Sew Everything Workshop: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide with 25 Fabulous Original Designs, Including 10 Patterns

This is a thorough introduction for the complete beginner, with a hip feel and nice photography. This would be a great book for a teenager, or for someone who wants to start sewing Etsy-like craft items. People who already sew, but are largely self-taught, might also benefit from her overview of the basics, from the properties of different fabrics to the correct use of common tools. She also teaches good habits like caring for your machine and proper pattern cutting. The text is chatty (reminiscent of Stitch n' Bitch), and her instructions are clear, linear, and non-threatening. For example, I looked in three books to learn how to insert an invisible zipper, but her explanation was the winner.
She includes a dozen-odd patterns and leads you by the hand through each project. The projects are functional and done in cute fabrics and colors, such as hobo bags, a pencil skirt, and a scarf. That said, as a curvy 36 year old woman, I didn't want to actually make any of the garments. Since they're beginner styles, they're mostly boxy (the kimono wrap) or trendy (the juniors tank top); they don't include any curved darts for fitting difficult shapes. The oilcloth sewing machine cover was darling, but after glancing at the photo I was able to figure out how to make one on my own.
I ended up returning mine after reading the front part, because I just wasn't going to use the patterns and I've moved beyond the absolute basics. Still, I would definitely recommend it for the right audience!
BEST FOR: Teens and 20s, total beginners, craft sewing, project ideas, group sew-alongs.(review by Merry Magpie)
 

Price: $19.11
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