More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric [Spiral-bound]

Sandra Betzina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

America's best-selling quick guide to selecting and sewing fabrics is now completely revised and updated. More Fabric Savvy brings over 100 new tips, over 400 new color photos and drawings, the latest new fabrics, and entirely new and useful features, including a handy guide to stain removal. From Sandra Betzina, the dynamic host of HGTV's Sew Perfect, this easy-to-use reference belongs on every sewer's bookshelf.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 234 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press; Revised edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561586625
• ISBN-13: 978-1561586622
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Sandra Betzina
  • #31 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Home Repair

More About the Author

Sandra Betzina, the "power" behind Power Sewing, is the author of More Fabric Savvy, Fast Fit, Power Sewing Step-by-Step, Sandra Sews for the Home, No Time To Sew and Fear of Sewing and most recently, the Power Sewing Toolbox series. She has produced a skill series of Power Sewing DVDs and also designs a full line of patterns for Vogue under the tab of Today's Fit. Sandra hosted her own show, Sew Perfect, on HGTV for six years and now has a regular, online sewing show called Power Sewing TV, which is co-hosted by Canadian sewing expert, Ron Collins. Sandra is also a popular speaker and hosts several week-long Sewing Retreats San Francisco throughout the year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent all-purpose guide, April 15, 2005

By 

textile fiend (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric (Spiral-bound)

I am a sewing professional, and I also own Clare Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide, which is excellent and does cover more fabrics. However More Fabric Savvy is really the indispensible guide that should be right by your sewing machine. MFS is not as big, so one is more inclined to open it up and take a look at the suggestions. Also, the spiral binding on MFS lets it lie open flat so you can refer to it easily. MFS is a re-issue of the original Fabric Savvy, and it addresses all the shortcomings of the original - far more fabrics are covered. There is also an extensive list of alternative fabric names, so you can really find the details for any fabric one needs. The size of MFS means you can put it in your bag and take it with you to the fabric store, and I'd recommend doing this, as it will make you more aware of interlining needs, or fastening limitations, BEFORE you spend all your heard-earned money on the fabric of your dreams, only to find out you really need to spend an extra $40 (which you don't have) on silk organza to interline the garment. All the review for the original Fabric Savvy spell out the great features of this book - this edition really just fixes the few criticisms people had.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have resource for the dedicated stitcher, February 23, 2007

By 

Cedric's Mom (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric (Spiral-bound)

This book is a great resource that answers basic questions about working with different fabrics. I don't know about the person who can't find things in the book; fabric types are discussed alphabetically and almost every fabric I've looked up, I've found in this book.

Fancy fabrics can be intimidating even for the experienced sewer. You spend all this money on the fabric, only to run into problems because it slips when you cut out the pattern or the tension won't accept the fabric or the needle is the wrong size. How do you reduce your losses before you begin? You get this book, that's how.

In the "Search Inside" feature, we see African Mudcloth (exotic), Alpaca (expensive) and Batik (exotic and expensive). But there are entries for more commonly used fabrics such as denim, crepe de chine, lace, and double knits to name just a few.

And there's a ton of info on each fabric: sewing tips, how or whether to preshrink, how to lay out the fabric, how to mark it, what size needle to use, how to finish your seams...there's more after that.

I love this book. I love the spiral binding that allows it to lay flat without any effort on my part, the excellent use of color and page layout that makes the information jump off the page, and the wealth of information presented. There's a 6-page section on seam how-to's, 2 pages on details, 4 pages on closures, 6 pages on hem how-to's, and lots more info on linings, stain removal, a glossary AND a thorough index. There is a lot of useful info in this 234-page volume!

This book rocks. If you're brand new to sewing or you've been at it for 40 years, your bookshelf should include this volume.

Save yourself time, money, and grief and get this book before starting that wedding dress project or that ripstop windbreaker. You'll be glad you did.

More Fabric Savvy gets an A+ from this seamstress.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sewer's Must-Have, May 6, 2006

By 

Adrianna Flavin "Mommy of 2 boys" (Maui, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric (Spiral-bound)

Everyone else has already said it so well... don't spend another moment's hesitation on whether to buy it or not... just buy it! It is absolutely the sewer's bible! And I loved the comment about bringing it with you to the fabric store. I do a lot of fabric and pattern buying online and I have found that I don't complete the purchase without first referring to this book! Okay, 'nuff said!