Thursday 20 March 2014

My tailor's bookshelf

I’m often asked where I get my patterns from and for tips on how to make garments.
Since tailoring is now my full time profession I’m not at liberty to hand out the patterns I have created and refined.

But what I can show you is my bookshelf of reference material I use when I’m in need of some direction or inspiration.

I use a mixture of modern and antique books.

Many of the vintage books I have contain contemporary instruction on how to draw up frock coats, lounge jacket and waistcoats, all with that distinctive Edwardian twist.

The more modern books give me construction ideas using up to date fabrics and interfaces.

It is a mix of these two that helps me do what I do.
Here’s the full current content of my library.





The Victorian Tailor
Jason MacLochlainn - Batsford 2011







Men’s Garments 1830 - 1900
R I Davis - Players Press 1994




The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing Singer -
Creative Publishing International 2005





Grading for the Fashion Industry
Martin M Shoben & Patrick J Taylor - Sheben Fashion Media 2004




Classic Tailoring Techniques in Men’s Wear
Roberto Cabrera & Patrick Flaherty Meyers - Fairchild 1983




Tailoring: A step-by-step Guide to Creating beautiful Customised Garments - Apple 2005





Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear Winifred Aldrich -
Blackwell Publishing 1980




Illustrated Guide to Sewing: Tailoring - Fox Chapel 2011






Shirtmaking David Page Coffin - Taunton 1998




Singer Sewing Book
Mary Brooks Picken -
McGraw-Hill Publishing 1954





Cutting and Designing for Men’s Tailoring J Cutler -
New Era Publishing




The Science of Pattern Construction for Garment Makers
B W Poole - New Era Publishing





The Modern Tailor Outfitter and Clothier Vols I to III
A A Whife - Caxton 1949





The Encyclopaedia of Sewing Techniques Wendy Gardiner - Search Press 2003





Design and Cutting Modern Leisure & Cotton Garments for Men A G Chaudhry -
The Tailor and Cutter



The Cut of men’s Clothes 1600 - 1900 Norah Waugh -
Faber and Faber 1964






Complete Guide to Sewing - Reader’s Digest 1978



The Haslam Practical Guide to Dressmaking & Tailoring
G A & F A Haslam






The Art of Garment Making
Philip Dellafera -
The Tailor and Cutter




Textile of Tailors
E Ostick - The Tailor and Cutter






The Elements of Modern Dressmaking
J E Davis -
Cassell & Co Ltd 1894


Cutting and Fitting
Principles of Tailoring Women’s Institute 1928
Tailored Garments

The Modern Tailor Outfitter and Clothier Vols I to III
A S Bridgland - Caxton 1928

Monday 10 March 2014

Superb Herbert Johnson
fur felt fedora on eBay

I don’t often highlight items like this, since it is not screen-used, but this is a particularly fine example.

Original 1090s Herbert Johnson Fur Felt Fedoras don’t come up often - which would explain the last minute bidding frenzy that pushed this hat to almost £400!

Original 1960s’ Herbert Johnson Artist/Poet's Chocolate Fur Fedora Hat
SOLD FOR £397

This item is in great condition and is unworn. The hat stands 5 1/2" all with a 3 3/4" peak. The interior is also immaculate. All our items are genuine & all the information we have is included in description.