Sewing For Dummies
by Jan Saunders Maresh
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Book Reviews of Sewing For Dummies
Book Review: Disappointing for this complete beginner
Summary: 3 Stars
I have recently begun teaching myself to sew. I taught myself knitting over the last several years and always keep the Knitting for Dummies book by my side as a reference for anything I don't know. So when I decided to learn to sew I bought myself a simple machine and this book. I've been sewing for a couple of weeks now and have read probably 3/4th of this book and I'm disappointed with it. I don't think the instructions are very clear for a newbie and many of the topics are covered way too briefly. On my first pattern, for example, it instructed me to "narrow hem," a common sewing task. Looking in the index of this book there is no entry for narrow hem. I knew I had read something in the book about using a narrow hem foot in order to make a narrow hem, but when I looked for detailed instructions for how to do that, I found nothing. I had to resort to a google search to find clear directions for doing a narrow hem both with and without a special foot.
I also find many of the directions unclear and there are not enough illustrations or the illustrations are not clear enough for me to understand what I'm supposed to do. And I think I'm better than average at understanding written instructions since I managed to teach myself to do quite complex knitting from mostly written instructions.
The projects in this book are ok, but most of them are not my style. They have a country craft feel to them that is too old for me. I prefer hip, youthful, DIY style projects. I did find her instructions for a basic pillow cover useful, but again, I wished the instructions were more clear in a couple places. As for making a vest out of placemats, I think I'll skip that one.
I found the manual that came with my machine more useful in actually getting me started sewing. This book has helped some, but from now on I'm going to rely on the internet for instructions. And I'll probably be buying a different book with more appealing starter projects.
Book Review: Definitely not for "dummies"
Summary: 3 Stars
I usually LOVE the dummies series and find it very useful for new subjects I want to just dive into. This book is useful, but not as a first reference for someone who has never done more than the occasional needle-and-thread wobbly patching most of us did in College.
The good:
1. Very thorough subject coverage - everything from clothing to arts & crafts, to home decor (in fact, I think if they broke this up into two books - one for clothing only, and one for the rest, they would have done themselves a big favor).
2. The step descriptions are broken down into mini-steps very well (I think).
The bad:
1. hardly any illustrations at all. Where there are illustrations, they are very basic, mostly restricted to the type of stitch described rather than an illustration of the step-by-step process.
2. the level of terminology-knowledge assumed by the book is insanely high for beginners.
3. There is insufficient internal cross referencing - the writers seem to assume you will read the book from cover to cover in the right order, and that you will remember everything you learned from one chapter to the next.
4. The section on "Quick fixes and alterations" which is boasted about in the book description is far from comprehensive, and the steps described are skimpy - largely without internal references to where within the book these steps are described.
This will be a great 2nd book, I think. But until I reach that level I'll have to find something else.
Book Review: Quick and Easy
Summary: 5 Stars
I used to sew a lot when my children were little. At some point I was "done" with sewing and I gave away my machine saying," I'm never sewing again!" But recently the sewing urge (and the practicality of it) hit me again and I've bought a new fairly basic machine. I was intimidated, at first by all of the new "bells and whistles". This book is a perfect tool to give me the confidence to try out all the new stuff the machine can do. Without this book, I think I'd stick to a straight stitch or some very basic zig zag stitches. Now with the help of the simple step by step instructions in the book, I am game to try out all kinds of new frontiers...like sewing knit fabrics and hemstitching by machine. This book is the perfect companion to match my limited knowledge and skill level for sewing and help me try many of the variable things my new sewing machine can do.Book Review: This book didn't work for me.
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been teaching myself to sew the last few months and in that time I've checked out all the books my library has to offer on the subject. Since I really like all the other "for Dummies" books that I have read I decided to buy this one sight-unseen to keep around the house as my reference. It's not a bad book but there are better books out there for those of us who are new to sewing or need a refresher in basics. If the book were organized differently I think I might like it more. Compared to other books of this type the information is not as well organized or easy to find. The illustrations are nice but again I've seen others that work better for me. I wouldn't say not to buy this book, but check it out first and make sure it's teaching (or refreshing what you already know) in a way that is useful to you. This book was not useful to me.Book Review: Not all I was hoping for...
Summary: 2 Stars
After careful review of many different books, I chose this one. While it has a lot of information, I was specifically looking for a book on how to alter/"fit" clothing that is too big or small. I have very little sewing experience, so from a sewing basics standpoint, this book is a good choice, as it will give you a little (I stress the word little) information on many different sewing topics.
I felt the book could've had better illustrations and the author's duplicate instructions for those using a serger were a little annoying. I mean if you are reading a Sewing for Dummies book, what are the chances you are using a serger?!
I would suggest if you have a certain aspect of sewing you are wanting to learn about, try to find a book that is specific to that subject.