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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: MaryW
Date: 01-20-2005, 01:18 PM (1 of 23)
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I just bought this book. I love it. So much information, all of it very important to sewing with different fabrics. The outfits shown in the book are really interesting too. I would recommend this book to anyone. It gives advise as to what needle to use with each fabric, what thread, interfacing, seam finishes. Everything. If you feel the need to treat yourself, buy this book. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-20-2005, 01:21 PM (2 of 23)
Mary, I agree--this is a wonderful book! I have her first book "Fabric Savvy" and it is good as well, but she has included more information in this new version. It is a great resource to have in your sewing library. 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-20-2005, 02:03 PM (3 of 23)
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I have the first one and love it. I'll have to check out the second. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-20-2005, 06:21 PM (4 of 23)
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I don't have the first one. She added 19 fabrics, a stain guide and some seam finishes. I would probably be a little ticked if I had her first one. This cost me $35.00 CAD, but I really like it.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: mommydionne
Date: 01-24-2005, 12:01 PM (5 of 23)
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I have the first and am waffling about getting the second $35 bucks eh? I might pass on that.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-25-2005, 08:23 AM (6 of 23)
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The second book is worth getting, in my opinion because there is more information included in it. As she says in the intro, she learned a lot between writing the first book and writing the second. I remember when I first started teaching sewing--the difference between what my first client got taught and the last was huge because I had learned so much along the way. I think if you purchase the book directly from Sandra Betzina's website, you get a discount. If I remember correctly, it's around 20%. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-25-2005, 09:26 AM (7 of 23)
| I have three of her books, all autographed by her and I have a pic of her and I together. She is such a pleasure to be around. She sat with us for lunch at the sewing conference I attended in Oct, we felt like she was just so down to earth. She talked about her family and how she first became interested in sewing and about her family. One thing she told us was when she was young her father never allowed her to buy fabric until she was finished with the piece of fabric she bought previously, she still does this today. I'd love to see her sewing room. I bet it's immaculate. Fast Fit, Power Sewing, and Fabric Savvy are the ones I bought. I got all three for around 60.00. They discounted them for the show. I got a bargain. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-25-2005, 09:40 AM (8 of 23)
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You can never have too much sewing knowledge. I agree with Susie about Sandra Betzina. I have also met her, she is a very nice person. If she ever comes back, I would happily pay to see and hear her seminars all over again. She told us about her sewing school and how she had to close it because she was pregnant with twins. She thought it was the worst thing that could ever happen to her. But, as she told us, when one door closes to you another opens up somewhere else. She was very inspiring to me. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: toadusew
Date: 01-25-2005, 01:12 PM (9 of 23)
I have several of Sandra Betzina's books as well---Fabric Savvy, More Fabric Savvy, Fast Fit, More Power Sewing, and Power Sewing, Step by Step. I have enjoyed all these books. I really miss her show, Sew Perfect. I learned more from that show and it inspired me and gave me some much needed sewing confidence.  I have never met her in person, but I did get a question or two answered via live chat. I'm sure that her seminars are wonderful! |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-25-2005, 04:50 PM (10 of 23)
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I envy you meeting Sandra Betzina. I learned so much from her shows and loved her attitude. You know those questions about who would you invite to a dinner party and everyone says Jesus or Einstein or Gandhi or George Cloony? I always say Sandra Betzina. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-25-2005, 05:33 PM (11 of 23)
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Dorothy, I can't imagine she won't be in NY anytime soon. Believe me when I say she will probably never come to Canada again. She was a huge hit.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-25-2005, 07:32 PM (12 of 23)
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Mary, Nobody in their right mind comes to this part of New York. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-26-2005, 12:16 AM (13 of 23)
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Dorothy, Oh but Sandra might. LOL She is just so down to earth. You can go to her home in San Francisco and have lunch with her and take a class. It's 1200.00 I think is what she said. Go to her website she has all the info on her classes. Also, she asked me about the sewing boards when I met with her. I told her what the name was and the way she acted she was interested in popping in on us one day. You never know. She also has her schedule on her website. I know she went to Canada sometime before she came here. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: smith972
Date: 01-26-2005, 08:00 AM (14 of 23)
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you all have me so excited about taking one of the sewing classes.... this one is coming up in my area in April Embroidery Extravaganza-2005 it is 300 for the class i think i am going to take it because it does totally include embroidery but also sewing... Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: MaryW
Date: 01-26-2005, 08:19 AM (15 of 23)
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Jada, take those classes! If you have the opportunity, take advantage by all means. You are so lucky to have that sort of thing in your area. We just don't have that sort of chance around here.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 01-26-2005, 07:21 PM (16 of 23)
Jada are those classes put on by Jenny's Sewing? If so they are very good. When you go be sure to let us know what you was able to get out of the lesson. 
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-31-2005, 08:23 AM (17 of 23)
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I went to JoAnnes Saturday to get thread and such and since I was very good and didn't buy fabric I picked up a copy of More Fabric Savvy. It is great. It has a lot more than the first. They are such nice quick easy references. (It's easy not to buy fabric in that store since they have almost none.) Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 01-31-2005, 09:03 PM (18 of 23)
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Hi, Mary: I bought this book a few months ago, and I don't sew anything now without checking it first to get recommendations for how to best handle my fabric. I consider it to be my sewing "bible." It's really excellent. I liked it so much, this week, I saw the library had "Power Sewing Step-by-Step," so I took that one out and used it while sewing a project this weekend. I liked that one so much, I've order a good-condition, used version from Amazon just this morning. For others considering buying these books but reluctant to spend $35, you can find both new and used versions by going to some price comparison shopping sites like "Fetchbook.com" or "half.com". Amy The Wear-with-All http://www.thewearwithall.com |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-01-2005, 07:42 AM (19 of 23)
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I have both Power Sewing books and use them often. I like the first one best. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 02-01-2005, 02:16 PM (20 of 23)
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Hi, Dorothy: Does much of the information repeat in both books? What are some of the topics covered in the first Power Sewing that might be different from Step-by-Step? I'm wondering if this is another "must have" for my growing reference library. Thanks, Amy The Wear-with-All http://www.thewearwithall.com |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: Catalina
Date: 02-01-2005, 03:15 PM (21 of 23)
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I checked out More Fabric Savy from the library. I think it was $24.99 at Joannes- I decided not to buy it because I have a couple books that talk about the fabrics I mainly use. Dorothy- I agree- sometimes I even have a hard time finding fabric to use my 40% coupon on. They have lots of fleece tho- but I like garment sewing mostly. Seems they have mostly crafts and home decor taking up valuable fabric space- nothing against other crafts but that what I thought Michaels was for. Penny |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-01-2005, 03:33 PM (22 of 23)
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Amy -- Step by Step is the first one. The second one is Mor Power Sewing. It has some different techniques. The approach is different and it has more line drawings to illustrate how to do things rather than photos. I'm not sorry I bought it, and I do use the information. I just like the Step by Step one better. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: abcameo
Date: 02-01-2005, 07:02 PM (23 of 23)
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Oh--I thought you had this one: Power Sewing: New Ways to Make Fine Clothes Fast. Someone in one of the forums had this one and Step-by-Step and liked them both, so it didn't sound like the material was duplicated. Still, I'd like to get an idea what's inside of this book and make sure it's not the same material. Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
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