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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2024
I ordered this second hand book not sure of the condition it would be in. It arrived earlier than expected and it is in excellent condition. In fact it looks brand new. I have been sewing for about 10 years now but I am finding I am refereeing to this book regularly to get extra information on different techniques. I recommend this book and also the company that I bought it from
Marcia Scheepers
Reviewed in Australia on October 27, 2021
Great book, already had one but bought for a friend.
Sama
Reviewed in Germany on May 12, 2019
I love this book. so useful
kim333
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2019
I have been doing alterations for years (as an amateur) and just recently became more serious about sewing. This book came highly recommended to get me to the next level. It is thorough and clear, with lots of pictures and diagrams, large font text, and only as much text as required. It covers all the basics and foundations one new to sewing needs.I also like that the book includes a number of projects where the techniques taught in the book may be applied. Some of the projects are fashion and one would think that the patterns would not be wearable a few years past the date of the publication of the last edition of the book. Not so. They are timeless and so can be used not only as hands on way of practicing the techniques, but also as clothing items one can actually wear. I am not at that stage yet. First I need to get a few tools, take a bunch of measurements, and make a master pattern. All of that is described very clearly in the book.Other useful sections of note in the book are the section on making alterations (both for garments that are too small and for garments that are too small) and a whole chapter on hand sewing, which can be useful for those who have not made the leap to getting a sewing machine and for high quality finishing of garments.Just browsing through the book, I have already learned so much. Highly recommend.
elena
Reviewed in Italy on October 28, 2018
i used to have the previous version of this book, and i liked it better, pictures were bigger. sadly my dog went number 1 on it so i had to throw it away. i think 25 euros is an honest price for such a big volume. great as a reference book or as a beginner sewing course.
Yoko
Reviewed in Japan on March 18, 2017
It's all you will need sewing book!!
Shay
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2012
I bought this book, as well as the Threads Sewing Guide. I am glad I bought them both. The Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing is a comprehensive reference book with a lot of detail. I am an intermediate returning sewist. This book is chock full of construction detail with easy to follow to diagrams. It includes details on Fabric Types, How to Correct Fit Issues, and Basic Pattern Alteration. Commercial patterns are so poorly marked and documented, I hardly use them anymore (I use Pattern Master Boutique), and if I do, I frequently abandon the instructions about 1/3 of the way through. With the detailed instructions for different styles and construction methods, this book is going to save me alot of time and frustration. There are detailed instructions in the book for several Simplicity patterns. Even in the patterns that I would never use, such as a little girl's smocked dress, the detailed instructions for smocking (both by hand and by machine) are included in the instructions. This is a great reference book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who sews, whatever your sewing level.I also bought the Threads Sewing Guide, and I am glad I bought this one also. The Threads Guide contains different information in many places. The Threads book speaks about Design Ease for different types of fit while the Reader's Digest book speaks to Alterations. The Threads Guide contains information on fiber, texture and characteristics such as drape, while the Reader's Digest book has a chapter on Fabrics with a few sentences on what it is made from and what type of project might suit the fabric. The Reader's Digest book contains detailed instructions on sewing waistbands, collars, sleeves, mitering corners, etc., while the Threads Guide contains the order of construction. I'm thinking we can throw out the instructions altogether. Yipee! The Threads Guide contains detailed information on types of pins and machine needles with close up pictures, while the Reader's Digest book does not contain much detail on these.If you can only buy one Sewing Reference guide, I recommend the Reader's Digest book. In my opinion, if you can buy them both, you will never need another one and you can move on to any specialty books or software that might be on your wish list.
H. Michta
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2008
I started sewing in high school when a teacher was offering a sewing and crafts club. When I graduated, I studied under her for a few years, she knew everything and I mean everything about sewing! There were times I was at home sewing on my own and had little questions, or needed sometime to trigger my own knowlege. So I bought the edition before this one and it was fantastic! I took a break from sewing for about a year since I was finishing up my BFA and now I'm sewing again. I couldn't find that book, and I saw that there was a new edition and knew it was a good book. The book is full of pictures, drawings, and explanations. I'm a visual person, and sometimes just reading how to do something, doesn't necessarily help. Plus, usually you are following a pattern that's telling you how to do something and your stumped. I have nothing but good things to say about this book. Compared to other sewing books, this one is the best source to keep around, whether you are an expert or a beginner.The book outlines every kind of fabric and what its used for; it talks about (and shows photos) of all the different kinds of tools and materials for sewing. I mean there's a whole chapter just on zippers! Every kind of zipper you'd ever need to use and how to put them in. Plus, if you aren't using one of those Vikings or Berninas, this book shows you the ways you can do it yourself, or the old-fashion way. (I'm saving up for a good machine! One who will do button holes and sew the button for me!)Overall, this is a great resource for any sort of sewer out there.
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