Customer Reviews

More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

This is one of my 3 main sewing references. (All 3 by Betzina! The other two are Power Sewing and Fast Fit.) I learned to sew when I was 8. Twenty years later, I've taken it up again, and am very appreciative of these books. This book teaches you which needles, interfacing, seam finishes, threads, hems, presser feet (and more) to use with each type of fabric. This knowledge has greatly reduced my frustration with sewing. (Who knew that the wrong needle could cause so many problems! Not my 8 year old self, that's for sure.)

I haven't read Schaeffer's guide on this subject (though her book Couture Sewing Techniques absolutely blew me away!), so I can't compare the two. But I do really like this guide. Thank you, Sandra Betzina!

-a big fan

I LOVE this book. There is everything you will ever need to know about sewing any type of fabric successfully. Do not hesitate to get your own copy. You won't be sorry.

This book is the best. I could have never sewn my sister's wedding dress (in a week, no less) without all the helpful tips in this book. The dress sewed up beautifully and easily. Now I check with this book anytime I'm about to tackle a new fabric, or one that's given me grief before. And it's never let me down. I've tried Sew Any Fabric by Claire Shaeffer, but didn't find it to be very helpful. It may have more information, but this one has what I need to get my projects done!

Every sewer should have this book is detailed guidance on picking the right fabric and what needle to use to and even how to start sewing some of those harder fabrics without bunching or snagging. One of the best sewing books I have bought yet!

I found that this book is well thought out on choosing the right fabric for a sewing job, as I am a Enthusiast in sewing Outfits for my self and what kind of weave is used in the fabric. I will be using this as a guide to use on all my garments that I will be putting together. I am not to experienced in what fabric goes with what out fit, but, all I have to do is look at index and it will tell me what page to go to. Very well put together if you not to sure of what fabric to use.

I recently started sewing again. For someone who hasn't really sewn much since the cupcake pillow in the eigth grade, this book is invaluable. It's has proven to be an excellent resource on how to sew with all different types of fabrics. And it even has some great sewing tips sprinkled throughout the book. It's given me a little more confidence when sewing and that's just what I needed.

This book is great in that it is organized well and discusses how to sew each fabric in two pages. However, I don't know everything about fabrics which is why I bought this book. Some fabrics are not mentioned in the book which confused me. Do they have other names for the fabrics??? For example, seersucker is not in there. Taffeta is in there but does not discuss the different types of taffeta and how they all look. That would have been nice too.