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From: blackie
Date: 10-22-2005, 06:20 PM (1 of 10)
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What is your favorite beginner book for sewing? I want something that covers all the basics, with good photos.
see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 10-22-2005, 06:50 PM (2 of 10)
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I just bought "Singer The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing (1100 Full-Color How-To-Photos)"-- soft cover approx. 320 pages. The price was $19.95 US and $26.95 CDN. I haven't had much time to go through it yet...but I have Singer's "The Quilting Bible" and love it. I have used that one a lot to learn quilting techniques and still refer to it periodically. So when I saw this one and saw all the pictures, I didn't pass it by. Then last weekend one of the quilt stores that sells Singer machines had "Singer Sewing Pants That Fit" for half price. I picked that one up too. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Bama
Date: 10-22-2005, 08:16 PM (3 of 10)
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Try the "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing". I saw it at the library and it had lots of basic information. I own the "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework" and have used it over and over to look up things. The photos in mine are a bit dated but I think there's a revised edition out now. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: toadusew
Date: 10-23-2005, 10:00 AM (4 of 10)
I second Bama's recommendation. I have Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and can highly recommend it! Lots of information and pictures/illustrations are included. When I made my dad a fleece jacket several years ago, I had to put in a separating zipper, which I had never done before, and that technique was covered in the book--the illustrations and explanations helped me do that correctly.  There is a revised version out there, but I've heard that some folks don't think it's quite as good as the original. Perhaps you could find it at your local library first. Mine was purchased several years ago and it cost about $30, but it has been worth every penny! I also recommend books by Sandra Betzina, although I'm not sure her books would be quite as good for a beginner, other than her Fabric Savvy and More Fabric Savvy books, which helps with choosing correct needle size for specific fabrics. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: fronno
Date: 10-23-2005, 08:58 PM (5 of 10)
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What is your favorite beginner book for sewing? I want something that covers all the basics, with good photos. I teach my pupils with the help from the books of Winnifred Aldrich Mettric pattern cutting for Women for Children and babys for Men With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-24-2005, 08:27 AM (6 of 10)
I also have the "Singer Complete Guide to Sewing" as well as "The Book of Home Sewing" by Maggi McCormick Gordon. Both are fantasic with tons of up-close color pictures, and I use them both. If one book isn't clear on something, I'll check the other one. Using them together has helped me with button holes, elastic stitching, hemming and zippers. The home sewing book was given to me last year when I was first starting out by someone at work who said she was never going to learn to sew-she also gave me the Singer Quilters Bible too. That's another great book!  Good luck in your search! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: blackie
Date: 10-26-2005, 02:15 AM (7 of 10)
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I second Bama's recommendation. I have Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and can highly recommend it! Oh my goodness. TODAY I checked this out at the library. And tonight, while I had my neighbor and good friend over, she gave me a new copy! She had bought it weeks ago (independent of me choosing it or hearing about it in this forum). Can you believe it?! What a blessing! I am still going to look into the other books posted here, so keep 'em coming! Specifically, I am still looking for more "tutorial-style" beginner books. This book is an excellent reference and I will use it muchly. But I also want something to pass to a real beginner. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Linda H
Date: 10-27-2005, 11:35 AM (8 of 10)
Blackie, two books have been very helpful, "Let's Sew!" by Nancy Zieman is very good for beginners, I used one to help our 4H kids learn the very basics. I know it's available through Amazon.com, and I have my old copy of Simplicity's Let's get sewing, I'm pretty sure there's an updated version. Lots of close-up pictures and explanations. Also "I'll Teach Myself to Sew!" by Possibilities is great and has practice pages to copy off to learn machine navigation, turning corners and curves. They're all great sources. 
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User: Linda H
Member since: 10-04-2005 Total posts: 8 |
From: blackie
Date: 10-27-2005, 12:56 PM (9 of 10)
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Thank you, Linda. I am compiling a list for the next time I hit "the big city" and a book store. Our library here doesn't have a lot in the way of sewing. Kelly see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: JulieS
Date: 10-27-2005, 04:32 PM (10 of 10)
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Kelly- The woman I take sewing lessons from uses the "Let's Sew" book and it has very basic, useful information. I am happy to send you my copy (I would love to do so, in fact, as payment for all the lurking I've been doing on your blog for the last few months!). Also, re: your message about pricing, I paid $60 for the first six lessons I took (9:30-12:30) and $15 for each lesson I take now. Her format is different; however, as she has lessons at her home Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-12:30 and we just drop in. She has a large selection of patterns and some fabrics, as well. Folks of all ages and skill level come together and spend the morning sewing... it is quite nice! Cheers- Julie |
User: JulieS
Member since: 01-11-2005 Total posts: 26 |
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