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SEW... The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge: Real-Life Lessons from a Serial Sewist
Experienced sewing instructor and blogger Barbara Emodi shares her sewing wisdom to help readers get started, get started back up, or hone their existing garment-sewing skills. Not a sewing reference book as much as a book of experience, this book offers Barbara's thoughts, tips, and tricks on the benefits of sewing, the importance of fit, basic techniques, available tools, patterns, and materials, and so much more.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2018
131 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Emodi
18 books25 followersBarbara Emodi has written sewing how-to books and now writes cozy mysteries set in Nova Scotia, Canada. Gasper’s Cove doesn’t really exist but it will seem awfully familiar to anyone who lives where she does. The community is based all she believes matters in life - extended family, companion animals, good food, and more sewing, crafting, quilting, and knitting projects than any reasonable person would take on.
Barbara writes what she likes to read - whimsical, witty, warm books that reflect her belief that there is nothing ordinary about ordinary people. She also likes clever surprises, important in mysteries, and promises one at the end of each book. To visit Gasper’s Cove yourself you can read Barbara’s novels in her Gasper’s Cove Mysteries series or her Gasper’s Cove Quick Cozies novella series.
Barbara writes what she likes to read - whimsical, witty, warm books that reflect her belief that there is nothing ordinary about ordinary people. She also likes clever surprises, important in mysteries, and promises one at the end of each book. To visit Gasper’s Cove yourself you can read Barbara’s novels in her Gasper’s Cove Mysteries series or her Gasper’s Cove Quick Cozies novella series.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 17, 2018
While Sew... The Garment Making Book of Knowledge isn't necessarily the sewing book I'm looking for now, as someone who's been sewing for several years, this is definitely the book I wish I'd had when I started. I think the book has a very logical layout, with the chapters taking you from exploring what and why to sew, to picking out patterns and fabric, to adjusting for fit, and finally to advice about tools and sewing plans. I really enjoy Barbara's opinions about what makes sewing successful and rewarding, and her attempts to point everyone in the right direction so they can achieve success of their own. Her advice about sewing for your lifestyle takes the main ideas of The Curated Closet and distills it down to a single chapter. The mini-lessons contain some brilliant tips to assist with tricky sewing (like dealing with hems or bulky necklines), and I really wish there had been room for more of them in this book. Final verdict: I think this would be a great book to give as a gift to someone who is new to sewing, or would be a great purchase if you are new to sewing yourself.
As for me, I'm holding out for a full book of tutorials, tips, and tricks from Barbara, because I think she has a lot of wisdom to share. As someone who is in that weird intermediate-not-quite-ready-to-be-advanced stage, I'm totally missing books with modern solutions to sewing problems that I run into frequently. I want something that will give me ways to deal with tricky sewing issues that include modern fusibles, cover stitch machines, and sergers, and show me the best ways to utilize them. Honestly, what I'd love to see hit the market is a book with detailed instructions about how to get clean interior finishes, or even comparing RTW finished with traditional home sewing and couture finishes and discussing the merits of each. I think the mini-lessons in Barbara's book have given me hope that this could exist in a future book, and I really think the home sewing market is ready for something like that.
Anyway, long rambling tangent aside, I really like this book. I think it has a fun, modern aesthetic, sound advice, and good tutorials. Although it might not be everything I'm looking for in a sewing book at the moment, I'm happy to have added it to my ever growing sewing library.
As for me, I'm holding out for a full book of tutorials, tips, and tricks from Barbara, because I think she has a lot of wisdom to share. As someone who is in that weird intermediate-not-quite-ready-to-be-advanced stage, I'm totally missing books with modern solutions to sewing problems that I run into frequently. I want something that will give me ways to deal with tricky sewing issues that include modern fusibles, cover stitch machines, and sergers, and show me the best ways to utilize them. Honestly, what I'd love to see hit the market is a book with detailed instructions about how to get clean interior finishes, or even comparing RTW finished with traditional home sewing and couture finishes and discussing the merits of each. I think the mini-lessons in Barbara's book have given me hope that this could exist in a future book, and I really think the home sewing market is ready for something like that.
Anyway, long rambling tangent aside, I really like this book. I think it has a fun, modern aesthetic, sound advice, and good tutorials. Although it might not be everything I'm looking for in a sewing book at the moment, I'm happy to have added it to my ever growing sewing library.
May 28, 2020
Excellent reference for this return-to-sewing advanced beginner
I have bought multiple books over the past 3 months to help me brush up on my sewing skills. This book makes me want to make clothing for myself. I didn’t think this was the route I want to go but I am inspired. I plan on using the author’s mini lessons to start the process and I am going to pick up a dress pattern I love. I got this book on Kindle but I plan on purchasing a hard copy. Thank you ❤️
I have bought multiple books over the past 3 months to help me brush up on my sewing skills. This book makes me want to make clothing for myself. I didn’t think this was the route I want to go but I am inspired. I plan on using the author’s mini lessons to start the process and I am going to pick up a dress pattern I love. I got this book on Kindle but I plan on purchasing a hard copy. Thank you ❤️
May 26, 2018
If you are a new sewist, an advanced sewist or somewhere in between this book is for you! Barbara Emodi, author of the blog “Sewing On the Edge”, has just published her first book Sew . . . The Garment Making Book of Knowledge (Real Life Lessons from a Serial Sewer ) and it is a gem! Emodi is one of those rare authors who writes in an authentic voice even when describing technical issues. Her knowledge and passion for sewing is obvious and her love of sharing this skill has been well honed over years of sewing, while teaching and writing about it.
This book has something for every sewist. It includes how to build your wardrobe, choose your pattern, or sew without one, four ways to modify a pattern's fit (even step-by-step instructions for a FBA), descriptions of many types of fabrics, care and maintenance for you machines, lots of sewing tips and hacks as well as clearly labelled photos and instructional diagrams. Did I mention that there is a glossary to die for, aptly titled Sew Speak?
The passion of Emodi as a teacher shines through when she clearly describes the pedagogy of why sewing appeals to people with specific types of learning styles. Even in her bibliography, instead of being dry and formulaic, Emodi articulates her own thoughts about each book and who it would appeal to. It is clearly discernible that she has used these reference books time and again, and is quite familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each recommendation
This book captures the joy of sewing, embraces the creativity within each sewist and inspires one with the confidence to push your sewing skills to the next level. As a sewist, who loves to read, let me be the first to say I hope this is not Emodi's last foray into the book publishing world.
This book has something for every sewist. It includes how to build your wardrobe, choose your pattern, or sew without one, four ways to modify a pattern's fit (even step-by-step instructions for a FBA), descriptions of many types of fabrics, care and maintenance for you machines, lots of sewing tips and hacks as well as clearly labelled photos and instructional diagrams. Did I mention that there is a glossary to die for, aptly titled Sew Speak?
The passion of Emodi as a teacher shines through when she clearly describes the pedagogy of why sewing appeals to people with specific types of learning styles. Even in her bibliography, instead of being dry and formulaic, Emodi articulates her own thoughts about each book and who it would appeal to. It is clearly discernible that she has used these reference books time and again, and is quite familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each recommendation
This book captures the joy of sewing, embraces the creativity within each sewist and inspires one with the confidence to push your sewing skills to the next level. As a sewist, who loves to read, let me be the first to say I hope this is not Emodi's last foray into the book publishing world.
July 15, 2018
It doesn't matter how good we (think) are at sewing garments books such as this are always good to have at hand.
This is a book that is quite different from many others I have in my sewing room, as it focuses on Fit, Pattern shaping and Alterations. It includes many 'sewing frustrations' such as bobbin issues, fabric jamming and gives problem solving techniques to ensure what we sew is both wearable and professionally finished.
I loved the 'Mini Lessons' each giving detailed information for a variety of sewing 'difficulties'.
Sew... The Garment Making Book of Knowledge is superb. It is a invaluable teaching guide and with the colourful illustrations it is easy to understand and with the Sew speak section, it demystifies many sewing terms that many of us have trouble understanding.
Perfect for every sewist, it is like having your very own in house teacher at hand.
Highly recommended and beautifully presented Sew ...The Garment Making Book of Knowledge is a must have
This is a book that is quite different from many others I have in my sewing room, as it focuses on Fit, Pattern shaping and Alterations. It includes many 'sewing frustrations' such as bobbin issues, fabric jamming and gives problem solving techniques to ensure what we sew is both wearable and professionally finished.
I loved the 'Mini Lessons' each giving detailed information for a variety of sewing 'difficulties'.
Sew... The Garment Making Book of Knowledge is superb. It is a invaluable teaching guide and with the colourful illustrations it is easy to understand and with the Sew speak section, it demystifies many sewing terms that many of us have trouble understanding.
Perfect for every sewist, it is like having your very own in house teacher at hand.
Highly recommended and beautifully presented Sew ...The Garment Making Book of Knowledge is a must have
July 2, 2020
Worth 10 stars
I’m old and I’ve been sewing for more than 60 years. I’ve read and used the top-of-the-line instruction books on sewing. None of them made as much sense, give better instructions, and painted a clearer picture than this book did. Perfect book for first time sewers, some skilled sewers, and those of us just getting back into sewing with retirement. As soon as I finish this, I’m buying it instead of using Kindle unlimited. This is the book to pass down to other generations because it teaches not just how to sew but how to love sewing.
I’m old and I’ve been sewing for more than 60 years. I’ve read and used the top-of-the-line instruction books on sewing. None of them made as much sense, give better instructions, and painted a clearer picture than this book did. Perfect book for first time sewers, some skilled sewers, and those of us just getting back into sewing with retirement. As soon as I finish this, I’m buying it instead of using Kindle unlimited. This is the book to pass down to other generations because it teaches not just how to sew but how to love sewing.
March 30, 2025
Not strictly a "how-to", this book is one level up in the big picture. This can be helpful for beginner-intermediate sewers who can navigate pattern instructions fine enough but don't really get the "why" behind each step. The book does cover some techniques (how to sew an invisible zipper) but is mostly a collection of tips, tricks, and best practices to help the reader better understand what works and what doesn't in garment sewing.
June 14, 2020
A ‘how-to’ book that is also an easy read
A ‘how-to’ book that is (rarely) also an engaging and easy read. Refreshing approach. Just wish it were even longer - would have happily kept reading and learning. The examples pictured could have been more modern in style, but the learnings are still sound.
A ‘how-to’ book that is (rarely) also an engaging and easy read. Refreshing approach. Just wish it were even longer - would have happily kept reading and learning. The examples pictured could have been more modern in style, but the learnings are still sound.
August 30, 2020
A nice intro to sewing. Having done some basic sewing but recently splurged and bought a new machine I was interested in some easy patterns to try. This book gave good tips and advice as well as a few simple patterns that to try.
December 5, 2021
This is not a textbook as much as it is getting into the mind of the author, a professional seamstress. She gives her thought processes of going through steps of garments. She shares tips, spots to look out for, and difficulties she’s experienced.
September 27, 2025
I've been reading a lot of sewing books. They are all a little bit the same. But not this one. Emodi does have real-life lessons that were helpful to me. This one is on the list of books to buy.
February 15, 2020
It's accessible, full of experienced wisdom, with several clever techniques that she's figured out herself - and a wry humor about the whole thing.
I'm an intermediate sewist who is trying to grow her skills, and y'all, I learned stuff from this. A couple of times I had to stop reading to fully experience the mental gasp of discovery. You can just tell that the author has spent a lot of time sewing, and reading about sewing, and questioning standard methods, and experimenting.
On a personal note - reading this felt achingly like hanging out in the sewing room with Mom. She has the same sort of encouraging, "of course you can do this" way of teaching that Mom had.
I'm an intermediate sewist who is trying to grow her skills, and y'all, I learned stuff from this. A couple of times I had to stop reading to fully experience the mental gasp of discovery. You can just tell that the author has spent a lot of time sewing, and reading about sewing, and questioning standard methods, and experimenting.
On a personal note - reading this felt achingly like hanging out in the sewing room with Mom. She has the same sort of encouraging, "of course you can do this" way of teaching that Mom had.
September 7, 2018
Wonderful, practical and full of good tips (even for this old sewer.) :-)
February 14, 2019
Solid info. Might not buy but worth checking out again
April 12, 2019
Lots of good info and some skill building projects that would be good to work through.
May 30, 2019
I'm a beginner sewist and got this book for my birthday. It's a great introduction to sewing and where to focus on learning.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews