Sign Up & Save!
|
|
Sign up to receive weekly sales e-mails!
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | 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 52 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Great Sewing ReferenceAug 28, 2010
This is a wonderful general-reference sewing book. In almost every chapter, there is a project for you to try. As contained in this edition, I found them useless because none were of anything I wanted to make. The newer version will reference updated Simplicity patterns. I'm still not certain if that's how people will use this book, but I'm not the publisher. When I'm working on a project I use this book to look up a technique. It seems like Reader's Digest thinks you want to sew your way through the book.
With regard to content, the Stitches and Seams chapter is excellent. It helped me understand understitching and for that I am grateful. The section on fabrics is disappointing. It's a fabric glossary with some pictures, but you have no idea what the pictured fabric is. There is a section on basic pattern alterations this is useful as a quick reference. The Tailoring chapter is pretty good. The book uses illustrations to show the techniques.
Here are all the chapters:
Sewing Equipment and Fabrics
Cutting
Stitches and Seams
Neckline Finishes and Collars
Waistlines and Belts
Sleeves and Sleeve Finishes
Pockets
Hems
Fastenings
Tailoring
Patchwork and Quilting
I also have The Complete Book of Sewing. The topics are similar (they are both references pieces). However, I think the Reader's Digest versions goes into more thorough. I also think it is a bit more advanced. Together, both would take a beginning sewist to advanced techniques.
 Great sewing book for beginners and experiencedAug 07, 2010
This book explains the many different techniques of sewing. There are illustrations to show how each techniques is done.
It is a great addition to a person's library.
New complete guide to sewingJul 15, 2010
I am taking a course in dressmaking and design and thi is a great help
 For women onlyMar 30, 2010
There's plenty of great general information in this, but for some reason it completely omits measuring and pattern alteration for men and children. The pages on these topics are specific to women and women's clothing. Very odd omission. I like the book as a reference, but it needs to be supplemented to address the shortcomings.
16 of 16 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.
| | |
|
