Draping

Draping - the art of using calico to design directly on a dress form - is an essential skill for fashion students. Covering the most basic to more advanced techniques, this series of master classes provides a complete course. Projects include dresses, skirts, trousers and jackets, highlighting key fashion garments such as Audrey Hepburns dress from Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Starting with the basics of preparing the dress form and fabric, the book advances through pinning, trimming and clipping, and creating shape using darts and tucks, to adding volume using pleats and gathers, and handling complex curves. Advanced skills include how to use support elements such as shoulder pads, under layers and petticoats, and how to handle bias draping.

Each exercise and project throughout the book is explained with step-by-step photographs and line drawings that bring to life the art of creating womenswear in three dimensions.