Sewing Made Simple: The Definitive Guide to Hand and Machine Sewing Hardcover – May 2, 2012

I checked this book out from my local library at first. I really love the colors and the photographs too. Also, the information is really helpful even though I am an avid sewer. I loan this book and completely forgot to check it back in. I wanted this book so much that I decided to purchase one instead. Now I do not have to worry about another late fee on this. This book is filled with tips on how to dart, sewing a button, to picking out the right fabric for your project. Has hand and machine sewing too. Don’t forget about some projects in here that help on your sewing skills.

I'm honestly disappointed by this book. I knew a jumble of basic sewing before I started, but I needed a good compendium of jargon and other esoteric information. This book seemed to fit the bill, and with a good number of projects to learn by, I was really excited. While the information is fairly solid, the projects leave much to be desired. I've gotten better instructions from patterns I learned to read on the fly. It's simply not that well written, lacking in clear details about how to do some things, or detailing how to do a technique, and then providing a project that ignores what they just said (see: the quilting section) to produce a lower quality result. Shame.

I love this book. When I took up sewing at 70, I tried to learn everything from YouTube tutorials and they're great, but this book is laid out in such a way as to answer questions before I think of them and point out subtle differences in approaches that I didn't know about. I got it for my great-niece who has just discovered sewing but I'm having trouble giving it up...It's got all the basics and a lot of extra tips. I'm not such a great sewist, myself, so I might have to order another one!

I love this book for the basic information regarding hand and machine sewing. I took it out from the public library and decided I needed to have it in my personal collection of craft and sewing books. Definitely very helpful. Love the sections on types of threads, stitches, fabrics, and understanding paper patterns. Great book!

This book is nearly identical to Simplicity's Simply the Best Sewing Book. Both are great starter books but I already have this information within a different title. Not sure who copied whom, all I know is my Simplicity book (from the 90's, I think, and spiral bound) only cost $2. You only need a beginner's sewing book once, after that you grow out of it. I'd go with the cheaper book by Simplicity.

Decided on this book as an addition to my library because it is an easy book to reference and has a lot of information. Instructions for the projects are clear (I've done one of them) and I enjoyed the process.

Well-written book for both novice and experienced sewers.

At one time I sewed almost all of my and our daughters' clothes. But, that was long ago and far away... This book both reminded me of things I had forgotten and introduced me to new materials.

Firstly: How anyone could give this book a one-star review is unfathomable, scandalous, really- obviously that reviewer is one of those people who are hard, if not impossible, to please!I adore this book! It is gorgeous, so pretty, and so well written, perfect for beginner sewists, as well as more experienced ones, like me! If I had had the good fortune to have access to such a beautiful work of art when I was a little girl, it would have caused me to immediately fall in love with sewing, and to begin using it, AT ONCE!I do not have the time right now to go into detail about the contents, and other reviewers on Amazon.com have done an excellent job of this already (so check them out), but suffice it to say that I consider it a must for girly girls who want to learn to sew, sewists who want to teach (like me), or anyone who just wants a beautiful, artsy book about pretty fabrics, clothes and home decor.Granted, the sewing projects included are mostly run-of the-mill ones that do not interest me much, but so what? They are beginner's projects, after all, and as such, most are too simple for my taste. But they are not why I wanted this book. I bought it because it's a beautiful sewing primer that combines good basic information with quality pictures and very pretty, very well done, colorful drawings. It will be a wonderful reference, both practical and inspirational, to keep forever on my bookshelves.

this book was extremely rounded and vague at the same time. one way to describe it? it left me wanting more and not more as in i cant wait for the next sequal, but more as in "gee there could have been more details and content in this book." meh, it is good if you are a hobbyist.

I have a sewing machine but wasn't too sure how to use it, it's a Singer 1960 so quite different to the modern ones.I really wanted to find a book that would show me how to use a sewing machine, what materials I need, and eventually patterns.This book has all that and much more!!I am so pleased I bought this book, the best parts about it for me are how great the pictures are and clearly labelled... like a page of different trims, a page of needles... it's so clear and simply laid out but with enough information!I think this book is suitable for a complete beginner, but also for people who want to brush up on their skills.

I love this book. Even this morning I took to reading it again in the early hours, determining that I will slip stitch the edge around the Swedish blinds that I am in the process of making, something that I'd never thought possible! I recommended this book as essential to all homes.

Excellent sevice!Arrival was prompt and my book was in excellent condition.A fantastic resource, if like me, you need spoonfeeding with your dressmakng.Fantastic service and I will be recommending to all of my friends and family!