Sewing Machine Basics: A step-by-step course for first-time stitchers

Item delivered very quickly and in excellent condition. Book as described not sure I am going to benefit as a total beginner as seems a tad advanced for me, however I will work through it and see how I get on.Definitely well written and a bonus that some patterns are included.

I bought 6+ books as each book as a different of explaining including the Sewing for Dummies book. Hands down, out of all of those, this was the most helpful book for a clueless beginner

There is some helpful practical advice in here.Sewing machine and the accompanying manual often makes what I suspect is not that hard seem very complicated. Or decide not to mention some things at all. Other books find it hard to assume you really are a beginner. And quickly move onto how to make all manner of complex things when you are wondering how to change a bobbin, needle or foot presser. A beginner is a beginner.I think this book will help a great deal.

I haven't used my sewing machine in over 20 years, but recently was moved to get it out and have it serviced. I've more time on my hands these days, and I thought I'd like to make some soft furnishings and small gifts for next Xmas. It's amazing how you forget how to do even the simplest things.I'm delighted with this book, which has been very useful as a refresher, reminding me how to thread the machine, adjust the tension, choose the appropriate attachments, select functions etc.9 pull out patterns, (for basic trousers, blouse, skirt, tote bag, apron, scarf etc.) are included to practice the various techniques, which are clearly described and illustrated.Very useful and excellent value for money.

I'm not a beginner, but I am an entirely self-taught needlewoman and I fully realise that there are probably easier ways to go about things than the way I do them. This book was remarkable in that it covered every detail of my sewing machine and introduced me to things like the various feet that I'd never fully understood.After the "getting started" section, the book is divided into a series of workshops and each workshop ends with a project to make up, a cushion cover, an apron, a skirt and so on. Just about all the techniques you will ever need are used in these projects and the patterns included seem simple to use. I'm fairly certain I will use all of them - even the child's dress when I have no children, because it looks so pretty (and the charity shop will appreciate it).One of the most useful features is a chart showing different fabrics along with the most appropriate needles, thread and so on to use with them.So far I've had the book less than a week and my new sewing machine arrives tomorrow. My fingers are itching to get started.

I bought this for my young niece who is getting her first sewing machine for xmas. I'm so impressed with it I'm going to keep it and buy two more copies as gifts. It starts at the very basics: how to thread a machine, the different machine feet, types of fabric and thread and works it way through to zippers and pattern cutting. There are 11 projects included ranging from a cushion to a pin tuck blouse but also including a scarf, an apron, a roman blind and a line skirt... so a nice range of things that are modern and usable. As the book goes on the level of detail given increases, for example the formula for working out how much fabric is needed for a blind/curtain where the fabric has pattern repeats, The difference between lining, interlining and underlining..... And best of all, at the back are full-sized patterns for all the projects. They do need tracing because they overlap one another, but they are full sized.I really think this is a good book for beginners and improvers alike.

Hsndy book of tricks and tips to create master pieces

I purchased this book after buying a sewing machine like several other reviewers and like them I wanted a book which not only taught you the techniques but also gave you some projects to work through and put them to practice and in that respect this book fits the bill. There's several nice projects, giving you a wide variety of nice items at the end including bags, scarves, aprons, curtains, blouses and dresses many of which were items I really wanted to own (rather than just made to meet the criteria of testing my new skills).However, I was surprised to find given the universally good reviews on Amazon that I frequently found sections of the book (particularly the "teaching" sections) very confusing. I had to read text many times in some sections and even then I resorted to "having a go" in order to work out exactly what was meant. The diagrams were sometimes helpful but I also found these hit and miss. I think the main issue is that in each "step" you will be given multiple instructions, usually with one diagram which relates to only one of the instructions - often you don't know which! I usually end up either referring to another book to cross-check what I think is meant or looking up videos online.I don't think myself to be someone who usually struggles with such things, so was surprised to see no one else had mentioned this on Amazon. I am potentially comparing this to a wonderful knitting book (Knitty Gritty - by Anneta Patel) which I recently learnt to knit with and it's coming up short against that quite high standard.In summary, this is a nice book with some nice projects but unless you are already familiar with the basics or are willing to do a lot of re-reading and cross-checking as I have done then I feel there may be more clearly written texts available for the novice sewing machine owner.