Sewing in a Straight Line: Quick and Crafty Projects You Can Make by Simply Sewing Straight

This book is great. I bought a sewing machine on a whim a couple months ago and have always wanted to learn to sew, especially since no one in my immediate family can. The only problem I had was: how to learn? So I started looking on amazon and came upon this book. It had good reviews and looked fun so I bought it immediately. Two days later, I got it in the mail and started sewing! It was as simple as that. This book contains very simple designs that are also stylish and very pretty. One of my favorites about them is that they are repeatable. I've made a couple different skirts from one of the skirt designs, but due to changing the length, type of material and colors, no one would even be able to tell that they're from the same pattern!The book gives very clear instruction on how big to cut each piece and would be easy and fun for even those with the most basic of knowledge. It was easy for me to alter the designs my size and also to add buttons, ribbon, lace, etc. to designs when I got the hang of the basics and wanted to start embellishing.One of my favorite things is that even though this is a beginners book, the designs are in fashion and don't look like they were sewn by a beginner at all! I also love that she includes instructions for those who are hand-sewing instead of using a machine. The short guide of each of the different types of stitches at the beginning of the book is also very helpful.This book includes many different varieties of designs, from bags, skirts and shirts to throw pillows, pillow shams, quilts, and fabric bowls.I would highly recommend this book! Not only to beginners, but to anyone looking for some fun and simple designs! I'm excited to check out other books by this author.

As the owner The Handwork Studio, sewing camps for kids ages 5-15, this is the only book we use (with patterns from Simplicity) at over 40+ locations. It has great simple patterns that the kids love and Ms. Bara has videos to support some of the patterns for the kids to follow when they get home. There are various project categories from clothing to accessories to household projects - all on trend and stylish. I would highly recommend this book whether you are a young sewer or an adult.

I have been teaching my grandchildren to sew as they get older. I've purchased a few children's books, but I like this book. This isn't a book for children, but a book for some refreshing things to try from novice to intermediate. We made the staggering strip quilt, but in placemat size, then zigzagged them like the belt. They're tickled when we use them at the table. Next on the list, the flowering bowls. I have really enjoyed this book and I've been behind a machine for decades.

This was my first sewing book. I didn't know where to start or what to get, but I saw some of Brett's videos online and thought she was really easy to understand so I thought I'd try this out. I've made the city girl tote, clutter buster tote, 1 hour skirt, and the flower boxes so far. They all took me a couple tries but it got me more comfortable on my machine. It's really easy to understand and I love the pictures. I hope she comes out with another book, but for now I always check D*S for more tutorials. :)

First off, I do like this book, but I don't love it. It only has a few clothing items, and that was my primary purpose for purchasing it. I also don't like that all of the clothing pictured, is not in the book to make. For example, you can make the skirt on the cover, but not the blouse. I does have some nice other projects in it, but a lot that I would never make, the creepy little toy things for instance. All in all, nice to learn to make a few things but I would have rather purchased a few good patterns.

It's been only a few months since I started sewing and in this little time I've "hoarded" a silly amount of sewing books that are meant for more experienced sewers. I got my copy of "sewing in a straight line" because the projects seemed perfect for my current sewing skills. I have to say I love it! The projects are super cute and it's nice to see modern home sewing projects for once. I love the fact that it features a quilting project which I've also been curious to learn about. I would strongly recommend it to beginner sewers. This would make a terrific gift paired with a sewing machine.

Years ago I bought a nice sewing machine and only ever hemmed pants with it. BORING! As a fan of Brett Bara's show Knit and Crochet Today I was interested in her sewing book. There are so many great projects in this book no matter your skill level. The focus is on how just a few skills can blossom into "real" sewing. Experienced? go straight for the incredible Origami Dress...Beginner? start with the belt, fabric card and pillow shams. I want to make EVERY project in this book and so far I have done enough to say "Yes! I can sew!"

Okay, I've only made one thing, the Cardi. My suggestion would be to invest in some Pellon Tru-Grid material, it has 1" gridlines and making this cardi would have been so much easier if I knew about it. The back is long and cutting a large piece of material is hard without a pattern or something to help (I used a rotrary cutter and mat, which helped a little). The Pellon Tru-Grid can be used for the "pattern" piece and even sew together the pieces, like muslin, to try it on (I would prefer larger front pieces on this cardi for me, which I'll try later). I have wore the cardi and I do like it.The one hour skirt looks nice and easy, I've done similar skirts and love them. This book does show you how to do a french seam, which I didn't know about, I always just zig zag stitched after straight stitched to avoid freying. The French Seam is much more professional looking, I would think. This skirt would be a great first project for a beginner. The cardi would be a great second project.

Inspiring book especially if you think you can't sew. Lots of projects and ideas. Diagrams and step-by-step instructions.

Different projects combined in the book, clothes, bags etc but I found myself not being able to finish one chapter without jumping back and forth in the chapters. To be honest, I found the projects a bit boring, that said I think she explains things in a lovely simple way, just too basic for me.

Facile ma non banale, ben spiegato, permette di realizzare abbigliamento per giovani magre ma da delle utili dritte per borse e contenitori, patchwork, arredo, cuscini-giocattolo.

Neat ideas and straight forward instructions.

This book contained an excellent variety of projects which were all well explained and easy to understand instructions. Great for beginners to more advanced sewers to inspire ideas.