Product Description

Now available from Abrams, this popular book offers a rare, close-up look at the exquisite, labor-intensive details seen in fine historical clothing. Perfect decorative seams, minute stitching, knife-sharp pleats, and voluptuous drapery--all are here, alongside more unusual techniques such as stamping, pinking, and slashing. Most of these effects cannot be replicated by machine, yet many of today's fashion designers take their inspiration from the past, adapting these details to a more contemporary idiom, and to the realities of modern manufacturing.

Drawing from the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-famous collections, the book contains a gallery of exquisite photographs, accompanied by clear line drawings showing the construction of the complete garment and a text that sets each in the context of its time. This book will appeal to anyone interested in fashion, historical costume, or textile history, from cut and construct to fabric and trimmings.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42879 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 223 pages

About the Author
Avril Hart is an expert in historical dress. Her published work includes Englishmen's Fashionable Dress: 1600-1799, Ties, and Fans. Susan North is Curator, Department of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion, at the V&A.

Customer Reviews

More than expected
When I bought this book, I was a budding historical seamstress. It is a marvelous representation of historical dress! The pictures are lovely, but the design sketch of each garment is what really sets this book apart. The descriptions explain the construction as well. A smart purchase you won't regret!

Oh, my goodness
The photo close ups showed the amazing details of the craftmanship in that time period. I only wish there were more French pieces.

Lots of detail
I purchased this book to see more examples of dress from the time period. I was very satisfied with the pictures it shows of the clothing. It shows a pencil drawing of the entire garment and then there is a colored photo of certain details on an actual garment from the period. In the pictures you can even seee some of the hand stitching. Many of the dresses are very detailed with embroidery which of course someone must have taken forever to stitch on. The garments are beautiful examples to look at for anyone interested in this time period.