cardigan Jacket called:

Couture Sewing - The Couture Cardigan Jacket,

by Claire B. Shaeffer
ISBN ISBN-10: 1600859550

ISBN-13: 978-1600859557

To quote the description from Amazon:

Quote: "If you want to make a jacket with the impeccable look of Chanel, this is the book to have. The Couture Cardigan Jacket presents sewing methods Claire Shaeffer developed based on her knowledge of haute couture construction and meticulous research studying original Chanels in museum archives and her own collection.  Via the DVD, Shaeffer instructs readers in essential techniques such as cutting and shaping the jacket sections, princess seaming, quilting, making the 3-piece sleeve, adding the chain weight, creating the double buttonhole, and more. Where there is a trick or shortcut for an operation (without lowering the quality) Shaeffer demonstrates it, along with a host of sewing methods discovered via careful and meticulous study of Chanel originals. The package is a perfect mix of instruction and insight into the complex design-details that make a Chanel a Chanel." Unquote.

The publication date is November 2013 in the UK, and October 2013 in the US.

Other Books by Claire
Claire Shaeffer has written many other books, much beloved by the sewing community, for instance the Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide, and the Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised & Updated.

I'm particularly fond of the now OOP (out-of-print) Complete Book of Sewing Short Cuts - which I feel is like an earlier predecessor to the popular modern book PatternReview.com: 1000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts and Tips

The Complete Book of Sewing Shortcuts - One of my favourite books!

Couture Sewing Patterns
Plus, Gertie (and other sewists / bloggers) rave about the excellent details given in her range of commercial sewing patterns with Vogue too. Some people like Julie even collect all the patterns she's ever produced too. 

In fact, I wonder if the publication of her new book this Autumn will coincide with the release of a new french-cardigan style jacket pattern à la Chanel? Or, if this new book will demonstrate the couture-style technqiues using her currently in print pattern no. V8804, it'll be an interesting read either way I'm sure?

Vogue Pattern: V8804
Image Source: Amazon

Thoughts On Classes...
The new book will come with a DVD too - which is great, as some techniques are so much better seen "live". I'm guessing that this will be the next-best-thing verses a real-life class on making this kind of jacket - which is what Amy at Almond Rock did earlier this year. Or, it'd make a great accompaniment to anyone attending a class too (or is it too early to say a great Christmas present????...... LOL!). Marina at Frabjous Couture had a series of posts detailing her couture jacket course with Susan Khalje which make for an interesting read. And, BurdaStyle have a great blog post where Marina summarizes her course experience too.

Work-In-Progress: 'LOOPHOLE B' Top from the 'Pattern Magic: Stretch Fabrics' Book

Just a quickie to show you what I'm working on :)
The last 2 Saturdays in June I've been on a course at Morley College (more about that to follow when I post pics of the finished top!).

It's a knit top from the Pattern Magic: Stretch Fabrics by Tomoko Nakamichi.

This is what it looks like in the sample-photos from the book:

 

I've cut out the fabric today, and I hope to get it sewn up on my overlocker this evening (or tomorrow).

PRIMA Pattern, July 2013 - Tunic Top

The July 2013 PRIMA Magazine is still currently on the shelves in the Newsagents (as per standard for the publication of magazines, each issue comes out during the month prior to the date printed on the cover - so this issue came out during June) and the pattern is available to order by phone until the end of this July.

     

  

The pattern for July is a simple Ladies tunic top.The tunic top in a choice of two lengths can have short or three-quarter sleeves. The front has a wrap neckline and soft gathers at the under-bust seam. There are no fastenings, but narrow ties create a flattering shape at the back. Sizes 10 - 20 (UK).

   

See my old post here on tips for ordering their patterns: PRIMA Magazine: How to Order Their Sewing Patterns.

   Q: I ordered my pattern, but it never arrived
  - what should I do?

   If you have ordered a Prima Magazine pattern using their phone-line numbers and it has not
   arrived within the 28-day period (which they stipulate to allow for the delivery) then I'd
   strongly suggest that you contact them direct with your query :). The magazine is published
   by HEARST Magazines, and you can find their contact details here. Their email address is:
   hearst@subscription.co.uk, and their phone line for queries is regarding a magazine
   subscription order, renewal or enquiry please call ^*0844 848 1601 or you can visit
   www.qualitymagazines.co.uk (which is the official online store of Hearst Magazines). [^*NB: To save
   call-charge costs on your telephone you could call this number instead 01858 438 797.]
    Both of the phone numbers given above are UK phone numbers.