TAILOR AND DRESSMAKER

ASSOCIATIONS

American Apparel and Footwear Association
1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22209
(800) 520-2262
Web site: http://www.americanapparel.org
This organization was founded in 2000 by the merger of the American Apparel Manufacturers Association, the Fashion Association, and the Footwear Industries of America. It represents the apparel industry by promoting education, providing news and information, and making resources about the apparel industry available.

British Columbia Apparel Industry Association
110-355 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8
(604) 689-2775
Web site: http://www.apparel-bc.org
This Canadian organization serves as a liaison between government, media, and apparel industry workers in matters concerning the apparel industry. Its meetings allow members to share ideas and discuss issues, such as wages, trends, and labor.

WEB SITES

101 Sewing Links
http://www.sharewareplace.com/101/101/sew.shtml
This site is a directory of sewing-related information.

Sewing World
http://www.sewingworld.com
Sewing World brings you a wealth of information about sewing, such as up-to-date sewing news, discussion boards, and downloadable embroidery files.

BOOKS

Betzina, Sandra, Fabric Savvy: The Essential Advice for Every Sewer. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, Incorporated, 1998.
This handy reference book will teach all you need to know about choosing fabrics for your creations.

Carr, Harold. Technology in Clothing Manufacture. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Limited, 1994.
Check out this book to learn about clothing manufacturing, including information on the machines used, methods for cutting and sewing, and the use of computers.

Rudman, Jack. Dressmaking. Syosset, NY: National Learning Corporation, 1994.
If you're interested in becoming a dressmaker, this book will help you prepare for the tests that may be required of you. Sample exams give you a taste of what to expect.

Rudman, Jack. Tailor. Syosset, NY: National Learning Corporation, 1994. This guide will get you ready for your exam if you're going to be taking a competency test to prove your tailoring knowledge.

Saunders, Jan. Sewing for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN; I D G Books Worldwide, 1999.
Step-by-step instructions are paired with informative pictures to help you get started in sewing. This book ranges from the most simple aspects of sewing to the more complex, to give you a wide range of sewing instructions.

Sykes, Barbara W. The Business of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success. Chino Hills, CA: Collins Publications, 1992.
This is a guide to starting your own sewing business. Topics such as developing a business plan and choosing employees are covered.

PERIODICALS

Sewing Savvy
23 Old Pecan Road
Big Sandy, TX 75755
e-mail: editor@sewingsavvy.com
Web site: http://www.sewingsavvy.com
Sewing enthusiasts look to this magazine to get tips on sewing, as well as informative articles, free patterns, and regular features. This magazine will surely be of help if you love to sew!

Threads
The Taunton Press, Inc.
63 South Main Street
P.O. Box 5506
Newtown, CT 06470
(202) 426-8171
Web site: http://www.taunton.com/th/th/index.xml
Threads is a magazine for those in the garment industry. Each issue includes articles to help tailors and dressmakers learn more about their craft. Topics covered range from fabric to helpful sewing and designing tips.