Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction (101)

Sewing 101 is a complete entry-level sewing course taught through 20 step-by-step projects for garments and home décor. This revised and updated edition has everything you need to start sewing today.

Get to know your machine and its accessories, learn how to sew basic seams and hems, and discover how to lay out a pattern. Begin sewing simple garments such as a T-shirt, pull-on skirt, apron, and unlined jacket, and home décor items like pillowcases, a baby blanket, a round tablecloth, and quilted placemats.

Projects are arranged progressively, from simple garments to more challenging items. Each project introduces and explores new sewing techniques in depth. Variations will inspire you to create your own designs.

Sewing 101 teaches you everything you need to know for successful machine sewing, including:

• Easy techniques for matching designs
• How to choose and prepare fabrics
• Essential tools that will make every facet of sewing easier
• Troubleshooting tips and quick references
• Clear instructions and photos to help you build your skills and confidence

Beginners will also find the accompanying online videos that present many of the techniques in action an invaluable resource.

Written specifically for beginners, the books in the 101 series are complete illustrated guides to the basics of a craft that present projects supported with full-color, step-by-step instructions and photos to teach essential techniques.
 

• ISBN13: 9781631597572
• Publish Date: 3 September 2019
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 11 May 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Quarry Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 224
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Sewing 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques is a reformatting and re-release of a tutorial and learning guide for basic sewing especially slanted toward beginners first released in 2011. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback format. It's part of the 101 series of books for learning a variety of crafts and skills.

The way we live today means that more and more people will be learning skills by themselves, in the absence of learning them from a family member. Sewing is a wonderful skill to have and is a significant help when repairing and re-purposing clothing and other cloth items. This book does a good job of teaching the beginning sewist how to acquire the tools and supplies needed, and how to get started learning how to sew.

The book is split into workshop sections. The first introductory section introduces in generic terms the parts of a sewing machine and their functions, the accessories which may be available, and getting ready to sew. All of the instructions are accompanied by clear photographs and a step-by-step tutorial format. For complete beginners, it might be helpful to have a friend or family member to help. However, in the absence of a "guru", I believe it would definitely be possible to thread a machine which was in good working order without any other assistance than this manual.
The book shows different seam finishing techniques (note: this book doesn't cover overlock or sergers, so this is finishing for flat seams). It also covers seam allowances and tips and tricks such as pin placement, basting, hand sewing buttons and blind hems.

There's good information on fabrics, linings, fabric preparation, cutting, pattern matching plaids, stripes, and more. The book contains tutorials for both garment construction and home decor/soft furnishings. The projects, such as quilted placemats, are well written and amply photographed. There's a glossary and index, but no links are provided. A simple internet search will provide an abundance of links and retailers for sourcing supplies.

This is a solid introduction and reference for sewists. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in sewing garments or home decor. Very useful.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.