Here are my Top 3 books for a clothes-making beginner...

1. Pocket Encyclopaedia: Needlecraft by contributing editor Judy Britain. Published by Dorling Kindersley 1989. This book covers embroidery, needlework, patchwork/quilting, appliqué, knitting, crochet, basic sewing, dressmaking and household sewing. Each topic is covers tools, techniques and easy illustrated, how-to-do's.
2. Metric Pattern Cutting (Third Edition) by Winfred Aldrich. Published by Blackwell Science 1999. This is a fantastic book for people who want to start making their own clothes patterns, but beware this is an area not for the faint-hearted! This book will take you through basic pattern cutting techniques, how to measure the body and translate that into a pattern, as well as basic clothes making sewing tips.
3. The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolff. Published by Krause Publications 1996. A great buy for the machinist! It covers guides to gathering, ruffles, godets, pleating, smocking, tucking, cording, quilting, stuffing, darts and much more.

I hope you find these useful... and remember if you are looking for fabric or equipment (like measuring tapes!), then do pop into my store.

Sara @ Sara's Texture Crafts