Connect with BurdaStyle on Twitter for your chance to win The Dressmaker’s Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques by Lynda Maynard!
The lovely people at Interweave shared this fantastic book with us, and we know you’ll love it.
Interweave is the world’s largest online and offline resource for artists and crafters with businesses in magazine and book publishing, digital content and social media, television and instructional videos, directories, eCommerce, events and workshops.
Book Description: Fashion designer and expert sewist Lynda Maynard makes professional sewing and finishing techniques accessible to every sewist with clear instructions in simple step-by-step stages in The Dressmaker’s Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques. This handbook unlocks the door to stunning results with better shaping, simpler construction methods, and professional finishing touches. Lynda also explains several seemingly difficult “secrets,” from making bindings and finishing for hems, armholes, and necklines, to underpinnings and structuring techniques. She also teaches how to master finishing touches from textured stitches to couching and applique.
A complete guide to the fabrics suited to each technique and inspirational fashion photography are also included.
Until Tuesday, January 18th, you can win a copy of this must-have book! To enter, connect with us on Twitter, then answer the following question: What makes up a “finished” garment? Does it have to be lined, pressed or hemmed, or are these “requirements” subjective to one’s preference?
When submitting an answer via Twitter, be sure to include the @BurdaStyle tag.
Good Luck!
- David @ BurdaStyle
Jan 12, 2011, 11.09 AMby simone272
It depends on so many different things. Personal style. design, garments etc.
Jan 12, 2011, 10.54 AMby ghainskom
A garment should be pressed and have no threads showing, neither on the outside not on the inside. I don’t have a twitter account.
Jan 12, 2011, 07.22 AMby veronika33
From my point of view it must to have all. It’s obvious that lined garment looks and suits better.
Jan 12, 2011, 06.28 AMby momtasticstitch
Lining I think is subjective to climate, preference and well whatever you are sewing-sometimes you just have to put the lining in no matter how many extra steps it will give the piece that extra finished look. Pressing and a smooth hem those are things that are absolute musts UNLESS you are using a frayed hem or one to the outside as a decorative element. Pressing well thats just an absolute requirement except well maybe in cases where you are actually using wrinkles as part of the decoration but really even a crisper faux wrinkled look is better than just a slept in wrinkled look.
And all that being said throw it all out the window when some fabulous designer comes up with a new artistic idea?!
Jan 12, 2011, 06.15 AMby misslivia
‘Finished’ to me requires all the end touches – from hand hemming to stitching in a hook and eye above the zipper. I take inspiration from my mother, whose garments could be worn inside out!
Jan 12, 2011, 05.17 AMby wzrdreams
Ugh. I have no interest in twitter. My social media network dance card is full.
Jan 12, 2011, 02.10 AMby Shalyn McFaul
It all depends on the aesthetic of the piece you are making, but for the look I go for, I usually want all of the ‘requirements’ done.
Jan 12, 2011, 01.39 AMby snoodle
A garment is finished as soon as you take out the pins… just kidding! There are some instances when a raw edge could work as “finished” But there is something really special about a well-done hem, a figure flattering lining, seam finishes, piping, welt pockets, covered buttons, and for goodness sake matching plaids. It separates the crafter from the craftsman (or woman!)
Jan 12, 2011, 01.22 AMby KyleIcon4
Having a piece of literature like this is a must have for a beginner like myself who is looking to soak up as much knowledge as I possibly can! Must Have!
Jan 11, 2011, 11.29 PMby Amy Parker
comment comment comment!
Jan 11, 2011, 11.14 PMby yorksett
I am a beginner, learning a lot from this site. Thanks!
Jan 11, 2011, 11.09 PMby Mia1
Pressing is what makes a garment finished to me! Unlined, hemmed or not, if the article is unpressed or poorly pressed it looks and feels bad.
Jan 11, 2011, 10.48 PMby ruthw
Ah, shame about the Twitter thing… I won’t be trying for this then…
Jan 11, 2011, 09.17 PMby crazydavises
I’d say yes, well-pressed, and yes, hemmed, but the lining is optional.
Jan 11, 2011, 08.44 PMby atrinka
I don’t have a twitter account, but for me a finished garment means for me a garment without any lint, pieces of threads and well pressed
Jan 11, 2011, 08.38 PMby strawberryfreckles
I think it is up to your personal preference. For me I like to have a garment lined or at least serged.
Jan 11, 2011, 08.21 PMby mskirko
hemmed and lined and all threads trimmed! I have to have completed every step in the pattern required to wear it. Pressing not essential (I don’t iron my clothes most of the time anyway!)
Jan 11, 2011, 08.17 PMby hovis1971
Depends on the project…if it calls for lining then definitely would be required for it to be a “finished” garment… but regardless of lining it definitely requires heming and pressing to be a “finished” garment.
Jan 11, 2011, 08.03 PMby hayleyroper
Lining is something that I really am glad I took the time to add when I work on my projects. Pressing and hemming dont hurt too, but depends on the look you are going for really. Deconstructed can be good at times
Jan 11, 2011, 07.51 PMby ttnora
I’ve just finished my latest jacket and I think we need for it proper accessories. For example high quality buttons and zipper. I love sewing by hand and additional we need more trying on.
Jan 11, 2011, 07.47 PMby emjay417
Depends on what is being made – some of my kids play clothes aren’t hemmed at all but they are complete, a dress for myself though will be constructed as far as the pattern suggests and possibly more because I plan on wearing them long term.
Jan 11, 2011, 07.32 PMby Noel Canaday
Rules shouldn’t stifle your creativity. However, when an item is lined, pressed, hemmed, etc., the extra work pays off and takes your item a step closer toward looking and feeling valuable.
Jan 11, 2011, 07.31 PMby petitejosette
pressing the seams is essential for a neat finished look. I also love bias-binding of the seams. It shows whoever made the garment spent time making the inside look good ans not just the oustide. To me a garment is “finished” if is inside really looks neat and finished…
Jan 11, 2011, 07.28 PMby Erin E
Ooohh this may be the only time I wish I had a Twitter account! I saw this in the bookstore the other day, but couldn’t afford to buy it. Would be nice if you opened this giveaway up to non-twitters :)
2 Replies
Jan 12, 2011, 06.08 PMby threadsquare
I agree :) Sooo not into Tweeting. Ah, well.
Jan 17, 2011, 08.57 PMby runningwithscissors1
Ditto!
Jan 11, 2011, 07.17 PMby sunquistadora
Definitely agreed that it depends on the garmet. I think serged seams, if the inner seam shows, are important and more elaborate garments should be lined.
Jan 11, 2011, 07.10 PMby karasumegami
No matter what the garment is, I always have to iron it as a finishing touch. It gives it that nice crisp look :)
Jan 11, 2011, 07.06 PMby angeliar
I feel that a garment is finished when you put it on and it fits and looks good! Each item has its own requirements!
Jan 11, 2011, 07.05 PMby Kuby McCarty
Nothing says couture like a beautifully lined tailored straight skirt.
Jan 11, 2011, 07.04 PMby starwalker
If it is something for someone else, it’s finished when the seams are finished off, all loose threads clipped, final evening out for symmetry, all hooks/eyes/snaps/etc., done, linings, hems, etc. and pressed. If it’s for me, I know it’s finished when I’m willing to wear it…which usually means the seams don’t have to be finished off, and maybe a snap is not sewn on, but it’s hemmed and pressed. Whether or not it’s lined is more a matter of what it is. ..
Jan 11, 2011, 07.03 PMby dcd4602
if the garment looks finished when you try it on then it is. How you feel about it determines if it is done or not