I think that ten years ago I would have wanted a copy of this book as a reference because there is an amazing amount of material here, and the directions are clear.

However, I know that I am not going to use it. And it's just not that nice a book to leaf through. I found no specific design that made me want to reproduce it. Many designs are just plain ugly. This doesn't make the directions less useful, of course, but it doesn't help the book, either.

One big weakness is that most of the garments shown would be impossible to clean and wear again. I suppose if you are doing 'couture' you don't worry about that. But it does make it a lot less useful for most of us. ( )

Amazing book on different garment embellishments. Beautifully photographed, each chapter starts with a full-page photograph of one the techniques used on a garment, and the other techniques have been worked on sleeves as examples of how they could be used in a garment.

The first chapter gives an overview of basic tools (scissors, marking tools, rulers, pins and needles, sewing machine feet and pressing tools); interfacings and stabilisers; ways of transferring patterns (heat-erasable and air-erasable pens, tear-away interfacing or tissue paper, chalk and oak tag, machine basting, pouncing, pattern paper, freezer paper); basic stitches; basting; knotting thread ends; and pressing seams.

The following chapters cover ruffles and flounces, tucks, pleats, wrinkled pleating, ruching, shirring and smocking, using bias, piping and cording passementerie, appliqué, braids, fringe, pompoms, tassels, feathers, beads and sequins, crystals and nailheads, lace, lace trim, eyelets, grommets, lacing, hand embroidery, ribbon embroidery, decorative ribbons, and flowers. Each chapter starts with information about the materials and techniques, and is illustrated with diagrams and very clear photographs. ( )