Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear

I bought this book never having heard of the author before. I was fairly "blown away" by the high quality of the information offered, the wonderful works shown and the fact that this author obviously cares about those who will use her book. She provides her readers with some of the best, complete and accurate information I have ever seen written in a book. The reader (in this case me) knows that she/he is being provided with information of the highest standard, the author doesn't withhold important facts and obviously loves what she does as seen in the quality work she produces. Sewing from the soul.I don't do Bridal Sewing but am interested in Couture Sewing. This book is one of the finest on the subject. I highly recommend it.

As an experienced amateur seamstress I was looking for a book that would guide me through both designing and sewing a wedding dress for my 6'3" daughter. This book was exactly what I needed to accomplish my goal. Step by step I was able to complete each part of the gown. The final product was stunning and much of the beauty of the gown was because of the construction techniques on the inside that no one would know about eg. lining the fabric (bodice only) with white baby flannelette and treating it as one piece. The beautiful, smooth, princess seams were perfect. In reading the details and applying them to my situation I was able to create a lovely gown. With a good sewing background, a passion for perfection, love for my daughter and her dream dress AND this wonderful book it was everything I had hoped for and would highly recommend it.

This book is fantastic, regardless of how much knowledge you have on the subject of sewing or textiles. Susan's discussions of the various types of fabrics used in formal and bridal sewing will help novices speak knowledgeably about what they want. As a professional bridal seamstress with a background in costuming I was particularly impressed with the way the author emphasizes how a garment should "behave" and that she gives suggestions on fabrics to be used as linings and interlinings. How a dress is made on the inside is vitally important to how it looks on the outside, and this book will help novices understand why that is and help professionals to achieve it. This book is definitely a must have for anyone involved in making a wedding gown, whether you are a bride or a seamstress.

People who sew will profit from this book but anyone having a gown made by a seamstress/tailor MUST master the content of this excellent volume as well. It will make you an insufferable client because you will KNOW what a fine couture gown is supposed to be. My mother was an accomplished amateur seamstress who employed ALL of the techniques Susan Khalje describes for constructing bodices and handling fabrics. Those details cannot be sacrificed if the end result is to be as promised. This book is a gold mine.

Couture. The finest workmanship, with the finest design, with the finest fabric, with the finest instuctor. Susan Khalje fills the need for instruction in the fine art of Bridal Couture. Her instruction is precise, and easy to understand with lovely photos to guide the student through the process of creating a couture gown. Attention is given not only to construction, but to fabric selection, and expert fit. This book is truly a must for dressmakers who strive for the perfection of couture.