Customer Reviews

Fabric Savvy: The Essential Guide for Every Sewer

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Let me state my one request for a change and then proceed with my sincere, gushing praise: In the next edition, I hope Ms. Betzina will include a phonetic pronounciation next to the name of every type of fabric she talks about.Now, let's get started on what's right about this book, which is EVERYTHING. The binding shows this book is a workhorse. It's vinyl coated hardbound, with a covered spiral binding. In other words, it opens flat and won't fall apart with use.The format: a generous lower margin allows you to prop it open (flat!) in a stand to refer to as you work. Each type fabric is presented in alphabetical order and on two facing pages--it's all there when you're working, you don't have to skip around. An photograph of the garment made of the fabric is included--so you can see the subtle difference between silk dupioni and shantung...and an appropriate garment for the fabric. Under bold, clear headings are listed the recommended needle, closure, layout, marking, cutting, interfacing, thread, presser foot, closures, stitch length, preshrink, pressing, hem for the fabric. There are also fascinating tips to improve your sewing and interesting facts about the fabric. I'll never use the same old needle and thread again, and now know what would make some of my garments look couture perfect rather than homemade. This truly is an essential guide for EVERY sewer.

I don't know how I lived without this book. It's a thorough discussion of how to pre-wash, mark, interface, and sew most of the fabrics a home sewer will encounter. It's organized dictionary-style, so that you can open the page (flat!) to "Silk Chiffon" and find immediately the appropriate thread, stitch length, needle, presser foot, and pre-treatment for your project, as well as the helpful advice to "Never sew silk chiffon in a hurry! It will always go wrong on you."

Indispensable to even experienced seamstresses; I've been sewing on and off for thirty years, and this book had tips I didn't know, such as that some fabrics have incremental shrinkage, and must be washed and dried twice before you cut them out.

I've been sewing clothing - from baby layettes to wool suits to wedding dresses - for 20 years, and I found great new-to-me information in Fabric Savvy. I'd have saved incalculable time and money over those 20 years if I'd had this book next to my sewing machine. The format gives you everything you need to know about sewing specific types of fabric, but gives it to you concisely. Brava, Ms. Betzina!

Excellent coverage of all types of fabrics and how to work with them, including type of needle, thread, presser foot to use. Lots of useful tips. Well organized -- a great reference

I second all the good things everyone else has said. This book is the instruction manual you wish came with each piece of fabric you buy: how do you wash it? How do you pretreat it? Are there any special tricks? Does it ravel? What seam treatments work best? It's all here and much more, in a compact (2 pages per fabric) presentation, everything from mudcloth to tercel. A great gift for any sewing friend (and one for yourself, of course!).

This book is a must for every home sewer. I have worked in retail in fabric stores, sewing machine shops, and have a certificate in Apparel Design; but in all of my experience, I have never come across a book as well written and informative as this one. These are things you just don't learn in your basic sewing classes. Great Job Sandra!

I purchased both of her fabric books: "Fabric Savvy" and "More Fabric Savvy", thinking that they contained non-overlapping information. It turns out that "More Fabric Savvy" is a misleading title, and should really just be "Fabric Savvy, 2nd edition". All the information that is in "Fabric Savvy" is also in "More Fabric Savvy", but there is additional information in "More Fabric Savvy". Don't waste your time and money trying to chase down "Fabric Savvy" from a used book seller. Just buy "More Fabric Savvy" - it is really good.

Even if you mostly sew with ordinary fabrics, like cotton, it's worth owning a copy of this book. There are plenty of times when you stop in the store and finger a particularly lovely bit of satin, and wonder what's involved in sewing it. This book gives you a clear, brief summary of the essentials -- from which needle to use, to which presser foot, to the items for which the fabric is most appropriate. It takes the pressure out of fabric choice, and makes me feel more confident that yeah, I *could* make seat cushions with that $20/yard ultrasuede.

I hemmed and hawwed (so to speak) over buying this book, but I'm glad I did so.

I have been sewing garments for several years. This book has been a great quick reference guide.

I have always had a difficult time with certain fabrics, they would snag, the stiches would bunch up or the fabric would stretch and slip.

With the help of this book, I have been guided to use the right needle, foot, stitch and finishing touches. Now, sewing difficult fabrics have become a breeze. An example is sewing on Tissue Lame, with this guide I was able to use the correct needle, the perfect stitch length and finish the seams, with no problems!

Thank you Sandra for this helpful guide!

From the day I purchased this "reference" book I have used it every time I begin to sew a new project. I don't know how I got along without it. Every sewer should have a copy. It's a great reference book from the point of purchasing the correct amount of fabric to the proper stitch length and proper interfacing for specific fabrics.