Customer Reviews

101 Essential Tips: Basic Sewing

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book, although it covers a broad range of topics, does not adequately cover any of them. I teach sewing and bough this book thinking it might be good to use as a text, and was very disappointed. The pictures are hard to see, the directions vague. If I did not know what they meant already, I never would have been able to figure it out from this text. I do not recommend this book to any seamstress at any level.

This book keeps its promise of delivering "101 essential tips". From choosing cutting tools to repairing a button hole, there are lots of tips to satisfy the beginner sewer. While I like the layout, which includes step-by-step instructions accompanied by photos, this little book could be vastly improved by adding a few more pictures to some of the tips to make them more clear. A couple of pictures could also be improved by better choice of colour (e.g. attaching a flat collar, which is a glaring yellow, and darning a hole, which is so well done you cannot see the example stitches clearly enough!). Nevertheless, overall it is a very useful book.

terminology not for the inexperienced. directions vague. i'll be returning it.
i much prefer the readers digest complete guide to sewing.

I love this book, it is great for those times when I am sewing and just can't remember how to do something that is called for. As a sewing site guide on bellaonline.com it has come in handy to answer questions for those long forgotten things, like handstitching a buttonhole. Tho I do wish that there were a few more illustrations when describing how to accomplish something, I do recommend this book to any sewer from beginner to experienced.

This book is exactly what the title says, basic sewing. The book's illustrations are easy to follow and includes information and step-by-step guidance on how to make a dart, seams, sleeves, work with a pattern, hem and other sewing essentials. The book also shows how to make simple clothing repairs, something that plagues every household. In fact, I plan to give a copy of this book to all of my friends who show up with clothes and ask "can you fix this."

this is a great reference for someone who can sew a straight line but little more. It's a quick, practical, UNDERSTANDABLE, guide for the procedures glossed over in most patterns. The only part of the book that I would expand is the layout, marking, and cutting sections. This is where I would have appreciated a discussion of different techniques/shortcuts that will not ruin a project. Overall a great little book, the kind of thing I'd like to send my kids off with when they leave home.

This book is complete with pretty but inadequate illustrations. They are so bad it is totally impossible to tell what the author is talking about. He should take a lesson from cookbook authors who are able to put themselves in the position of the eager=to-learn reader.

This very affordable, essential reference for beginners covers all the basics of sewing in a broad range of topics, without ever turning too technical for the reader. The well-organized, thoroughly indexed and concise information is presented in handy tips, easy-to-remember answers to frequently asked questions, and step-by-step expert advice with detailed explanations that include topics like:
*Tools, threads and fabrics
*Basic stitches
*Working with patterns and seams
*Darts, pin tucks, gathers and pleats
*Waistbands, hems, necklines, collars, sleeves and cuffs
*Fastenings
*Mending
The key information and direct-to-the-point explanations contained in this handbook are accompanied with more than 250 full-color photos and illustrations, which perfectly depict the points being made and make this volume visually enjoyable. And with a binding perfectly suited for constant browsing and repeated check-ups, you are sure to come back to it again and again.
The one thing missing from this volume is a glossary for common terms, but overall, the nuggets of helpful information presented here are a great value for their price. This is a must-buy for beginners who want a simple and easy to follow guide with instructions that can be instantly absorbed.
--Reviewed by M. E. Volmar

I found this book to be a good buy for a complete sewing novice. It walks you through basics such as basic stiches, hemming, fastenings and darning - things that are not at all touched upon in the more advanced books on sewing. However, the sections on advanced machine sewing techniques were not detailed enough, for these I would still go to the other guides.

This small volume is handy for quick reference when you just can't remember that hand stitch but it's not as comprehensive as other books. Still, it's good to keep in the car or suitcase for emergencies.