Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns [Spiral-bound]

Diana Rupp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2007

The Book A lively how to and why to sew tutorial that marries attitude and instruction while teaching everything you need to know:

• How to find the right machine, and become one with it
• Essential skills, from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern
• Preparing a workspace
• The Ten Fabric Commandments
• Laying out and cutting patterns
• With step-by-step instructions and full-color photographs and illustrations throughout

The Projects

• Cuddle-Up Cardigan
• Tender is the Nightie
• Foxy Boxers
• Canine Couture Coat
• Cape Mod
• Power Tie
• Tokyo Tie Bag
• Lucky Scrap Scarf
• Naughty Secretary Skirt
• Founcy Tank Top
• Knockout Knickers
• And more!

The Patterns Includes ten original patterns—an $80.00 retail value—rated from One Spool (easy) to Three Spools (advanced Beginner) and designed to build skills.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the sewing book I've been waiting for! Like the hippest home-ec teacher on the planet, Diana Rupp guides readers through every step of the process. It's fun, it's inspiration, it's everything you need to know."
—Debbie Stoller, author of Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook

Book Description

It's hip (think Project Runway), it's hot (with a potential audience of 45 million), and it's coming from exactly the right publisher (remember Stitch 'N Bitch and Generation T). Introducing S.E.W, the beginning sewer's bible.

A reinvention of the postwar sewing how-to, here is a hold-your-hand guide that marries attitude and instruction, that speaks the language of today's crafters while teaching them everything they need to know from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern. Diana Rupp, the author, comes from a long line of crafters, and parlayed her passion into a career as the founder of Make Workshop, a unique DIY school that's been written about in Elle, Budget Living, BUST, Real Simple, Time Out, Vogue Patterns, and more. In S.E.W, Rupp brings the workshop home: buying the right machine; setting up a space and furnishing it with the right tools; introducing fabrics—manmade vs. natural fibers, wovens vs. knits, color theory, buying vintage fabric on eBay; the art of laying out a pattern and cutting; and becoming one with your machine, from best posture to seam allowances, buttonholes, zippers, and the finer points of hand-sewing.

Then comes the fun: 25 amazing projects, 8 with patterns included, all handled with clear, step-by-step instructions—gingham wrap skirt, gauchos, drawstring pants, silky top, downtown hobo/laptop bag, patchwork throw, dog sweater, unisex boxers, vintage apron, more.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 256 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (November 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761139737
• ISBN-13: 978-0761139737
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diana Rupp founded and runs Make Workshop in New York City, the hot Lower East Side craft school that teaches everything from how to use a sewing machine to spinning your own yarn. She lives in Brooklyn.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better for teens, but very comprehensive, September 11, 2008

By 

Merry Magpie (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns (Spiral-bound)

This is a thorough introduction for the complete beginner, with a hip feel and nice photography. This would be a great book for a teenager, or for someone who wants to start sewing Etsy-like craft items. People who already sew, but are largely self-taught, might also benefit from her overview of the basics, from the properties of different fabrics to the correct use of common tools. She also teaches good habits like caring for your machine and proper pattern cutting. The text is chatty (reminiscent of Stitch n' Bitch), and her instructions are clear, linear, and non-threatening. For example, I looked in three books to learn how to insert an invisible zipper, but her explanation was the winner.

She includes a dozen-odd patterns and leads you by the hand through each project. The projects are functional and done in cute fabrics and colors, such as hobo bags, a pencil skirt, and a scarf. That said, as a curvy 36 year old woman, I didn't want to actually make any of the garments. Since they're beginner styles, they're mostly boxy (the kimono wrap) or trendy (the juniors tank top); they don't include any curved darts for fitting difficult shapes. The oilcloth sewing machine cover was darling, but after glancing at the photo I was able to figure out how to make one on my own.

I ended up returning mine after reading the front part, because I just wasn't going to use the patterns and I've moved beyond the absolute basics. Still, I would definitely recommend it for the right audience!

BEST FOR: Teens and 20s, total beginners, craft sewing, project ideas, group sew-alongs.

162 of 168 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for Beginners, December 30, 2007

By 

Currier Bell (Londonderry, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns (Spiral-bound)

I am an experienced veteran sewer and am teaching my daughter (13) and my niece (11) how to sew. This is their manual, I bought it for both of them. After years of complaining about there being NO good books that teach you to sew, finally Diana Rupp has written a fantastic book that sounds like a real person (who is hip and funny) is teaching you one on one. The projects are great and her lesson progression is brilliant...you just want to keep reading. The book is geared to adults who want to learn how to sew, I will need to work with my girls on some of the stuff, but I consider this THE HOW TO SEW BOOK for the world. Don't waste your money on any other sewing book--this is the one.

82 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in a sea of beginner sewing books., December 29, 2007

By 

C. Robinson (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns (Spiral-bound)

I can't recall ever having written an Amazon review. I have to for this book because it really is worth purchasing.

I've been sewing about 1.5 years. I've done reconstructions, baby quilt tops, and tote bags. From easy patterns I've done a couple of skirts and baby/little girl dresses. My goal is quality, of course, but also speed. The minute I saw S.E.W. I knew I had to have it. I happened to be in a bookstore with a friend and we agreed to exchange books, on the spot, as early Christmas gifts. I got S.E.W. and am glad I did. Not only are the projects cute and fashionable, but they're the kinds of things that leave room for the maker to add his or her own personal flourishes. They're stylish, yet classic pieces. Very interpretable.

I made the wrap skirt (in one night!) in brown corduroy. It turned out so well that I'm planning 2 more. My friend, who bought the book for me, is going to make one too.

No beginning pattern book is going to teach couture sewing, that's for an expanded skill set. The magic of Diana Rupp's approach is that someone with limited sewing experience can comfortably and confidently complete a great looking piece of clothing, a household item, a toy, etc. in a reasonable amount of time and while actually enjoying, rather than becoming frustrated by, the process.

Buy this book. You should.