The Fabric Style Book

Window treatments give you control of light, air flow, and privacy. Here are inspiring ideas for shades and curtains that are both functional and graceful. The beautiful examples you'll see in these pages will help you select the perfect styles, fabrics, and patterns for your home.

For burgeoning dressmakers the vast array of fabrics is what both entices the would-be sewer to dress handmade, but it is also what intimidates the first-time sewist when stepping into the haberdashery. Reflecting the episode themes of the third series of The Great British Sewing Bee, each chapter focuses on a type of fabric and demystifies its properties, suitability and uses as well as providing all the instructions and pattern pieces needed to make a collection of universally appealing garments from that fabric type. Many of the 30 garments in the book appear on screen, either as technical challenges faced by the contestants and designed by Claire-Louise Hardie or as projects devised and made by the contestants. The chapter on Cottons explains the properties of this common fabric and gives a variety of designs including a sleeveless shell top, capri trousers, summer dress and beach shorts. This is followed by chapters on wool and natural fibres, knits and stretch fabrics and then luxury fabrics, including lace and sheers. With womenswear sizes ranging from 8 - 20 and menswear sizes ranging from S - XL, as well as the core garment instructions, this book includes all the information you need to get started with your sewing machine and understand both your equipment and the pattern pieces. Claire-Louise's ultimate guide to fitting your own clothes and expert sewing tips from judges May Martin and Patrick Grant will ensure a perfect fit and stunning results.

This fabulous collection of sewing ideas, with its empasis on simplicity and style, will appeal to even the most reticent of needleworkers while offering inspiration to more experienced sewers. Colors, textures, patterns, and innovative finishing touches are imaginatively combined by Julia Bird to beautifully enhance the home. Among the more than 20 step-by-step projects are luxurious taselled bolsters, a pin-tucked Roman blind, a delicate organza tablecloth, summer canopies, and a bright and breezy beach tent. Each project has suggestions for adapting the main design to provide countless variations; thus, with only a minimum of change, the beach tent becomes a roomy wardrobe, the bordered bed linen becomes a cheerful tablecloth, the tasselled bolster becomes a chic drawstring bag. Further ideas for different finishes, such as embroidery stitches, applique, and the addition of trimmings and bows, show how one basic design can provide many different looks. The lavish selection of color photographs capture not only Julia Bird's rich blending of tecture, color, and pattern but also her own unique flair for stylish living.

Fabric for Fashion: The Complete Guide is the only book specifically for fashion designers to explain the behaviour and properties of different fabrics. Fashion design is largely determined by how the fabrics work, move, feel and look. The most successful fashion designers are those who understand their materials, who match design skill with technical knowledge. This book bridges that gap by providing a mix of practical information and industry vocabulary, visually examining generic fabric types, discussing the characteristics of fabrics and showing how to exploit materials to push the boundaries of design. With stunning colour photographs that show how fashion designers, both past and present, have worked with fabrics, the book’s prime objective is to stimulate creative exploration of the relationship of fabrics to fashion.

Soft decoration includes window curtains, curtains, carpets, tablecloths, cushions, beds and sofas, and works of art. Fabric Styles covers three categories: textile, furniture, and works of art. The latest decoration design concepts are included here with many exquisite pictures. The book introduces the reader to the designs of soft decorations and their roles in interior design.

Five bodices, five sleeves, five skirts—boundless style. Have you ever found yourself sifting through sewing patterns, thinking "I wish I could have this top but with that skirt!"? Kristiann Boos of Victory Patterns is here to help. Maybe you're drawn to the Celine bodice with Bardot sleeves and a Meryl skirt. Or maybe the Catrina bodice is more your style. With 15 mix-and-match pattern pieces to choose from, you can explore countless custom designs. In addition to helping you design your own clothes, Kristiann guides you through all the essential sewing skills, such as installing an invisible zipper and balancing a hem. Every step is clearly detailed with photographs, illustrations and the quality instruction Victory Patterns is known for. It's time to get sewing--your personalized adventure in style awaits! Features CD-ROM of printable PDF patterns includes sizes 2 to 16.

Swatches is the ultimate user-friendly guide to anyone looking for design inspiration, taking a less historical but no less expansive view of the world of fabric than Abrams' 'Textile Designs: 200 Years of European and American Patterns'.

From Paleolithic flax to 3D knitting, explore the global history of textiles and the world they weave together in this enthralling and educational guide. The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In The Fabric of Civilization, Virginia Postrel synthesizes groundbreaking research from archaeology, economics, and science to reveal a surprising history. From Minoans exporting wool colored with precious purple dye to Egypt, to Romans arrayed in costly Chinese silk, the cloth trade paved the crossroads of the ancient world. Textiles funded the Renaissance and the Mughal Empire; they gave us banks and bookkeeping, Michelangelo's David and the Taj Mahal. The cloth business spread the alphabet and arithmetic, propelled chemical research, and taught people to think in binary code. Assiduously researched and deftly narrated, The Fabric of Civilization tells the story of the world's most influential commodity.