Book Review Sewing Made Simple

Photo's from Amazon

Sewing Made Simple is an inspiring and enlightening introduction to an incredibly useful and enjoyable skill. Filled with clear instructions and clever tips, it demystifies the subject and provides a wealth of know-how that will give you the confidence to make and customise clothes and home furnishings. The first five chapters introduce you to all the tools, equipment and materials you will need for sewing success. ‘The Sewing Box’ explains different threads, needles, pins, scissors and other haberdashery must-haves. ‘The Secrets of Sewing-Machine Success’ guides you around your machine and its accessories, and includes a useful section on troubleshooting. ‘Stitch Craft’ teaches you the essential hand- and machine-stitches – the building blocks of any sewing project. ‘The Paper Pattern’ explains how patterns work and how to use and adapt them for expert dressmaking. ‘Fabric Choices’ reveals how to select the most appropriate fabrics for your project, taking into account colour, pattern, composition and weave. The last chapter, ‘Basic Sewing Skills’, shows you how it’s done, with the essential techniques for making almost anything explained in plain and simple terms – from sewing on buttons and stitching darts to appliqué and piping. Interspersed are 20 gorgeous projects that will help you to consolidate your skills. The projects range from a simple bias-cut skirt and tailored cushion to a more complicated apron and lined tote, and include useful basics such as a curtain, blind, child’s dress and customised T-shirt that every reader will want to try.

Review

‘An inspiring and enlightening introduction to an incredibly useful and enjoyable skill. A basic fool-proof guide that you will go back to time and again for reference.’(Creativesalvage.com )

‘For a beginner, this is a fantastic resource…The projects part of the book is well laid out with clear instructions.’(Ukhandmade.co.uk )

‘A neat format with excellent photos and illustrations.’(Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk )

‘Jam-packed with facts and diagrams and detailed instructions…a very lovely looking book’(Bugsandfishes.blogspot.co.uk )

‘Contains all the information you’ll need to get to grips with the fundamentals of sewing’(Mrxstitch.com )

‘If you are a beginner or you need to refresh your sewing skills, this book is just what you need…This would make a great gift for someone starting out on their sewing journey’(Sewing World )

Your must-have guide to everything needle-and-thread.(Mollie Makes )

Publisher: Jacqui Small LLP (1 Mar 2012)

ISBN-10: 1906417652

ISBN-13: 978-1906417659

About the Author

Tessa Evelegh is a writer and stylist specializing in stitchery of all kinds, crafts, interiors and gardens, with more than 30 titles to her name. These include Window Workshop, Simple Home Style and Sheer Style. Prior to going freelance, she spent eight years at Family Circle magazine, overseeing the dressmaking, interiors and fashion departments. Her work has been published in the Daily Telegraph, Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home and Woman and Home. An enthusiastic dressmaker since the age of five, when she ‘cut her teeth’ on dolls’ clothes, she still makes and customizes clothes, home furnishings and upholstery. Tessa lives in South London and has two (almost) grown-up daughters who also love to ‘make their own’.

                                                                                                                                         

Contents

Introduction
For the Love of Sewing

The Sewing Box
Tools of the trade
Notions: putting it together
Notions: Fastening it
Notions: Trimming it

The Secret of Sewing Machine Success
Sewing Machine Anatomy
Starting off

Stitch Craft
Essential Stitches

The Paper Pattern
The Envelope Inside and Out
Taking Measurements
Using the Pattern
Pattern Marking

Fabric Choices
A buyer's Guide
Fabric Construction
Pattern
Cotton
Linen
Silk
Wool
Synthetic Fibres and Mixed Fibre Fabrics
Fabric Glossary

Basic Sewing Skills
Getting Started
Seams
Seam Finishes
Pressing
Project: Swedish Blind
Project: Tote Bag

Enclosed Seams
Project: Pajama Bottoms

Shaping and Contouring: Darts
Project: Camisole

Gathering and Easing
Project: Sweetest Sundress
Project: Classic Curtains

Fastenings
Project: Wash bag
Project: Tailored Cushion
Project: Drawstring Bag

Trimmings
Project: Bolster
Project: Customized T- Shirt
Project: Vintage Apron
Project: Pretty Cushion

Embellishments
Project: Evening Purse

Appliqué
Project: Child's Craft Apron

The Perfect Finish
Project: Bias Cut Drawstring Skirt
Project: Box Cushion

Mitred Corners
Project: Tablecloth and Napkins
Project: Table mats

Quilting
Project: Baby Quilt

Patterns and Templates
Index
Suppliers and Acknowledgements

                                                                                                                                          

Sewing Made Simple by Tessa Evelegh is a beautiful and detailed book, with great detailed photo's. What I love about this book is that all the pages have a beautiful floral borders which I have not seen in any other sewing book, this book is certainly pretty!

This book is full of advice, hints and tips, information!

The book is in two sections, the first section is full of information about sewing machines, needles, fastening and the essential stitches you will need to know. The second section is about projects that teach you new sewing skills.

The first half of the book is full of information about sewing machines, needles, fastening and the essential stitches you will need. There are detailed pictures along with hints and tips.

There is also a section about paper patterns, and it explains all the jargon that you will find on a sewing pattern, there is a very useful section dedicated to The Paper Pattern, which explains everything that you would need to know about paper patterns. For a beginner this is a fantastic reference book to have. This book is full of inspiration.

The second section of the book is full of projects, which is well laid out with very clear instructions and photo's. What I love about this book is that each project you do will teach you a new skills and techniques. I love the variety of projects in this book from clothing to things for the home.

This book is not only for beginners but for the more experienced sewers. It is the perfect reference book to have in any sewing library.

Sewing Made Simple is available from Amazon

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