101 Ways to Use Your First Sewing Machine

by Elizabeth Dubicki

101 ways to get the most out of your first sewing machine So you bought your first sewing machineànow what? Expert sewing author Elizabeth Dubicki will take you from fashion to home decor with 101 useful and money-saving ways to use your first sewing machine. Learn to shorten pants, alter a neckline or update last-year's suit. Decorate your home with simple pillows, a variety of drapes, or update the look of that garage-sale find. Whether you are a beginner sewer or an expert, you will appreciate this must-have reference guide to the basics,

Genres: Sewing, Nonfiction, Crafts

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ashton]

This book presumes you know a LOT about sewing right out of the gate. The author’s tone is very derogatory. I hated being told to hit my family’s hands with a rock if they touch my sewing scissors. I also did not enjoy being made fun of for wanting to make an apron.

But, if you’ve ever been to Peoria, this tracks. A rich white lady thinking adding a ruffle to her already tacky crap is going to solve some problems is definitely a facet of that city.

Overall: blech. 🤢🤮

[Katy]

From the cover and at a cursory glance, this book looked a lot more kitschy and hip than it actually is. There are certainly 101 things you can sew with your first machine, if you have the patience, time, and interest, not to mention a good sewing mentor and some skills, but a lot of these things are too impractical for my taste and not very clever.

[Nina]

I thought this book was for beginners. Not so in my opinion. I liked some of the ideas, but the pictures and instructions were not detailed enough for me. Some of the fabric choices were outdated, grandma tastes. This book assumes to much and the title is misleading.
Maybe if I had an experienced person going through it with me it would be so intimidating.

[Catrina]

Didnt really include projects I would want to do and even the tips I would need to do something simple, like taking up a hem were confusing. There are diagrams, but for someone who was never taught to sew, I need a step by step visual/explanation to really "get it." Projects are geared towards women - very girly things around the home or women's wear.

[Jessica]

Eh, not a very good sewing book. Doesn't offer enough instruction for truly beginner sewers, and the projects are way too simple and uninspired for learning sewers. I guess there were one or two projects that could be useful, but overall not worth it.

[Erika Mulvenna]

This is a GOOD BOOK, but you do have to know some sewing basics before picking up this book - like fabric information, and how to thread up and use your sewing machine. The projects are great for beginners, they are simple, straightforward, and absolutely do-able.

[Desi]

I made a tote bag using one of the projects described in this book. I'm a beginner, and this book was helpful. Some of the projects seem too advanced for me, but the tote bag and some others (hemming, chair covers, alterations) are easy enough for the beginner.

[B]

bleh.
dated and non-youthful designs, and presumes that sewing machine skills and knowledge were already a part of your life before you purchased first sewing machine. not helpful or inspirational. skip it.

[Ami]

If nothing else, this book is worth its weight in gold, because it clearly explains a powerful piece of Pants Magic called "letting out (the seams). I'm also looking forward to trying the mock pleated curtain technique. But for now, I have some more pants to let out.

[Courtney]

Great up-to-date project ideas, big pictures, explanation of techniques and terms, and it's SPIRAL BOUND so it lays flat while you're working!

[Melly]

Lots of good ideas for tailoring clothes and making home decor. Seems like a good reference but not for absolute beginners.

[Phobean]

A boring book hidden behind a cool idea. Too bad.

[raccoon reader]

Not really for the absolutely true beginners. Not what I wanted/expected. I also wasn't crazy about the projects. It didn't inspire me to sit down at my sewing machine.

[ReadingWench]

I don't think this is a great book for a novice sewer. Some of the projects are too ambitious for "101 ways to use your first sewing machine."

[Rachel]

Great illustrations.

[Linda]

Most of the items are not to my liking, but perhaps other people will like them. However, I think the instructions are often too vague, with ambiguous wording and no diagrams.

[Shannon Brown]

Very useful! Lots of great tips and easy patterns!

[Betsy]

Pretty much useless.

[Stacie]

This book had some good ideas, but not nearly enough process photos/diagrams. From public library.