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From: StitchyGal
Date: 01-03-2006, 02:19 AM (1 of 16)
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I was wondering if anyone knows of a must have reference book/beginner book?
StitchyGal
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User: StitchyGal
Member since: 01-03-2006 Total posts: 11 
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From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 01-03-2006, 06:17 AM (2 of 16)
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There are quite a few good books for beginners, Readers Digest, Singer, Sewing for Dummies ect. I also find reading Sew News, Sew Beautful, and Threads is a good source for learning as well. Even check out the quilting magazines they help me understand how things fit together and give me inspiration, not that I have ever done a quilt! I also find the Kwik Sew books and patterns are very good at explanations. I pickup alot of patterns and sewing notions from second hand stores. Don't know where you are located but we have the Catholic charities, Mcc, and Salvation Army stores here, people donate all kinds of stuff and you can get your sewing room stocked up with alot less money than buying everything new. There are patterns, pins, seam rippers, thread, elastic, buttons galore, material, electric sissors ect. I think alot of it comes from estate, and down sizing where the family doesn't know what else to do with it. Just a thought for you anyway. Welcome to the fantatic hobby of sewing, I wish you many happy hours of stitching. 
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User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: StitchyGal
Date: 01-03-2006, 01:49 PM (3 of 16)
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Thank you so much for all of your suggestions! I wrote them down and I am going to stop by a Half Price Books near my place today. It's good to know that there is a lot of info out there. Thanks again!
StitchyGal
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User: StitchyGal
Member since: 01-03-2006 Total posts: 11
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From: Caren F
Date: 01-12-2006, 03:04 AM (4 of 16)
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Go to your local library! Why waste money on books when there is sew much fabric out there! Caren |
User: Caren F
Member since: 12-14-2005 Total posts: 6 |
From: Dustbunny01
Date: 01-12-2006, 06:41 AM (5 of 16)
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You can also check out half.com I buy a lot of used books there, even amazon has used books.. but most of the time I find there shipping higher then at half.com I like to look at amazon, then go to half.com to buy. but as always watch for shipping prices, as this is where you will eat it. DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: sewingrandma
Date: 01-12-2006, 05:58 PM (6 of 16)
I just bought a used paperback book from Amazon. $3.49 for shipping  The book only cost $4.50. If I hadn't have had a gift cerficate that I needed to use I wouldn't have gotten it. Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 01-13-2006, 05:12 AM (7 of 16)
| keep you eyes open for yard sales too! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: SandyGirl
Date: 01-13-2006, 07:11 AM (8 of 16)
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I love the library too but you still need to have your own copy of a basic sewing book just to grab when you need to look something up. I love to curl up in a chair and just read through them even though I am not a "newbie" sewer. Kind of like reading cookbooks! sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-14-2006, 02:28 PM (9 of 16)
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I think one good reference book is a must for all sewing people.. I use the Library a lot, because I am a reader and cannot afford all the books I enjoy, but I have the Readers Digest one for my own, because its generally after 9:00 pm when I want to read about the best method of a given sewing situation.. (my library closes at 9:00 pm, and I sure don't want to wait till next day)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: LadySloPokes
Date: 01-14-2006, 04:29 PM (10 of 16)
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Everyone needs to have at least one beginning sewing book to call their own. I have several of them and have found that where one might be lacking good instructions for a spcific element, another one makes up for it. I think it's going to be a matter of personal preference. Using the library to check out books and comparing them before you buy them is a great idea. This way you can purchase the one book that appeals to you, and spend the rest of your "monthly allowance" on fabric....LOL
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: HeyJudee
Date: 01-15-2006, 08:49 AM (11 of 16)
1100 Full-Color How-To Photos" is the book that I bought just last fall. As LadySloPokes said books are always personal preference. I am not a beginner sewer but used to sew some of my own clothes many many many moons ago. But they never looked great. I mainly quilt now and when I started I bought Singer's "The Quilting Bible" which has wonderful pictures and I use it all the time as my reference book. So when I saw their Photo Guide to Sewing...I couldn't pass it by. I spend time on mornings like this just sitting with my  and reading and looking at the pictures. This forum and this book is getting me interested in trying to sew clothes for myself again. If you get a chance I think this book is definitely worth checking out. Good luck in your search. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Sancin
Date: 01-15-2006, 04:28 PM (12 of 16)
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I agree with all the suggestions here, but particularly with having your own book. I have sewn for many many years. I do have an old Reader's Digest Sewing book (purchased when I couldn't afford the Vogue book I wanted many years ago) which I still refer to from time to time to refresh my memory. However, I am currently using the web more and more to search for answers and when I find what I want, which is nearly always, I print out the instructions and put in a binder. This way I have a book of tips and techniques, specific to my needs and don't have to prowl through info I don't want or need. BUT, the problem is organizing the info in a logical and findable way. I always wish I had been taught filing in the pricey science education I received! If you are not used to it, searching does require some skills in knowing what to type in. Perhaps this discussion may be a good place for members to post words that have lead to good findings. I'll start with: cutting fabric on the bias Good Luck. I would be interested to hear what you finally end up purchasing and doing. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 01-17-2006, 10:58 AM (13 of 16)
I have 3 beginner books (1100 Full Color Photos from Singer, Sewing for Dummies and The Complete Book of Sewing by DK Publishing). I find that each book has good tips and techniques but sometimes are described in different ways. One book taught putting in a centered back zipper better than the others and another taught how to create mitered corners to sew on a square pocket. I went to the book store (with my gift card in hand) and sat down with a whole bunch of books to see which one was easiest to understand. I started with The Complete Book of Sewing and as I tried to sew other things I had remember that some of the other books had better descriptions. I love the square pocket description in Sewing for Dummies - it was so easy to do!  Now I'm trying to sew a jumper for my dd and it should have taken me 40 minutes once everything was cut out and here I am the next day & only half is done - it seems the pattern pieces don't match up in the back. I'm trying to sew the facing/interfacing pieces to the 2 back panels and it just isn't looking right. I started to get annoyed and frustrated last night & decided to just go to bed. I'm going to try and put together the paper pattern to see if it does work or if I'm just losin' my mind and cut the wrong piece!  I just keep telling myself, "Rome wasn't built in a day".......neither was my jumper. - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: blackie
Date: 01-22-2006, 08:27 PM (14 of 16)
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I think one good reference book is a must for all sewing people.. I use the Library a lot, because I am a reader and cannot afford all the books I enjoy, but I have the Readers Digest one for my own, because its generally after 9:00 pm when I want to read about the best method of a given sewing situation.. (my library closes at 9:00 pm, and I sure don't want to wait till next day) Ditto. I think it is good to own your own book (my sole book is the same, the Reader's Digest Complete Guide (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762104201/103-7662683-8067863?v=glance&n=283155)). You can always check out or borrow a few different ones to "trial" them out. In fact, I checked out the old copy from the library, and coincidentally that same day my good friend bought it for me as a gift! I was thrilled. The only thing about the RD book is that it is more of a reference manual. A beginner sewer might be intimidated. It seems like a "sewing for dummies" type might be good to have on hand. However, the RD book is *perfect* when you are looking for specific information. It is the only book I have and I love it (altho' I am always interested in learning of other good books). HTH, Kelly see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: stitcheasy2003
Date: 02-02-2006, 07:10 PM (15 of 16)
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Hello I have books for sale for beginners too. if interested <email address removed for privacy> |
User: stitcheasy2003
Member since: 01-28-2006 Total posts: 20 |
From: MartySews
Date: 02-03-2006, 06:51 PM (16 of 16)
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One of my favorite "beginner" books is Nancy Zieman's Essential Sewing Guide. Not only does the book explain the techniques with pictures, it also has a wonderful glossary of sewing terms, notions, stabilizers, needle sizes and fabric choices for each type of project. The glossary is worth the $19.95 price for the book. Now, the price may have gone up. When I taught sewing to children, I always recommended this book to them. Happy Stitching! Marty
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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