Ladies Couture Tailoring

Book excerpt: In this practical guide, Michelle Pye demystifies the process of making a handmade jacket. As an experienced bespoke tailor and teacher, she explains each step of the process from making a toile for fitting, cutting out, inserting the pockets, the application of the sleeves and collar, through to hand finishing and pressing the jacket. Much emphasis is placed on the preparation stage and then the alteration steps to ensure you get a fantastic fit. As well as explaining tailoring terms, Ladies Couture Tailoring warns of common mistakes and describes the techniques of the trade - such as using a clapper to absorb steam or shrinking out fullness to make the sleeve easier to put in - so you can enjoy making your jacket as much as wearing it. It is a rare opportunity to learn from an experienced tailor keen to share her skills and advise you throughout with her personal tips.