I know that many theatrical cutters and tailors collect books. Books on modern drafting, books on historical drafting, historical reference, painting and photography and yhe like.
I am more towards the end of my career than at the beginning, and recently I have not found many books worth purchasing for work. Many have the same images, paintings and the like.
On occasion though I run across a toipc I have little reference for and that may by interesting or unusual.
My most recent purchase of a book like this is : Sinews of Survival, the living legacy of Inuit clothing by Betty Kobayashi Issenman.
I have not had much time to really read it in depth yet, but it is a fascinating and seemingly thorough look at Inuit clothing by region; the history, practical and social meanings behind the garments. It has many detailed line drawings of how the garments are pieced and also the pattern making sewing techniques used to produce the typical Inuit clothing before man made fibres and textiles took over from sealskin and caribou.
It has many fine vintage photographs of people wearing the garments and pictures of a variety of garments as well.
There are a few that are quite mind blowing including a seal skin combination suit that is put on via a circular opening mid chest that close with a drawstring. It supposedly also functioned as a life preserver in case of an accident in the water.
When I get a moment I will scan that page and load it here. It is quite amazing.
My work books are on library thing in case anyone wants to browse my modest collection, or look at some other people's libraries.
Ttailor on librarything.