Simply the Best Sewing Book: The essential reference for all home sewers

I love the content of the book and find it easy to understand, my only criticism is the ring binding, I can see that it will not stay in the cardboard that it is attached to for long. It would have been better if it was bound

An excellent resourceful book for a beginner, new to both patterns, and sewing.Gives a detailed instruction on how to read patterns and what information is on themThoughts about how to use the patterns and opinions on fabric choices is explained

This book is a reworked/updated version of the bestseller published 20 years ago (which has sold over 1 million copies). It is billed as the essential reference guide for home sewers. It covers understanding patterns, buying tools & materials, fitting, universal basics, sewing techniques and sewing with special fabrics. There are also some patternless projects at the rear of the book as well as a very detailed glossary.The book itself is in a useful spiral bound format so you can easily leave it open on the page you are working from whilst sewing. There are detailed descriptions and advice accompanied by coloured diagrams and pictures. The only thing that makes it seem a little dated to me is that there are no photos in the book at all. I'm used to glossy photograph filled books and the lack of photos did make this look a little drab in contrast. That said it is a very useful reference guide that I will certainly be keeping hold of.This review also appears on The Sewing Directory.

Very, very disappointed with this book, feels cheap & nasty, like someone has photocopied the original for you. Didn't like the wire binding aspect either, not very secure, can't see that lasting very long.The majority of the diagrams/instructions are printed onto, or in a very dark blue, making the black text difficult to read - a very bad idea!!I already own a Simplicity sewing book which I purchased in 1978 and this is far better, clearer and more informative than this version. I think I will be reverting back to using that rather than this so called more up-dated version.It's awful, I hate everything about it.

Bought for my wife, who tells me it's an excellent go to reference book for sewers.