Sewing Machine Basics

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

If using a sewing machine is intimidating for you then this book will help. I like the clear pictures/diagrams that explain what parts do what, and getting to know how your machine works, with all it's different functions. This is a good reference guide to have, and has some interesting projects to get you started as you progress through the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is just starting to sew, or has a sewing machine they don't know how to use.

I'm returning to sewing after decades, so I wanted something that would remind me of the basics. This book does that and much more – I'm delighted to see the very careful step-by-step approach, finishing up with quite a complex project. The illustrations are extremely clear and are giving me the confidence I need to start sewing again. This book would be suitable for anyone from complete beginners to readers like myself who need to be reminded of a range of techniques. I like the production qualities of this book, too – the overall design is very inviting, and when open it lies flat on the table, easy to reference. Nice work all round.

I bought this for my 9 year old granddaughter who wanted a sewing machine for Christmas, we thought it would just be a fad but this book has been fantastic and taught her loads of 'how to's' and techniques, I can honestly say it's been her 'bible', and for a 9 year old I'm pleased to say she has learned so much from it. I would definitely recommend it to all beginners.

Just made my first project. Instructions are very easy to follow. Great for beginners.

Great book for complete beginners, not so good for a more experienced sewer. If you start with the first project and work your way through (even if you do not want an apron, or a child dress make them with an old sheet for the experience) you will have covered most of the basics for making your own clothes. After 3 weeks, and a complete non-sewer, I now have the confidence to make and adapt patterns e.g. put a collar on a V neck shirt etc. I can also work out the best way to alter existing clothes as I know how they have been constructed. I still need some more practice on Zips, but so do most people I have met!

Good book, explains the basics.I do wish they showed proper pictures of things rather than drawings.I never made any of the projects as I just wanted the information but my mum is now making a skirt from the pattern. She said it was quite confusing as there are so many Patterns on the one piece its difficult at times to make sure your getting the right one.

very clear and concise information. Right from the beginning. Very helpful for ,me as I haven`t used a modern electric sewing machine for a long while. Clear instructions on each basic part of the machine. Threading etc. would recommend to a new user.

Sewing Machine Basics book arrived well packaged and in a timely manner.This is quite a good book with nice illustrations and some good descriptions. But in other places I felt in was a bit disappointing in that it skipped over areas I would have liked to know more about. This is a problem with all such illustrated books as it is hard to cover everything in the space available.I found the projects at the end of the book a little uninspiring.Overall I found this book helpful and informative but is probably suited towards complete beginners as a reference manual rather than more experienced people.

This book is okay, certainly better than the annoying "Sewing for Dummies". I have used this book for instructions for techniques such as putting a zip in a cushion and making piping etc and found it reasonable. However when I decided to use the skirt pattern project I came completely unstuck on the waistband instructions. Not sure if it was me or the book..............??. So would say it is ok for techniques but wouldn't go to trouble to tracing one of the more complicated patterns such as the skirt again. Shame because the concept of learning through a project is very appealling.

Very nice book and easy to understand the step by step instructions I am new to sewing so this has been a great help

I bought a new sewing machine and hadn't a clue how to use it. This is a practical book full of great tips. Highly recommended for the novice.

This is a fantastic book! As a begginer, it holds your hand all the way through the process. Now, with a bit more experience, I find myself going back to check on things I have forgotten. I love it

really useful book for beginners and those like me that really should have learnt how to do it properly in the first place. cant recommend it enough and the projects are varied and its well written etc

I bought this book to refresh my memory and help me gain my confidence in making my own clothes which I had lost due to lack of use. I used to make all my own clothes but due to being involved in a RTA and damaging my dominant hand, I had not been able to for years. I started to knit again 2 years a go and even if it takes me months to make a jumper Im chuffed that I can do it. I now want to start to sew again and this book has taken me back to basics which I needed. I have now bought a pattern for a simple top (no buttons) and will be cutting out the material today with a view to having a go.

This book is really good. I'm using my sewing machine after years of it being in the cupboard and it's helped so much with setting it up and all the basics of sewing again.