Vogue Sewing, Revised and Updated (Paperback)

~ Vogue Knitting Magazine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The bestselling guide to sewing gets a freshening up!

And it’s from Vogue®: the most respected name in needlework.

 

A trusted classic since 1975, Vogue® Sewing has remained a consistent bestseller and sewer’s favorite. Now it’s been fully revised and updated, with the latest information and all-new photographs and illustrations, introduction, and page layout.  From choosing a machine to mastering couture techniques, it covers everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments. It’s certain to remain the premier sourcebook for sewers everywhere.

            This technique-rich Vogue’® manual contains comprehensive instructions for understanding pattern markings, selecting fabrics and notions, hand-stitching and mending, pressing, and measuring to fit.  Everything’s beautifully laid out, with charts and detailed explanations. And as it teaches, it also steers you to the right project for your sewing level, with a plethora of photos that showcase different options for both beginners and those more expert with a needle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Sixth&Spring Books; Revised edition (June 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933027002
• ISBN-13: 978-1933027005
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,170 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #39 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Fashion
  #57 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Sewing
  #91 in	Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the sewing book that you're looking for!, June 25, 2007

By	M.D. Edwards "Avid Aesthete" (Newport News, VA) - See all my reviews

IF, that is, you're looking for a book that goes into further detail than the standard beginner's sewing book. My mother, who taught Beginner's and Advanced sewing for decades (after earning a full four year scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago for her sewing skills out of high school), told me that this was a book that she recommended to her advanced (high school) sewing classes, so it may not be the easiest book to just flip through and use off the cuff, but it definitely is an extensive book that brings in not just the craft of sewing, but the actual art of it - something that I, as an artist and art teacher, find to be very important. And my mom just couldn't say enough about what an excellent sewing resource this book is.

My first sewing book was The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition, which IS great for visual references on what the tasks you're undertaking should look like throughout the process, but I found it to be very bare bones when it came to answering my "okay, sooo, WHY am I doing this again, instead of doing that???" type questions. "Vogue Sewing" answers all of those questions for me, as well as offering very helpful hints on how to properly tailor a garment to your specific figural requirements, how to remove specific stains, why to use one fabric over another, what the differences are between a variety of fabrics.... and I got all of this from simply skimming through the book! Yes, this book may guide you towards using Vogue patterns, but considering that that company's name figures VERY prominently in the title, it should be pretty obvious that this book isn't necessarily going to steer you towards using Simplicity or Butterick patterns, especially since I doubt that they have easy access to the copyrights that would allow them to reference those companies' patterns. If that doesn't bother you (it sure doesn't bother me), this book isn't just worth a look, it's worth the full cover price, let alone the discounted price you'll find it for here on Amazon!

Again, if you want a book that's going to ease you into the world of sewing by holding your hand and helping you take baby steps (something we ALL can use at the beginning of anything new), you're probably better off with The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition, as a starting point. BUT, if you're looking for a book that will take about as much deciphering as a standard pattern's guide sheet, but offers a great wealth more information about why you're doing what you're doing, and everything you could think of in between, this is DEFINITELY the book you want to buy! Heck, you could just do what I did, and buy 'em both! If, however, you only intend to buy one sewing book in the near future, and you want something that will take a little more investment (of time and thought), and give you a MUCH bigger return in knowledge and experience, buy this one first!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, November 18, 2006

By	Humble Stumble (Tx, USA) - See all my reviews

I really like this book because it goes into advanced alterations which is what a lot of other sewing books lack. I was surprised to find out that it has that as a section, being that this is a general sewing book. But it's more than that, there's also couture sewing techniques and a section on how important color is, and guidance on choosing the right colors. That's also something I have a hard time with.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Stiff Enough, December 15, 2006

By	Donna K. Mcclish (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most books on the how-to of sewing are content to show the reader how to sew a seam, insert a zipper, set a sleeve, fix a rip, use iron-on interfacing, and tack a hem. This work persuades the reader to look beyond the mechanics of sewing and think in terms of fashion. For example, fabric textures, ease in wear, the overall silouette of the wearer, and color can make a garment so-so or totally unique. Better still, the home sewer is encouraged to pursue the fantastic opportunity to create one-of-a-kind clothing item to make heads turn.

The reviewer has assigned a three-star rating because this is a fairly big 450 page softbound manual that becomes a bit unwieldy in use.