5 comments about Sew Fast Sew Easy: All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew.

1. The book is great it even comes with patterns. The book is easy to understand and has lots of detail. I would definatly recommend it.



2. I just bought this book because I wanted to delve into sewing a little more. I knew how to sew but I didn't know much about sewing techniques or terms or sewing notions and how to use them. This book was very easy to understand and explains everything I need to know about sewing and using notions and patterns. It's now my sewing bible! If I get stuck on something I grab my sew fast sew easy book.



3. I bought this book for my daughter and she has taken to sewing extremely fast. She's so proud of what she makes. Her enthusiasm for sewing now is almost too much for me to keep up with. This book was was easy for her to understand and the illustrations were very clear. She's been playing around with reconstructing her clothes so I'm thinking of getting her the Rip It book as well. I'm happy to see her involved in a positive hobby that she truly enjoys and gets satisfaction from.



4. I have the Rip It! book and love it. I just got this book for my niece for christmas. She wants to learn how to sew and I know this is the best book out there for her. It's very easy to understand and comes with patterns for her to learn with. I'm also getting her a sewing machine from www.sewfastseweasy.com
   I love giving! She is going to be so thrilled!



5. I purchased this book based on its recommendations, and I'm not sorry I did. It's been 25+ years since I touched a sewing machine, and this book definitely helped take the fright away. Perfect for new seamstresses of all ages.

5 comments about The Art of Manipulating Fabric.

1. I am a novice sewer but have a very nice sewing machine. This book and the images just blow me away. If I cannot "get" these techniques I am going to try my best to get close for my art pieces. No, I do not make clothing, but these techniques are art in themselves. Love this book.



2. Texture, movement, sway, swag... and more. No prints or color to distract from form, just the fabric manipulated to stand strong, or pout, stipple or ripple in the stream, sharply pleat, or undulate with pleasure. Particularly canted toward those with imagination, this is a profound source book for textural ideas to which I return again and again; a magnificent work.



3. Very unique and creatively artistic quilt art. Will take time to learn, but is beautiful and gets your attention right now.



4. The Art of Manipulating Fabric is a wonderful book. There are excellent pictures or diagrams on every page. The instruction for creating the details covered in the book are excellent as well. Easy to follow. I would recommend this book to any seamstress who wants to improve their sewing by adding these special deatails that make a garment truely special.



5. This is a wonderful reference book for all those interested in sewing and embellishing fabric. It's pure pleasure just looking at the pictures! I have given the book 4 stars though because, although I understand that the use of unbleached white muslin for all samples is clearly useful, I would have liked to see the pictures in color anyway, and not just in black and white. A snow-white cotton fabric over a mahogany background or something similar would have been perfect. It would have given the book the final touch of elegance and luxury which all these fabric embellishments are about anyway. A better picture resolution would have been ideal too, but maybe it's just my bad eyesight! In any case, I wholeheartedly congratulate Colette Wolff and thank her for this fantastic addition to the sewing libraries of passionate fabric/sewing lovers like myself, and I will wait for a second edition with more fabric manipulating ideas! The sky is the limit!

5 comments about Sew Everything Workshop.

1. I only use this book for reference for threading a machine, to wind a bobbin and for basic reference. The patterns are none too exciting, and all I really want to make are skirts and basic dresses, so "Sew What! Skirts" is the book I look to for actually creating skirts. This was touted as the "Stich and Bitch" for sewing, and I don't think that's an accurate description. If I had to do it over again, I might still have bought this book, or I would have purchased an older book with pictures depicting threading of a sewing machine.



2. I started sewing a couple months ago and wanted to buy the best book for beginners. After spending hours at a bookstore, I finally decided on this book. Although the cover kind of threw me off, the book itself was very organized and is the only reference book I use. It tells you the tools you will need, the different stitches to use, gives you an anatomy of a sewing machine, and even tells you about all types of fabric. I love it. It comes with a few patterns to get you started on sewing, and although they are a little unformed, they are perfect to get you learning about different stitchings, how to read patterns, etc.



3. This book is perfect for people who are totally new to sewing. Unlike other sewing books, it isn't an overwhelming encyclopedia of terms and techniques. It explains everything you need to know in a way that is entertaining and logical. Diana Rupp's warm, enthusiastic personality really comes out in her writing.
   
   Anyone who would label themselves as a "beginner" would like this book. A total novice will appreciate the instruction and an advanced beginner should enjoy the projects (super cute!). Intermediate and advanced seamsters will likely be disappointed, though, as the information in the first half is very basic.



4. I ordered this book because I've just got myself my first computerised sewing machine after a long break between seams. I'm delighted I did 'cause Diana Rupp has got the goods. She's hip and knows her subject inside out. She also knows beginner sewers and how easy it can be to get overwhelmed and frustrated when starting out. Ms Rupp takes her readers through all that with plenty of good humour (I even had a bit of a giggle). Diana Rupp has talked me through such basics as preparing my sewing space, sewing tools, choosing and working a machine, stitch types, fabrics, reading patterns and cutting, tailoring and fitting, hand sewing basics - and much more. There are easy to read diagrams mixed with heaps of color photos. In the back of the book are the easy to sew (and wearable)patterns to help me hone my skills and move beyond the endless cushion covers. Sewing instructions and patterns (created by the author especially for new sewers)are more detailed than usual to help the true beginner get off to a satisfying and productive start. I feel quite inspired to get creating. Only problem is - which project to choose?!



5. I've had past experiences with sewing, but mostly with repairing loose hems, buttons, and shortening pant lengths. I wanted a book that would provide a general overview on sewing--machine and by hand--and sewing garments and beyond.
   
   This book is excellent for the beginner and for those, like myself, who haven't sewn in awhile that need a refresher. After reading the book from the first week of arrival, I was able to start on some of Diana Rupp's simple projects (she includes 10 FREE easy-to-do patterns) within the following week and haven't stopped since and moved beyond her book. Within a month, I was able to create 1-2 new projects on a weekly basis* (mostly tops, shorts, and stuffed animals). In addition to this book, I also purchased alongside it the New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest). It's a good reference book to have on hand for those future intermediate and advance projects.
   
   *It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your sewing machine before diving into any of the projects not completing by hand.

5 comments about Sewing for Dummies.

1. I usually LOVE the dummies series and find it very useful for new subjects I want to just dive into. This book is useful, but not as a first reference for someone who has never done more than the occasional needle-and-thread wobbly patching most of us did in College.
   
   The good:
   1. Very thorough subject coverage - everything from clothing to arts & crafts, to home decor (in fact, I think if they broke this up into two books - one for clothing only, and one for the rest, they would have done themselves a big favor).
   2. The step descriptions are broken down into mini-steps very well (I think).
   
   The bad:
   1. hardly any illustrations at all. Where there are illustrations, they are very basic, mostly restricted to the type of stitch described rather than an illustration of the step-by-step process.
   2. the level of terminology-knowledge assumed by the book is insanely high for beginners.
   3. There is insufficient internal cross referencing - the writers seem to assume you will read the book from cover to cover in the right order, and that you will remember everything you learned from one chapter to the next.
   4. The section on "Quick fixes and alterations" which is boasted about in the book description is far from comprehensive, and the steps described are skimpy - largely without internal references to where within the book these steps are described.
   
   This will be a great 2nd book, I think. But until I reach that level I'll have to find something else.



2. this was a christmas present for my mother-in-law-to-be, she just quit smoking and she wanted to occupy her time with something. so, she wanted to start sewing. that's all she wanted for christmas and i thought that this book would help her out in any situation she would have that she doesn't already know. thanks and this seller is recommended in my "book"!!!!



3. This is an easy to read book on sewing. Great for beginners and also for the more experienced that needs a review. Very easy to understand. It is a 'must buy' for the first time sewing person.



4. I'm new to sewing and I purchased several books to help me get started, including this one. It's easy to read and it gave me a good idea of how to do some things, but I would not have been able to sew just by reading this book. It's a perfect companion to other learning aids and I have returned to it several times. It's worth the cost as long as you have other teaching aids at your disposal.



5. Some parts get a little confusing, with a few step by steps that don't add up. But, the techniques described in this book will make anyone a better sewer. And, there are great simple project ideas throughout the book for beginners that allow you to practice as you read through the book. I highly enjoy this book.

5 comments about Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew.

1. I really enjoyed this book! Perfect for beginners. I really like the author's aesthetic. She's got a great style and it seems very approachable. I highly recommmend it!



2. I am a novice when it comes to sewing. This book made me feel empowered. Each project has drawings of step by step instructions. And the projects are so cute! But vital information is sometimes left out (for example, there are no measurements for the handles of the handbag). And for a beginner, sometimes the directions aren't explicit enough (for example, how exactly are you supposed to sew notches together so that they turn out the same each time?). But overall, I loved the book and would recommend it. It's fun and inspiring.



3. I have to agree with a lot of the reviews of this book. I was busting to buy this book after continually reading about it in most of the craft blogs I visit. But what a disappointment. If you are a beginner, stay clear of this book. My biggest gripe is the hand-drawn diagrams. Authors/Artists take note.....creating a computer drawn image or even a hand drawn image using a ruler is much better on the eye than the sloppy diagrams in this book!!! I've made the bib, scallop blanket and bag and they all disappointed me. The scallops on the blanket were a real mess and I'm an accomplished quilter who always measures twice and cuts once!! The scallops did not match up on the corners and I ended up running around the edges with perl thread to tidy them up a bit. The bag was a nightmare as a few important steps were missing and I ended up winging it just to get it finished. The start of the book however contains some great information for the beginner with tips on fabric and tools. A much better book to buy is Amy Butler's - "In stitches". That one was well worth the extra money.



4. The instrutions on how to make projects in the book are not clear at all.
   And nothing new in this book, I will not recommand this book to anyone.



5. I learned to sew years ago--I made coats, suits, children's clothes--from patterns including designer Vogue. For the last 15 years I have sewn mostly curtains and household stuff. I know how to sew, but this book shows a different way of looking at sewing and made me think more creatively about what I was doing. An enjoyable book to read for inspiration and/or use for projects.

5 comments about How to Make Sewing Patterns.

1. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THIS ITEM. IT IS ALL I HAD EXPECTED AND MORE!



2. After a good research this title came up and since my expectations are quite high I wasn't sure if I made the right choice to buy this book.
   Now I am wrapped! With my knowledge about altering and/or creating sewing patterns not quite reaching the level I was after, this book will be a great help for me.
   The illustrations and text are very easy for me to understand and the price is a bonus.
   I made the right decision to buy this title.



3. This book will get you going with detailed instructions to create your own designs or to make basic clothing.



4. I've only been through some of the book, but so far it addresses what I was looking for.



5. Okay, it isn't filled with beautiful color photos, but if you really want to learn to draft patterns from scratch for yourself or someone else, this is an excellent book, and MUCH less expensive than textbooks with similar information. The author has an e-group (referenced in the book) where you can get help from him and other from other students as you go through the process. The book takes you step-by-step from measuring yourself (this alone is worth the price of the book) or someone else through drafting the basic blocks, designing the darts with a sort of draping technique, transferring darts to the block, and fine-tuning the fit through the second fitting. Then it goes on to teach you how to manipulate the basic blocks to design any garment you can imagine.

5 comments about Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects.

1. There is a lot of inspiration here! I think the patterns are fairly basic (which the title indicates "simple"), but just seeing how Amy Butler put her fabrics together is worth the price of admission. Seeing the "how-tos" of making some of the projects are helpful - I could have immitated some of the patterns myself, but Butler takes out the guesswork. Fun! Modern! A great place to start creating your own personal style.



2. I picked up this book after purchasing Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing book. I was torn between the two. Both had such wonderful designs. However, upon finally purchasing and getting a good read of In Stitches, I find myself exceedingly overwhelmed. I read in quite a good number of reviews that the instructions were very detailed and would be great for a beginner. I'm the epitome of a beginner in the sewing world, and I'm just baffled by a good deal of the projects in this book. Perhaps when I become more comfortable in my sewing skills, and learn the ropes a little more, I'll find the time to make most of the projects in this book. If you're a beginning seamstress, then I highly recommend Lotta's book, which, at least for me, was much easier to follow in making projects.
   
   The pictures in this book are gorgeous, and the projects have me eager to learn how to sew better, but the instructions are just too complicated.



3. I loved this book! Nice pictures, and very informative! The patterns are great....but if you buy this, don't get "Sew it Kit" by the same author....there's only 11 out of the 15 patterns that are not found in this book.



4. I really enjoyed this book, it has such great ideas, but a lot of them aren't "new", as another reviewer has already pointed out. I don't really need one more pattern for an apron... or another purse. The real thing that sets them apart is her use of her own fabric lines - which are very swanky but also very expensive. I really found her instructions to be overwhelming and too wordy; should it really be so hard to make a patchwork quilt, seeing as it's supposed to give the impression of being put together at random?
   
   All that being said, I do still enjoy the photography, the compilation of the ideas (as almost things to create for all aspects of your life), the diagrams and figures, and the inspiration. I definitely recommend this book, but just make sure to not fall into the trap of only buying her fabrics! They look fantastic, and I do love them, but all of your projects will cost you hundreds of dollars.



5. I love Amy Butler fabrics so I decided to purchase this book. I really like some of the projects, but some are really nothing to get excited about. I will say that there is quite a nice variety though.
   
   The instructions could be slightly better as well.

5 comments about Sew U Home Stretch: The Built by Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics.

1. This second book by Wendy Mc Mullen is even better than the first. Yhe first one put the oomph back into my sewing, the second one gave me a new kickstart back into designing en making up cute stuff:)



2. Nice format, divided into chapters making it easy to access whichever subject you need at the time, informative and yet, chatty style which makes me feel more confident and understood as an amateur Knit Seamstress.



3. This is a great book - I'm a "veteran" sewer and purchased it mostly for the patterns. But my thirty-something daughter LOVED the clear, concise explanations -- and it has inspired her.



4. this book is a lot of fun for anyone with a serger and the basics of sewing. you can make cute, quick garments using comfy jersey. i think even a beginner would be able to use this book. serging is so fast and easy. all of the patterns fit me great, super cute styles. can't wait for the next book!



5. This is a wonderful resource for sewers of all ages. I am always eager to learn how to do different things - not to mention more easily. I heartily recommend this book. Instructions are easy to follow.

5 comments about Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics.

1. The book is well written, with lots of basic information for beginner sewers and tips in side panels to help troubleshoot difficult sewing techniques, such as sewing hems on curved fabric or matching curved pieces to straight pieces. I found the idea of not using a pattern refreshing and have so far made two skirts from the book.
   
   I did run across errata, so make sure to check out the publisher's page for any new corrections or problems with older editions.
   
   Because you make your own patterns, you need to make sure to take your measurements and determine what the "length" is your skirt will be, prior to purchasing your fabric. This is especially true if you aren't sure about the fabric amount listed in the book. Examining how the skirt is placed on the fabric will help you to determine if you need more or less fabric then suggested. It's not hard to write the lengths out on the diagrams to see how much fabric you need.
   
   The only thing I would love to have seen in this book is a longer section on fabric choices: cottons, rayons, gauzes, organzas, silks, etc. Otherwise, there is a great deal of information in this book, both for beginners and those of us who have been sewing for years.
   
   This isn't really a con, but the author does refer to the reader's sewing machine manual, so make sure to have this on hand, especially if you are not familiar with how to make buttonholes, other sewing stitches, or you are a new sewing machine user. I suggest you practice on something else before you use a new stitch on your skirt fabric.



2. If you are tired of making unhappy compromises when shopping for skirts, this is the book for you. Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make With Fabulous Fabrics is women's liberation at it's best -- you'll never have to settle for the wrong fit to get the right color, or a too-loose waist to get hips that don't cling.
   
   If you have even the most basic of sewing skills, the author will turn you into a magician who can turn out just the perfect skirt that you want, without the torture of sorting through racks of junk you don't want.
   
   This is a great book!



3. I love this book! It is a great way for beginner/intermediate sewers to really get a feel for what it takes to make skirts that truly fit. You will be able to learn to draft simple patterns that will become beautiful skirts. The directions are clean and concise. I recommend this book to anyone looking to learn the beginning steps in clothing construction.



4. Although I have not yet made anything with this book, I have read it again and again. It is small but mighty in what you can learn.



5. I am a novice at sewing and wanted a informative book with good illustrations on easy skirts to make.I found this book to entertaining and very informative. Out of date looking skirts but the information covered very good and easy to follow. I would certainly recommend this book..

5 comments about Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt.

1. My niece got one and showed me what she was doing with her old tee's, so I just couldn't wait to buy one of my own and start transforming old into new. Thank you for your wonderful ideas.



2. This is a wonderful book it helps to take old worn out drab tee shirts and turn them in to new and exciting designs that are tailored to your body. There is nothing more attractive then clothing that fits. It also helps take the scraps and turn them in to accessories so that nothing is wasted. If you are and Eco lover this book will be right up your ally. It is perfect for all ages and do it together projects for bonding. It is not just for females there is lots of male ideas also.
   leahunter



3. ...I'm not small enough for these outfits! All the girls modeling the clothes in the books pages are tiny thin; I should have taken that as a clue. I love the ideas in this book and it's a lot of fun; unfortunately I don't think they work unless you're very thin (if I'm wrong please say so - I'm dying to make a Simpsons altered tee!).



4. After checking out MULTIPLE books before and after buying this one, I'm still totally satisfied that this is definitely the one to keep on hand. Some ideas are silly in that anyone who's ripped something apart and put it back together as something else wouldn't necessarily need the instructions (wristband or satchel) but most are both easy and super-cute (halter top featured on the cover; hoodie t-shirts). They mark the designs that are 'No-Sew' and those that require sewing are given an estimated time. Other books may have a few other ideas but, if you have this book, you can pretty much figure any others out on your own.



5. Pressed to find a great birthday gift for the girl who has everything? Or do you just want to give something unique and special? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving: a fun, edgy and easy-to-use craft book! Generation T is a gift for any lady!! It was given to me when I turned 18, and I have since given it to my friend on her 17th, my co-worker on her 25th and my T.A. on her 30th!! There are projects in this book that can appeal to everyone's tastes, and as a present it is a great conversation starter at a birthday dinner. I simply cannot tell you how great this book is, you must really have a peek at it for yourself!