Over the years, I have accumulated a massive library of books ranging from clothing construction, home dec, crafts, fitting, and good old fashioned basic techniques. Some of these books are great, others just so-so.
Here are a few suggestions for those of you who are looking to build your own reference library. (If you click on the book’s title, a new window will open and take you to Amazon.com, where you can place an order.)
LEARNING TO SEW
Simply Sewing
– An excellent starter book for 8-11 year olds. Plenty of basics, but with user-friendly graphics that aren’t too confusing or intimdating. $6.95
Sew With Confidence: A Beginner’s Guide – Nancy Zieman’s books are always well illustrated and down to earth. If you aren’t sure you are going to be a life-long sewer, this is a good introductory book. $14.95.
Sewing 101 – I am very impressed with this book. The illustrations are superb, and the arrangement of the chapters captures a realistic timeline of how a complete beginner would most likely approach the task of learning to sew (without an instructor). I don’t own this book, but I saw it in a store recently and can confidently say that it’s a smart buy for those who aren’t sure how far they want to go with their sewing adventures. $15.75.
Reader’s Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing – This is an updated version of the fabulous classic authored by Virginia Colton, which still sits front and center on my sewing library shelf. It can’t be beat when it comes to illustrations, cross-references, and clarity. This is the book I recommend for those who have realized they want sewing to be a regular part of their life. $22.
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Manipulating Fabric – I bought this book five years ago when I wanted to learn some new ways to add dimension to my sewing projects (such as appliques, ruching, etc). It is without a doubt the most comprehensive, awe-inspiring, intimidating, tantalizing book I own. The photographs are all black and white, but for a reason: author Colette Wolff created all of her examples using plain unbleached muslin “to show how one generic fabric would adjust to the requirements of differing techniques and present those techniques on even terms.”
Who could ever have imagined that humble muslin could be teased into so many intriguing shapes?! Her variations on a simple theme – for example, the humble quilter’s “yo-yo” – range from the straightforward and familiar to mind boggling twists.
This book is a must-have for quilters and art-to-wear sewers who need new inspiration. Love it, love it, love it!
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