Design and Reference Books

• Fundamentals of Apparel Design - This is one of my own books.  It is not a comprehensive course in apparel design, but does cover some of the basics for beginners and experienced seamstresses alike. Finding inspiration, focusing on details, fabric and color selection are all covered, and there's a glossary of sewing and design terms so you can easily "speak the language" of design.

As you go through the design process, you'll need to sketch out your ideas.

• The Fashion Design Sketchbook has over 100 full-size (8 1/2" x 11") pages of croquis (body templates) for you to use in your designs.  You simply sketch your style right over the template, and you'll have a correctly proportioned drawing that will make it easy to envision the final result.

This is a sketchbook I created myself, and I've used croquis with realistic figures.  Many sketchbooks use croquis with very, very tall and thin figures, which can result in stunning illustrations - but the final product will never look like the sketch when it's worn by a real person. 

The croquis in this book represent a size 6 figure. 

• Like the book above, this is one I created.  It has realistic plus size figures - if you design for larger women (or "normal", in my opinion!), this will allow you to show how your styles look on a body with real curves. 

The croquis in this book are about a size 14 or 16, with a larger waist, full bust, and full hips. 

• Pattern Fitting With Confidence - Written by the late Nancy Zieman, host of the TV series "Sewing with Nancy". She provides a straightforward, down-to-earth approach to sewing and fitting. Very user-friendly.

• The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting - I love this book!!! So wonderfully illustrated with photos, using commercial patterns to demonstrate the pattern alterations. It addresses almost any fit problem you might have. So easy to understand and follow!

• Sewing for Plus Sizes - Creating Clothes that Fit and Flatter  - A great book for Plus sizes!  As a woman gets larger, it's not just the measurements that change - our overall proportions shift, too.  This book addresses the different body types and proportions you commonly see in larger women. Truly helpful for larger women.