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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: Shai
Date: 09-14-2006, 11:51 AM (1 of 17)
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First - a newbie wave hello to everyone who just joined, from another newbie - who just joined. Love this place. I'm looking for a good, basic sewing technique book - something with good photos and plain step by step directions. I'm trying the self-taught route as a recent turn in finances won't allow for sewing lessons at the moment. (you just never know when your car's engine will decide to throw a rod - yikes) Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Shai |
User: Shai
Member since: 09-05-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-14-2006, 12:37 PM (2 of 17)
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I have heard that this is an excellent book for beginners. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sewing-Reader-Digest-editors/dp/0762104201/sr=8-1/qid=1158251551/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-9223321-2839363?ie=UTF8&s=books Also this one. http://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Simply-Best-Sewing-Book/dp/073942100X/ref=pd_sim_b_5/102-9223321-2839363?ie=UTF8 Here is another suggestion: http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Dummies-Janice-Saunders-Maresh/dp/0764568477/ref=pd_sim_b_4/102-9223321-2839363?ie=UTF8 When I learned to sew, I had no books. I learned from the patterns. I read them over and over and over and over....... Anyone else have suggestions. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: lendube
Date: 09-14-2006, 01:54 PM (3 of 17)
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Hi Shai, Welcome to the board. I'm new here too and dove in headlong. It's a great place to talk about all kinds of things. Boy, where else can you have so many years of experience at your disposal for free!?? I've been sewing for, let's see, 38 years! I started VERY young mind you.......  I recently bought a book from Amazon, "The Complete Book of Sewing". No author, per se. I just wanted a reference book since I had none. I like this one. I looked through it cover to cover and it explains every basic sewing technique with easy to follow directions and nice pictures. I think it's a good addition to anyone's sewing room. Good Luck. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Shai
Date: 09-15-2006, 02:41 PM (4 of 17)
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Mary - Lennie - thank you so much for the recommendations. I checked out the books on Amazon yesterday and I've scheduled a trip to our neighborhood Borders to gaze through them personally - they all sound good. When I'm there, I'll look through yours too Lennie. Thank you again - off to figure out the best way to attach piping. oh, dear. Shai |
User: Shai
Member since: 09-05-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-15-2006, 07:55 PM (5 of 17)
| Are you asking what foot is best to use ? If so there's a piping foot, if not the slim zipper foot works great. Not sure if that was what you were trying to figure out. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: Patty22
Date: 09-16-2006, 09:31 AM (6 of 17)
I've been using the Vogue Sewing Book since the 60's and although the pictures in the couture section are a bit dated  basic techniques don't change. I did a search on ebay (half.com) and there is a large selection at really good prices. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: MartySews
Date: 09-16-2006, 11:26 PM (7 of 17)
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My favorite sewing books are "Sewing 101" which teaches the basics and has projects to try. It is recommended and used by the Home Sewing Association in teaching classes. Another one of my favorites is by Nancy Zieman "Essential Guide to Sewing". The glossary in the back is worth its weight in gold as it tells which needle to use for what fabric, types of interfacing, thread, and a whole lot of other information. Since I'm a collector of sewing books (going back to 1912) I have a lot of resources at my disposal. 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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From: Bsalet
Date: 09-17-2006, 05:00 AM (8 of 17)
Hey I just started sewing as well and I found the book "Sewing for Dummies" to be REALLY useful and completely understanding. Everything is step by step and they even have some projects included. Hope this helped 
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User: Bsalet
Member since: 08-09-2006 Total posts: 43 
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From: Shai
Date: 09-17-2006, 11:15 PM (9 of 17)
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Big thanks to all who chimed in with their favs. I went to Borders and read through several - but they didn't have all the ones I wanted to check out, so I didn't get one yet. Now I have more to peruse. Beachgirl - yes, yes, I was wondering how to sew on piping. I think my machine has a piping foot available, but I don't have it. That is probably going to change very soon. I was making a bag which would have looked awesome with some piping - it got something else which looks pretty good. thanks again all Shai |
User: Shai
Member since: 09-05-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-18-2006, 07:51 AM (10 of 17)
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Your zipper foot should do fine with piping. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Cathie.Tombs
Date: 09-25-2006, 08:11 PM (11 of 17)
| I just love this site! Like Mary, I began reading patterns only, and tried to get ones with great instructions. Now, I have several super basic books, and some more specific ones. The Dummies book is very good, as is the Readers's Digest one. I would also recommend the Vogue Sewing book. Any "Power Sewing" books from Sandra Betzina are wonderful. And, although older, Adele Margolis is funny, and very knowledegable, and leads us through techniques. Also lots on creative alteration, and pattern changes. If possible, try her "The Dressmaking Book". Also, an idea I like is I borrow sewing books from the library, and if I ADORE them, and they are still available, I buy them. Burda has an excellent sewing book (mine is French), it is very basic, with SUPER istructions. Also, to fine tune/upgrade skills you can start files in folders, i.e., on sewing with delicate fabric. There are so many fine points, I like to have something printed (like from this lovely site), to refer to, otherwise, I find I can get confused, and screw up, and that's not necessary. Happy sewing!!!!! |
User: Cathie.Tombs
Member since: 08-27-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-26-2006, 06:17 PM (12 of 17)
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Check out a stack from your local library and give them a try.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Shai
Date: 10-01-2006, 01:29 PM (13 of 17)
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Drum roll please - I finally picked out a first book for techniques - the Singer Complete Photo Guide to Sewing - It has 1100 full color how to photos and step by step instructions. Of course the machine info is for a Singer and I have a Husqvarna-Viking - but the sewing techniques are very explicit - and believe me - I need as explicit as I can get at this stage. It's the first of many such books as I build my library. I'm very, very excited. Who knew sewing was sooo adictive. Shai |
User: Shai
Member since: 09-05-2006 Total posts: 17 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-01-2006, 02:50 PM (14 of 17)
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If you do a lot of sewing, you'll be amazed at how fast you'll move past that, except in rare moments when you do something out of the ordinary.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mozeyrn
Date: 10-01-2006, 04:36 PM (15 of 17)
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I've also been self teaching myself (4-H sewing was a loooong time ago). I've got the Complete Book of Sewing (I need pictures) and have the Sewing for Dummies book (I need idiot proof). The best advice is to go to your local bookstore/library, grab a comfortable chair and look through a bunch of books/reference guides. You'll know what books will work best for you after flipping through a couple of pages. The best reference though is right hear on SWN for the help from the very experienced men/women that provide us with their vast knowledge. There are great sewing lessons here on the board too. - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: MartySews
Date: 10-01-2006, 05:27 PM (16 of 17)
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Shai, that is a great book and another one in my collection. Glad that you found something that will work for you. My newest book is "Making Friends With Your Serger" by Linda Lee Vivian. 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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From: cjtinkle
Date: 10-04-2006, 05:18 PM (17 of 17)
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Drum roll please - I finally picked out a first book for techniques - the Singer Complete Photo Guide to Sewing - It has 1100 full color how to photos and step by step instructions. Of course the machine info is for a Singer and I have a Husqvarna-Viking - but the sewing techniques are very explicit - and believe me - I need as explicit as I can get at this stage. It's the first of many such books as I build my library. I'm very, very excited. Who knew sewing was sooo adictive. Shai I just picked up that same book today, it was half off at Hancock's, and I need all the help I can get! LOL the pictures are great The Wandering Quilter's Life in a Box!
Bernina Artista 730 · Bernina Aurora 440 · Bernina 1300MDC |
User: cjtinkle
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 6 |
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