Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Pattern Cutting - step-by-step patterns for footwear. Edited by Frank Jones. Pages: 200. ISBN 13: 9780955408601. ISBN 10: 0955408601. Publication Date: 01/10/2006

Pattern Cutting replaces the Pattern Cutter’s Handbook which since 1991 has become the standard textbook on many college and university courses covering footwear, all over the English speaking world. The new book covers everything in the earlier book plus much more. Not only are there whole new chapters covering further styles of footwear, there is a chapter on Bottom Patterns, an extended chapter on Grading, and a chapter on dealing with more advanced pattern problems such as a bellows-tongue.

In the past, books on pattern cutting have often reflected the mystique which tends to surround the subject. Pattern Cutting takes a completely different approach. The whole book is written as an easy to use, step-by-step guide to producing patterns for shoemaking.

Each major type of footwear has a complete chapter devoted to it. The twelve basic types covered include trainers, basketball boots and an aerobic shoe. Most pages have two or three diagrams, illustrating each step in the process.

With each footwear type there is a detailed description of the process with measurements given wherever appropriate. Points to watch for and pitfalls to avoid are spelled out, so as to ensure the reader will stand the best possible chance of producing a workable pattern first time.

Who can use it?
The book has been designed to be used by anyone wanting to learn about producing patterns for footwear. In the main, people will fall into one of four groups:-

1) For footwear specialists who work for vendors importing and selling shoes, the book will provide a practical understanding of the production engineering process of footwear manufacturing. This has proved invaluable to people such as designers, range builders, buyers, quality controllers, and many others.

2) In the factory or workshop it can be used by trainees and more experienced pattern cutters alike, whenever they come across a type of footwear of which they have limited experience. In the smaller workshop the individual craftsman struggling to master the production of patterns with little or no outside help, will find the Handbook an essential guide around the numerous pitfalls which beset those working with no regular access to a skilled pattern cutter’s fund of experience.

3) In college it can prove an invaluable aid to students who have few if any modern textbooks on footwear production. The step-by-step approach lends itself very well to the practical aspect of learning, which is so essential with a subject such as producing patterns.

4) The shoe enthusiast who wants to know more about the process of getting the shape from a three-dimensional last into two-dimensional patterns, which the craftsman needs to make shoes. Because the book is written in plain language with a drawing for almost every step, it can be followed with very limited shoemaking knowledge. The initial chapter even describes the tools used and has a picture of each one.

World-wide use
Pattern Cutting is a replacement for the Pattern Cutters Handbook which has become a standard text on many college and university courses covering footwear. Pattern Cutter's Handbooks are in use in India, China, Japan, Fiji, South Africa, Greece, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Canada, USA, Ecuador, Peru and Fiji, as well as the UK.

How to buy
Most books are sold and mailed direct to the customer, by airmail where appropriate. Payments can be accepted by check (or bank draft) in Brazilian Real (BRL) or US Dollars. Please email for details.


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