The Sewing Book: An Encyclopedic Resource of Step-by-Step Techniques

I've given this to my library. I'm in the minority, but here's why I didn't learn much from this book in case it helps...

I feel like they went so far in an effort to make this about visual learning that there's not enough accompanying text left to give you a full understanding of a technique or make you feel like you're ready to proceed. The clearest parts are in the beginning, large photos of buttons and scissors that don't need a lot of explanation, but once you've passed the very first stage of sewing, you won't need to reference that. The sections I would have turned to time and again -- like making pattern alterations -- are so terse as to be barely an introduction. You get the basic steps in the fewest words possible with no alternate methods, extra tips, or common mistakes to watch out for.

Although I was initially drawn to the clean look, I spent too much time going online to find more details. And when I did, the sites would often cover what was in this book and then some.

The photos were also an issue for me. They didn't choose fabrics that had a clear right and wrong side. There's generally a text reference to which side you're working on, but it would have been better for me, and in keeping with the visual learning style, if the photos had made that obvious.

I went on to get the out of print 'The Encyclopedia of Sewing' by Adele Margolis (which is sometimes available cheaply), and what a world of difference it made. Take for example Understitching. 'The Sewing Book' has a photo and the following:

"Understitching is used to secure a seam that is on the edge of a piece of fabric. It helps to stop the seam from rolling to the right side. First make the seam, then layer, turn, and press onto the right side. Open the seam again and push the seam allowance over the layered seam allowance. Sew the seam allowances down."

Compare that to 'The Encyclopedia of Sewing', which has five line drawings and the following for Understitching:

"A line of machine or hand stitching that permanently positions the seam allowance of a garment section and its facing. There are several ways this may be done.

After the layers have been stitched and pressed open, the seam allowances trimmed clipped, notched and graded, turn the facing to the underside. Press the edges with the seam rolled to the underside. If steam pressing as in tailoring, allow the garment to dry thoroughly before handling.

In Dressmaking -- Open out the facing with the seam allowance directly under it.
Stitch the seam allowances to the facing close to the seam by machine (fig. a) or, in delicate fabrics, by tiny hand stitches (b).

In Tailoring -- Edge-baste firmly to hold the pressed seam in position (fig. a). Use either method below. Both are acceptable.
1 As an enclosed seam: lift the facing gently and fasten the wider seam allowance to the tape or interfacing with either permanent basting or catch stitching (b). This will automatically enclose the narrower seam allowance.
2 From the outside: hold the seam allowance in place with pickstitches (see Pickstitch) placed 1/8" from the edge of an undersurface. Work along the underside of the collar and lapel to the break of the collar. Work along the facing edge to the hem (c)."

I chose this book due to the good reviews but was a bit disappointed. Being a beginner I found the language in it a little overwhelming and hard to follow in some of the instructions. I think this book would be better for someone at an intermediate level. Still, I am sure I will get some good use out of it once I am more advanced.

This book has been very helpful already! I am a complete novice and I was glad to see a section detailing all the different kinds of fabrics. I am also very pleased with how detailed each section is: altering patterns, attaching sleeves, adding embellishments such as ruffles or pintucks. These are not just one page of instructions, but entire sections! The last section is projects, and there are at least a few that I am interesting in making.

This book is great! It is informative, has great, easy and fun projects to do, and is a guide to all you sewing needs! I have found that this book is great from teen+ and even works for pro sewers too. It is also good if you are buying a sewing machine and need a guide to the sort of stitches you are going to be needing. Although this is great for beginner I do warn that, like most sewing books, you need to know how to do at least some of the basic stitches first before taking this book on board.

Overall fab book! Even good for projects too! :)

This book has lots of detailed instructions and pictures on how to do a ton of things, but what it lacks is any guidelines on when you might use a specific technique or why you might choose one technique instead of another.

Allison is my most favorite instructor on Craftsy; I have taken three of her classes. I owe it to her instruction that I am a better seamstress. While this book is meant for the new sewer, there is valuable information in this book that even advanced and intermediate sewists will use. It is a sewing encyclopedia, basically. The pictures are great and instructions are very clear.

It is too technical for me cause I found it hard to understand the concepts. The projects in the back are cool. I made a kimono. There are projects like a jewelry case and an apron. just boring and difficult.

AWESOME book, I recommend any sewer to have this book! If you ever need a refresh of how to do something this is the book for you. It is FULL of detailed photos to help you along the way and very great at explaining. I have had quite a bit of experience with sewing and pattern drafting but this book certainly contains all the tricks of the trade, and you never stop learning even if you are very experienced at sewing. Great book to purchase.

As a newbie to sewing I thought this book would cover all the basics. The first part of the book which covers tools, fabrics etc. was wonderful, however, after that it was too technical for someone new to sewing. I needed more explanation - a photo didn't always give enough information.

Although it may be a very useful book in many respects, it had very little information about the topic I actually bought it for - hand sewing. Certainly machine sewing is faster and more popular these days, but a book that bills itself as "the only sewing book you'll ever need" was anything but.