Customer Reviews

The Complete Sewing Machine Handbook (A Sterling/Sewing Information Resources Book)

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This book is full of instructional photographs with very clearly worded descriptions. It has been a while since I last used a sewing machine; this book is just what I needed to refresh my sewing skills and to update me on new techniques.

I found several techniques that I am going to try by following the step-by-step directions.

I had never liked sewing and only sewed when absolutely necessary. I would sew on buttons, repair a small tear or ripped hems. I never even touched a sewing machine until I was well into my forties.

What changed me was the fact that I fell in love with quilts! I wanted to make quilts for my family and friends. Since hand sewing was not an option for me, I had to learn to use a sewing machine. I purchased an old used machine that didn't have an instruction book and I played around with it, but never really knew how to do things correctly. I'm not the least bit mechanical! I'd spend so much time trying to figure out how to do every little thing that I felt frustrated. Yes, I did manage to make a few small quilts, but when I'd make mistakes, I didn't really know how to correct them. I was frustrated and never did much sewing for a number of years, but I still wanted to make quilts!

Well, my husband insisted that I get a brand new high end machine that came with an instruction book and a 2 hour class! The class was helpful, but now that I'm old, I need close up pictures. Well, my good friend, Nancine, who also happens to be an accomplished quilter wanted me to head in the right direction and gave me this book as a gift! Wow! This is the book that I should have been born with!!! There are large close up photographs which is a big help in understanding the use of the many accessories that are part of the machine. You can even learn about setting the tension! Who knew? I thought tension was a frustrated feeling! There's also the twin needle concept. And feet. I thought there was only one foot on a machine! I've learned so much from this book. You can even blind stitch. That one scares me a little bit, but maybe I can peek under the blindfold! I'm still counting all the feet. Sorry, kidding aside, I got carried away!

The bottom line is THE COMPLETE SEWING MACHINE HANDBOOK by Karen Kunkel is a wonderful book. Buy it for yourself, someone who's learning to sew, or a sewing machine challenged person. They'll love you for it!