The Ultimate Sewing Bible For Beginner Sewists And Seasoned Stitchers Alike
The Sewing Book by Alison Smith is a wonderful addition to any sewists library. The Sewing Book is chock full of great techniques and projects from basic sewing and stitching skills to professional techniques. Filled with close up photographs, this book is the complete guide to take you on your sewing journey.
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The Sewing Book
The basic layout of The Sewing Book is broken down into three categories — Tools, Techniques, and Project Patterns. It is filled with color photographs that accurately depict the sewing process. It is one of the best, if not the only sewing reference book you will need in your library. The Sewing Book covers up to date techniques with carefully annotated instructions. Beginner sewists can tackle even the trickiest technique with the right sewing guide.
Tools In The Sewing Book
The Tools section begins with an array of sewing equipment. It showcases everything from scissors to emergency sewing kits, and dress forms to pattern paper with descriptions and photographs. It is easy to put together basic sewing kits from the list in The Sewing Book.
Gather Your Own Personal Basic Toolkit For Sewing Success
Fabrics are thoroughly covered in this section. Each description offers readers a photo of the fabric with an in depth coverage including the type of thread and needle to use along with other pertinent information. As you are progressing on your sewing journey, you can add live swatches to The Sewing Book fabric section for a more touchy-feely reference book.
The Patterns section goes over how to read a pattern envelope (take a quick tour of How To Read A Pattern Envelope to get you started). This section also covers taking body measurements, altering clothes patterns, making a muslin, fabric prep, and cutting your fabric.
Techniques In The Sewing Book
The Techniques section covers pretty much everything you will need to get your sewing project off and running. There are line drawing illustrations in The Sewing Book, however, most of the techniques are illustrated with close up photographs. I feel the step by step photographs give beginner sewists a much clearer picture of the technique being described. Even the trickiest techniques will seem easier. Your skills in sewing absolutely will improve when you use The Sewing Book as your reference guide to sewing clothes and home decor.
Hand Sewing and Machine Sewing Technique Instructions covered include:
- Sewing essentials
- Darts, tucks, pleats, and gathers
- Facings and necklines
- Collars
- Waistlines, belts, and tie-backs
- Sleeves and seeve finishes
- Pockets
- Hems and edges
- Fasteners
- Linings and interfacings
- Professional techniques
- Mending
Projects In The Sewing Book
Several projects are interspersed through The Sewing Book. They will amp up your sewing technique. To create many of the patterns, you will need to transfer the pattern from the book to paper by either enlarging it on a copier, drawing the pattern by hand to make paper patterns. From home decor to stylish projects, you can create some of your favorite bespoke outfits and amp up your sewing game.
Projects, with patterns included are:
- Two-tone tote bag
- A-line shift dress
- Wrap skirt
- Unisex dressing gown
- Child’s reversible jacket
- Toiletries bag
- Envelope cushion
- Storage baskets
- Oven mitt
- Roman blind
Project Patterns
The Project Patterns section is a wrap up of all the essential skills and tools you will need to use The Sewing Book successfully. This section includes a glossary of sewing terminology along with patterns, and a book index.
Other Books By Alison Smith
Sew Your Own Wardrobe: More Than 80 Techniques by Alison Smith and is a complete guide to dressmaking.
The Tailoring Book: Measuring. Cutting. Fitting. Altering. Finishing is a new book by Alison Smith; and it is a complete guide to tailoring and altering clothes.
The Sewing Book For The Sewing Learner
I give The Sewing Book a 5.0 out of 5.0 rating. I think it is the number one sewing reference book you need to have in your sewing tool box. With easy to follow instructions, stylish projects, and all the techniques you require. The Sewing Book by Alison Smith is the only sewing book you will need — beginner and expert stitchers alike.
Happy Sewing,
Sandi
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Oh, I need this! I have tried (unsuccessfully) for years to sew. Maybe this would help!
I have wanted to take up sewing for a while. I didn’t know where to start. Now I do. Thanks so much for the helpful tips!
I love how you made that review right to the point! I have a friend who sews, she will like it.
Oh, I need to pick up this book. I learned to sew as a child but have lost that skill over the years and have recently made it my goal to relearn this skill. This book looks like the perfect fit for doing just that.