We talk a lot about dressmaking for women but of course it is not only ladies who appreciate the unrivalled pleasure of handmade clothing. Mens tailoring has dominated the fashion scene since the days of Louis XIV or Louis le Grand, as he was sometimes known. Determined for France to become the most influential country in the world, fashion was one of many weapons in Louis' armoury, the King of Fashion knew that image was of great importance. Today, more men than ever are coveting the classic English style of tailoring as key to projecting confidence and power in the workplace and all aspects of their daily lives. Of course bespoke tailoring is a skilled trade and it takes a talented hand using a combination of techniques to achieve the most flattering, comfortable fit, but by using the highest quality fabrics and haberdashery it is possible for any skilled dressmaker or sewer to achieve the sharp lines and contemporary design of bespoke tailoring at home. Many of our most popular dressmaking fabrics are perfect for creating a range of suits, shirts, overcoats, jackets and trousers for men. Melton Fabric - similar in texture to boiled wool, Melton is a tight woven, woollen cloth which is often used for creating waistcoats, trousers and jackets suitable for wear during the coldest months of the year due to its density and wind resistant qualities. Melton is ideal for creating many of the on trend styles of winter coat including duffel coats, macs and pea coats. Composed of 80% Polyester and 20% Viscose our Melton Fabric is a warm fabric with a smooth finish making this a smart addition to your wardrobe. Bi-Stretch Fabric - this is a versatile Fabric, ideal for creating a range of tailored items including trousers, jackets and suits. Bi-Stretch Fabric does not crease easily and requires little ironing making this the ideal choice for office wear, ensuring that you will still look smart and professional at the end of a long day of meetings and travel. Bi-Stretch is known for its hardwearing qualities, meaning that your items will last you for many years of professional wear. Memphis Bi-Stretch - this is a superior quality fabric known for its ease of movement and non-creasing qualities making it the ideal choice for formal wear. Jacquard Lining - lining is an important aspect to consider when creating any tailored garment. A good quality lining will protect your garments from unnecessary wear and tear whilst providing another layer of insulation against harsh weather conditions. The stunning, contemporary designs of Jacquard Lining will give your tailored items that extra designer touch. Zips - having created your beautifully tailored piece, the last thing you want to be doing is replacing weak, poor quality zips. Our Nickel Trouser Zips are the perfect choice for trouser flies, with their strong nickel teeth making them ideal for heavier garments. Theses zips can also be used as pocket zips and can be cut to length. Interfacing - to achieve the most professional finish for your tailored outfits, it is important to think about those finishing touches which may seem small but will make all the difference to the quality of finish and the life span of your garments. Interfacing is used to provide strength to your hems and edges of your garments and will prevent your hems from fraying. Interfacing can also be attached to buttonholes and necklines to prevent stretching and can be used on collars, cuffs and pockets. I hope you have found today's entry interesting. If you have created any tailored creations to share with us, please upload them to our Facebook page. Until next time! Calico Laine