The Art of Manipulating Fabric Paperback – 1 Feb. 2003

I’ve bought this book as a gift. I have a copy of my own which is great for trying out a wide variety of fabric manipulations including smocking, controlled pleats, godets , with full instructions on how to do them. All photographs are in black and white which is fine because the fabrics used in all techniques are also white which makes the textures of the fabric very visible.

I couldn't put the book down when it first arrived! Lots of knowledge, useful diagrams and photos showing techniques. Will be an invaluable source when I start sewing some of my ideas and making them reality!

If you love fabric flowers, ruching, shirring, VV Rouleux ribbons, pleating etc and you like Molly Goddard's dresses and Boho outfits, then you need to buy this book. I learnt more from 10 minutes reading this in a café than I have on some sewing courses. You can translate every technique in here onto any project, try it on quilts, bags, curtains, you name it. This book is a bible of knowledge and demystifies what looks complex in couture, to very simple samples, that will give your projects the WOW factor. No need to buy textured, expensive dress fabrics, you CAN do it yourself.

Sure this book is in black and white but it is a rare find and has its own beauty in its monochrome as the pictures work on shade & light to feature the effect, which works. I’m bewitched, it’s a pouring of complete passion and library reference of techniques and the benefit of a lifetimes work catalogued in one place. I don’t know any other book as a ‘go-to’ guide for anyone wanting to learn various techniques from basic to advanced, and allow experimentation on the way in a book quite like this one. Step by step guides with pictures to bring fabric to life from start to end. It is definitely going to be well used in my workroom - well done Colette Wolff - a great book.

This book is the best I have seen on the subject and fantastic value for money. Every type of fabric manipulation is dealt with and there are masses of clear illustrations and detailed instructions to follow. The range of techniques is broad and each one is developed into some very creative ideas. Really useful for my City and Guilds course and it will be a valuable resource.

I bought this book because I was intrigued by the many options of textural effects by studying the immense variety of ways of manipulating fabric for my fibre art projects. In particular I wanted to know more about Canadian or American smocking after having seen tutorials on YouTube, but I found very little on this aspect in the book. I liked the idea of using her methods for structural patterns which I could adapt for expressing architectural surfaces. However I find the book mostly dealt with sartorial or costume use of folding, pleating, tucking etc. all of which are very valid in themselves but which I found to be of little use to me. However, it is really a reference book, so no doubt it will prove useful in unexpected ways in the future.

A book for the intermediate to advanced dressmaker. It's a combination of creativity and technicality, therefor you would already need to be aware of some sewing techniques and have some garment construction experience. I struggle with following written instructions, but this book is quite easy to follow, if you give it a chance. It's quite inspirational the many ways in which fabric can be manipulated and used in dressmaking - highly recommended for the serious (creative) seamstress!

My copy is already getting a bit dog eared from use - always a good sign in a reference book! This work takes what you already knew - or thought you knew - about using fabric, and takes it further. From the simplest (eg how long does a ruffle need to be to give the effect you want?), to using godets and other inserts, to three dimensional objects ... if you want to design your own costumes or clothes, or to use fabric as decoration, or to understand how to manipulate fabric to make quilts, hangings, cushions, etc, etc, this is an essential reference book. If you want a set of recipes for projects, look elsewhere!