The Book

To execute excellent designs, you need accurate pattern drafting and quality sewing, and Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers, Third Edition gives aspiring designers these skills. The text presents a wide range of step-by-step beginning and advanced techniques, accompanied by detailed illustrations to help with visual learning. Each chapter covers a topic following the stitching order of a garment, including stabilizers, darts, seams, pockets, tucks and pleats, zippers, waistbands, flounces, collars, facing, and more. This book also incorporates social topics relevant to the fashion industry such as sustainability, gender neutral design, and diverse representation. Learning tools like checklists and Style I.D. diagrams teach students to understand the relationships between fabric, sewing techniques, and design and apply this knowledge to their own creations.

New to this Edition:
-New chapter on “Sustainable Sewing”
-Focus on inclusivity, including gender neutral language and more illustrations of people of color
-All-new STUDIO featuring video demonstrations of beginning and advanced stitching techniques

STUDIO Features Include:
-Download 1/2 scale slopers for easy practice
-Practice your skills by completing worksheet PDFs
-Watch step-by-step videos that bring sewing techniques to life

Instructor Resources
-An Instructor's Guide to help incorporate this text into the classroom
-PowerPoints featuring key concepts from each chapter

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1—The Design Process: Why Construction Should Matter to the Fashion Designer
Chapter 2—Getting Prepared: Sewing Equipment, Fabric, Patterns and Pressing
Chapter 3—Introduction to Stabilizers: Fabricating a Stable Foundation
Chapter 4—Darts: Tapering to Fit the Garment
Chapter 5—Seams: Joining It All Together
Chapter 6—Stitching Knits: Working with Stretch
Chapter 7—Fitting: Developing an “Eye” for Good Fit
Chapter 8—Pockets: Building a Handy Compartment
Chapter 9—Tucks and Pleats: Tailoring a Texture
Chapter 10—Zippers: Fastening Your Way into the Garment
Chapter 11—Waistbands: Finishing the Waist Edge
Chapter 12—Ruffles and Flounces: Feminine and Flirty
Chapter 13—Collars: Silhouetting the Neck
Chapter 14—Facings: Encasing Unfinished Edges
Chapter 15—Sleeves: Setting the Sleeves
Chapter 16—Cuffs and Other Finishes: Encircling the Wrist
Chapter 17—Hems: Defining the Length
Chapter 18—Lining: Covering the Inner Surface
Chapter 19—Closures—Closing the Garment
Chapter 20—Sustainable Sewing
Appendix—Tables
Glossary
Notes

About The Authors

Sharon Czachor is an adjunct instructor in the fashion department of Harper College in Illinois, USA. She has taught construction classes in skirts, blouses, pants, dresses, jackets, as well as classes on flat pattern drafting and draping, introduction to CAD pattern design, stretch knits (sportswear, daywear, and children's wear), including embellishments. She has also taught at the College of DuPage, Illinois, USA.

Julie Cole has taught at William Rainey Harper College, International Academy of Design and Technology and Mount Mary College. Her main area of expertise is the design process from concept to the production of a garment. She has taught construction classes in leather, coats, collections, and stretch knits as well as classes in design, pattern making and draping. She graduated with a tertiary qualification in fashion design from East Sydney College, Sydney, Australia and later received a BFA from the International Academy of Design and Technology, USA. After graduation, Cole worked as a fashion designer in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia for more than 30 years. She has designed collections for many companies focusing on: teenage, children's and women's apparel and has also worked as a designer in the area of haute couture. Cole also had her own business designing and stitching couture bridal gowns.