The Sewing Machine Classroom: Learn the Ins and Outs of Your Machine

by Charlene Phillips

With The Sewing Machine Classroom, you will learn to stop being the victim to your sewing machine and start taking control! In this book, you will learn how your machine is supposed to work, why it works that way, and what could be the cause of problems that arise. Armed with this knowledge, you will then learn how to move beyond your current sewing skills to master new ones that now won't seem so daunting. Over 40 step-by-step techniques for everything from pin tucks to blind hems to smocking will show you all that can be done with a sewing machine-now that the needle doesn't break!

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Reference, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book after taking my first sewing class. The first portion is extremely handy for a novice seamstress or tailor. The second half I feel has information that is beyond both my skill level and my desire at this point which I consider a good thing as this book will continue to have value as my sewing skills increase. Overall a nice reference, but I would have appreciated more pictures in certain areas of the book as occasionally I feel like the author assumes knowledge that I just didn't have.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth book about sewing and sewing machines. The entire first chapter is about thread, needles, fabric, pins, and stabilizers. Then the author delves into the sewing machine and all it's different uses.

I learned the most in the first chapter, and the main point I took away was: stabilize the crap out of whatever you're sewing.

The discussion of thread was interesting - the author suggests when hand sewing, threading your needle with two parallel strands as opposed to one long strand doubled up. This will help prevent twists and tangles because of the inherent twist in the thread.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for beginners learning about their sewing machine.

[katherine campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Especially for beginners

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful information for a beginner sewist

[Raenel Salandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for my sewing reference library

This is an excellent book for those of us who are intermediate sewists. The beginner and the experienced sewists benefits as well. There are tons of techniques that are explained with pics and charts to help with understanding (Very helpful for the beginner). There are also sewing techniques that saves time using specialty feet etc that can be very helpful to the experienced amongst us. I mostly enjoyed the section where I can make my own trims,embellishments etc. I would definitely would like a paper version of this book. I would highly recommend this book to those of us who would love to improve our sewing skills.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, basic, introduction to using a sewing machine; written clearly enough that a teenager would have no trouble with it but thorough enough- and with enough handy tips- for the sewist who is beginner to intermediate. Introduces basic stitches and feet that are usually provided on a modern machine, as well has having sections on fabrics, threads, installing zippers & buttonholes, types of seams & hemming, and simple decorative techniques like tucks and smocking. The spiral binding allows the book to lay open for easy reference while trying out the techniques.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly learned a lot about presser feet and using them. I also love the section on selecting the right thread and needle to go with certain fabrics. I also really liked learning about stabilizers. There are so many kinds -- I never knew. This is a good reference book to have around. I want to read her other book about sewing machine attachments since I have an older machine (which I've heard is what that book is about). I'm off to go buy some cool presser feet!

[knoba · Rating 3 out of 5]

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About the Author
Contents
Introduction
Section 1: Taking control
1. Mastering the Materials
2. Demystifying Your Machine
Section 2: Increasing Your Sphere of Influence
3. Project Preparation
4. Hems and Edgings
5. Buttonholes and Zippers
6. Embellishments
7. Surface and Thread Embellishments
Appendix and Reference Charts
Glossary
Resources
Index

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough, especially for the novice. I may never ruche any fabric, but this describes how to so that I feel confident that I could. I'll still delve into this book and have bookmarked several pages for future reference. Excellent tips and info even for those who have been sewing for years.

[Haze · Rating 4 out of 5]

KIV for good tips

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very detailed and great for those who learn best by reading. There are a few color photographs.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference book for sewing, especially focused on the machine itself. Great pictures, clear instructions.