Fine Machine Sewing 2 Ed: Easy Ways to Get the Look of Hand Finishing and Embellishing (Hardcover)

by Carol Laflin Ahles (Author) "Puckered seams and tunneled decorative stitching are not an inevitable aspect of machine sewing, even with fine, lightweight fabrics..." (more)
Key Phrases: lightweight tearaway stabilizer, narrow hemming, traditional buttonhole foot, Super Solvy, Coats Dual Duty Plus Extra-Fine, Design Ruler (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Ahles is a popular teacher of heirloom and creative sewing and a frequent contributor to Threads magazine. Since the publication of the first edition of Fine Machine Sewing (LJ 12/96), this book has become the bible of heirloom sewing techniques, with an emphasis on pintucking, fagoting, and decorative hemming. This second edition has been revised to include new techniques and information on newly available sewing machines, as well as an additional chapter on replicating vintage lace and entredeux. An essential purchase for sewing and costuming collections in public and academic libraries.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Pintucking. Fagoting. Parisian hemstitching. These are some of the techniques that can turn an ordinary garment into something exquisite. The author shows how even beginners can create these details by machine. For sewers of all skill levels, this reference includes photos of finished garments and close-up views of the techniques used as well as solutions for common problems.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Taunton; 2nd ed. edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561584878
• ISBN-13: 978-1561584871
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #154,956 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i improved the first time i used it, November 11, 2000

By	"nickname12345" (WATERVLIET, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fine Machine Sewing: Easy Ways to Get the Look of Hand Finishing & Embellishing (Paperback)

I shied away from getting this book at first, i wasn't sure if it was for me, so many books are written with the husqvarna or elna in mind (i have a babylock) but i finally bought it, because it really is for any type of sewing machine (although it does use the hemstitches that are on the computerized machines) In a bout of insomnia i took this book out and started reading cover to cover, and i realized that i have been using the wrong presser foot!! No wonder my fabric has been puckering and getting crammed into the needle plate, i had been using my zig-zag satin foot when i should have been using my regular foot (ya there is a difference!) There are little things like that as well as techniques like corded buttonholes, scallops, pin tucks, hem stitching (point of paris, venitian, you'll even find out what to do with that daisy stitch) Sewing heirloom laces together is discussed, and there are beautiful blouses for you to try. As a tatter, i really liked the one with the column of tatted insertion.

Besides sewing techniques and stitches, this book discusses optional presser feet, and also how to choose a sewing machine, something very valuable if you are thinking of geting into heirloom sewing and are in the market to get a computerized machine. Bring it with you to a trusted dealer!

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive study of heirloom sewing techniques., August 28, 2000

By	G. Stanton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Fine Machine Sewing: Easy Ways to Get the Look of Hand Finishing & Embellishing (Paperback)

Excellent chapeters on hemstitching, fagotting, pintucking and more. Everyone should read this book before they purchase a new machine. The photographs are inspiring and beautiful. Even if you don't do heirloom sewing, the book has an outstanding chapter on precision sewing which will increase your skill tenfold.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book about sewing technique, December 4, 2002

By	D. C. Eaton (Avon, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an incredible book. It is clearly written with profusely illustrated with excellent quality photos. It has greatly expanded my ideas about what is possible on a sewing machine. I read it from cover to cover even though I don't actually plan to use many of the techniques. However, I have already put the author's advice on blind hemming and narrow hemming into practice. I am also intrigued by the possibilities of hemstitching (stitching hems and hemstitching are totally different things). I love this book.