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From: Scratch 'N Sniff
Date: 07-14-2005, 12:12 AM (1 of 11)
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Anyone had any experience with these books? Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear by Susan Khalje and Bridal Gowns: How to Make the Wedding Dress of Your Dreams by Susan Andriks. I have a gift card to amazon.com and they have a good deal if you buy both of them together. Are they worth it? I don't want just a book to point me to a bunch of other patterns, I want something to show me how to do the advanced techniques. Anyone had any experience with either? Thanks!
~debie
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User: Scratch 'N Sniff
Member since: 01-02-2003 Total posts: 46 |
From: Susiesew
Date: 07-14-2005, 11:35 AM (2 of 11)
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I have the Susan Khalje book - It has some beautiful pictures of dresses but as I remember it not a lot of hands on directions and techniques. Happy sewing, Susie |
User: Susiesew
Member since: 06-06-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: kibby
Date: 07-19-2005, 01:20 PM (3 of 11)
| I have the Susan K. book and have found it invaluable. I did use the hands on instructions. It solved several problems for me. |
User: kibby
Member since: 07-19-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-19-2005, 07:02 PM (4 of 11)
Hey Kibby, welcome to Sew Whats New. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 07-20-2005, 12:37 AM (5 of 11)
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I also have the Susan Khalje book and have referenced it numerous time when constructing bridal or prom apparel. However, if you don't do that kind of sewing, there would not be much need to refer to it as it specifically addresses wedding/formal wear. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: smessier
Date: 07-23-2005, 01:03 PM (6 of 11)
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I've just ordered the Susan Khalje book and just after I did, I read a review saying it only concentrated on out-of-date gowns and the very popular A-line was not addressed. My dgd has asked me to make her wedding gown for next year and guess what style she wants...yup, A-line. Will this book still help me, or is there another out there that would be more helpful? Anyone know of any good wedding dress patterns? 
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User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-23-2005, 02:05 PM (7 of 11)
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smessier Susan K's book was originally published in 1997 so she does show gowns that probably are a little dated now, but her basic construction techniques for any gown are wonderful (i.e., constructing a muslin, underlining, lining, hemming, attaching skirt to bodice, bodices, etc.) As far as patterns, all of the Big 4 (Simplicity, McCall's, Butterick, Vogue) have wedding gown patterns or you may have to purchase a couple of patterns and combine them to get the exact look your daughter wants. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: smessier
Date: 07-27-2005, 12:33 PM (8 of 11)
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Thanks, Patsy! That's exactly what I was hoping...that I could use the techniques regardless of the style she chooses. I think I'm going to end up combining a couple of patterns for this dress. Yikes! It's a bit intimidating to have such an IMPORTANT job.  Thanks again. And if anyone has ANY pointers at all on things to remember when sewing a wedding dress, please feel free to offer them! Sandy |
User: smessier
Member since: 09-03-2004 Total posts: 114 |
From: Scratch 'N Sniff
Date: 08-04-2005, 01:31 PM (9 of 11)
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Well, I just got both books in the mail yesterday and I have to say I was a little disappointed. All the styles pictured in the books are very dated, looking more like what my mother wore than what I'll wear. Perhaps its a generational gap thing, but I was really suprized not to see even one A-line dress with a continuous bodice and skirt. I mean, that's all I see now in wedding magazines, so why can't I see it in pattern books? The books do have some good information about different fabric types and lots of information on how to apply lace, but I'm not sure I'll get that much use out of them. So my caveat: If you want a dress with poufy sleeves, a skirt thats heavily gathered at the waist, and lots of bows and ruffles, this is a great book. If not, consider saving your money.
~debie
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User: Scratch 'N Sniff
Member since: 01-02-2003 Total posts: 46 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 08-04-2005, 03:10 PM (10 of 11)
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I purchased Susan K's book for the professional construction techniques, not the pictures. If you want to look at pictures of wedding gowns, go to a fabric store and look at the pattern books. When you buy a wedding gown pattern, you will see that the instructions with it are very sketchy and sort of amatuerish construction techniques, that's where Claire Shaeffer and Susan Khajle's books come in with their step by step construction techniques for underlining, boning, etc. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Scratch 'N Sniff
Date: 08-04-2005, 10:41 PM (11 of 11)
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I know what style I'm looking for, and not looking for pictures. I draft almost all my own patterns because I really don't like what's available from pattern companies. I do a lot of draping as well. I guess I was looking for more variety of techniques, both books seem very heavily focused on attaching sleeves and bodices, rather than, for example, adding extra crinoline for fullness on a dress with no waist seam, or how to create a french bustle, or how to make a lace-up back with the stiff modesty panels that I see on dresses. I'm sure I can figure out anything I need with enough experimenting, but it would have been nice to see some more modern techniques.
~debie
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User: Scratch 'N Sniff
Member since: 01-02-2003 Total posts: 46 |
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