Learn to Sew by Alison Reid

by Alison Reid

Sewing may be the most rewarding and practical craft of all. With basic skills, even a beginner can make beautiful and useful items, as this clearly illustrated tutorial demonstrates. Assuming no prior knowledge or experience, it covers all the elements of machine and hand sewing, from how to sew a button to basic embroidery techniques. Charming projects put the reader’s growing skills to work right from the start, from the simple Drawstring Bag and Fringed Throw to the more challenging Pompom Slippers and stuffed Toy Dog to fanciful designs such as the all-fabric Flower Necklace and Brooch. With each project, new techniques are introduced, from how to make button loops, patch pockets, and French knots, to the fundamentals of quilting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts

Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Eli Poteet · Rating 3 out of 5]

i quickly scanned thru this how to instructional book and honestly the majority of these projects do not inherently interest me. i enjoyed looking at the projects, i just dont need bags or pillows.i wanted more stuffie projects. i wanted more original concepts, not repackaged household chores.

as a novice, i found the opening chapter of needed materials and core skills to be overwhelming and off putting. the designs and patterns didnt really seam (haha) easy to comprehend at first glance. the books title led me to expect more how to instruction and skill buiding projects and those just werent present.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the title of the book is called learn to sew The book assumes you already have some basic knowledge and know how to work a sewing machine. I wouldn’t say that this book is for absolute beginners. The projects are a bit intimidating. In my opinion there’s nothing straightforward and simple that can be worked in an hour with little fuss. I recommend this book for advance beginners.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with the last sewing/mending book I read, I'm not sure who the target audience is. The author states that this is for people with absolutely no sewing experience at all--and for the first few pages, I think she's right. The instructions aren't all that clear, and the illustrations do little to explain the concepts, but at least she's giving basic instruction. And then come the projects! Scalloped edges on a basic pillowcase, a tote bag with a lining, a zippered pencil case, and a quilted tea cosy with extra edging pieces--these do not seem like projects for true beginners, and the author does not provide modifications for the projects to scale for ability: a basic pillowcase without the borders, an unlined tote bag, a snap-closure pencil case, or a plain tea cosy. As a beginner sewer, I found Reid's book to be unnecessarily intimidating and overly complicated, but with some nicely designed projects (albeit woefully inappropriate to the intended skill level).

[Heather Pehnec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great title, because even if you know how to sew, you'll likely get ideas from this book. It's cute.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to sewing, with some cute ideas on starter projects. I don't think that the drawn illustrations are very helpful, though, and none of the projects were really inspiring.

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the simple but strikingly unique and colorful patterns in this book. It has detailed instructions accompanied by drawings which makes it easier to complete projects than just plain patterns.