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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | Crafts & Hobbies | Home » » » New Complete Guide to Sewing | | | | | | | Description: | | Currently our number-one selling backlist book, the Complete Guide to Sewing was first published in 1976 and has sold over 3 million copies even outselling our all-star New Fix-It-Yourself and Complete Do-It-Yourself manuals. Written by experts, crystal-clear instructions illustrate what to do at each stage of the sewing process. From choosing the right equipment, selecting the perfect fabric, to using the right technique, its almost 400 pages provide a sewer with everything you need to know to make clothing, home accessories and more. Building on that time-tested tradition, New Complete Guide to Sewing has been revised and presents contemporized fashions, newly updated techniques, over 200 new full-color photographs plus the latest in timesaving tips and tricks. Also included are over 20 inspiring new projects to make for family members and home decorating needs, as well as a helpful glossary. | | | Features: | |
• Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories
• Nearly 400 jam-packed pages of sewing instructions and information.
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Editors of Reader's Digest | | Hardcover:
| 384 pages | | Publisher:
| Readers Digest | | Publication Date:
| October 24, 2002 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0762104201 | | Package Length:
| 10.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 9.1 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.9 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 48 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Buy a PREVIOUS edition!!Feb 28, 2010
This book was required for a basic sewing class, and after buying the newest edition, I stumbled upon a 1978 version in the school library--which is FAR SUPERIOR!! Here's why:
LAYOUT--The graphics of the instructions are virtually the same, but the old version has a very simple layout, with instructions beneath each photo. The current version focuses on making the page look cool, which detracts considerably in being able to view the instructions clearly.
CONTENT--The current version has approximately 350 pages, while the older version has approximately 550!!!! For instance, in the old book for TOOLS, there's dedicated sections for various types of tools (scissors, needles, pressing equipment) and their uses. In the new one, all of the tools are laid together (no dedicated sections), which mostly pictures rather than information. Instead of about 7 pages it is now 2 pages. The elimination of a lot of information continues THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK!!
PROJECTS--In the current version, projects are interspersed throughout the book, assuming you will be making these projects as you go along. WRONG! At least for me, I'm not going to make the specific shirt or pants they provide instructions to. The old version has all the projects listed together at the end of the book, and there's at least double the amount of projects than the current book, most of which are still very modern even though it was written in the 70s! One cool project shows you how to make YOUR OWN PATTERN for a robe!
BOTTOM LINE--This version is like an early rough draft of the older/original edition. The amount of information and projects has been cut by about half, and the book focuses on appearance (in its layout and content) rather than simplicity for usage. BUY AN OLDER EDITION--the current one seriously sucks!! I would honestly pay an extra $20 for the 1978 version! Also, I already have basic sewing skills, but I think if I were new to sewing, the current version would be completely useless in that it's not really a beginner's book, more of a reference book.
**Unfortunately the loss of information is due to the dwindling number of 'traditional' sewers, most people now want an 'easy how-to' with fast projects...most sewing books don't teach skills anymore, which makes me sad. This book's current edition reflects that trend.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 They use this book at Parsons in NYFeb 26, 2010
I got this sewing book on recommendation of a girlfriend who was attending Parsons' fashion design school in New York ([...]). She was shocked that she paid thousands of dollars for her classes and that many of the essential skills were learned from a book she could've bought at her local bookstore.
I don't sew myself but I bought this as a present for a girlfriend who does.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 the book was in good conditon as stated by the seller and it arrived perfectly on time.Feb 19, 2010
This book is really good for beginning sewers. It is simple to follow and understand. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to learn how to sew!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Hard to useFeb 10, 2010
This book seems to have everything in it, but it sat on my bookshelf for years because everything was so hard to find. I finally sold it and moved on to other sewing books. I would recomment Sew Everything Workshop for a real beginner :)
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Sew Sew WonderfulJan 14, 2010
First I see several people saying the book doesn't cover basic sewing machine use and isn't for beginner's... I'd like to say it covers the basic stitches most machines have and anything specific from your machine (how to use it and maintain it) should be covered by your machine's specific manual, which you should read in full before starting your first project. Seriously you have to be pretty clueless if you can't read your machine's specific user manual and figure out the basics of how to work your specific machine from there, I was able to do that having never owned a sewing machine before. The book then covers the basic stitches most machines have and what they are used for. What more could you expect for it to do, plug in your machine for you? Each machine is different, my mom's requires oiling every now and then mine doesn't this is what your machine's user manual is for and why the book doesn't cover that stuff because it is different for each machine. I also am as I stated before a complete beginner and I have found the book geared for me as well as more advanced users, the illustrations and detailed instructions are not hard to follow if you can read and look at the pictures, certainly easier than most patterns I have done which usually have way less illustrations and less detailed instructions. The book is great for all skill levels and has a lot to offer not just advanced or expert students but those who dabble or are new to sewing.
The section on patterns is great (I don't know what one of the other reviewers was talking about) the book shows you how to alter size in a patterns with very detailed illustrations and instructions as well as how to tailor your clothing.
As a newbie to sewing I particularly found the fabric guide very very helpful as well as the yard conversion chart and the section on what different stitches are used for.
I am really happy and impressed with the book and since I don't have anyone around to teach me how to sew it is a constant companion I can turn to when I don't understand how to do something or want to know how to tailor a piece or take my own measurements properly.
I own a few other sewing books including the SEW: Sew Everything workshop and this Complete guide is way more handy if a bit dry of a read.
The only cons are that it is a bit dry of a read as it is a reference book and not some specific seamstresses experiences and wisdom discussed in a fun way.
The example patterns in the book aren't actually patterns.
It was pricey I paid 35$ for mine
It is mostly geared towards clothing with only a few home decorating things in it (but the techniques it teaches will serve you in other types of sewing and are valid)
But it was definitely worth the money and will be a book that I can grow with and use for many many years to come. I am very happy with it.
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