12 best sewing books

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Everything Bucket

These fabric buckets are just the kind of receptacles that spark my love of systematizing and structuring.

The Starter Dress

It was so far-fetched, this idea to sew all of KoKo’s clothes for one year, but the most logical starting point seemed like a simple dress.

Color-Block Zip Pouch

My friends have exquisite taste and widely varying interests. The zip pouch rescues me repeatedly since I’m a firm believer that there’s always a use for zip pouches.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

My original pillow was very simple but I wanted to add more origami flair to the pillows included here, complete with some Sashiko embellishment and a stealth pocket.

Sashiko Trivet

Even during the most hectic times, we’ve carved out time to get together, and this no-fuss trivet makes me think of our gatherings, of friendships and comforting rituals.

Dopp Kit

It’s tough to sew for my man. With the help of a friend, I’ve hit upon the ubiquitous yet universally appealing guy gift: the Dopp kit.

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How to Use This Book

This section gives you information on the sewing machine and the serger. We show you how to get the perfect stitch and tell you about special features and accessories for both machines.

Sewing Techniques

The basic sewing techniques include seams, darts, gathering, sleeves, collars, waistbands, cuffs, and closures. Each is given an overview, followed by a step-by-step description of how to achieve excellent results.

Home Decorating Projects

The Home Decorating section is divided into six project categories: pillows, cushions, slipcovers, windows, bed and bath, and tables. Four basic pillow styles are shown with variations for closures.

For easy reference, fabric and notions required to complete many projects are included in a box labeled You Will Need.

The step-by-step instructions for the home decor projects are complete, so there’s no need to purchase additional sewing patterns. The photographs show you how each project should look each step of the way.

The photos add depth and dimension to the instructions, giving you a close-up look at each step.

Step-by-Step Guidance

If you are learning to sew or getting back to sewing, you may want to practice your skills on an easy project before starting a larger one.

Whether you are new to sewing, an experienced sewist, or a returning sewist, this book is designed to be a help and an inspiration. Keep this book near your sewing machine, make notes on the pages, and, most importantly, enjoy the sewing experience.

Gathers

A soft, feminine garment line is often shaped with gathers, which define waistlines, cuffs, yokes, necklines, or sleeve caps. Soft and sheer fabrics produce a draped look when gathered; crisp fabrics create a billowy effect.

Sleeve Details

Long sleeves on shirts, blouses, and lightweight jackets often have cuffs with buttoned closings. In many ways, sewing cuffs is similar to sewing collars. The tips on page 144 for trimming, interfacing, and pressing collars apply to cuffs, too.

Collars

Collars are important details worthy of careful sewing. A well-made collar encircles your neck without rippling or pulling and keeps its neat appearance while worn. Pointed tips should match. Edges should be smooth and flat.

Dining Chair Slipcovers

These two-piece, optionally reversible seat covers can serve a number of functions: They can protect the upholstery and wood, especially when young children are about, change things up in your decor or add a fun touch to celebrating a special occasion. Choose either elegant lacing with grommets for a decadent look or buttons for a more tailored appeal. Make the skirt long enough just to cover the seat, or all the way down to the floor. The instructions are for chairs with rounded seat corners: For chairs with square corners, you may place darts in the corners or pleats.

Pillows and Cushions

While pillows and cushions are somewhat different, the sewing techniques for both are mostly the same. The difference most often comes down to size, the inserts and types of closures. Pillows are often smaller, have a loose filling, such as poly fiber fill or down and don’t necessarily maintain their shape.

Flanged Pillow Shams

Flanged shams transform ordinary bed pillows into custom designer pillows. They can be made to fit standard-size, queen-size, king-size, or Euro square pillows. An overlapping closure in the center of the back makes it easy to insert and remove the pillow. Select decorator fabric to coordinate with your duvet or bedspread or stitch up luxury natural linen shams for a timeless look and sleeping comfort.

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21 step-by-step hand-sewing projects for kids aged 5 and up

Easy, medium, and advanced projects mean there’s something for every skill level.

Builds confidence, fine-motor skills, and creativity

Kids learn the fundamentals of measuring, cutting fabric, and stitching by hand so they can create projects with minimal adult supervision.

Includes patterns for every project

A bound-in envelope of pattern pieces comes with the book.