Stitch by Stitch: Learning to Sew, One Project at a Time Hardcover-spiral – Download: Adobe Reader, August 25, 2010

I'm a beginner sewer and wanted a book that would help me learn the basics. I'm so very pleased with Stitch by Stitch by Deborah Moebes. The author has a very easy, yet informatiive way of talking that makes it feel as if it's a best friend guiding you through the process. Love that.The book begins by talking about tools you'll need: sewing machine, iron, good fabric shears, marking chalk, seam ripper, seam guide, hem guide and seam gauge, standard zipper foot and buttonhole foot, extra bobbins, measuring tape, pin cushion, various types of pins and needles. Then there's a list of "You don't have to have these but they sure do help" items such as clear acrylic ruler, rotary cutter and mat, invisible zipper foot, and knitting needle. Then there's a "Get 'Em if you Like, but No Pressure" items such as needle threader, thimble, bias tape maker, expandable measure, nonstick pressing sheet and more. For every item that she lists, she talks about why it's useful, and it's really clear that she'll only tell you that you HAVE to get something if she thinks you will really need it. She also talks about different types of threads and fabrics. I really enjoyed reading these first few pages because it was so informative.The author then moves on to giving advice on choosing a machine. I was very relieved that the machine I bought on Amazon fit the bill - the  Janome Magnolia 7318 Sewing Machine  (phew!). Then the book goes into detail about parts of a sewing machine, how to wind the bobbin, and basic stitching techniques.Your very first mini-project is a stitch sampler. This is for you to get to know your machine and the stitches it can make. Then she moves onto thread drawing which reminds me of cross-stitching or embroidery. Then you learn how to make your own appliques and how to attach it to a T-shirt.Each project gets more and more complex, with the intention that you're learning valuable skills that will become part of your arsenal when you tackle complex projects. Each project comes with shopping list + supplies needed and also a list of skills you'll build. There are tips along the way and at the end of most projects there is some kind of inspiration to take what you learned one step further.Projects include fancy napkins, picnic place mats, reversible tote, eye mask, hipster belt (which you can recreate into a wrist cuff), throw pillows, cafe curtains, patchwork skirt (for little girls and with directions on how to modify for adults), carport wrap skirt, a-line skirt and cap-sleeved blouse with darts.While I'd like to just jump right in and tackle the skirt because it seems more functional, I am going to go through the book from first project to last because each project is a teaching tool. Although I admit I'm on the fence about cafe curtains since I live in an apartment with just blinds and have no need for curtains.The book comes with a CD. The CD has patterns for the eye mask, belt, a-line skirt (sizes 4-14), carport skirt (sizes 4-14) and cap-sleeved blouse (this is a multi-sized pattern). All the patterns are in PDF format and tiled so you can print them on your home computer. After you print the pages out, you have to stick them together. The author says there are two reasons for this pattern format: the first is so that you can print the patterns over and over without dealing with tissue paper patterns, and second, there are many free downloadable patterns online, and you'll now know how to use those patterns.My one concern about the CD is that in the book the author talks about how pattern sizing isn't the same as ready-to-wear clothes we buy in shops. The reason being that sewing patters are closer to classic couture sizing, and she says not to be shocked if you're a size 8 on the street but wear a size 14 in patterns. My concern about the CD is that the pattern sizes are from 4 - 14, I hope that really doesn't mean it goes up to a ready-to-wear size of 8 since I'm no 8 (although I wish I were!). I haven't checked out the CD yet, but it's a concern that I'm a little fearful to discover. I will update this review once I take a look-see.Overall, I recommend this book for beginner sewers like me!

I really loved the tone of this book and wanted to be able to give it high marks. Unfortunately, after actually sewing through some projects (or attempting to), I find the book doesn't quite reach the level of its aspirations.It is supposed to be for the rank beginner, but while the tone is comforting and encouraging, it'd be more helpful to have more direct advice sometimes and better pictures that correspond to the trickiest steps in a project. (We nearly-rank beginners need these things.)To wit: the eye mask is in the book to teach about sewing curves, and while she shows you how nasty it looks when curves are poorly sewn, the author doesn't give many clues about how to do better on curves, other than to watch the seam-line on the machine. The photo shows a straight edge on the machine throatplate, not a curved edge.Also on the eye mask: The pattern is supposed to have notches/marks about where to put the strap edges. None print on the patterns.Another reviewer has pointed out errors and typos. I'll forgive typos: errors in a book for beginners is a bigger issue. Pages 114-116 discuss making handles for the tote bag, and there are at least two errors. On page 114, #1, it says handle pieces should be 3 inches wide, double the width of the finished handle. Then it says use .5 inch seam allowance on long edges on each side of handle. If you subtract .5 + .5 from 3 inches you get 2 inches...so the original 3 inch-strips are not double the width of the finished handle.On page 116, #1, the author says to cut 1.5 inch strips of fabric, two for each handle (the reversible one). Well, if you do that, then use the .5 inch seam allowance called for, you are going to get .75 finished handles. The handles in the photos are clearly wider. So she probably means cut 3 inch strips of fabric, use the .5 seam allowance, and get a 2 inch finished handle size.The bags turn out very cute--but again, watch that final assembly. Make sure the handles are sandwiched *between* the inner layer and the outer one!Finally, I tried to make the A-Line skirt. Thank goodness I used muslin. First issue is that the pics for this item, from a rank beginner's view, aren't very helpful. Attaching the waistband to the skirt body was completely counter-intuitive, and the photos don't help at all. Also, there are no notches on the patterns, though the instructions refer to matching them.Bigger issue: sizing is completely wonky. I have a size 38ish hip, so I printed the size 10, per the author's sizing chart. The result was a HUGE skirt. I've since printed the size 6, and size 8 patterns. I've pulled an A-line skirt from my closet that fits beautifully to compare to the muslin and patterns. All the patterns still look huge (there's very little size difference between the 10 and the 6). And there's no information about how to adjust the sizing (Internet searches indicate that's not really a beginner's activity anyway).Soooo...I did buy the book in part because it included patterns for classic projects, and patterns are expensive. But at least one pattern is turning out to be not at all useful. (Remember, the book is targeted at beginners, not experienced sewers who know in a beat how to adjust a pattern.)That said, I did need the author's instructions for putting in a zipper in the middle of a pillow (though most pillows call for side zips) and those instructions were clear and correct.Publishers don't want to pay copy editors these days and there probably wasn't time to test the projects out on beginners the way test kitchens check recipes. The book would've benefited from those steps. I recommend really reading through all the instructions, checking the indicated measurements and cuts against the descriptive language and double-checking if something seems illogical. And use cheap fabric the first time through...

This is a lovely book and a valuable resource for novice sewers. The author says at the beginning that the book is suitable for beginners but that there is also something in it for the more experienced sewers especially if they have never learned how to achieve some techniques themselves. I've been sewing since I was a kid so honestly there wasn't anything new in this book for me however, I have enjoyed reading it and the author has a very nice style. The idea of the book is that you start at the beginning and work your way through the projects, learning as you go and working your way up to the more advanced projects at the back - skirt, blouse - and by the time you have done that you will have all the skills needed. There is also a CD included with the book which has the patterns and appliqué on it. The author has a second book coming out this year, and yes I will be buying that too as it looks lovely.  Stitch Savvy: Sew Your Way to New KnowledgeStitch Savvy: Sew Your Way to New Knowledge

The first thing that grabbed me was the beautiful presentation of the book. The binder makes it easy to keep the book open at a certain page and work on a project while looking at the book. Lots of nice illustrations and pretty photographs.Second was the passion and excitement that the author gives off when she talks about sewing. Granted maybe a bit American type of over-enthusiam, but I do think an enthusiastic teacher helps a lot.Third was the fact that it literally starts from the basics, down to a shopping list of basic tools like a pair of good scissors and a heavy iron, which is great for absolute beginners like me.I've been looking around quite a bit for my first sewing book to start, and this one was the one that I chose and so far I'm pretty happy with it.

This book is fantastic and does exactly what it promises. It's inspired and inspiring for beginners who have never sewed. Its approach is to learn by sewing projects that start with very easy projects and graduate from there. As an absolute beginner, I am really enjoying the projects and the book hasn't let me down so far. It's very understandably written, the pictures are good and it is easy to follow. It's great for beginners and if you don't want to go to a course I can only recommend this book. I wouldn't recommend it for advanced sewers/sewists but it's a great gift to get people around you started as well.

It's a good book but don't expect to be able to use the CD, it won't even stay in my player. So no access to the patterns. . .

Love the author of this book. Subscribed to her lessons on the Craftsy website and that inspired me to buy the book. You forget you're actually being taught a skill, her style of teaching is so entertaining.