favorite references
Elsebeth Gynther: Easy Style: Sewing the New Classics
A fabulous book if you have the urge to create your own clothing designs. Basic patterns are provided, along with countless variations in sketches and photos. In addition to raglan and set-in-sleeve tops, pants, and skirts, there are pocket patterns, hats, and dozens of collars. There is a lot of basic sewing information, and there are many garments presented with step-by-step instructions, but this book is especially valuable because it gets you thinking about design possibilities. (btw the image is incorrect--it's the cover of an american knock-off on the same theme. The original is a paperback in yellow). (*****)- Nina Ericson: Klader:Creating Fantastic Clothes
Great ideas for creating simple clothing. Most have very simple construction; the appeal is in using unusual materials to convey personal style. There are patterns for blouses, skirts, and coats, but for me the inspiring photos of real people are the true charm of this book. (****) 
Verity Wilson: Dress in Detail from Around the World
An inspirational feast for lovers of clothing, cloth and embellishment. Replete with detailed line drawings and sumptuous full-color photographs of garments from all times and places: Palestinan dresses, Indian trousers, Korean jackets, Russian coats (of salmon skin!), African tunics. The photos provide endless ideas for ornamentation, the drawings show every seamline as if to cry “recreate this!”. I just found this book-- it was love at first browse. (*****)
Madelyn van der Hoogt: The Complete Book of Drafting for Handweavers
With my imagination in a very advanced yoga pose, I could conceive of a weaver who didn't need this book. Maybe if you did only plain weave, or only tapestry, you'd never have reason to pick up this volume. Or of course you might be a natural genius. The rest of us occasionally need some help, and this is where to find it. Essential. (*****)
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