Why make a shirt? Because, with the skills you'll learn in Shirtmaking, you can create elegant, custom-fit garments for a woman or man that look like the best money can buy. Includes full-scale patterns for collars, cuffs, plackets, and pockets, and complete instructions for developing custom-fit shirt patterns.
Shirtmaking: Developing Skills For Fine Sewing
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First Sentence
Choosing appropriate fabrics for sewing projects-fabrics that flow when you want drape and that aren't too stiff when all you want is character-vies with fitting as the most challenging skill in garmentmaking. Read the first page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Choosing appropriate fabrics for sewing projects-fabrics that flow when you want drape and that aren't too stiff when all you want is character-vies with fitting as the most challenging skill in garmentmaking. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 73 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have probably learnt more about dressmaking form this book than from any other I own, and I do own a lot. This book is clearly laid out with a lot of illustrations, and is easy to follow.
Whilst it focuses on shirts a lot of the techniques apply to everything you make. It covers why a shirt looks right when you wear it, how to make a shirt fit you the way you want, and changes to the basic shirt design that will allow you to make a truly unique garment. At the back of the book there is a reference section of posible design details.
Whilst I haven't made a shirt for a few months I refer to this book often for techniques and information on how to use pieces of sewing equipment better. I got so much more from this book that I could have expected.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By SecondCherry
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Note the title - shirtmaking, not blouse-making. I made a bit of a mistake with this purchase. I was looking for help with making shirts, blouses, pyjama tops, that kind of thing. That is not what this book is about - it's about shirts, the male garment, often borrowed by women, but essentially consisting of a body, sleeves and collar, with flat fell seams and a front closure. However, the information on fabrics and construction methods is still invaluable, and the section at the back on alternative designs (moleskin, shooting shirts etc) is also great. Coffin-Page is a self-taught sewist, so his explanations are extremely clear and the book is well furnished, like all Taunton books (probably the best sewing books around), with illustrations and photographs. I now feel confident enough to have a go at making my own shirts, and also understand better the details on my Jermyn Street vintage shirts. A good buy.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Skeeter
Format:Paperback
I have bought both the book and the complementary dvd, 'Shirtmaking Techniques' by David Coffin.
I had struggled with commercial patterns for several months as a beginning sewer. They are pretty useless, IMHO.Fixing collars and arms onto the tunic seemed impossible.
David Coffin makes it a lot simpler. His techniques are straightforward. That doesn't mean I didn't scratch my head a few times before things sank in. But I succeeded the other day in sewing my first really successful collar.
My advice is to start with the dvd. When you've digested that, go to the book to fill in the detail.
Skeeter
I had struggled with commercial patterns for several months as a beginning sewer. They are pretty useless, IMHO.Fixing collars and arms onto the tunic seemed impossible.
David Coffin makes it a lot simpler. His techniques are straightforward. That doesn't mean I didn't scratch my head a few times before things sank in. But I succeeded the other day in sewing my first really successful collar.
My advice is to start with the dvd. When you've digested that, go to the book to fill in the detail.
Skeeter
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Moseley
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although this book is primarily about shirt making, the principles can be applied to other kinds of dress-making and tailoring. Paul Coffin sews like a professional and shares quite generously his successes and problems he has had along his learning curve. The book is easy to read, the instructions easy to follow without losing any of the technical excellence for which Paul is renowned. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the process of sewing beautifully as well as achieving a finished product to couture standards.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A superb well written tome. Written by an amateur shirt-maker who puts his money where his mouth is (the voice of experience from someone who does it at home like we do). Simply but effectively illustrated by the author, Coffin explains not only "How to", but also the pitfalls, and takes you through the process of shirt-making, from equipment, tools and patterns, right through to the finished article (including alternative designs - complete with photographs of his own work. Ending with recommended sources for materials.
As an absolute newcomer, discovering the essential practices of saving money by doing my own repairs and alterations to shirt-making and sewing in general, I found his references to the process of shirt-making invaluable and inspirational. I'm not , by my own lack of expertise, good with a sewing machine, but his instructions were so easy to understand that the process of shortening shirt sleeves including the repositioning of plackets on the shortened sleeve (something I was advised was better left alone) if not simple, at least possible... Practice will make perfect (I hope). At least I know HOW a good shirt is made.
This is a book I would not wish to be without.
As an absolute newcomer, discovering the essential practices of saving money by doing my own repairs and alterations to shirt-making and sewing in general, I found his references to the process of shirt-making invaluable and inspirational. I'm not , by my own lack of expertise, good with a sewing machine, but his instructions were so easy to understand that the process of shortening shirt sleeves including the repositioning of plackets on the shortened sleeve (something I was advised was better left alone) if not simple, at least possible... Practice will make perfect (I hope). At least I know HOW a good shirt is made.
This is a book I would not wish to be without.
By Sean
Format:Paperback
After reading several reviews, I had high expectations of this book. However, on receipt, I can honestly say how disappointing it is. Granted, there is a lot of information - but it is very dated and there are a lot of basic line drawings that are not that well drawn. In this day and age, it's not hard to produce quality and this book certainly needs an update.
I'd say, don't waste your money. You can find more current and easier to follow instructions (inc. video) by doing a simple web search.
I'd say, don't waste your money. You can find more current and easier to follow instructions (inc. video) by doing a simple web search.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book does not achieve any of the goals set by itself. The quality of the construction and sewing shown in the pictures is very poor and not even comparable to a ready to wear shirt, let alone one from the high end side of the market or a custom made one by a tailor.
I find this book very dated and unprofessional.
If you want the quality of a custom made shirt, go to a tailor. You pay them a lot yes correct. But you are paying them for years of expertise in pattern cutting, dressing customers, use of fabrics and construction. Something you can not achieve at home and def not with this book.
I wouldn't even want to buy the examples in this book for H&M price because they look even more poorly finished then the garments from this retailer (plus bad taste in fabrics and colour combinations seems to be an essential part of this book).
Very harsh review but the biggest disappointment in a book I have ever had.
I find this book very dated and unprofessional.
If you want the quality of a custom made shirt, go to a tailor. You pay them a lot yes correct. But you are paying them for years of expertise in pattern cutting, dressing customers, use of fabrics and construction. Something you can not achieve at home and def not with this book.
I wouldn't even want to buy the examples in this book for H&M price because they look even more poorly finished then the garments from this retailer (plus bad taste in fabrics and colour combinations seems to be an essential part of this book).
Very harsh review but the biggest disappointment in a book I have ever had.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
shirtmaking
a really annoying book written by a completely opiniated tosser-I am a teacher and recommended my students check out all literature on shirts -and they all came back with the same... Read more
Published 6 months ago by nina cadzow
2.0 out of 5 stars
Cover better than contents
I bought this as I love to sew and wanted to make some good, unusual and well fitting shirts, the mainstay of my daily wardrobe being jeans and shirts. Read more
Published on 25 May 2008 by Jaine B
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