Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time [Hardcover-spiral]

Deborah Moebes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2010

Learn to Love Sewing, Stitch by Stitch

So, you love all that gorgeous designer fabric and you really want to make something with it. Or maybe you've taught yourself a little sewing know-how but have become frustrated. Whatever your background, Stitch by Stitch guides you through everything you need to know to start sewing and make it to the varsity level.

Inside Stitch by Stitch, you'll learn essential sewing skills--everything from basic stitching and backtacking to creating gathers, making darts and using multi-sized patterns--while completing appealing projects. In the book's unique format, skills and projects build upon each other so that you get instant gratification and motivation to progress.

Stitch by Stitch, learn to love sewing with:

• A guide to the machine, notions and fabric. Get to know your sewing machine and learn about all the essential materials and tools you need to get started.
• 11 modern, stylish projects. A variety of projects--like a simple tote, a piped throw pillow, a hipster belt, a sweet A-line skirt and a cap-sleeved blouse--will build your sewing skills while giving you great pieces to show off.
• Clear and comprehensive step-by-step photo instruction. No vague illustrations that keep you guessing.
• Bonus CD. Includes PDF patterns for apparel projects (in sizes 4-14), stitch practice guides, sample applique designs and more.

Whether you're a sewing novice or returning sewist, Stitch by Stitch will give you the confidence and skills to keep motivated, get great results and finally learn to love the process.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deborah Moebes is a fifth-generation crafter and designer. After nearly ten years of school teaching, Deborah Moebes launched a children's clothing line in 2006, and began teaching sewing at Beehive Co-op in Atlanta the following year. Her classes there are in high demand, and her business has grown to include a thriving fabric shop and sewing lounge in the heart of Atlanta. She continues to add workshops and sewing events throughout the year, and regularly blogs tutorials, projects and articles on the new sewing culture.

Product Details

• Hardcover-spiral: 224 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; Spi Har/CD edition (August 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440211612
• ISBN-13: 978-1440211614
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Sewing

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 116 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginner and intermediate sewers. August 15, 2010

By T. Childs

Format:Hardcover-spiral

Finally, a sewing book you'll want to keep and reference for years to come. It passed my initial test for describing the basics of sewing in a clear way but wasn't so extremely detailed that I was like "hurry up already ~ I want to start sewing". The instructions did a great job at describing each step in a way that anyone can understand. I really appreciated how Chapter One began with the basics and matched beginner skills with a beginner project and then each subsequent project built on the skills from the previous chapter... by the end of this book I had sewn a gorgeous skirt!

Another great feature: the book is spiral bound and lays flat on the table while I work, and allowed me to reference the instructions and step-by-step photos at a glance.

Pros:
- Pre-project fundamentals of sewing were clear and concise
- Instructions were well written
- Lots of step-by-step photos
- Lots of projects (and project variations)
- Spiral bound book lays flat for easy reference

Cons:
- Nothing! The patterns all come on a CD so you can print them out over and over again.

75 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time November 21, 2010

By J. Corbett

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

For years, I have been too afraid to learn how to sew. I was intimidated by the machine, and I was afraid that I would never learn. Although I'm still only through a few of the projects, I now feel that I can do anything with sewing!

I think what really helps with this book is that the author doesn't attempt to intimidate you and gives you thorough instructions. I was more than happy that she gave a detailed list of necessary accessories and how to use them. I also appreciated her humor throughout the book (especially her little tangent about fabric).

Another important part of this book is that sewing is part craft and part art. It does take practice to build up skill in order to do all the stitches correctly, but that's the great part about learning! I purchased several yards of muslin just to practice all of the stitching, and the more I practice, the better I get. Hopefully within the new few months, I can start taking patterns and using them. And finally, I hope to take those patterns and modify them to fit a body perfectly. This is just the first building block in order to learn. Each project teaches you a new skill, and I find myself going back a few each time, so I can test myself.

I have to admit that I found the projects to be a little funny. I have no wish to make an eye mask, and the hipster belt looks a little strange. But the importance of these things is learning the skills required to make them and to move on and make your own items. So for now, I happily make the eye mask, because I know getting these skills will help me in the future.

Although there is a long list of things that you should consider getting before continuing the projects, I would recommend like crazy a pair of dressmaker's shears. We own about four scissors in our apartment, and none of them handled the fabric well enough. I am now investing in a pair of scissors. An iron is incredibly important as well. Of course, this is stated in the book, but I didn't realize how important they would be until I actually started doing the projects.

Overall, a fantastic book. I know I will be keeping this as a reference book in the future. It would be impossible for me to let this go.

97 of 99 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Such an informative book...but December 29, 2010

By I Like The Color Green

Format:Hardcover-spiral|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book. I'm trying to learn how to sew and the content is great. The author writes as if she's talking to you and you're long time friends. The projects start off simple and the pictures are colored and detailed. My only gripe with Stitch by Stitch is all of the spelling and grammar mistakes. I am just a little disappointed that such a great book would have so many little mistakes. It's nothing that really detours you from content, but you'd think that the book would be edited before being mass produced.

The book is spiral bound and starts off with materials that you'd need to start sewing, a section on choosing a machine, and a section on fabric.

The projects are:
- Fancy Napkin
- Picnic Place Mat
- Reversible Tote Bag
- Relaxing Eye Mask
- Hipster Belt
- Piped Throw Pillow
- Patchwork Cafe Curtains
- Girl's Charm Pack Skirt
- A Wrap Skirt
- A Line Skirt
- Cap Sleeved Blouse

It also has a section on how to use commercial patterns.