100 Best Sewing Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best sewing books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

1

Couture Sewing Techniques

The world of haute couture is a place where only a privileged few can ever hope to reside, right? Wrong. Fashion historian Claire B. Shaeffer opened the door to this exclusive realm in her authoritative guide to the techniques that define couture sewing. And now, the industry bible, Couture Sewing Techniques , has been revised and updated throughout -- with new photos and a chapter on specialty fabrics.

No one can unravel couture garment construction the way Shaeffer can, from the art of hand sewing to mastering edge finishes,...
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2

The Sewing Book

This is the only sewing book you'll ever need. Every tool and every technique you require for making your own home furnishings or clothing is closely and sharply photographed, carefully annotated, and clearly explained.

The Tools section begins with the basic toolkit, opening up into everything you could possibly need - every type of cutting tool and machine foot is shown. This section also includes information on patterns - how to measure, how to use, and how to adjust them. Gallery spreads appear throughout the substantial Techniques section and showcase darts, zips, pleats etc,...
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3

A great plan, a great pattern, a great fit, a great fabric, and a great finish: These are the five fundamentals for perfecting any sewing project. Sarai Mitnick, an independent pattern designer setting the high water mark in the industry, shares her knowledge of these fundamentals and offers five beautiful projects to go with them.

Powerful instruction: A former expert in user experience in the tech industry, Sarai Mitnick's Colette Patterns line has gained a great deal of respect for comprehensive, clear instruction.
Comprehensive resource: The chapters cover sewing...

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4
Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch is a passionate home seamstress, a sought-after sewing teacher, and the creator of one of the web’s most popular sewing blogs: Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing. The blog began as a way for readers to follow Hirsch’s progress as she stitched all 14 fashions from the iconic 1950s sewing book Vogue’s New Book for Better Sewing (a Julie & Julia–esque experiment for the modern sewist). It quickly became a place for Hirsch to share tutorials and lively posts about sewing as it relates to fashion history, pop culture, body image, and gender. An extension... more

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5

New Complete Guide to Sewing

This volume provides the guidance you need to sew successfully, whatever your level of skill. Comprehensive step-by-step instructions cover everything from cutting out patterns to making sleeves and fitting zips, and are accompanied by thousands of colourful illustrations, diagrams and photographs. This encyclopaedia of sewing includes detailed directions, practical advice, time-saving tips, essential techniques and hundreds of creative touches to bring out the best in your needlework. There are 20 projects to help you put into practice what you have learned, with ideas for creating clothes... more

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6
The Complete Photo Guide to Perfect Fitting is the ultimate reference for fitting test garments and transferring accurate adjustments to patterns.

No matter what size or shape you are, wearing garments that fit perfectly makes you look and feel better. Rather than making commonly accepted changes to a commercial pattern, the method presented in this guide focuses on the way a test garment fits the body. The fabric is manipulated to improve the fit, and then those specific changes are made to the pattern. The result: patterns that fit perfectly!

With...
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7
Singer: The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing, 3rd Edition, the definitive guide to all things sewing, from garments or decor, now features updated photography and techniques.

Singer: The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing, 3rd Edition is the one reference every sewer will need. Its 312 hard working pages and 1,200 carefully shot photographs cover every aspect of fashion and décor sewing. With this comprehensive guide, you will know exactly how to choose the right tools and notions, use conventional machines and sergers, perfect your fashion sewing and...
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8

The Art of Manipulating Fabric

The possibilities for three-dimensional manipulation of fabric - gathering, pleating, tucking, shirring, and quilting woven materials - are seemingly endless. To describe them all would be to describe the entire history of sewing.


In "The Art of manipulating Fabric," Colette Wolff has set herself just this task, and she succeeds brilliantly. Working from the simplest possible form - a flat piece of cloth and a threaded needle - she categorizes all major dimensional techniques, show how they are related, and give examples of variations both traditional and modern. The result is...

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9

Vogue Sewing

The bestselling guide to sewing gets a freshening up!

And it’s from Vogue®: the most respected name in needlework.

 

A trusted classic since 1975, Vogue® Sewing has remained a consistent bestseller and sewer’s favorite. Now it’s been fully revised and updated, with the latest information and all-new photographs and illustrations, introduction, and page layout.  From choosing a machine to mastering couture techniques, it covers everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments. It’s certain to remain the premier...
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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11
"Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide" is your one-stop sewing resource, with answers to the most common sewing questions and details about the latest advancements in sewing. This new, thoroughly updated edition contains everything you need to know, and will surely be a reference you will review again and again. In addition to an extensive glossary with answers to the most common sewing questions, this must-have guide includes easy-to-read charts for needle sizes and thread and stabilizer types. It also includes 225 full-color photos and a fabric and fiber dictionary. Truly a one-stop... more

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12

Complete Guide to Sewing

s/t: Step-By-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Furnishings
The best-selling bible of sewing -- fully updated to meet the needs of today's market. The constant companion of the many people who are turning to home sewing as a creative -- and money-saving -- hobby.
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13

Sew Everything Workshop

The Book A lively how to and why to sew tutorial that marries attitude and instruction while teaching everything you need to know:
How to find the right machine, and become one with it
Essential skills, from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern
Preparing a workspace
The Ten Fabric Commandments
Laying out and cutting patterns
With step-by-step instructions and full-color photographs and illustrations throughout

The Projects
Cuddle-Up Cardigan
Tender is the Nightie
Foxy Boxers
Canine Couture Coat
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14
If you’ve ever watched Project Runway and wished you were a contestant, or you’re simply ready to take your sewing to a new level, Design-It-Yourself Clothes teaches you the fundamentals of modern patternmaking so that you, too, can create your own inspired clothing.

Until now, the aspiring DIY fashionista has been hard-pressed to find self-teaching tools other than dry textbooks or books with outdated looks. Finally, in Design-It-Yourself Clothes, former Urban Outfitters designer Cal Patch brings her youthful aesthetic to a how-to book. If you want to wear...
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15
Presented in a new edition that adds updated pattern industry news and revised rules for selecting pattern size, this easy and practical fitting system requires no measuring, no drafting skills, no muslin mock-ups—and it works with all brands of tissue paper patterns. Real people of all ages are featured in photographs that explain the steps of cutting out pattern pieces, pinning them together, and adjusting the fit. Special attention is paid to tricky challenges such as accommodating a full bustline, adjusting sleeves, or reworking a garment to make it more flattering, as well as alternative... more

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16
Packed with professional techniques and tips, The Dressmaker’s Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques takes the mystery out of the sewing and fi nishing techniques that many dressmakers assume are either extremely diffi cult or are only for professional fashion designers.

Fashion designer and expert sewist Lynda Maynard tackles each professional technique with clear instructions in simple step-by-step stages. Once these skills are understood, sewists will embrace their dressmaking projects with more confidence and the ability to create chic, refined looks. The Dressmaker’s...
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17

Patternmaking for Fashion Design

Same Content as US Edition in Different Softcover Design less

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18
Simple, elegant, and a little groovy, Love at First Stitch is all you need to start making the dresses of your dreams--with 7 complete full-size patterns.

Fancy making your own clothes but have no idea where to start? Tired of overwhelming sewing manuals and frumpy projects? Love at First Stitch offers a refreshing approach to dressmaking for modern makers, taking you from the basics of threading your sewing machine through creating gorgeous garments that you’ll love to wear. Let Tilly Walnes inspire you with her jargon-busting tutorials, down-to-earth attitude, and...
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19
Blending expert advice with inspiring designs, Sew What! Skirts will delight both novice and veteran sewers alike. This spiral-bound book lays flat for easy reference and features full-color photographs of 16 sample skirts, with illustrated step-by-step instructions for completing each one. Encouraging you to experiment with bold patterns and unique fabrics, Francesca DenHartog and Carole Ann Camp provide simple guidelines for translating body measurements into panel dimensions. Create a custom-tailored wardrobe that fits perfectly and showcases your unique and personal style. less

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20
More than just a pair of days, a weekend is also a state of mind—a feeling of relaxation and freedom to immerse ourselves fully in a favorite activity. In Weekend Sewing, designer Heather Ross presents creative projects for clothing, accessories, and home items that can be made in a weekend or less. Some, like the Quick Garden Gloves and Ruby’s Bloomers, take a few hours; others, like the Weekend-Away Travel Bag and Trapeze Sundress, require a day or two—but all of them capture that weekend feeling.
 
And because weekends are often the most fun when they’re social, Ross...
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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21
Internationally celebrated designer Lotta Jansdotter collects 24 of her most popular sewing patterns into one irresistible collection. Our innovative packaging makes for easy usereusable pattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder inside this full-color, lay-flat spiral bound book. Lotta has included patterns for handy tote bags, smart aprons, chic bed linens, and much more. Each project is paired with step-by-step instructions, charming photographs, inspiring design ideas, and helpful, hand-drawn how-to illustrationseverything you need to make whimsical pieces for the home and beyond.... more

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22

Shirtmaking

Why make a shirt? Because, with the skills you'll learn in Shirtmaking, you can create elegant, custom-fit garments for a woman or man that look like the best money can buy. Includes full-scale patterns for collars, cuffs, plackets, and pockets, and complete instructions for developing custom-fit shirt patterns. less

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24
Alabama Studio Sewing + Design is an invaluable reference for any woman who has dreamed of creating her own gorgeous handmade wardrobe. In this follow-up to Alabama Stitch Book and Alabama Studio Style, author Natalie Chanin presents all of the stenciling, hand-stitching, and beading techniques her company uses to create the award-winning Alabama Chanin line of organic cotton clothing, plus more than 50 variations that lead to infinite design possibilities. Included in this encyclopedic compilation of Alabama Chanin skill and style are patterns and instructions for dresses, skirts, tops, a... more

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25
Celebrated designer Amy Butler brings her fresh, modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. In this lavishly illustrated collection of patterns, she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags. Our innovative packaging makes for easy usepattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder on the inside cover of this full-color, lay-flat spiralbound book. Lush photographs inspire, while how-to illustrations and straightforward text (minus the confusing sewing lingo) make it a cinch to achieve beautifully finished projects. In... more

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26

Pattern Magic

Pattern Magic is the cult pattern-making book from Japan. Taking inspiration from nature, from geometricshapes, and from the street, this book harnesses the sheer joy of making and sculpting clothes. The book takes a creative approach to pattern making, with step-by- step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers to enjoy. Each project is beautifully illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs showing the stages of construction, the muslins, and the finished garments. less

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27
An accomplished fashion designer shows women who make their own garments how to improve on store-bought sewing patterns by adjusting the clothing item's length and other details to reflect personal taste and create a custom fit. The book's opening chapters present an illustrated guide to the tools, equipment, and fabrics needed for making garments, while also serving as a miniature textbook to teach basic sewing techniques. Chapters that follow offer detailed instruction in adapting and altering a store-bought pattern to suit individual tastes. Alterations include adding flare, and modifying... more

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28
A complete resource of techniques for designing and making clothes, whether you are following a pattern, adding embellishments, or designing garments from scratch.

This book is an essential dressmaking techniques guide. It includes an at-a-glance guide to basic garment shapes and styles, and cross-references the relevant techniques throughout the book, with advice on construction techniques, suggested fabrics, and embellishments. The advice given in these pages will allow you to work confidently from a pattern to create beautiful clothes with a perfect fit, no matter your skill...
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29
A Step-By-Step Guide to Sewing Stylish Seams, Buttonholes, Pockets, Collars, Hems, And More

Internationally known sewing expert Claire Schaeffer reveals the secrets of high-fashion legends such as Geoffrey Beene, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Liz Claiborne, and Calvin Klein. Claire's illustrated, step-by-step instructions let you duplicate the design details made famous in expensive ready-to-wear. Plus, Claire's timesaving patternmaking and copying methods can be used to create one-of-a-kind, original garments.

Only a few simple tools and...
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30
The mid-20th century was an amazing time for American women’s fashion! Following the war, women started looking to American designers rather than French couture houses for inspiration and to demand clothing they could move in, even play in. In this follow-up to Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing, Gretchen “Gertie” Hirsch celebrates the classic casual styles that icons like Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, and Rosie the Riveter made famous—think wide-legged trousers, fitted capri pants, beach rompers, shorts, knit tops, jeans, and day dresses. In Part I, Hirsch introduces key... more

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
31
Whether you are a beginner or have been sewing for years, this book is packed with all the information you need to get the most out of your sewing machine, simply by changing the feet.

• Everything you need to know about feet attachments, from basic feet such as the zigzag foot to specialty fabric and technique feet that will help you invent new design ideas for your sewing projects.

• Work effortlessly with a full range of fabrics, learn great time-saving tricks, and experiment with a range of decorative effects by following the authors' creative "ideas files."
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32
Create an entire world of sophisticated projects using one simple skill.

Absolutely anyone can sew in a straight line. And with this one skill and some basic guidance, television host and crafty expert Brett Bara demonstrates how you can make custom home decor, stylish fashions, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Sewing in a Straight Line is a step-by-step guide to creating 28 deceptively simple projects that look like they came from a chic boutique—far more impressive than you would expect for such little effort! These easy-to-make items offer quick gratification that even...
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33
Quilting Basics with Modern Flair .12 quilt projects for beginners, confident beginners, and intermediates .Explore different options for each project-make it with just two colors or scrappy, make it vintage or mod, make it soft or playful. .Alternate colorways included with each project show you how swapping out fabrics can change the look of the same block. .Learn how to cut, piece, applique, machine quilt, bind, and finish. .Pick up helpful tips and tricks to stay organized and master the methods. Try a fresh, relaxed approach to making quilts with this new "go-to" book. The bright... more

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34
As makers, we tend to learn different stitches over time without thinking much about how they relate to one another. But when Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin and The School of Making teams began to look at needlework closely, they realized all stitches are based on geometric grid systems—and by using grids as guides, they could make learning stitches, even seemingly elaborate ones, as easy as child’s play.
 
In The Geometry of Hand-Sewing Chanin presents their breakthrough method, featuring illustrated instructions (for both right- and left-handed stitchers) for more...
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35
The ultimate practical guide to sewing fabulous bags from expert Lisa Lam Detailed photographs illustrate every technique in this unique book, from choosing fabric to inserting fastenings.

Expert tips, trade secrets and inspirational advice result in professional and beautiful results.

A capsule wardrobe of eight exclusive designs features easy-to-follow instructions and full-size patterns.

Whether you're getting started, improving your technique, or want to design your own, this is the book you'll grab for every bag you make.
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36

Sewing For Dummies

Do you love to sew--or want to learn how? Then this book will have you in stitches in no time. There's nothing like the feeling of completing a project using beautiful fabrics and great timesaving tools and then sharing it with your family and friends. Plus, learning to sew will save you money too! Before long, you'll be stitching your own hems, repairing split seams, sewing on buttons, and much, much more. Sewing For Dummies is a book for both absolute beginners and experienced sewers. If you're a stone-cold beginner, you'll find everything you need to know to sew beginning-level... more

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39

The Complete Serger Handbook

“The most comprehensive reference on serging to date.”—Craft & Needlework Age

An expert teacher explains the serger, from start to finish! This comprehensive guide is for everyone, from the novice taking the machine out of the box to the experienced user looking for a refresher. It’s a reference, an instructional guide, and even an inspiration. With humor and years of experience, author Chris James answers questions on threads and threading, which stitch is which, setting the tension, mastering the controls, learning the techniques, working with knits, rolling...
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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
41

The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook

If you’ve ever made your own clothes, you know how empowering it can be. That awesome skirt in a fabric you adore. The blouse that fits perfectly. The one-of-a-kind dress you just knew would look cuter with a few extra details at the neck and hem. All made by you. 
   Creating fashionable, custom-fitted clothing is often much easier than you think, and in their first book, BurdaStyle—the largest community of aspiring fashion designers and style-savvy sewers—will show you how. Packed with easy-to-follow tutorials, five adaptable sewing patterns for a skirt, blouse, dress, coat, and bag,...
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42
From daypacks for hiking to everyday grocery totes, bags are an essential accessory for life on the go. In this inspiring guide, Lexie Barnes shows you how to create handmade bags that provide customized functionality while showcasing your own personal style. With step-by-step instructions for 18 pattern-free projects that include drawstring sacks, handbags, and messenger bags, Barnes encourages you to experiment with bold fabrics, hand-picked materials, and purpose-tailored dimensions to create fashionably unique bags that are suitable for your individual needs. less

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44
Every vintage-obsessed sewist dreams of having a closet full of gorgeous dresses. The follow-up to the popular Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing and Gertie Sews Vintage Casual, Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book is packed with all the information and patterns you could ever need to create a wardrobe filled with stunning vintage frocks. The book begins with all the essential techniques for dressmaking and includes instructions and patterns for 23 dresses for a variety of occasions. Elements of each pattern can be mixed and matched, allowing readers to customize the bodice,... more

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45
A complete course on sewing—from threading a needle to couture hemmingFinally someone has created every sewer's ideal companion: a comprehensive book on every aspect of hand and machine sewing—from the most basic to the most advanced—with a modern aesthetic and 20 projects to boot. From simple tutorials to in-depth masterclasses, Ruth Singer packs in lesson after lesson on both practical and decorative techniques.
The Sewing Bible includes:

• Easy-to-use instructions accompanied by hundreds of beautiful photographs detailing every stage of each technique•20...
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46
Sandra Betzina's tried and true--and easy to do--techniques for creating clothes that fit and flatter your unique shape. less

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47
In Alabama Studio Style, Natalie Chanin, founder and creative director of the acclaimed fashion and lifestyle company Alabama Chanin, takes readers on a compelling journey of creativity, technique, and inspiration. Picking up where the celebrated Alabama Stitch Book left off, Alabama Studio Style is a craft and lifestyle book all in one.s celebrated camisole and tank dresses, the featured projects include skirts, scarves, pillows, woven chair seats, and a stenciled scrap-wood table. Rounding out the book are recipes for three delicious party menus. Alabama Studio Style shows us that true... more

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48
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...
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49
America's best-selling quick guide to selecting and sewing fabrics is now completely revised and updated. More Fabric Savvy brings over 100 new tips, over 400 new color photos and drawings, the latest new fabrics, and entirely new and useful features, including a handy guide to stain removal. From Sandra Betzina, the dynamic host of HGTV's Sew Perfect, this easy-to-use reference belongs on every sewer's bookshelf. less

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50

Power Sewing Step-By-Step

Sandra Betzina not only demystifies the making of beautiful garments that fit ... she inspires a love of sewing itself. A contemporary classic, Power Sewing is clearly written with detailed photos; it guides the reader through every facet of garment construction with ease. less

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51
With her "choose-your-own-adventure" approach to sewing, Tanya Whelan offers an invaluable collection of patterns that empowers sewers to become designers. The trick is a set of patterns for 6 skirts and 8 bodices that line up perfectly at the waist, plus an additional 4 sleeve styles and 4 necklines. Tanya gives readers clear instructions and easy-to-follow step-by-step diagrams that allow them to use the enclosed pattern pieces to create up to 219 fitted dresses, including simple strapless designs, sheaths, and halter gowns. The book covers basic dress construction and altering techniques... more

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52
Whether you just bought your first sewing machine or have been sewing for years, Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts will open your eyes to an irresistible range of ideas. A comprehensive visual reference, the book covers everything a home sewer craves: the basics of sewing by hand or machine, along with five other time-honored crafts techniques, and step-by-step instructions for more than 150 projects that reflect not only Martha Stewart’s depth of experience and crafting expertise, but also her singular sense of style.

Encyclopedic in scope, the book...
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53

First Time Sewing

Step-by-Step Basics and Easy Projects

Learning how to sew has never been simpler! Enjoy this beginner's guide that takes you by the hand like a personal instructor and teaches you how to sew using hand stiches as well as sewing machines. Filled with detailed descriptions of materials and tools, the easy step-by-step instructions for all the basic sewing techniques will have you creating projects like aprons, pillows, and even pants and shorts in no time. Five simple projects will introduce sewing skills like hems, seams, balancing tension, and how to use a pattern; skills you will use often as you continue to learn.With First... more

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54

Tailoring

The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket

Tailoring is the complete photo guide to sewing jackets and coats.

Written by sewing professionals, this book teaches the trusted, proven methods for sewing tailored jackets with impeccable details and perfect fit. Written for the intermediate sewer who wants to move on to more challenging projects, this book ensures success with detailed, step-by-step instructions, more than 400 photos, in-depth discussions about products and how to use them.

Tailoring offers guidance for every aspect of tailoring a jacket:
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55
Beloved designer Lotta Jansdotter shows how easy it is to make cheerful gifts for little cherubs. A new mother herself, she's created 24 projects that match her simple style with practicality, resulting in sweet, yet durable, essentials for any rumble-tumble baby. She includes baby hats, bibs, a diaper bag built for the back of a stroller, a ribbon-tag blankie perfect for teething, and many more pint-sized projects. Beautiful photographs inspire while clear step-by-step instructions and how-to illustrations ensure foolproof crafting. With ready-to-use pattern sheets included in the handy... more

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56
Indulge your passion for sewing as you clear your life of clutter. Whatever your experience and wherever the mess, you can sew up a cloth sack or organizer to fit your needs. Gardening tools, groceries, shoes, toys, jewelry, and more will find new homes in these colorful and reusable handmade alternatives to mass-produced products. With Betty Oppenheimer’s easy-to-follow instructions for 31 fun and functional projects, you’ll be inspired to break out your needles and create a more organized, bright, and eco-friendly home. less

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58
The best dress. In any room. On any occasion. That’s a promise.
 
Attention fashionistas, glamourattis, and twirling enthusiasts everywhere: The Party Dress Book is the book you’ve been waiting for. Get an inside look at the inspiration, work, and techniques of creative dressmaking of celebrated New York designer Mary Adams. A unique combination of striking and wearable, Mary’s gorgeous dresses are a glam departure from the norm. In this book, you’ll learn the secrets to designing her trademark wearable decadence and how to sew your own delicious creations.
 
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59
Celebrated designer Amy Butler's most coveted products are her handbag sewing patterns. In Style Stitches, Butler presents an array of new bag designs for her fans across the globe. The book offers 12 basic patterns with enough variations to achieve 26 unique looks. Ranging from chic clutches and delicate wristlets to pretty hobo bags and handy coin purses, with instructions for altering dimensions, straps, and embellishments to get the desired look, each project incorporates Butler's fresh, modern style and attention to detail. With illustrated step-by-step directions, a... more

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60
"Sew Liberated" is the first how-to book of its kind to resurrect the art of applique for today's generation of sewists looking to imbue their work with creative style. Readers will learn hand and machine applique techniques for use outside the traditional quilting context, plus how to create fabric collages. Applique, a technique in which pieces of fabric are sewn onto clothing, bags, quilts, and other creations, allows do-it-yourself sewists to take embroidery to a new level; it's an ideal format for those with some sewing experience to break away from the constraints of sewing patterns and... more

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
61

Sewing School ®

21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make

Kids can sew too! This inspiring guide includes 21 fun sewing projects for children ages 5 and up. With easy-to-follow illustrated instructions and cut-out patterns, young crafters will quickly be sewing up colorful pillows, potholders, dolls, blankets, and more. These kid-tested projects require only minimal supervision and most can be made using simple hand stitches, so no sewing machine is required. With plenty of encouragement and helpful tips, Sewing School ® helps young sewers develop their skills while sparking a passion that will last a lifetime. 

Also...
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63
Dresses and their construction from 1660 to 1860.

Includes descriptions, line drawings and reproductions of historic magazines and books. The patterns for selected garments have been updated for the modern silhouette.
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64
Make it yours. This inspirational guide with DIY attitude has everything you need to know about the world’s great T-shirt: how to cut it, sew it, deconstruct it, reconstruct it, and best of all, transform it. • Features more than 100 projects (plus 200 variations) for customized tees, tank tops, tube tops, T-skirts—even handbags, a patchwork blanket, iPod cozies, leg warmers, and more. • Not a DIY expert? Not to worry. More than one third of the projects are no sew, meaning anyone who can wield a pair of scissors can put a personal stamp on her wardrobe. But the sewing basics are here too:... more

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65
Comfortable, flattering pants can be challenging to make - but they're wonderful to wear. In this book, David Coffin provides his inventive, sure-fire methods for getting it right.

With his characteristic precision and straight talk - and with the help of photographs, drawings, and exclusive access to a series of online video sequences - Coffin teaches the reader how to get great results, whether making a showcase garment or just whipping out an everyday pair.

For more information and book-related extras, visit
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66
This book has everything a beginner needs, plus it's an essential reference guide for even the most experienced sewers. Learn how to make different kinds of seams, hems, fasteners and bindings, as well as when and why to use each kind. Find your perfect signature style with fanciful finishing techniques like ruffles, pleats, ribbons and applique. less

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67
Fabrics A to Z is the essential guide for sewists and fabric enthusiasts of all levels. This thorough resource explains the unique characteristics, strengths, and limitations of more than 100 fabrics in easy-to-understand terms, so any sewist can enter a fabric shop with confidence. From dotted swiss to silk charmeuse to faux fur, each entry includes a close-up photo of the fabric as well as an overview of its characteristics, ideal uses, and special considerations when sewing. As a bonus, the book concludes with a section on the best tools and notions to use when working with... more

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68

Make Yourself Comfortable

Sewing clothes from stretch knit fabrics

Make Yourself Comfortable offers perfect proof that easy-to-wear clothes can be seriously stylish with a collection of outfits that combine the comfort of stretch fabrics with Tilly Walnes' signature look. Even experienced stitchers are often wary of working with stretch knit fabrics, but in this book Tilly demystifies the techniques needed and shows how to sew stretchy makes on a regular sewing machine – no need for a fancy overlocker. Aimed at dressmakers who have grasped the basics and want to expand their sewing horizons, Tilly's tried-and-tested, learn-as-you-make approach is... more

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69
Add charm and personal style to your crafting. Nicole Blum and Debra Immergut offer 101 fun project ideas that will have you incorporating decorative touches and texturally interesting patterns into your sewing repertoire. Each project is designed to take less than a day, meaning that before you know it you’ll be whipping out dozens of dazzlingly high-style creations that showcase techniques like pattern-making, appliqué, doodle-stitching, and more. Get inspired and turn old T-shirts into fashion statements and forgotten pillowcases into works of art. less

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70

Oliver + S Little Things to Sew

20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children

Home sewers love to dress the children in their lives in garments they have hand-crafted. No one understands this better than Liesl Gibson, who is both a mom and the founder of Oliver + S, a sewing pattern company known for its contemporary yet classically sensible kids’ designs, its precise, easy-to-follow instructions, and its charming paper doll–inspired packaging. In Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, you’ll find 20 acessories for children, such as a hat with bear ears, scarf, vest, tutu, art smock, backpack, and quilt—all impeccably photographed by Laurie Frankel. The book includes... more

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
71
By its nature, do-it-yourself sewing is environmentally friendly. In "Sewing Green, " Betz White takes stitching to an even higher level of sustainability, presenting 25 projects made from "repurposed" thrift-store and back-of-the-closet finds and organic fabrics. White's whimsical yet practical designs include an apron constructed from men's dress shirts (and a wallet from the shirts' cuffs ), a soft blanket pieced from secondhand cashmere sweaters, and even a tote bag refashioned from used Tyvek envelopes. Along the way, White dispenses tips on everything from how to deconstruct old... more

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72
Originally published: London: MacMillan, 1985.

Pictures, descriptions and patterns of men and women's clothing from--1560-1620. While you can make the clothing, using the patterns given, be prepared for it to take a while.
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73
Dresses and their construction from 1860 to 1940.

Includes line drawings, reproductions of historic magazines and books, descriptions of the fabrics used to make the chosen garments and, finally patterns to make the garments that have been updated to fit the modern silhouette.
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74
For many of us, our home is the center of our life. It is the place where our families meet and mingle, where we share our meals and share our dreams. So much more than just a space to live, our homes offer us a place of comfort, nourishment, and love for us and for our children.

In Handmade Home, Amanda Blake Soule, author of The Creative Family and the blog SouleMama.com, offers simple sewing and craft projects for the home that reflect the needs, activities, and personalities of today’s families. As Amanda writes in the introduction, “As a crafter, I’m...
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75
Think of a corset as a blank canvas.

Linda Sparks' The Basics of Corset Building: A Handbook for Beginners is a comprehensive guide to building your first corset, including:

Section One: Tools and Materials for Corset Building
Discusses the tools you'll need, plus types of steel, plastic, and textiles.

Section Two: Building a Corset
Everything you need to know about working with bones and busks, setting grommets and eyelets, and creating a beautifully finished corset.

Section Three: Construction Techniques
Covers all the steps,...
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76
This book contains the best hands-on insider sewing tips from the popular sewing website PatternReview.com, a community of more than 170,000 members. The entries are collected from the website’s enormous database of members’ shared comments and advice, rated by hits and reviews. Also included are five special how-to features by PatternReview.com's master teachers and pattern designers, who regularly conduct online chats and workshops (including Kenneth King, Susan Khalje, Sarah Veblen, Shannon Gifford, and Anna Mazur). less

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77
Take handsewing to the next level!

Sewists are developing increasing interest in heritage handsewing techniques that add beautiful or couturelike finishing touches to the final project. Small handfinished details can quickly become a testament to the style, creativity, and skill of the sewist.

Handsewn offers step-by-step instructions for a comprehensive collection of hand-finishing and embellishing techniques, including hems, edges, buttonholes, cuffs, tacking layers and linings, attaching or inserting fabric and trims, embroidery, quilting, applique, and...
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78
Design and sew your own fabulously stylish skirts. In this fun guide, Nicole Smith shows you how to draft a pattern for a custom fit and shape it into one of four basic silhouettes: wrap, straight, flared, and high-waisted. Each skirt can then be easily redesigned into seven distinct looks — one for each day of the week. Suitable for beginners and expert sewers alike, Skirt-a-Day Sewing will inspire you to express your unique personal style as you stitch up great new pieces for your wardrobe. less

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79
Super cute! Darling! How adorable is that?! Welcome to the world of Wee Wonderfuls. In this charming collection, acclaimed toymaker and popular blogger Hillary Lang presents a captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Each... more

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80

Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders

This One-Yard Wonders collection organizes projects by fabric type so that you can make the most of each cloth’s unique characteristics. Find the best uses for all your different fabrics as you learn to use stretchy jersey knits for a ruffle scarf, lightweight cotton voile for a girl’s sundress, and sturdy corduroy for a tote. Easy-to-follow illustrated instructions are provided for 101 projects, each requiring just a single yard of fabric. Get inspired and show off your individual style, one yard at a time! less

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
81

Pants for Real People

Fit and Sew for Any Body

Features step-by-step instructions on fitting and sewing pants for women of different body types using the twin techniques of tissue- and fabric-fitting. This book highlights important sewing choices, including choosing fabrics, selecting appropriate alteration tools, and finding styles that are most flattering. less

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82

Couture

The Art of Fine Sewing

Ideal for sewers with an interest in quality, style, and individuality, this book reveals techniques once only known to the seamstresses in the couture houses of Paris. less

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83
In Denyse Schmidt Quilts, the ultimate resource for the home quilter, Schmidt reveals the secrets behind her most popular designs. Thirty projects range from the simple to the challenging, from patchwork slippers and aprons to tote bags and pillows to her beloved quilt patterns, offering something for every level of quilter. Schmidt reviews the fundamentals of quilting and provides easy-to-follow instructions, patterns, sewing tips, and an artful approach to design basics. With engaging wisdom and beautiful step-by-step color photography throughout, Denyse Schmidt Quilts will... more

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84
From "applique" to "zippers" and everything in between!

Tasia St. Germaine of Sewaholic shares 101 of the most essential sewing terms and techniques. Presented in an easy-to-use format, this alphabetical reference gives more than just definitions: photographed step-by-step tutorials will guide you through each technique, showing you in detail how to apply the technique to your own projects. No matter what stage you're on in your sewing journey, The Sewtionary is here to help.

Features:


101 common sewing terms and techniques, listed alphabetically...
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85

Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques

If the sewing machine does it, then the technique is here! Anyone looking for advice on those indispensable basics will find a variety of ways to do bias binding, buttonholes, edge finishes, gathering, hem finishes, mitering corners, seam finishes, topstitching, and zippers. Or sewers can learn how to make any item eye-catching with an array of creative touches, including appliqué, crisscross chain stitching, eyelet embroidery, and lacework. Every technique comes complete with machine setups and guidance on fabrics, stitching, needles, threads, tension, and the presser foot. less

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86

Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers

It is impossible to have good designs without having accurate patternmaking and quality construction skills. Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers is an up-to-date sewing guide that teaches fashion design students the skills they’ll need to execute their original designs in a professional environment. Each chapter covers a particular theme, such as collars, and reflects the order of assembly of any garment. Detailed sketches provide visual support to the techniques covered. less

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87

Make Your Own Dress Patterns

"Anyone who can work through the labyrinthian directions for sewing that accompany the commercial pattern can surely learn the comparatively simple and clear rules for pattern making," says nationally acclaimed sewing expert Adele Margolis. Her profusely illustrated primer allows you to create your own fashionable patterns and personalized commercial patterns. You'll learn how to design and execute everything from skirts, dresses, and blouses to sportswear, jackets, and children's clothing. You'll also find tips for: shaping fabric to your figure; mastering the art of flares, flounces,... more

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88
From arctic fleece to velveteen, Sandra Betzina walks the home sewer through the wonderful world of fabrics. Fabric Savvy features 85 different types of fabric and takes the guesswork out of choosing the proper threads, stitches, seam finishes, hems and closures. less

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89

Built by Wendy Dresses

The Sew U Guide to Making a Girl's Best Frock

Want a fast and easy way to look completely put together? Throw on a dress! Now, with the help of Wendy Mullin of BUILT BY WENDY, sew your own custom-fit creations—25 in all.

Dresses are as useful—and as crucial—to your wardrobe as your most beloved pair of jeans. You can throw one on in summer or winter, for a night out in heels or a day in beaten-up boots: It’s maximum style for minimum effort.

That’s why Wendy Mullin, designer of Built by Wendy—label of choice for fashion-forward actors, musicians, and artists—has created a book of DIY dress designs that are...
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90
Don’t hide that patch, make it a bold, beautiful embellishment! Repair holes with bright thread and a creative darning stitch; revive a stained shirt with fun embroidery! In Mend It Better, popular craft blogger Kristin M. Roach puts a new spin on mending by adapting traditional techniques for today’s crafty sewers. With detailed photography to show each step, she teaches a wide range of patching, darning, and repair stitches using both hand and machine sewing. The how-to text is accompanied by dozens of inspiring examples from Kristin’s own work and that of other craft bloggers and artisans.... more

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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
91
Are scrap piles wreaking havoc in your sewing space? Modern quilters Amanda and Cheryl share a passion for scraps. Their book features 16 bold and scrappy projects as well as expert hints and tips for adapting patterns to your own style, and effectively cutting, storing, and organizing your scraps. less

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92
If you want to make a jacket with the impeccable look of Chanel, this is the book to have.
 
The Couture Cardigan Jacket presents sewing methods Claire Shaeffer developed based on her knowledge of haute couture construction and meticulous research studying original Chanels in museum archives and her own collection.  Via the DVD, Shaeffer instructs readers in essential techniques such as cutting and shaping the jacket sections, princess seaming, quilting, making the 3-piece sleeve, adding the chain weight, creating the double buttonhole, and more. Where there is a trick...
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93
Sew Me! Sewing Basics is geared towards would-be sewers of all ages, who may never have touched a sewing machine or even threaded a needle before. It’s the perfect book for anyone who wants to get started in the craft, or just needs a quick refresher course in sewing. Choly Knight’s friendly and easy-to-follow directions will get readers sewing with confidence, making repairs, and creating new garments from scratch. She starts at the very beginning, showing how to choose a sewing machine and introducing the most basic techniques and shortcuts. From cutting patterns and sewing seams, to... more

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96
Asian-inspired lampshades embellished with flying fish. Canvas sneakers decorated with pink and white swirls. A pretty pillow adorned with a sleeping bunny, sweetly curled up. All it takes to create these appealing projects—or add charming embroidered touches in no time at all—are a few simple stitches, some easy techniques, and the nearly 30 projects in this book. Begin by learning several styles for outlining, filling, decorating, and appliqué. Find out about floss, fancy threads, fabrics, and needles. Get the scoop on hoops, and the lowdown on transferring your very own designs onto every... more

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97
Nancy Zieman's pattern fitting approach is easy - no cutting, slashing, tucking or pinching--just logical and easy pivot-and-slide techniques, providing a painless method to follow that results in a garment that is comfortable and attractive. Once you learn Nancy's techniques for fitting, you will find it easy to make every garment you sew fit your size and shape. Multiple fitting charts are included in the book, as well as an index for locating technical information at a glance. less

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98
Sewing never goes out of style, and today it is more popular than ever! Sew Retro offers twenty-five stylish, vintage-inspired sewing projects—beautiful bags, essential skirts, unique pillows, and more—that are a pleasure to sew, thanks to easy instructions, helpful diagrams, and a pocket of ten full-size patterns.

This fun, inspirational book also uncovers sewing’s colorful history, from the introduction of the sewing machine to the modern DIY movement, and features interviews with today’s hottest fabric and pattern designers, including Amy Butler, Betz White, Barbara...
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99
This beautiful reference book makes advanced finishing styles accessible to all levels of sewers. Hundreds of color photos and illustrations demonstrate tools, techniques, and tips, as well as completed garments. Fine Machine Sewing provides confidence and inspiration to home sewers looking to expand their repertoire. less

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100

Stylish Dress Book

Wear with Freedom

Sew your own chic and original dresses with this stylish sewing book.

Japanese style has long been admired for its grace and artistry. Add to that a sense of fun, and you have the sew-it-yourself Stylish Dress Book. Complete with stunning full-color photos, this Japanese sewing book (in English) gives you instructions and pull-out patterns for unique Japanese fashion—26 relaxed and comfortable yet elegant dresses and tops—pretty, timeless pieces that can be worn year after year, by women of all ages and sizes. The detailed diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions take...
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Don't have time to read the top Sewing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.