SEW ... The Garment-Making Book of Knowledge: Real-Life Lessons from a Serial Sewist

I quit buying books by sewing bloggers—in my experience, they’re either a triumph of styling over knowledge, the first salvo in the launch of someone who’s been sewing 5 whole minutes as a “brand” and a pattern house; or a digest of the blog, rehashing tips, tricks, and projects in an effort to “monetize” the same content in a different medium. Barbara Emodi’s book is different; I followed her blog because she was clearly a blogger with years of experience sewing, and her book distills some of that experience—not as “The Emodi Method” but as “this is what I’ve seen, this is what works.” She touches on lots of stuff: planning and fitting and sewing machine feet and crotch curves and hand stitches and Viyella and... She also debunks a lot of stuff: paper pattern fitting and flat alteration by drawing between pattern sizes and universal needles and... The book isn’t a sewing dictionary where you can look up the answer to any sewing conundrum; it is like a series of conversations with a sewing teacher (which Barbara is) where you say “So, sergers” and then sit back for a half hour (or 30 pages) of edification. It’s the first sewing-blogger-book I’ve been glad I bought; if she did another one (maybe fleshing out the order of projects she says those new to sewing should tackle?), I’d buy it too.

This is a wonderful book! I am an experienced seamstress, but I haven't sewn for a few years. This book gives valuable tips for sewing and fitting all types of clothes. The author gives time-saving tips and information on altering patterns to fit your body. I highly recommend this book! Please mark if you find my review helpful. Thank you so much!

I too purchased too many "glitzy" sewing books that were just fashion/decorative ideas/trendy. Enticed by pretty pictures. Thinking when will I learn not to pay $ for same old.I had not heard of Barbara's blog. I wish I had! I'm a fan now! This book is amazing. It is like having a friend in your sewing room! I have sewn since I was 13, I'm now 61. She has tips for everyone- beginners and long time sewers.I love her style of writing. I love her quotes.I had to laugh when she describes the Visual learner. (that's me) She hit the nail on the head! She is a gifted teacher! Thank You Barbara! I still have much to learn! And learning it with you is a joy!

I bought this book because of all the nice reviews and a blogger I follow endorsed it as well. While the book has a ton of knowledge, it is a bit too rambling for me. Yes, as one reviewer said, it is as though the writer is having a conversation with the reader, so just as conversations go, this book doesn't get to the point easily. I know that the book is advertised on Amazon as clearly stating it is not a sewing reference book, so don't expect to get a quick answer here. This is a book I will need to take time to read. I do have two major complaints about this book. First, the main text type is very light gray rather than black and it is extremely hard for me to read. So when I do sit down to read it, by the time I get to the end of the page my eyes just can't take it any longer. Second, there is no index and this book really needs an index. One of the reviewers mentioned she is bookmarking her favorite pages. I will have to bookmark pages to remember where to find things as well. My favorite section is the FBA section which is really helpful and covers the slash and spread and pivot and slide methods as well as princess seams. All in all it's a worthy book but maybe needs a second edition to fix the glaring problems such as the hard to read typeface.

My copy of this book came in the mail yesterday and I have already read through it. I have been sewing for about 2 years and I wish this book had been available when I started sewing. It has great explanations for a beginner but is also a good reference for a more experienced maker: I have several bookmarks stuck into it for future reference. This book bridges the gap between early beginner books and the advanced books published for the designer audience.This book is particularly strong on teaching very simple drafting and pattern adjustments in an approachable and well-illustrated way, even for pants and children, which many "beginner" books avoid entirely.

This is a great book, filled with tips from someone who could obviously could (and might) sew in her sleep and loves it very much. It is encouraging, funny, and filled with excellent tips from a person who has been down the road, taken the wrong turns and is generously sharing the knowledge (and common sense) gained over her years of sewing. Filled with simple explanations and drawings of mysterious processes you've heard other sewists name-dropping and didn't want to sound stupid asking about (FBA? "Pivot and slide?) and instructions for simplified techniques for elastic waistbands and other common sewing (pitfalls) processes, Barbara is the sewing friend you wish lived next door. I highly recommend this book and would love to take an in-person class from Barbara. Bonus - her writing is very funny!

I have never in my life read a sewing book from start to finish but I just did with this book. This book made me feel like I was having coffee with a bunch of fun sewing ladies. I was able to gain some knowledge while being entertained (not too many sewing books you can say that about). I have been sewing a while, but I learned quite a few new techniques. My endless search on how to fix my shoulder issues were solved in one short paragraph. The information on pant patterns and wardrobe building was very insightful and thought provoking. This book is a must for anyone’s sewing library.

Fabulous book! I bought it after it was recommended by Kristen, of The Dahlia Sew-ciety, in one of her YouTube videos. It was delivered quickly (yesterday) and I started reading it straight away. About third of the way through now, I already feel this is going to be a constant companion on my sewing table. I wish I’d had this book when I began sewing (over 40 years ago). Barbara highlights fit and gives easy to understand advice on how to get it right. A brilliant resource which has made me consider revisiting some old classic patterns to tweak them, since my body shape has changed over the years. The only downside of this book (and the reason I’ve awarded 4 stars instead of 5) is the proof reading. As I said, I’m about third of the way through the book, so far I’ve found two or three clumsy bloopers missed by the proof reading process (see pic for a very obvious one). So far, the errors have just been grammatical and haven’t affected the advice Barbara’s given, but they do make you feel a bit ‘niggled’ as it interrupts the flow of her writing. I like a quality finish in a book, as much as I like a quality finish in a garment. Perhaps there will be further editions of this book and they'll (hopefully) edit out the bloopers - I’ll gladly give it 5 stars at that point. Overcall, I would highly recommend this book to all garment sewers. You can tell Barbara is passionate about sharing her experience of the craft and really thought about the important stuff we all need to know when we set out on a lifelong love affair with fabric.

I love reading about sewing, about what works and what doesn't work and what to think about when designing a wardrobe or sewing. Barbara says her book is not a how to, there are tonnes of those, but full.of knowledge that was once passed down between the generations but no longer is. What is fit, how to choose a pattern that might actually work, all sorts. Great read, clearly laid out. Brilliant

Bought this for my wife, who; even though she is a seasoned maker, found a number of useful items in the book. She even made a skirt using one of them. It's not that she's difficult to please, she's just done this sort of thing successfully for a long time, so when she says it's good, I think that means it is...

One of the best sewing books I have read, and among the best I've seen published in this generation. There is a wealth of knowledge behind it: I'm a sewist of 40 years' experience, and I picked up lots of tips. Barbara is an intelligent, witty writer, with a concise, conversational style that makes for enjoyable and educational reading.

Terrific tips and good common sense. Just one tip has saved me enough in time to more than pay for the book - still learning after nearly 60 years of sewing.The kind of stuff you would learn at you’re grandmother's side if you had *that* grandmother. Or the stuff that you might have learned back in the days when they taught sewing in junior and senior high schools.In the world of sewing and craft books this one is practical and not just eye candy.