I think all of those books are worth having (except for The Costume close up -
I don't know this book very well, so I cannot tell) and you would sooner or
later buy them anyway. The Susan Khalje book is an excellent book of its sort -
not speaking of the nice design and pictures, it tells you everything you would
want to know when trying to make an evening or wedding dress. Susan Khalje
gives many interesting tips and tricks that would otherwise be very
time-consuming to figure them out, like how and where exactly attach boning,
what layers to use under skirts to make them look as you want to, how to work
with lace and how to place it on the curved bodice by hiding the cut places,
she gives suggestions as what fabrics to use for what garments - she is very
fond of silk organza - for petticoats, underlining, bone channels.
This is one of the rare books that show you professional-done garments and
reveal all their making secrets. Even if you're an advanced sewer, I still
think you'll find many good tips here. Maybe a pure beginner would not be able
to appreciate the value of the information given.
It has nothing to do with period costume, however, be aware of that, but if you
sew modern or fantasy evening/bridal dresses, go for it, it is a very practical
book with loads of information. I learned many interesting tips from here. It
would be quite funny to see a different way of constructing the same garments -
any tips on other books of this sort?
Zuzana
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