Free to read, for everyone
The Tailor Academy
Everything we have learned about cloth, cut and construction since 1999, written down so anyone can learn it. Whether you are studying textiles, training to be a tailor or simply want to understand what you are buying, start wherever you like.
- 01FibresWool, cashmere, cotton, linen, silk and the man-made fibres. Where they come from and what makes one better than another.In preparation
- 02ClothHow fibre becomes cloth: spinning, weaving, finishing, cloth weights and the mills behind the names.1 entry
- 03ConstructionWhat is inside a jacket: canvas, shoulders, lapels, pockets, vents and buttons, and what each choice changes.17 entries
- 04Bespoke and FitBespoke, made to measure and ready to wear, how a pattern is made, measurements and fittings, and the great house styles.5 entries
- 05The Price of LuxuryWhy some cloth costs thousands per metre, and what you really pay for in a fashion house suit.In preparation
- 06HistoryFrom the medieval guilds to Savile Row, Naples and the tailors of Asia.In preparation
- 07GlossaryEvery tailoring and textile term used in the Academy, explained in a sentence or two.In preparation
How we write it
Every fact has a source
We check what we write against wool and textile standards, research and the mills themselves, and list our sources at the end of each entry. Where the experts disagree, we tell you. Johnny, who has cut suits in Patong since 1999, reads every entry before it is marked as reviewed.