New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) (Hardcover)

~ Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The best-selling comprehensive, practical, and inspiring sewing reference, now fully revised and updated. Clear, simple instructions by sewing experts, and thousands of illustrations and diagrams show each stage of the sewing process. This guide is the standard stitch-and-seam reference book for both beginner and seasoned sewers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (October 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762104201
• ISBN-13: 978-0762104208
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing
  #12 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Household Hints
  #25 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars in response to a previous review, July 27, 2006

By	kanha - See all my reviews

"The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing." I just wanted to say that the book does explain how to read and interpret patterns. In fact there are about 8 really good pages dedicated to reading patterns. I really hated how every pattern I bought wouldn't give an explanation of all the symbols they used. I didn't understand the symbols and some of the steps used in patterns until I got this book.
However the previous reveiwer was right about the book not explaining how to use a sewing machine, so I woudln't recommend getting this book if that's what you're after. If you've played with your sewing machine a bit and have figured out how to reasonably use it, then go for it.

Reasons to get the book:
-Great detailed images to follow
-shows how to properly fit a pattern and ways to fix common fitting problems
-index of stitches and how they're used
-has examples of how to sew specific garments
-explains how to execute common construction pieces like placket pockets and lapped zippers

Cons:
-like previous reviewer said it did not give an overview of how to use a sewing machine (pretty bad for a "complete guide")

97 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Previous Editions are far superior to latest 2002 edition, January 17, 2003

By	C. Michelussi (Whitby, Ontario) - See all my reviews

I borrowed the 1995 edition of this book from the library, and ordered it hoping the latest 2002 edition would resemble the impressive volume of instructions and references that appeared the the earlier versions. I was very disappointed in the 2002 edition. There are 384 pages in the 2002 edition and 431 pages in the 1995 edition. In another library, the pre-1995 editions are even better with 500+ pages. They include everything you'd want to know about sewing. Unfortunately each newer edition is becoming smaller with less reference material. The section on sewing for the home such as draperies, shades, bedcovers has been replaced by a project on how to sew one type of curtain. The section on sewing for Men and Children is replaced by instructions on how to sew a shirt for a boy, and one skirt for a girl. They give details on doing different patterns instead of a reference section for Men and Children's clothing, sewing techniques. The same applied for sewing for the home. If I was interested in doing projects with patterns, I would have bought a pattern from one of many companies with far greater style selections. In a book, I expect references that the pattern cannot detail on many different parts and types of clothing. I expected the 2002 edition to be larger with even more reference on style alterations and sewing methods for different materials, garments, and interior home decor. In this century there is more variety of materials available and styles that a sewer needs to make reference to. I am debating whether I should return the latest edition, since my expectations were much more than what the book provided.

108 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginners, May 3, 2004

By	Anonymous (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

The book is too advanced for beginners. The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing. It also assumes that you are very comfortable with using a sewing machine. The photographs are beautiful, but it hasn't served as a how-to manual that I had hoped. For the same retail price, you can buy at least two other better books.