Singer: The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing, 3rd Edition

I have technically been sewing for 20 years... With a 15 year break. There are so many tips in this book that I remember my Mom going over with me when I was 10, but now that I'm 30, I just didn't remember. I originally checked this book out of our local library on a whim. I didn't know what all was in it, but that maybe it would have some advice on something I hadn't seen before. Well, it actually did have stuff I needed right then and there. I was making a suit jacket for my husband's halloween costume and while I normally have no problem following the pattern directions, for some reason, this wasn't working for me. I glanced through this book and it had a whole section on tailoring!Honestly, the first time through the book, it took maybe 2 hours to take in everything. Most of it, I didn't need at the time, but I could see the uses for it. As soon as I got home, I decided to order the book for myself and take the library copy back. I have used it once and I will use it again, I am sure quite soon.It also goes through a few of the seewing tools that experienced sewers may be used to, but my Mom never had. There are some that make life a bit easier that I didn't know about, like the sewer's ham for ironing.

I got a call one evening around the time of my grand daughter's 15th birthday. My son had gotten her a fancy Singer sewing machine and though they were reading the instruction manual, they stopped after threading the top of the machine, closed the book and he thought he was ready to sew. When it didn't work out, he called me and I choked back my chuckles and told him to open the manual back up and turn the page to thread the bobbin......he said, "The what????"As I talked him through that part, I got on Amazon and searched for that trusty old Singer "How To Sew" book with the pen and ink illustrations that I had worn out in the 1960s when I was her age. I was delighted to find it is now this gorgeous photo illustrated guide. I ordered it fast and told them to just practice straight seams for 3 days and the mail would bring answers to all their questions. Does a grandma's heart good to be able to help so fast from a couple of hundred miles away! By the time I got there to visit in two weeks, she was already proficient enough for us to make her first complex garment! A dress with gathers, 6 darts several pleats, spaghetti straps and a cross over bodice!

For a little more advanced sewer who is more interested in sewing clothing. Didn't see any quilting how to stuff.

I'm a self-taught/mom-taught sewist. The problem is that what I learned from Mom (no offense Mom) was one-off information about what I was sewing at the time.Thanks to the Internet you can find all this information online but often only when you already know what you are looking for. This is what I'd expect to be required reading for a sewing class where you read the basics then do it in class on a project designed to accommodate the techniques you've learned.The first night I got it and flipped through to find lots of new information I didn't know, some things I knew already and a handful of stuff I'll probably never need. I'm still quite glad to have this to reference when trying to wing a project an needing some technical advice! The photos feel very dated but the techniques have stood the test of time so there's no real complaining to do there!Note: The book does not lay flat easily. Wish it did.

I recently brought my mother's sewing machine out of retirement, a 1956 Singer "Slant-o-matic" 401A model. After watching many you tube videos, I became fascinated with learning its various functions and how to use its special accessories. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a one-source location for the essential information or knowledge needed to establish a foundation for proper use of the machine, i.e. size needle for various types of fabric, proper machine settings to work with needle and fabric, etc.Nothing explains like a photograph, and this book shows one how to sew clothes and home designs, which tools are needed, how to use them, the details of different threads, everything a beginner needs to know.

I really didn't need another sewing book. I sew on old Singer sewing machines and have vintage sewing books to match the years of my various machines. What I did want was a good up to date book for a kindle that is much easier to tot around then a big bulky book. I also needed a book that would refresh my memory during my sewing season, Halloween to spring which this book definitely does. After struggling with some sewing I had some oh yeah moments reading this book. Not sure if I would call this a beginning sewing book but I think once a person starts sewing it will all make sense. Has nice sections on using a surger, sewing with patterns and appreciate types of seams sewing various types of material.