Simple tailoring & alterations Hems, waistbands, seams, sleeves, pockets, cuffs, darts, tucks, fastenings, necklines, linings

The ability to repair and alter clothing is becoming a lost art in the era of inexpensive, mass-produced fashion, but a properly fitted garment elevates the wearer's everyday style. Costume maker Francois-Campbell's guide to tailoring and altering discusses a variety of garment types, including skirts, dresses, jackets, trousers, and shirts, with specific tips for each. These tips range from the everyday (altering the hem on a pair of pants) to the more adventurous (reshaping a jacket by altering the back seams). Illustrated instructions demonstrate the process; a guide to basic stitches is included. VERDICT Sewists looking for ways to rescue or refit a favorite garment are the primary audience, but this guide is accessible enough for readers with little-to-no sewing skills to work their way through basic DIY repairs. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.