Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time

by Deborah Moebes

Learn to Love Sewing, Stitch by StitchSo, you love all that gorgeous designer fabric and you really want to make something with it. Or maybe you've taught yourself a little sewing know-how but have become frustrated. Whatever your background, "Stitch by Stitch" guides you through everything you need to know to start sewing and make it to the varsity level.

Inside "Stitch by Stitch," you'll learn essential sewing skills--everything from basic stitching and backtacking to creating gathers, making darts and using multi-sized patterns--while completing appealing projects. In the book's unique format, skills and projects build upon each other so that you get instant gratification and motivation to progress.

"Stitch by Stitch," learn to love sewing with: A guide to the machine, notions and fabric. Get to know your sewing machine and learn about all the essential materials and tools you need to get started.11 modern, stylish projects. A variety of projects--like a simple tote, a piped throw pillow, a hipster belt, a sweet A-line skirt and a cap-sleeved blouse--will build your sewing skills while giving you great pieces to show off.Clear and comprehensive step-by-step photo instruction. No vague illustrations that keep you guessing.Bonus CD. Includes PDF patterns for apparel projects (in sizes 4-14), stitch practice guides, sample applique designs and more. Whether you're a sewing novice or returning sewist, "Stitch by Stitch" will give you the confidence and skills to keep motivated, get great results and finally learn to love the process.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction, Fashion, Reference, Art

224 pages, Spiral-bound

First published August 25, 2010

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to sewing. It's very accessible and takes you from the very beginning to more advanced projects. And one of the coolest things about this book is that every project you make is fun and interesting... while at the same time teaching you a few new skills. My favorite projects thus far have been travel placemats with little pockets for storing silverware ("When would one ever use those? When is the last time you brought a placemat and silverware to a picnic?" -- my husband), applique shirts for my children, continuous bias tape (my five-year-old is also now obsessed with making this), and a reversible tote bag.

I used to think sewing was for fuddy duddies. Now I see I was totally wrong. It's the best! I only wonder how people with kids actually find the time for this hobby! They probably aren't online late at night updating their goodreads account.

[Betty]

This is gonna teach me to sew (again). Just as soon as I quit reading it and actually try.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginner in the sewing world some books can make crafting seem overwhelming but this author has a fabulous, witty writing style that makes learning to sew seem fun and completely approachable. Checked this book out at my local library and definitely will be renewing it so I can hang on to it a bit longer. Planning to attempt my first project from this book. The stitch sampler was a great first mini project for me to get more acclimated to my sewing machine & the various stitches available.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far I've made the napkins and am working on the placemat, which is going to be FAB for eating lunch at work. The most amazing thing was the continuous bias tape which probably wouldn't have been so difficult if I had paid attention in math when I was in school. The look on my face when I cut it was priceless; I carried it around the rest of the day and showed my husband 5 times "did you see what I made???" Very fun book. There's something very gratifying about making something with your hands.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of Deborah Moebes from her excellent Craftsy class, How to Design and Sew an A-Line Skirt. She promised in the first episode that her first book would help clear up any confusion I might have about the construction of a made-from-scratch skirt, and she was right. This is an excellent book packed full of information focused on skill building. Deborah has a great way of explaining a topic, suggesting a project to practice that skill on, and then showing multiple ways of incorporating that new skill into future projects. I look forward to reading her next book!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the author's Craftsy A-line skirt class. She is SO funny and kind in the class, I immediately went to the library for her books.

This is a book that is now on my Amazon wishlist. Other than a rather large chunk of missing text (publisher error?) in the "here's the scissors to get" section, this book is an excellent wealth of well-laid out information for a beginner sewist. She assumes you know nothing and lays it all out for you. All with the same humor and patience she has in her class. I love that!

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book designed to help beginners learn to sew.

The author's warm, friendly tone encourages readers to follow the plan she has created to build a strong foundation for their progression into sewing more and more challenging projects as they learn the skills and techniques needed to move forward in their sewing journey.

The projects were appealing, and I liked the author's variations on a simple skirt pattern and a simple blouse pattern--very clever!

I borrowed this book from our local public library.

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[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time to start sewing!

[Analisa Roche]

Does anyone have a digitized version of the patterns to share? I assume this is legal since the book is out of print now.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for beginning sewers! It's step by step and goes over details from the machine and how it works to novelties to mini projects to bigger projects. Each builds up skills for the next one. The author includes pictures and step by step instructions for each project. She also breaks down techniques and offers how to make projects different/more advanced. She also includes websites to check out. The CD has some patterns and practice sheets on it. I'm self-taught with sewing and this is one of the first books I'm using.
The projects:
~Mini~
*Stitch Sampler (learn your machine stitches)
*Thread Drawing (learn to maneuver your machine's stitches)
*Machine applique Tee (use zigzag stitch)
*Continuous Bias (learn to make continuous bias tape)
~Basic Home Decor & Personal Style~
*Fancy Napkin (straight line stitching, mitering corners, pivoting, edge finishing with a zigzag stitch)
*Picnic Place Mat (identify right and wrong, apply bias tape, binding edges , inserting ribbon, stitching the ditch, channel stitching, combining fabrics)
*Reversible Tote(openings and reversibles, linings, handles and straps, flat bottom techniques)
*Relaxing Eye Mask(stitching curves, insides & outsides, making ties, filling & stuffing, slip stitch)
*Hipster Belt(free-motion quilting, buttonholes & buttons)
*Piped Throw Pillow(installing universal zippers, making piping with bias tape, installing piping & trims)
*Patchwork Cafe Curtains(patchwork, linings, curtain tabs, hemming)
*Girl's Charm Pack Skirt((super cute!)patchwork, gathers, casings & elastic, hemming, matching side seams)
~Varsity Lessons Sewing Clothes~
*Using Commercial Patterns
*Carport Wrap Skirt(reading a pattern, cutting technique, pinning technique, stitching seams, on-seam pockets, hemming, adding ties, creating buttonholes)
*A-Line Skirt(yokes & facings, invisible zippers, hems & hem facings, patch pockets, hand finishing inside garments)
*Cap Sleeved Blouse(constructing collars & collar stands, bust & waist darts, curved hems, inset sleeves, facings, buttons & buttonholes)

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read through the entire book, but yet to see any of the projects (except for the thread drawing one!).
However, I have referenced the book several times to check about grainlines, pinning cutting etc. I've also used the techniques from different projects to help me. I have not printed out any of the patterns, not sure I will, as I am mostly using this as a technique guide and reference book.
The thing I like most about the book is that it is definitely aimed for beginners. She assumes you know nothing about sewing, and explains each step.
My only small complaint would be that I wish there were more pictures to illustrate the steps. There are plenty of pics, usually each step gets a pic, but some steps would really benefit from 2 pics. Minor complaint, overall I recommend book.

[Laura Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good walk-through of a lot of different sewing techniques, some basic, some advanced.
I liked that she did a great job building up the projects and giving you plenty of practice in one technique before layering in another technique. There were time though that called for steps to be broken down further, more images or clearer explanations, especially when explaining advanced or new techniques.
Also the projects/patterns in the book are pretty dated and ugly--I don't think I'd make any of them--but the techniques taught were worth it.

[Fawn Rueckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars is the highest I'd ever give a crafting book, I also reserve it for a craft book I would buy, which is not many considering my awesome neighborhood library. The projects are great, well explained and photographed and build upon the skills acquired in each of the previous projects. Great for someone interested in mastering sewing.

[TSStechAngel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. If you've wanted to learn to sew and never gotten the chance because of mean teacher, don't let this book intimidate you at all. The steps are well explained and each project has a shopping list feature so that you don't forget a thing. Definitely adding this one as a start to my collection. If you want to learn, this book is a great start. Give it a read and see for yourself. :)

[Trace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not yet made any of the projects.. but the book is perfect for a rusty-beginner sewer such as myself. The projects are cute and very clearly explained. One of the simple projects that I've chosen to do over the coming months is to try the Napkins with Mitered corners. I have some leftover fabric that would make great cloth napkins! Great book - I would definitely recommend.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't yet made any of the projects out of this book, but I have it on my sewing table as a reference for several things. It's a wonderful resource and I plan to keep it close by when I'm sewing or starting new projects!

[Beadrbop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am learning to sew and this book has been very helpful. There are clear photos of the projects that really help me see what the instructions are saying. I can read over and over but the photos are what help me see what I need to do. Nice projects in the book.

[Mindy]

I have an idea for using a literary pack of fat quarters I purchased to make patchwork zig-zag curtains for Brooke's room using the pattern on page 151 of this book. Hope to check it out from the library later this summer and make it a mother-daughter project.

[Susan Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for beginner (and improver) sewing levels. It has a great range of projects to make and it includes comprehensive instruction to lead you through each stage. Great book to turn to if you're a beginner and also if you'd like to improve your sewing skills.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book, combining the visual tutorials that so many visual learners need with good to great text descriptons and projects you will actually want to make for yourself or someone else.

[Andrea]

I have looked through this book, and it will be a really good beginner's sewing guide for me if I decide to tackle this skill some day.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent instructions and step by step pictures. Fun, easy projects. I like the charm pack skirt idea! :) Very cute for a tween girl!

[Kellie O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic resource! I love that it jumps right into the projects.

[Topaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and wonderful projects to create. CDRom is helpful as well.

[Kristen Owenreay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction, cute projects.

[Amy3745 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working though the projects

[Leah Compston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical instructions.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be a bit more helpful if I had a sewing machine.. Though it was an interesting and helpful guide.

[Keena · Rating 3 out of 5]

read over it. haven't made any of the projects yet, but looking forward to it!