Sewing for the Apparel Industry, second edition, by Claire Shaeffer (published by Pearson), is a 600 page textbook written for college level fashion design students. There are 27 chapters that start with an introduction to each chapter and the objectives to achieve in the chapter. Key words are highlighted throughout the book with a glossary at the back of the book. At the end of each chapter there is a chapter summary and review questions. The book comes with an envelope of 111 patterns to be used when making samples of the multiple applications. At the end of the book are many usable appendices that include safety rules, forms for photocopying, stitching charts, photos of lock stitch machine for labeling, cost sheet, garment components and operations sheet, and operations sequence form, fiber comparison chart, illustration of hand sewing stitches, ASTM schematics of seams and stitches, troubleshooting stitching and pressing defects, and a burn test sheet. 

This book’s main focus is on the sewing techniques used in industrial manufacturing for cost control.

• Part l - Apparel Production introduces you to the manufacturing process from design stage to the production process with three chapters dedicated to using the lockstitch machine and other industrial equipment. 
• Part ll - Basic Production Operations will take you from the most cost effective approach to the more difficult applications on seams, hems, darts, facings, plackets and interlinings. 
• Part lll - Additional Production Operations continues with bands, cuffs, sleeves, closures, zippers, collars, pockets, bias and bias applications, linings and backings. 
• Part lV - Basic Knit Applications covers the basic applications used in assembling knit seams, hems, edge finishes, bands and cuffs, zippers, plackets, and sleeves. 

This book has over 1000 illustrations depicting the step-by-step directions.

I purchased this book a couple of years ago. As with any reference book, I recommend that you read the preface and then fan through to see if there are pictures and/or illustrations. I wish I had this book 25 years ago when I started my business. When you have a custom sewing and alterations business, time is money; you are always looking for ways to save time. Over years of doing alterations I learned many of the techniques shown in the book by taking garments apart. This book would have saved me a lot of time. I found it funny that some of the forms in the appendix were of basic stitching lines to practice sewing on. Then I remembered when I first sewed on a lockstitch machine 30 years ago and how I felt when relearning how to control my stitching and the construction process since there was no free arm. Being an accomplished sewer, I found the applications very clear, but if a student new to sewing was not guided on some of the procedures it may not be as clear. This is an expensive book, as most text books are, but it is an excellent reference book for anyone in manufacturing or altering of apparel.

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Written by Linda Homan, ASDP Member