Sewing Machine Basics: A step-by-step course for first-time stitchers

I bought 6+ books as each book as a different of explaining including the Sewing for Dummies book. Hands down, out of all of those, this was the most helpful book for a clueless beginner

Lovely book, clear instructions and good photos, instructions and patterns. The book arrived early in pristine condition, very happy with the content and price, excellent value, would buy from the Seller again.

I bought this as a gift for my wife who's starting machine sewing for the first time and it's an excellent introduction for beginners. It explains from the basics how to thread, and to sew seams, and then expands into slightly more involved work. There are plenty of good illustrations, easy to follow instructions and particularly useful, a set of patterns for the first-time user. The patterns are more than the usual cushion-cover or scarf. There's an apron, blouse, skirt, even a pattern for a roller blind. My only gripe is, that like most sewing books I've seen, the clothes are all for women. Is there still a perception that only women sew and that they make only women's clothes? Men sew too and they wear men's clothes (yes they do) so the pattern for casual trousers could at least have been a unisex cut rather than just designed in women's sizes. Despite sitting behind a sewing machine, some of us don't feel that sewing diminishes our masculinity, so to even things up a bit, perhaps the next edition could include a manly rugby shirt or some men's shorts. A highly recommended book if this is your first foray into sewing. I spent a long time reading reviews and checking sample pages and of course, not everyone likes the same style of approach but I'm glad I bought this one. I think you will too, even if you're male.

I was a complete beginner before buying this book at the same time as a sewing machine. Long term, my plan was to alter curtains, make slip covers for furniture and fancy dress outfits for the kids. However, this book might make me expand those aspirations. I sat quite daunted before my machine and wondered if I’d done the right thing as I struggled to get it working and made some crap tester lines in some fabric!! Thankfully, it really is a simple and straightforward guide. The projects are carefully considered to expose you to many different types of stitches and hand/machine sewing. I bought a few meters of different remnant fabrics as well as a large dust sheet from screwfix to practice with. It’s given me such an appreciation of different fabrics already, eg by not using the suggested fabrics in the book I’ve probably made my jobs harder. That being said, I’m really enjoying it. I’m on workshop 3 (bound apron) and decided to adapt the pattern to make little aprons for each of my children and it’s working out much better than I’d thought hahah! I’ve just ordered the follow-up book I’m so pleased with this one. I wish I could go to a class but this is the next best thing. Thanks Jane!

I haven't used my sewing machine in over 20 years, but recently was moved to get it out and have it serviced. I've more time on my hands these days, and I thought I'd like to make some soft furnishings and small gifts for next Xmas. It's amazing how you forget how to do even the simplest things. I'm delighted with this book, which has been very useful as a refresher, reminding me how to thread the machine, adjust the tension, choose the appropriate attachments, select functions etc. 9 pull out patterns, (for basic trousers, blouse, skirt, tote bag, apron, scarf etc.) are included to practice the various techniques, which are clearly described and illustrated. Very useful and excellent value for money.

I bought this for my young niece who is getting her first sewing machine for xmas. I'm so impressed with it I'm going to keep it and buy two more copies as gifts. It starts at the very basics: how to thread a machine, the different machine feet, types of fabric and thread and works it way through to zippers and pattern cutting. There are 11 projects included ranging from a cushion to a pin tuck blouse but also including a scarf, an apron, a roman blind and a line skirt... so a nice range of things that are modern and usable. As the book goes on the level of detail given increases, for example the formula for working out how much fabric is needed for a blind/curtain where the fabric has pattern repeats, The difference between lining, interlining and underlining..... And best of all, at the back are full-sized patterns for all the projects. They do need tracing because they overlap one another, but they are full sized. I really think this is a good book for beginners and improvers alike.

I recently purchased a sewing machine and didn't really know where to start. I had a basic knowledge of how the machine worked but no idea about what to do with it other than sew straight lines. This book not only explains numerous techniques, seams, edges, corners etc it gives you projects to do which give you a idea of the sorts of things you could make with your machine. I have so far completed projects 1 and 2 and find the book very easy to understand. The only thing that could improve it would be if it was spiral bound to enable it to lie flat whilst you are working from it. A definite good starting point for anyone who is sat in front of a new sewing and no idea where to start!

Good book with great information and illustrations. It's going to be helpful to me as I'm still learning.

This book is helpful for me. It gives basic informations of sewing and I just need to re-open when I forget :D

The book is good but using more pictures could have made the book more easy

non ho trovato recensioni buone per manuali italiani, così ho acquistato questo e sono soddisfatta: è fatto bene, con spiegazioni dettagliate proprio per principianti, spiegazioni anche dei punti base eseguiti a mano e alcune schede progetti semplici (cuscini/tende)

Es un poquito demasiado básico, y no explica todos los prensatelas que han venido con mi nueva maquina de coser. Viene con unos" projects" que no me son utíles. Para mi, es una devolucion.