Resources

We will continue to up-date this page with useful links and resources.

:: BOOKS ::

Sewing and Pattern-making

Assembil Books - These are the best books for novice and experts in sewing and making patterns. Visually laid out and easy to follow step by step instructions. Available - Print, Kindle or iPad.
Assembil Books, 2013, How Patterns Work: The Fundamental Principles of Pattern Making and Sewing in Fashion Design, ISBN: ‎ 9781481959094
Assembil Books, 2016, How To Start Sewing: The How and Why of Sewing for Fashion Design: Sewing Techniques with Matching Patterns, ISBN:‎ 978170047819

 

Claire Schaeffer is an internationally renown couture sewing expert. Her books explain couture sewing steps in detail including techniques practiced in workroom of Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga.

Claire B. Shaeffer, 2011, Couture Sewing Techniques, The Taunton Press, ISBN: ‎ 9781600853357
Claire B. Shaeffer, 2017, Couture Sewing: Making Designer Trims, The Taunton Press, ISBN: ‎ 978-1631866579

 

Draping is an excellent resource for sewists with some experience in hacking, adjusting and a adapting sewing patterns. The technique of draping or moulage allows you to work with the fabric directly to create new shapes and form.

Karolyn Kiisel, 2020, Draping: Second Edition, Lawrence King Publishers, ISBN: ‎ 9781786272317

 

Pattern Magic will take you on a wild journey of creative pattern-making with step- by-step instructions. Each book features unique and challenging patterns that explore form and geometry. An excellent extension to learning about pattern-making.

Tomoko Nakaichi, 2010, Pattern Magic, Lawrence King Publishers ISBN: ‎ 9781856697057
Tomoko Nakaichi, 2011, Pattern Magic 2, Lawrence King Publishers ISBN: ‎ 9781856697064
Tomoko Nakaichi, 2016, Pattern Magic 3, Lawrence King Publishers ISBN: 9781780676944
 

Fashion design

Denis Antoine, 2020, Fashion Design: A Guide to the Industry and the Creative Process, Lawrence King Publishers ISBN: 9781786275769

Usha Doshi, 2017, Creating with Shapes, Publisher Cos ISBN: 9781527212138

Fashion and textiles sustainability

Alison Gwilt & Timo Rissanen (eds), 2011, Shaping Sustainable Fashion: Changing the Way We Make and Use Clothes, Earthscan ISBN: 9781849712422

Alison Gwilt, 2020, A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion: Basics Fashion Design (Ed 2), Bloomsbury, ISBN: 9781350179004

Neat pile of sewing and pattern books

:: WEB ::

The Cutting Class  The Cutting Class provides an analysis of key haute-couture and ready‑to‑wear garments and collections with a focus on sewing construction techniques and design.

The Business of Fashion  Up-to-date fashion business news and analysis.

Zoe Hong  Zoe Hong has a vast range of Youtube videos to learn how to design, illustrate and and develop textile prints for fashion design.

 

:: TOOLS ::

Sydney:Australia

E & M Greenfields Pty Ltd  Greenfields is a Sydney based wholesaler to the fashion industry, that is open to the public. They have an extensive range of basic woven and stretch fabrics, sewing threads and notions (zippers, buttons etc). Some items you may be required to buy per roll or multiples, and fabrics will have minimums order quantities and a small cutting fee. Not open on weekends, check opening hours.

Jia Hwa Co. 9/15 Frampton Street, Marrickville (02 95641126). Jia Hwa is a fashion industry supplier selling sewing accessories such as tape measures, sewing thread and pins. They also sell semi-industrial and industrial sewing machines for anyone interested in upgrading.

The Fabric Store (Australia-Surry Hills, Melbourne, Adelaide & Brisbane; New Zealand-Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington + online).

Tessuti Fabrics (Surry Hills & Melbourne + online).

The Remnant Warehouse (Sydney + online).

Saigon Fabrics (Sydney).

Potter & Co (Western Australia).

Pitt Trading (online).

Melco Fabrics (online) Australian printed and milled, and custom fabrics.