Improve your sewing skills with books for all skill levels.
A to Z of Sewing-The Ultimate Guide for Beginning to Advanced Sewing
Released by Martingale and Company, this essential guide is available as a hardcover with a hidden spiral binding and a paperback.
Whether you’re learning to sew or wish to improve your sewing skills, this book has lots to offer. The first couple chapters cover basic sewing equipment, including sewing machines, sergers, and the various sewing machine accessories. A handy troubleshooting reference chart diagnoses various sewing machine and stitching problems.
This title also discusses supplies and notions, such as interfacings, thread, and trims. A chart shows what sewing machine needle to use for each fabric type. Beginners can learn about the different types of fabrics. This book also explains how to choose, prepare, press, and cut the fabrics.
This covers everything you need to know about selecting and using patterns. It shows how to take your body measurements in order to buy the right size pattern. There are instructions for making adjustments to the patterns.
Throughout the book, there are boxes with helpful hints. Most of this extensive volume is devoted to the 180 or so techniques. For each technique, this has easy to follow, step by step, color illustrated instructions. These techniques are listed alphabetically from appliqué to zippers. This also explains the purpose of each technique. The appendix has a glossary of terms.
The Sew-It Book-Things to Make With Needle and Thread and Odds and Ends
Originally released in 1929 by Rand McNally as part of its activities books series for children, this charming title has been reissued by Indygo Junction/The Vintage Workshop. The new introduction is by Amy Barickman, founder of Indygo Junction. This delightful re-issue features the original text by Rachel Taft Dixon and the wonderful drawings found in the earlier edition. Though it was originally written for children, it is suitable for novices of all ages. This also serves as a valuable guide for adults who are teaching children to sew.
This title presents all of the basics on hand stitching and simple embroidery for beginners. The hand stitches used throughout the book are shown in the last two pages, and feature step by step, illustrated instructions. The book begins with the basics, and explains which notions and sewing supplies will be needed.
This has simple projects that introduce basic sewing and embroidery skills for beginners of all ages. The first project is an easy drawstring bag decorated with simple embroidery stitches.
Other projects include a sampler, embroidered towel, baby bibs (some with cross stitch), and an embroidered purse. Various embroidery designs are introduced, including flowers for hats and Native American motifs. Some of the other projects include tie dyed items, a rag doll and doll clothing, a child’s apron, kimono, and smock. Readers can learn how to make their own patterns and use commercial patterns.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sewing Illustrated
By Carole Ann Camp, this was released by Alpha/Penguin. Illustrated with almost 300 photos and sketches, this in-depth guide is suitable for all skill levels.
This volume uses the same format as the other Idiot’s Guides. In addition to covering techniques, sewing aids/supplies, notions, and equipment, this volume has lots of enjoyable projects for beginners, including items for gifts.
This has in-depth treatment for each topic beginning with the basics on supplies, types of fabrics, and cutting techniques. One chapter covers hand stitching, and includes a simple and easy, hand stitched project. One of the early chapters explains how to use sewing machines. There are also chapters on various sewing techniques, such as hems and seams.
This volume devotes sections to all major topics, including easy home decorating projects. Another section covers clothing and clothing patterns. The author explains how to make simple clothes without a pattern. One of the projects is a quick dress that can be finished in two hours or so.
Throughout the book are boxes with handy hints and tips. The appendix contains lots of helpful items, such as a glossary of terms. There are practice templates for sewing perfect squares and circles. This has various helpful tear-out sheets and charts, such as a troubleshooting chart to use when the sewing machine is acting up.
For disclosure purposes, I received review copies of these books from the publishers.
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