New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) [Hardcover]

Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Book Description

Series: Readers Digest | Publication Date: October 24, 2002

This volume provides the guidance you need to sew successfully, whatever your level of skill. Comprehensive step-by-step instructions cover everything from cutting out patterns to making sleeves and fitting zips, and are accompanied by thousands of colourful illustrations, diagrams, and photographs. This encyclopaedia of sewing includes detailed directions, practical advice, time-saving tips, essential techniques, and hundreds of creative touches to bring out the best in your needlework. There are 20 projects to help you put into practice what you have learned, with ideas for creating clothes and home accessories in classic styles, which can be easily adapted to changing trends.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (October 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762104201
• ISBN-13: 978-0762104208
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 10.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Home Repair

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Previous Editions are far superior to latest 2002 edition, January 17, 2003

By 

C. Michelussi (Whitby, Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) (Hardcover)

I borrowed the 1995 edition of this book from the library, and ordered it hoping the latest 2002 edition would resemble the impressive volume of instructions and references that appeared the the earlier versions. I was very disappointed in the 2002 edition. There are 384 pages in the 2002 edition and 431 pages in the 1995 edition. In another library, the pre-1995 editions are even better with 500+ pages. They include everything you'd want to know about sewing. Unfortunately each newer edition is becoming smaller with less reference material. The section on sewing for the home such as draperies, shades, bedcovers has been replaced by a project on how to sew one type of curtain. The section on sewing for Men and Children is replaced by instructions on how to sew a shirt for a boy, and one skirt for a girl. They give details on doing different patterns instead of a reference section for Men and Children's clothing, sewing techniques. The same applied for sewing for the home. If I was interested in doing projects with patterns, I would have bought a pattern from one of many companies with far greater style selections. In a book, I expect references that the pattern cannot detail on many different parts and types of clothing. I expected the 2002 edition to be larger with even more reference on style alterations and sewing methods for different materials, garments, and interior home decor. In this century there is more variety of materials available and styles that a sewer needs to make reference to. I am debating whether I should return the latest edition, since my expectations were much more than what the book provided.

130 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars in response to a previous review, July 27, 2006

By 

kanha - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) (Hardcover)

"The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing." I just wanted to say that the book does explain how to read and interpret patterns. In fact there are about 8 really good pages dedicated to reading patterns. I really hated how every pattern I bought wouldn't give an explanation of all the symbols they used. I didn't understand the symbols and some of the steps used in patterns until I got this book.
However the previous reveiwer was right about the book not explaining how to use a sewing machine, so I woudln't recommend getting this book if that's what you're after. If you've played with your sewing machine a bit and have figured out how to reasonably use it, then go for it.

Reasons to get the book:
-Great detailed images to follow
-shows how to properly fit a pattern and ways to fix common fitting problems
-index of stitches and how they're used
-has examples of how to sew specific garments
-explains how to execute common construction pieces like placket pockets and lapped zippers

Cons:
-like previous reviewer said it did not give an overview of how to use a sewing machine (pretty bad for a "complete guide")

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice overview of sewing techniques, July 15, 2004

By 

"rickiro" (UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) (Hardcover)

I purchased this book when I had a general understanding of sewing and wanted to improve my skills without having to take sewing classes. I refer to this book when I have a slight understanding of what I'm doing and need to see the details about how it's done step by step. This book does just that - no skipped steps, illustrations for every step. There are few photos, but the drawings actually serve you better because you can see the seams more clearly. The book covers a very wide range of assembly techniques, which is quite helpful if you've got a blouse all done but are stuck on sewing the collar. I have bought a lot of sewing books and find that any that include "complete guide to..." in the title try to cover too many topics and lack the detailed content many of us are searching for. If you are really lost on how to do pattern alterations or working with knits etc., you will be much happier with a book that only deals with that topic and has the space to give you in-depth instructions. Overall, it is a very good book to have for reference when the pattern you are working with does not give you the extra help you need.