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Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket, Sewing secrets from a Chanel Collector
Make this signature jacket for yourself. Coco Chanel’s designs have captivated the imaginations of fashion lovers for generations. Now, with The Couture Cardigan Jacket , home sewers can create their own high-fashion jackets with the impeccable look and fine detailing of the iconic original. Renowned instructor Claire B. Shaeffer reveals designer secrets. This book and DVD set provides you with the behind-the-scenes information and design-atelier secrets that have made author Claire B. Shaeffer’s sewing classes famous. Learn the fine art of couture sewing. With The Couture Cardigan Jacket , you will be able to follow all the steps involved in replicating the characteristics of this signature jacket, From the skirt to the iconic Chanel suit. With Shaeffer's must-read Couture The Couture Skirt (The Taunton Press, 2015) you will be able to create your own complete Chanel suit with a beautiful fit and finish!
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2014
“Couture Sewing, the Cardigan Jacket” Will Take Your Sewing to a Whole New Level
Have you ever dreamed of wearing a couture-quality jacket but don’t have the funds? Now you can take your sewing skills to a couture level with “Couture Sewing, the Cardigan Jacket.” This timeless jacket style is explored in step-by-step instructions accompanied by a DVD for demonstrating techniques. Now, this is not a book for beginners, but if you already have strong sewing skills and you’d like to take them from good to great, then this is the book for you. I have to admit that just reading this book made me want to head to the nearest fabric store for some good wool and luscious trims!
So, if taking your sewing skills to a new level is part of your sewing goals, invest in “Couture Sewing, the Cardigan Jacket.” Claire Shaeffer’s obvious love of her subject matter and detailed and well-illustrated directions should provide any motivated home sewer with the information and skills to get to the next level.
This book was provided to me by the publisher for this review. The opinions, however, are entirely my own!
Have you ever dreamed of wearing a couture-quality jacket but don’t have the funds? Now you can take your sewing skills to a couture level with “Couture Sewing, the Cardigan Jacket.” This timeless jacket style is explored in step-by-step instructions accompanied by a DVD for demonstrating techniques. Now, this is not a book for beginners, but if you already have strong sewing skills and you’d like to take them from good to great, then this is the book for you. I have to admit that just reading this book made me want to head to the nearest fabric store for some good wool and luscious trims!
So, if taking your sewing skills to a new level is part of your sewing goals, invest in “Couture Sewing, the Cardigan Jacket.” Claire Shaeffer’s obvious love of her subject matter and detailed and well-illustrated directions should provide any motivated home sewer with the information and skills to get to the next level.
This book was provided to me by the publisher for this review. The opinions, however, are entirely my own!
October 26, 2013
I have sewn garments for more than forty years, so I was intrigued by the chance to review this title. I remember pouring over the pages of Vogue each month looking for what to make next, and still have some higher quality fabric from the eighties that never got used. I was eager to discover if the author could teach me something new, while keeping the instructions clear enough for a less experienced sewer.
I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. The attention to detail, such as considering the appropriate lining fabric before purchasing the shell fabric, is excellent. The reader is taken from the planning stages to the completed garment, with clear, easy-to-follow photos accompanying each step.
Along with the instructional photos, the book is rich with images of vintage Chanel garments and an explanation of some technique or choice the designer was known to use. I recommend reading the book before purchasing your pattern or making any textile choices, or you’ll see something you like better than what you have bought and wish you’d gotten that trim or fabric.
I recommend this book for all but the most basic sewers, or a basic user with an experienced person to assist, mainly because of the investment costs when working with such fine fabric. I plan to gift my daughter with a copy, as she’s graduated from online tutorials to some designing on her own and I think the techniques shown here will allow her to take her skills up a level or two.
*I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. The attention to detail, such as considering the appropriate lining fabric before purchasing the shell fabric, is excellent. The reader is taken from the planning stages to the completed garment, with clear, easy-to-follow photos accompanying each step.
Along with the instructional photos, the book is rich with images of vintage Chanel garments and an explanation of some technique or choice the designer was known to use. I recommend reading the book before purchasing your pattern or making any textile choices, or you’ll see something you like better than what you have bought and wish you’d gotten that trim or fabric.
I recommend this book for all but the most basic sewers, or a basic user with an experienced person to assist, mainly because of the investment costs when working with such fine fabric. I plan to gift my daughter with a copy, as she’s graduated from online tutorials to some designing on her own and I think the techniques shown here will allow her to take her skills up a level or two.
*I was given a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 20, 2020
I'm still an amateur at sewing, but aspire to greater things. This book makes me think I can tackle the ultimate challenge--a Chanel jacket. As other's have observed, the DVD is a must. There are many places in the book in which the explanation is just not enough. Watching the DVD cleared everything up. Now, if I can just get the fit right, I'll be ready to make my first couture cardigan jacket. ;)
August 3, 2017
Now I really understand why Chanel cardigan jackets are so special. This book is a step by step look at of the Chanel jacket from the outside in. For sewers and fashion enthusiasts this book should be an education and endlessly fasinating.
October 29, 2024
Claire B. Schaeffer is the quintessential teacher for couture sewing, and her books are excellent guides. I am following her instructions step by step to make a Chanel type jacket, and will make more.
March 1, 2025
Claire tells in detail how to sew a "Chanel" jacket. Great resource to have.
November 19, 2013
Netgalley kindly gave this for me to review, and I am pleased to say secrets are uncovered and mysteries unveiled. While I am not the type to actually wear a couture jacket (a Chanel jacket with jeans, say, is not my favorite combination) I do admit to admiring the luxury of the material and the exquisite craftsmanship of the creation.
There were a number of techniques discussed here that could be applied to effect on other projects one wanted to upgrade to the level of fine art. For instance, you may have wondered why certain items of clothing you have owed (or borrowed from a friend or relative) lasted so well, and could take the abuse of daily living without showing the effects. Perhaps sometime you admired the drape of a jacket fabric without knowing quite how they achieved that custom fit. Without taking the garment apart, you were never going to uncover the mystery.
Author Claudia Shaeffer does all that for us and more. She shows us the machine and hand sewing techniques for each stage of the jacket process. One part I found most interesting was the cutting and seam-marking. It may seem obvious to some, but thread-marking the seams rather than using some other marker is clearly superior to anything else I can think of when one is cutting from a large piece of fabric with an obvious graphic. (I am not talking about Chanel jackets here, but using unique fabrics for specialized projects).
Buttonholing, sleeve side vents, applying gimp trim and pockets are all discussed, and it should come as no surprise that good results comes from careful attention to detail and patient hand sewing techniques. These are projects in which one must revel in the process rather than simply the product. But with the right kind of desire, one can produce lovely, long-lasting and unique pieces of clothing art…and it doesn’t have to look like Chanel unless you want it to.
Shaeffer includes high-quality and useful close-up pictures in the book of the techniques she describes, and has many gorgeous photographs of Chanel jackets through the years. While I did not see the DVD included with the book, it must be an equally useful master course in couture fitting. For an aspiring tailor, clothing designer, or seamstress, to find a teacher for these techniques is as rare as hen’s teeth. Artisans that can do these things can rarely explain it. Shaeffer has done that AND produced a book with beautiful, clear photographs that you can reference again and again as you struggle to achieve something unique.
As I went to post this review, I discovered that Claire B. Shaeffer has an entire line of books and DVD sets on couture sewing techniques. Her line is wonderfully priced by the indispensable craft publisher Taunton Press. Creating works of art by hand makes better people of us—those who appreciate the time and effort involved in success and failure and beauty. We begin to understand talent, patience, perseverance…those things that will make a difference to us in our lives and loves. If you know an aspiring fabric-ator, the name Claire B. Shaeffer is a useful name to know.
There were a number of techniques discussed here that could be applied to effect on other projects one wanted to upgrade to the level of fine art. For instance, you may have wondered why certain items of clothing you have owed (or borrowed from a friend or relative) lasted so well, and could take the abuse of daily living without showing the effects. Perhaps sometime you admired the drape of a jacket fabric without knowing quite how they achieved that custom fit. Without taking the garment apart, you were never going to uncover the mystery.
Author Claudia Shaeffer does all that for us and more. She shows us the machine and hand sewing techniques for each stage of the jacket process. One part I found most interesting was the cutting and seam-marking. It may seem obvious to some, but thread-marking the seams rather than using some other marker is clearly superior to anything else I can think of when one is cutting from a large piece of fabric with an obvious graphic. (I am not talking about Chanel jackets here, but using unique fabrics for specialized projects).
Buttonholing, sleeve side vents, applying gimp trim and pockets are all discussed, and it should come as no surprise that good results comes from careful attention to detail and patient hand sewing techniques. These are projects in which one must revel in the process rather than simply the product. But with the right kind of desire, one can produce lovely, long-lasting and unique pieces of clothing art…and it doesn’t have to look like Chanel unless you want it to.
Shaeffer includes high-quality and useful close-up pictures in the book of the techniques she describes, and has many gorgeous photographs of Chanel jackets through the years. While I did not see the DVD included with the book, it must be an equally useful master course in couture fitting. For an aspiring tailor, clothing designer, or seamstress, to find a teacher for these techniques is as rare as hen’s teeth. Artisans that can do these things can rarely explain it. Shaeffer has done that AND produced a book with beautiful, clear photographs that you can reference again and again as you struggle to achieve something unique.
As I went to post this review, I discovered that Claire B. Shaeffer has an entire line of books and DVD sets on couture sewing techniques. Her line is wonderfully priced by the indispensable craft publisher Taunton Press. Creating works of art by hand makes better people of us—those who appreciate the time and effort involved in success and failure and beauty. We begin to understand talent, patience, perseverance…those things that will make a difference to us in our lives and loves. If you know an aspiring fabric-ator, the name Claire B. Shaeffer is a useful name to know.
November 19, 2014
I received a complimentary copy of Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket:Sewing secrets from a Chanel Collector from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, Claire Shaeffer introduces couture sewing techniques and methods for the Chanel jacket. The research/studying of original Chanel jackets, and the illustrations makes it a great guide for the brave or skilled home sewing enthusiast. Ms. Shaeffer’s reverse engineering and tailoring techniques allow her to present straightforward the "how to” instructions with plenty of photos. In the hardcopy book, there is a DVD, however, it was not made available to reviewers of the e-book.
There were a number of techniques discussed here that could be applied to effect on other projects one wanted to upgrade to the level of fine art. Without taking the garment apart, one would never uncover the mystery of its fine construction. Ms. Shaeffer does all that for us and more. The machine and hand sewing techniques for each stage of the jacket process are both described and depicted. I found the use of tape and chain weight to stabilize internal areas of the jacket a handy technique that could be applied to many projects—couture or not.
Most home seamstresses will glean some useful information from this book, but because much of the construction is done with hand-sewing, it is not likely that many will have the patience or fortitude to take on a project like this. I’m sure the techniques presented could be coupled with a good pattern and that some of the hand stitching could be replaced with machine stitching on a piece made with a modern pattern.
I recommend this book to any experienced home seamstress who would like to enhance their skills.
In this book, Claire Shaeffer introduces couture sewing techniques and methods for the Chanel jacket. The research/studying of original Chanel jackets, and the illustrations makes it a great guide for the brave or skilled home sewing enthusiast. Ms. Shaeffer’s reverse engineering and tailoring techniques allow her to present straightforward the "how to” instructions with plenty of photos. In the hardcopy book, there is a DVD, however, it was not made available to reviewers of the e-book.
There were a number of techniques discussed here that could be applied to effect on other projects one wanted to upgrade to the level of fine art. Without taking the garment apart, one would never uncover the mystery of its fine construction. Ms. Shaeffer does all that for us and more. The machine and hand sewing techniques for each stage of the jacket process are both described and depicted. I found the use of tape and chain weight to stabilize internal areas of the jacket a handy technique that could be applied to many projects—couture or not.
Most home seamstresses will glean some useful information from this book, but because much of the construction is done with hand-sewing, it is not likely that many will have the patience or fortitude to take on a project like this. I’m sure the techniques presented could be coupled with a good pattern and that some of the hand stitching could be replaced with machine stitching on a piece made with a modern pattern.
I recommend this book to any experienced home seamstress who would like to enhance their skills.
December 29, 2013
I received an e-copy from Netgalley, but I have purchased several of her other books.
Shaeffer is a well-established sewing author and many people like her books. But, her writing style may not be effective for all sewists. The steps that I find confusing and would like to see illustrated are not explained in detail. But the ones I find easy are illustrated.
Trim sets Chanel jackets apart, so the lack of detail on how to achieve trim effects is notable. Several jackets are shown in detail during the construction process except they skip the trim part. That is, the book shows the construction up to the trim. Then tells you to make the trim and apply it by hand.
???
How does she make the trim that looks like whipstitching around the jacket edges but isn't really whipstitching?
Other sewing teachers and many bloggers have written about Chanel techniques. If you want to sew a Chanel jacket, this might be a good addition to your library. It will take you through fitting and making the quilted shell. When you get to the trim part, you will need other references.
Shaeffer is a well-established sewing author and many people like her books. But, her writing style may not be effective for all sewists. The steps that I find confusing and would like to see illustrated are not explained in detail. But the ones I find easy are illustrated.
Trim sets Chanel jackets apart, so the lack of detail on how to achieve trim effects is notable. Several jackets are shown in detail during the construction process except they skip the trim part. That is, the book shows the construction up to the trim. Then tells you to make the trim and apply it by hand.
???
How does she make the trim that looks like whipstitching around the jacket edges but isn't really whipstitching?
Other sewing teachers and many bloggers have written about Chanel techniques. If you want to sew a Chanel jacket, this might be a good addition to your library. It will take you through fitting and making the quilted shell. When you get to the trim part, you will need other references.
May 12, 2014
As an intermediate home sewer, tackling a project such as a couture Chanel jacket may be slightly out of my league at this point. However, this book is a valuable reference tool for garment construction that it is worth the purchase. The book is beautifully photographed and well written. The accompanying DVD is very complementary to the book.
This is one of a series of couture sewing books by Ms. Shaeffer. I also own Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised and Updated and Couture Sewing: Tailoring Techniques which I also found to be extremely well produced. I have found Ms. Shaeffer's books to all be impeccably researched and detailed in step-by-step instruction. I have employed her techniques in garment construction and it has assisted me in developing more professionally finished looking projects. Her books go on my must-buy list!
A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of a series of couture sewing books by Ms. Shaeffer. I also own Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised and Updated and Couture Sewing: Tailoring Techniques which I also found to be extremely well produced. I have found Ms. Shaeffer's books to all be impeccably researched and detailed in step-by-step instruction. I have employed her techniques in garment construction and it has assisted me in developing more professionally finished looking projects. Her books go on my must-buy list!
A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2014
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my review. I did not receive the accompanying DVD.
This book is exactly what it sounds like- a how-to sewing guide for making a Chanel-style cardigan jacket. This is not a sewing book for beginners, but if you have any experience with home sewing and using patterns, you should be able to follow the directions to make your own jacket. The directions are pretty clear and straightforward, although I wish Shaeffer would have gone into more detail with the finishing touches (trim, buttonholes, hem). There are plenty of pictures for the different steps. This book covers the extra details that take a jacket from ready-to-wear to couture quality (order of sewing, hand stitched linings, chain trim for hem, hand-finished buttonholes, shrinking fabric to get the right fit). If you want to make your own cardigan jacket, this book is a great resource. Shaeffer also includes some basic Chanel history at the end of the book.
This book is exactly what it sounds like- a how-to sewing guide for making a Chanel-style cardigan jacket. This is not a sewing book for beginners, but if you have any experience with home sewing and using patterns, you should be able to follow the directions to make your own jacket. The directions are pretty clear and straightforward, although I wish Shaeffer would have gone into more detail with the finishing touches (trim, buttonholes, hem). There are plenty of pictures for the different steps. This book covers the extra details that take a jacket from ready-to-wear to couture quality (order of sewing, hand stitched linings, chain trim for hem, hand-finished buttonholes, shrinking fabric to get the right fit). If you want to make your own cardigan jacket, this book is a great resource. Shaeffer also includes some basic Chanel history at the end of the book.
January 29, 2014
I really enjoy seeing how sausage is made, as they say, and this book definitely gives you a good idea of how channel style jackets are constructed and what makes them different from other jacket styles.
The book assumes a pretty high level of sewing skill from the outset so while each step is clearly photographed, you will already need to have a good feel for a variety of couture sewing techniques.
I'm giving this a 4 instead of 5 star rating because the companion CD is too scratched to play in its entirety. What I was able to watch is really helpful and I would have liked to see the whole thing, I just don't think their packaging is designed well.
The book assumes a pretty high level of sewing skill from the outset so while each step is clearly photographed, you will already need to have a good feel for a variety of couture sewing techniques.
I'm giving this a 4 instead of 5 star rating because the companion CD is too scratched to play in its entirety. What I was able to watch is really helpful and I would have liked to see the whole thing, I just don't think their packaging is designed well.
February 21, 2014
I read this as a review for NetGalley. Very impressive book.
I have not sewn in years - knitting has been my primary fiber activity. I selected this book to learn about Chanel jacket construction so I can apply some of the techniques to knitting. The detailed, concise and clear instructions, written and illustrated, gave me a lot of knowledge that I can transfer to knitting (there is a lot of overlap between the two crafts).
This is a great reference for tailors and other sewing crafters. I plan on recommending it as a book for my local library to purchase.
I have not sewn in years - knitting has been my primary fiber activity. I selected this book to learn about Chanel jacket construction so I can apply some of the techniques to knitting. The detailed, concise and clear instructions, written and illustrated, gave me a lot of knowledge that I can transfer to knitting (there is a lot of overlap between the two crafts).
This is a great reference for tailors and other sewing crafters. I plan on recommending it as a book for my local library to purchase.
September 29, 2013
Very interesting techniques (some are certifiably brilliant), with clear photos and step-by-step instructions, all based on vintage Chanel fashions. Some are a bit too involved for the average home sewer, but I found them fascinating, and will adapt many of them (tracing the seam lines with thread so they don't wear off like chalk marks? GENIUS.) for my own projects.
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