In this illustrated guide, nationally acclaimed sewing expert Adele P. Margolis offers easy, step-by-step instructions for how to sew your own dresses. An essential primer for every seamstress, The Dressmaking Book features more than 200 how-to line drawings covering the fundamentals of style and sewing. This complete course includes how to select materials and handle troublesome fabric; alter patterns to fit your needs; sewing machine basics; and types of hand stitching for fine dressmaking. From picking a pattern to finished garment, this book covers everything the novice dressmaker needs to know.