New Complete Guide to Sewing (Readers Digest) Reviews

• Not for beginners

  
  By A2I5NHY0CO7XKY on 2004-05-03
  The book is too advanced for beginners. The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing. It also assumes that you are very comfortable with using a sewing machine. The photographs are beautiful, but it hasn't served as a how-to manual that I had hoped. For the same retail price, you can buy at least two other better books.
  
  

• in response to a previous review

  
  By A1BEC2FTE6QG9K on 2006-07-27
  "The book starts off assuming you know how to read and cut patterns, piece together parts, and construct clothing." I just wanted to say that the book does explain how to read and interpret patterns. In fact there are about 8 really good pages dedicated to reading patterns. I really hated how every pattern I bought wouldn't give an explanation of all the symbols they used. I didn't understand the symbols and some of the steps used in patterns until I got this book.
  However the previous reveiwer was right about the book not explaining how to use a sewing machine, so I woudln't recommend getting this book if that's what you're after. If you've played with your sewing machine a bit and have figured out how to reasonably use it, then go for it.
  
  Reasons to get the book:
  -Great detailed images to follow
  -shows how to properly fit a pattern and ways to fix common fitting problems
  -index of stitches and how they're used
  -has examples of how to sew specific garments
  -explains how to execute common construction pieces like placket pockets and lapped zippers
  
  Cons:
  -like previous reviewer said it did not give an overview of how to use a sewing machine (pretty bad for a "complete guide")
  
  
  

• Previous Editions are far superior to latest 2002 edition

  
  By AOXPW5BRH00AQ on 2003-01-17
  I borrowed the 1995 edition of this book from the library, and ordered it hoping the latest 2002 edition would resemble the impressive volume of instructions and references that appeared the the earlier versions. I was very disappointed in the 2002 edition. There are 384 pages in the 2002 edition and 431 pages in the 1995 edition. In another library, the pre-1995 editions are even better with 500+ pages. They include everything you'd want to know about sewing. Unfortunately each newer edition is becoming smaller with less reference material. The section on sewing for the home such as draperies, shades, bedcovers has been replaced by a project on how to sew one type of curtain. The section on sewing for Men and Children is replaced by instructions on how to sew a shirt for a boy, and one skirt for a girl. They give details on doing different patterns instead of a reference section for Men and Children's clothing, sewing techniques. The same applied for sewing for the home. If I was interested in doing projects with patterns, I would have bought a pattern from one of many companies with far greater style selections. In a book, I expect references that the pattern cannot detail on many different parts and types of clothing. I expected the 2002 edition to be larger with even more reference on style alterations and sewing methods for different materials, garments, and interior home decor. In this century there is more variety of materials available and styles that a sewer needs to make reference to. I am debating whether I should return the latest edition, since my expectations were much more than what the book provided.
  
  

• If you're looking for a basic instruction book - this is it!

  
  By on 2003-08-22
  I am an experienced professional sewer and have an older edition of this book. I refer back to it often. If you need basic instruction - get this book! It covers patterns, fabrics, fitting, contruction, finishing, tailoring and much, much more!
  
  

• Good, but not the best sewing book

  
  By on 2003-12-08
  This book is comprehensive, but I recommend instead "The Complete Book of Sewing," by DK Publishing, August 1996. I found that many things only partly explained in this book were fully explained with better and more detailed pictures in "The Complete Book of Sewing." If I had to do it all over again I would not have purchased this book and bought instead "The Complete Book of Sewing" because "The Complete Book of Sewing" is a much better book that has pushed this book to the back of my bookshelf.
  
  
• Nice overview of sewing techniques
  By A31URZI9NY143R on 2004-07-15
  I purchased this book when I had a general understanding of sewing and wanted to improve my skills without having to take sewing classes. I refer to this book when I have a slight understanding of what I'm doing and need to see the details about how it's done step by step. This book does just that - no skipped steps, illustrations for every step. There are few photos, but the drawings actually serve you better because you can see the seams more clearly. The book covers a very wide range of assembly techniques, which is quite helpful if you've got a blouse all done but are stuck on sewing the collar. I have bought a lot of sewing books and find that any that include "complete guide to..." in the title try to cover too many topics and lack the detailed content many of us are searching for. If you are really lost on how to do pattern alterations or working with knits etc., you will be much happier with a book that only deals with that topic and has the space to give you in-depth instructions. Overall, it is a very good book to have for reference when the pattern you are working with does not give you the extra help you need.
  
  
• Another edition, and the first is still the best...
  By A1LSNQQ37FA5J9 on 2005-09-14
  I have the FIRST edition, 1976, of this book...it is actually just as fact-filled as the new edition, and it hasn't the glitz of color through-out, though it has color plates. But, the information is great in both editions, and I urge the sewer to have this book around. I use it still for reference and refreshing the memory of things I do in sewing too seldom to remember! The new one seems devoid of the neat home projects the first edition had, and they are really retro now!!!
  
  
• Not as good as the older version
  By A2L7Q55MYICF65 on 2002-11-30
  I borrowed an older copy of this book from the library to help me with my curtain-sewing projects (I haven't sewed anything since grade 8 which was a while back and figured I needed some guidance). the book seemed so helpful that I decided to buy my own copy. This updated version is nowhere near as helpful as the old. In the old version, there is information about how to thread a machine, what the different settings are for, a more comprehensive section on curtains etc....

  The pictures are decent and the instructions seem easy to follow though.
  
  

• sew-sew
  By A30T2RZTW3WZVC on 2007-06-05
  Although this is a well produced book with lots of lovely pictures, the instructions are lacking for a beginner such as myself. Superfically flicking through the book it looks great, it's only when you sit down and need to do something that you find that this book doesn't equip you with enough explanation of the terms and skills needed to allow you to complete a simple sewing task.
  
  It promises much, but it lacks thorough, simple and clear explanations and a beginner will still need other resources to learn how to sew basic things.
  
  I don't know who this book is targeted at, as it isn't for the beginner, yet the concepts it covers really are basic and I doubt experienced sewers would get much out of this book for this reason.
  
  I guess it's not a bad book, just so-so. I tried to edit this to make it a 3 star, rather than the 2 I initially gave it, as that seemed fairer, but I can't edit the 'stars.' I just wouldn't recommend it for a beginner looking for a how-to reference.
  
  
• This is my bible
  By AR4ABS0ONDDNZ on 2006-03-08
  I read reviews and did my research before putting money into this book and it was by far the most informative and reasonably priced out there. This is also used as a text book for many sewing classes. I doubt anyone who is passionate about sewing will be disappointed with their purchase.
  
  
• A Must for all Sewers
  By A1R602SXNGOMJ4 on 2004-03-27
  If you're new to sewing or just want a bit of a refresher, this is one book I'd recommend. This book covers everything you need to know about sewing. The New Complete Guide to Sewing gives you everything you need to know to create the wardrobe of your dreams and fill your home with original decorative accents. Clear, simple instructions throughout, written by Reader's Digest sewing experts tell you what to do and how to do it throughout. Plus, thousands of illustrations and diagrams illustrate each stage of the sewing process. Sewing will become fun and easy to do.
  
  
• Great beginnings
  By A2S3ZLA5CZU4Q7 on 2008-03-12
  I wished I'd have bought this book first instead of Singer's complete photo guide to sewing. I checked out a copy from my library and realized that it was probably the best beginning sewing boook out there. The only other book I'd recommend is DK's Complete Book of Sewing. Both have their strengths and are very easy to follow but I thought Reader's was a little more thorough.
  
  As for the reviewer who was disappointed that the book didn't cover the machine well enough, I've learned that an author could fill an entire book covering the subject and still not tell you how to use the machine you own or intend to buy. But who's to say you'll immediately begin machine sewing? Perhaps you may lean toward haute couture techniques and want to know more about hand stitching, which this book does happen to cover. If you're looking for a 'complete' guide in sewing you have to make editorial choices because the subject is too vast for any single book. That said, my expectation of a good beginner book is one that covers the most important sewing topics with enough depth to enable the beginner to actually create garments, which this book does. In addition, this book points the new sewer toward making well-fitting garments (tailoring techniques) which makes it a very good buy. In all, the topic choices are logical with better coverage than most without being too vague (like Vogue Sewing at times), outdated, too shallow or disjointed (like the Singer books). Again, the only other beginning book I've found worthwhile is DK's Complete Book of Sewing, but even in it you'll find that some areas could be fuller, as you should expect with a general sewing book.
  
  So, where to start? Well, the library is a great, if not the best, place. If you have a machine, look over your manual. Seems simple/silly, but they typically give you enough to get started with a straight stitch which is often all you need. If you don't have a machine you may consider Fine Machine Sewing by Carol Laflin Ahles or All About Machine Arts. Both are great books to help get acquainted with your machine before you start tackling fabric, seams, etc.
  
  Sewing is pretty much like the ocean- there's a depth suited for every taste. You'd be amazed at how deep it goes. That said, these beginner books will get you started but you'll find there is so much more to understanding how to make a well-fitting garment- which is good and bad. It's bad because all the topics can make your head spin and you might get quite frustrated before you ever make anything that suits your taste or even fits your body. The myriad of choices are good, however, because they allow quite a bit of choices, expression and individuality to the sewer. You can spend a lot of time and a fortune learning everything there is to creating garments/fabric decor, but before you spend all your money in one place it will pay to research what different directions and concepts all fall into play for something as common and seemingly simple as the clothes on our backs. Scour the internet, your local library and people who sew first, then think of what kind of sewing you intend to try.
  
  
• A must-have book for all sewers!!
  By on 2002-11-20
  I have the 1995 edition of this book and I use it every time I sew. If this edition is anything like the one I have I recommend it without hesitation!!! The entire book is easy to read with clear and concise illustrations with step-by-step instructions to walk through even a first-time sewer through an unknown step. Whenever there is an instruction in a pattern that I do not understand, out comes this book and I learn exactly how to do it!! Do not hesitate to buy this book.
  
  
• new complete guide to sewing
  By ACLZNSQ99JSXQ on 2006-03-08
  excellent book. worth every penny I paid for it.A must have for your sewing library.
  
  
• Excellent reference book
  By A1WMSI2TOBWNTW on 2007-02-14
  So far this book has been a good reference for me. Very good pictures and descriptions. I haven't gone through it completely yet. Wouldrecommend it for people that know how to sew.
  
  
• This book is not for beginners
  By A34D6742OLK2C7 on 2007-12-05
  A great book for intermediate sewers who need a refresher or for techniques that haven't been performed often. It covers a ton of information from the basics of cloth and threads to tailoring and fixing fitting problems. The projects are lacking in creativity and one must purchase the pattern first. All in all a good book and will definately come in handy.
  
  
• Clear, concise guide
  By A1SYPT8V9IKO0J on 2008-02-26
  I'm a great fan of Reader's Digest How-to books. I have found that they usually are the beginner's friend. Like all the Reader's Digest books I own, this one gives clear directions that a beginner can understand. The illustrations are easy to understand and usually give critical information. You can (and I have) teach yourself to sew with this book. It gives the very specific information you need to start from knowing nothing. Things like how to read a pattern, how to pin and cut fabric, etc. However, it also moves toward the kind of general and abstract information that you need to have later, in order to be able to be more creative. Things like how to recognize different types of fabric, different ways to finish seams, different ways to hem garments, how to modify fit, how to modify a pattern, etc. With those types of information at your fingertips, you can master making almost anything.
  
  
• This book is full of important information
  By A3JATOFEOULS0O on 2008-04-21
  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.
  
  
• The ultimate sewing resource
  By A2XPGNJ8YUPHM0 on 2008-08-06
  This is a big, thick, heavy book, and not exactly something you can tuck in a corner while you work. It's large and wide, though, and lies flat fairly easily, which helps to make it easier to look at while working. It includes an absolutely amazing amount of detail meant to get you from rank beginner through finely tailored clothing, and honestly I expect this book to still be useful to me in ten years from now. It's jam-packed with diagrams, color photos, and plenty of highly-detailed and very clear instructions.
  
  Hand-sewing tips are included, as well as instructions for using the 'essential' hand stitches. This includes full-page instructions in most cases, with multiple diagrams. Each diagram comes with both an easy-to-understand explanation and a set of step-by-step detailed instructions. Essential stitches include everything from tailor's tacks to basting, backstitching, hemming & joining (slipstitch, cross-stitch, overhand, whipstitch, etc.), finishing stitches, decorative stitches, and so on. In particular I appreciate that the explanation included with each stitch details exactly what that stitch tends to be used for and why.
  
  One of my favorite details throughout the book is the extensive cross-referencing. For example, the page that details and diagrams overedge seams provides page references to the overlock machine on page 15, zigzag stitching on page 83, and overlock stitching on p. 83. You won't have to go nuts trying to locate all the information you need. In addition, there's a side-bar at the beginning of the 'stitches and seams' section that provides a quick-reference to all provided hand stitches and their page locations.
  
  This book can start you out as a beginner and still be useful to you ten years later. It covers everything from basic stitches to fabric types to advanced tailoring techniques, in a ton of detail with precise directions and diagrams.
  
  
• Everything you need to know about Sewing
  By A2O0A0F0H2NEUE on 2006-11-10
  The title says it all. The book is full of beautifully photographed techniques and explanations.
  
  
• New Complete Guide To Sewing (Reader's Digest)
  By A3GJE764D8XQVH on 2007-11-04
  This is a great book for a new or experienced sewer. The illustrations are clear and the wording easy to understand. It covers just about every question imaginable.
  
  
• All the techniques for good sewing
  By A2JTE3DKADTE1Q on 2008-04-14
  I have been sewing for many years and had recently started a fashion design course. In purchasing this book I was after simple straight forward instructions on garment construction to supplement my course. I have a very well used copy of the first published 1976 copy of this book,this latest updated version meets all my expectations in regard to the ease of reading and finding the techniques that I require with plenty of pictures to enhance the learning process. I would certainly recommend this book to the beginner right through to the advanced sewer, after all we could all do with a refresher with regard to our techniques. This book will be one of the most important assets in your sewing room. Happy and successful sewing.
  
  
• True sew everything book
  By A3J8QRIVUTUMD1 on 2008-08-12
  This book is not for beginners. You need to understand the different concepts of sewing and cunstruction. But it is a great reference guide for sewing pretty much anything. I love having this book on my shelf, it comes in handy. If you want more of a beginner book, the "Sew Fast Sew Easy" and "Sew On" books are better. Happy sewing!
  
  
• Extremely Comprehensive Sewing Guide
  By AI3RXEYJM1S4D on 2008-10-14
  I am a beginner sewer and fashion design student. This book has been extremely helpful when I get stuck sewing my projects. Its very clear and easy to follow. I definitely recommend. If it helps, this has been the most widely recommended book by all of my professors.
  
  
• Best Advanced Sewing Book!
  By A1YLUG0PIVTAG0 on 2008-11-10
  Readers Digest makes the BEST sewing books. They are way underestimated by marketed "cutsie" sewing books. This book is for people who know how to sew. It was recommended to me by one of my fashion design professors at Parsons NYC. If you are a sewer and are sewing multiple projects, this is a must have book for your library.
  
  

• Draping for Apparel Design
• A Guide to Fashion Sewing
• The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition
• Patternmaking for Fashion Design and DVD Package
• Couture Sewing Techniques