After a Fashion: How to Reproduce, Restore, and Wear Vintage Styles

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Summary: Reader Comments Sent Directly to the Publisher
Review: "One of the most wonderful sewing/historical costuming books I've ever read." "Whenever I'm trying to figure out how to restore a vintage piece, this is the book I turn to." "A wonderful work that has something for everyone--beginner to advanced." "I've been sewing for over 30 years, and After a Fashion is definitely the most valuable sewing book I own. It's just full of great advice, and absolutely indispensable if you're repairing and restoring vintage garments." "Hard-to-find information is unified and clearly presented. I know I'll use it as a reference for a long time and recommend it often." "Like five books for the price of one." "Engaging, informative, well written--a wonderful resource!"

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Summary: Equally Useful for Costumers and Vintage Clothing Collectors
Review: After a Fashion tells how to make authentic historic reproductions and how to mend and alter vintage clothes. It covers medieval through Art Deco styles, for men and women. It guides costumers through each stage of a reproduction project--planning, designing, choosing materials, and constructing. Unlike dating/identification guides, it advises vintage clothing collectors on all aspects of collecting--buying, restoring, fitting, wearing, and storing. It includes many illustrated, step-by-step mending and alterations instructions. An updated appendix lists over 600 sources (on-line and otherwise) for costuming supplies, vintage clothes, and information. This new edition includes information on researching, buying, and selling on the Internet. And it gives instructions for more pattern-drafting and sewing techniques.

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Summary: Very good on techniques and all aspects of clothing
Review: An excellent companion to a pattern book. Covers all aspects of costuming, creation, altering, and mending.

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Summary: Be Sure Which Edition You Want
Review: As of this date two editions of After a Fashion have been published, the first in 1993 and the second in 1998. The first edition is officially out of print (although we have a small number of copies left). The second edition is updated, revised, and expanded. Be sure which edition you want before ordering.

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Summary: Most Practical and Resourceful
Review: Best book I've found. Descriptions and illustrations for each historical period, as well as outfit planning, authentic fabrics, sewing and patternmaking tips, mending, restoring, and resources from A to Z -- books, websites, catalogs, periodicals... My #1 pick.

Rating:
Summary: Most Practical and Resourceful
Review: Best book I've found. Descriptions and illustrations for each historical period, as well as outfit planning, authentic fabrics, sewing and patternmaking tips, mending, restoring, and resources from A to Z -- books, websites, catalogs, periodicals... My #1 pick.

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Summary: Nice costume book
Review: I thought this was a useful book on costuming. There are lots of illistrations and detailed info, such as what style of lace, or what patterns were popular/available during the periods. Good buy, very helpful!

Rating:
Summary: Nice costume book
Review: I thought this was a useful book on costuming. There are lots of illistrations and detailed info, such as what style of lace, or what patterns were popular/available during the periods. Good buy, very helpful!

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Summary: Could have done with this years ago
Review: I wish I had know about this book years ago ! Needless to say I'm going to order copies for friends too. The layout is clear and easy to follow. The topic covered are comprehensive. There is plenty of information given to progress your knowledge further. All in all a great addition to the historic costumiers library.

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Summary: A book for use in real life
Review: I'm a swing dancer and I love this book because it tells how to deal with vintage clothes you actually WEAR! Some books seem to think everybody who buys vintage clothes is some kind of museum. Or that they're rich and only buy perfect clothes in fancy boutiques. This book gives instructions for real-life cleaning, mending, and altering to fit you (for men's clothes too). And how to work with vintage patterns to make your own repros. This book ROCKS!