Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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186 of 191 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Keeper for Novices AND Pros!, August 30, 2006
Whether you've never touched a needle and thread or, like me, have been sewing for years, everyone will find something of value in this book. I've been making clothes for 40+ years and found this book a valuable asset to add to my sewing library.
Most sewing/craft books read like an encyclopedia - dry facts with one way to do things. This book is written in a conversational style, almost as if Wendy is sitting with you, guiding you through the process. Her explanations were clear, accurate and understandable. She encourages the reader to start with the basics and expand, be creative. The only spot I found something disturbing was in the explanation of stitch length. According to the author, stitch length should be set around 2.5 - that may be true for her machine, but my machine has lengths at 8, 10, 12, etc. For someone who doesn't know what they're doing, running up against this may be a bit confusing. She also states that hand stitching is the only way to secure buttons. Yes and no. It depends on the type of button but some can be done with a machine.
The book also includes three basic patterns - skirt, blouse and pants - for the reader to work with. A huge bonus for the buyer. My problem with this is the sizing. She goes from size 0 to 12 - a wide range, but unfortunately, today's body types tend to run much larger. Perhaps in a future issue, a size or two larger could be included.
Other than these few minor glitches, I found this a well-written, well-presented book that anyone who is contemplating trying their hand at sewing should immediately pick up and put to use. This one is a definite keeper.
Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder
8/22/2006
4½-BOOKS for WUAT; 5-STARS for Amazon
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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!, February 16, 2007
I don't often write reviews, but I thought this book deserved one. I would consider myself an intermediate sewer. I've sewed in the past, I know how to use a machine and how to hand sew, done mostly quilts, pillows and drapes, but never attempted clothing. This summer I attempted 3 separate items of clothing and failed pretty miserably at all three, for varying reasons. I picked up this book as kind of a refresher and on my first time out, I came up with a skirt that actually fit!! It goes over basics that people might sometimes forget, explains the ins and outs of the machine, fabric and some sewing terminology. And it also gives you some tips and tricks that are pretty helpful. If you've sewed clothes before, I wouldn't recommend the book as it is too elementary, but for those who want to make the transition into clothing, I think it is a must. I look forward to more books by this author!
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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book, simply, rocks., September 13, 2006
I've recently rediscovered sewing. This book rocks. It's the first book I've seen that really addresses the whole process of creating hip clothes, from storing my supplies, to choosing fabric, to altering patterns. If this book had come out a few years ago, my closet would be overflowing with fabulous things. It also includes some brilliant shortcuts, which I've since learned are standard in the "industry" -- for instance, punching a single hole to indicate darts instead of thread tracing them saved me hours, and was surprisingly accurate. The tone of the book is very straight forward and clear, and the illustrations are fabulous.
The book isn't flawless -- while making the shirt in the book, I wish there had been more detailed instructions about making the sleeve plackets and stitching the collar. However, there seem to be tons of books and websites that can help me with individual problems, but not yet one that gives such a good overall foundation for "fashion sewing," if you will.
As for the sizing, I've made the pants and shirt in the book, and found them to be very true to size -- no vanity sizing, though. An extra-small is really an extra-small. The jeans I made were formfitting, but accommadated my (real) hips. It's a shame that the patterns only go up to a size 12.
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by Diana Rupp
