Customer Reviews

Sew Fast, Faster, Fastest: Timesaving Techniques and Shortcuts for Busy Sewers (Rodale Sewing Book)

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

 

 

I have been sewing for nearly 40 years, and this is the first book I've read that clearly guides you through the tricky parts of fashioning a garment. Hausmann clearly and concisely takes you step by step through the process, offering logical shortcuts without being didactic. When I found this book at my local library I had never heard of Sue Hausmann, but I loved the nonjudgemental approach that gives the reader permission to experiment with new methods. Most "How To" authors sound infallible and rigid in their approach to sewing. Hausmann offers possible alternatives, so sensible that you find yourself saying, "Of couse, that's so logical!" The illustrations of techniques, and photos of "real" clothing modeled by the author clarify the directions and give inspiration to the reader. Sue Hausmann is obviously in love with the craft of sewing and the creative outlet it provides. I now own this book and never want to sew without it at my side. Three cheers for Sue Hausmann!!!

I bought with caution, seeing the other reviews. I know there are different kinds of sew-ers: some create works of art, enjoy putting 85 hours into an heirloom christening gown maybe one real baby (if any) will wear, or (as in Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing) setting in a waistband with a favorite method in 15 steps. I'm not one of them. I was very disappointed in Power Sewing and regretted my subscription to Sew Beautiful. I don't have the time, and wouldn't want to spend so much of it on sewing if I did. I love my serger because it is fast, and with it I can make a nice finish fast and add tailoring details I used to skip to save time. This book (which incorporates a lot of serging as well as regular machine sewing) helps a lot in that respect. It is not the items she makes, but how they are made. Some information was familiar, but there was a lot in here that was news and new ways of looking at things. If you sew a lot, especially clothing, and want efficiency AND speed, this is a great book.

Initially I put this book back on the shelf because the photos showed garments I had no interest in making. The second time I looked through it more thoroughly and was blown away by the amount of helpful sewing hints contained with its pages. This is a fine reference for the fashion sewer as it shows exactly how to do things like sleeves, hems, zippers, etc. three different ways.

I only wish they had photographed the techniques instead of the clothing.

THIS BOOK IS GOOD IF YOU LIKE THE CLOTHING SAMPLES THAT SUE HAS ON THE BOOK AND PLAN TO MAKE SOME FOR YOURSELF, FOR MOST OF THE ILLUSTRATION AND TIPS THAT SHE GIVES CIRCLES AROUND THE CLOTHING SAMPLES. HOWEVER SHE DOES SHARE SOME GOOD TIPS ABOUT CUTTING, SEWING AND HOW TO HANDLE SILK OR THIN FABRICS. I AM LOOKING FOR MORE POWER SEWING TIPS, SO THIS BOOK DOES NOT REALLY MEET MY NEEDS.

I bought this book thinking it would be great for my busy sister who is just discovering the joy of sewing. It has many helpful hints, and great ideas you can take and use with your own ideas. I do think it depends to much on the serger, and many people do not start out with one. All together I personally found it to be great, and have made a few of the projects in the book, but I think I will find something else for my sister, it really is geared for experianced sewers.

I bought this book thinking it would be great for my busy sister who is just discovering the joy of sewing. It has many helpful hints, and great ideas you can take and use with your own ideas. I do think it depends to much on the serger, and many people do not start out with one. All together I personally found it to be great, and have made a few of the projects in the book, but I think I will find something else for my sister, it really is geared for experianced sewers.

While providing lots of ideas and inspiration, Mrs. Hausmann encourages her readers with her PBS personna and years of sewing experience.

Still, after a careful reading of the book, the reviewer has surmised that Nancy Zieman's 10-20-30 Minutes to Sew and Barbara Deckert's Sewing 911 are better works for a sewing reference library because each of these books fulfills the purpose of sewing faster and solving clothing construction angst issues.

Look at a copy of this book at a local library before making the decision to purchase it.

this is one of the first sewing books i read as a beginner. working fulltime with 3 kids under the age of 5yo at home, i still wanted to make some simple clothing for my kids. the author is certainly knowledgable, but the more experienced i became with sewing, the less useful i found her techniques to be. for example, she advocates using elastic waistbands for pants and skirts. while this is indeed the fastest waistband, i do not want to sew a closetful of elastic waist clothing. likewise for her 'fast' cutting technique - to layer the fashion fabric, lining and interfacing, and use the pattern to make one cut through all the layers. any pattern which uses lining/interfacing (like a jacket) is too tailored to use this method. oddly, there are maybe 3 different techniques to turn a sweatshirt into a jacket.

because i read this book when i first started sewing, i started to realize how useful her techniques could be in the right circumstances. for example, she introduces the idea of basting with pins (instead of hand basting), or machine basting using loose tension and the longest stitch length. her recommendations are spot-on when i want to sew children's clothing, and i found i could quickly sew up two pairs of pants for my twin boys. on the other hand, i would never use her 'fast' techniques if i wanted to make a fitted jacket.

This is an excellent book, with many good tips for doing things. It is already one of my favorites.

Had the opportunity to meet the author, Sue Hausmann. Love the book, great ideas and glad I have it in my sewing library as a reference resource.

Happy Sewing!