Product Description

Coming from exactly the right publisher (remember "Stitch 'n Bitch" and "Generation T"); this title introduces "S.E.W." is the beginning sewer's bible. A reinvention of the post-war sewing how-to, here is a hold-your-hand guide that marries attitude and instruction, that speaks the language of today's crafters while teaching them everything they need to know from winding a bobbin to sewing a dart to customizing a pattern. Diana Rupp, the author, comes from a long line of crafters, and parlayed her passion into a career as the founder of Make Workshop, a unique DIY school that's been written about in "Elle", "Real Simple", "Time Out", "Vogue Patterns", and more. In "S.E.W", Rupp brings the workshop home: buying the right machine; setting up a space and furnishing it with the right tools; introducing fabrics - manmade vs. natural fibres, woven's vs. knits, colour theory, buying vintage fabric on eBay; the art of laying out a pattern and cutting; and becoming one with your machine, from best posture to seam allowances, buttonholes, zippers, and the finer points of hand-sewing. Then comes the fun: 25 amazing projects, 8 with patterns included, all handled with clear, step-by-step instructions - gingham wrap skirt, gauchos, drawstring pants, silky top, downtown hobo/laptop bag, patchwork throw, dog sweater, unisex boxers, vintage apron, more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5694 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Fabulous beginners book with 10 patterns too!
This book is great!! Diana Rupp takes you through everything you need to know as a beginner but she has included lots of projects for those with more experience to do too. The book is extremely well set out and Diana talks you through everything step by step. Not only is this book really informative but it is also really fun!!
The author has included 10 different projects to do and it includes the patterns. The projects are great too, modern and easy to customise to your own taste.The projects in the book are of varying levels of difficulty. There is little that I wouldn't make from this book-- it has everything from women's attire (skirts, a cape, a tunic) men's attire (boxer shorts, tie) and accessories (purses,bags, pillows, children's toys, a quilt). There is really something here for everyone.
I recommend this book as its really motivating and fun with projects that you are actually going to get some use out of!

A must-have for the aspiring seamstress/seamster
I tracked this book down after finding one too many traditional, dowdy sewing books. I'm definitely what would be classed as a beginner and found this book excellent for teaching me the basics. It's written in a very straight-forward but modern manner so it's easy to read and work through. Great types and tricks throughout on the tools you need, the settings you should work with and the overall machine sewing process. I particularly like how Diana Rupp thinks outside of the box, suggesting quirky projects and sources for inspiration and material other than the run-of-the mill. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to sew, quickly, easily and with confidence. I have ordered many books from Amazon and this is the first time that a book has compelled me to write a review so others would benefit - I thought it was that good.

Buy it now!!
This book is worth getting excited over!! I'm almost brand new to sewing and found the information in this book invaluable...and my mum has been sewing for years and also found this book informative. From the advice on setting up a sewing station to the interesting tips on choosing fabric and the modern, easy to follow projects in this book - I love everything.

It's motivational and genuinely made me want to run out and buy everything to set up my own sewing box and start a project straight away.

If you're looking for a book that you can refer to again and again or a series of projects that you can make with step-by-step instructions, I'd definitely recommend this book to you!