Rating: 
Summary: I bought this book and returned it.......1 Star for trying.
Review: After reading the raving reviews here I ordered this book from Amazon. This book is not "cheap" by any standard and so the price should justify the contents or vice versa....not so. My first impression was that this book offers mediocre sewing information. The colours chosen for the samples are very difficult to look at. If you have aging eyes you will have a very difficult time trying to see what the samples look like. Then when you are able to figure out the samples you will wish you hadn't! The sewing is of a very poor standard. Usually, when a sewing book doesn't impress me, I will still try to find that *one* technique which is unfamiliar, that one reason to keep the book. With this book, I went through it 3 times and got more annoyed that I paid so much for sub-standard work. For example, the author did a sample of a sleeve cuff, in red plaid fabric. The plaids on the sleeve and cuff didn't match, it looked careless and would have been so simple to do properly. Then there was the stitching of the collar stand that I wish I had not seen or that it was hidden in the hard-to-see colour. I was also of the impression that this book was an advertising campaign, showing how to use sewing tools (not really necessary in order to produce acceptable work) and notions sold by mail order companies. There are better books available. If you are a beginner, I would suggest the Singer Sewing books. They are easy to follow and the step-by-step instructions are clearly written, the samples well done. If you are advanced or intermediate then go for books like Claire Shaeffer's, Susan Khalje and others. Claire's book High Fashion Sewing Secrets is by far better value for money and of course ALL the books published by Taunton Press, publishers of Threads Magazine.
Rating: 
Summary: Time-Saving, Quality Enhancing Techniques
Review: As one of those odd ducks who spends the extra time to have custom clothes that fit me properly, I have found that this book is a fantastic aid to creating better-quality clothing in less time than traditional home-sewing techniques would require. Not only does this book give good descriptions of the techniques, but it is arranged alphabetically, allowing the sewer to use it as a quick reference, rather than having to reserve it for study use. There are also several specialty tools and attatchments described in this book that I would not have known existed, let alone how to use, but these are most often described in sidebars, leaving the main pages free for techniques using basic straight-stitch and serger equipment. Fantastic!
Rating: 
Summary: Great text for sewing students
Review: I am a sewing teacher at a college, and I discovered this book in the library as I was looking for texts to improve my skills and knowledge. I got so excited about the book that I read it from cover to cover. I am going to propose that we include this book as one of our textbooks for my Advanced Clothing Construction class to help them learn better sewing techniques and improve their skills. I like all the helpful hints throughout the book, as well as the alphabetical organization. I also like the pictures that show exactly how to measure yourself, and I think the book explains techniques pretty well. The only thing that I think needs improvement is that it is hard to see what they are illustrating in many of the photographs. The reason is because they used bright colored fabrics that look identical on the right and wrong sides, and the thread blends in so well that it is difficult to see. However, if you can follow directions, you can still understand how to do the techniques because their step-by-step directions are pretty good. I want to get one of these books for myself.
Rating:
Summary: one star for poor business practice
Review: I don't want you to post this, I'm just using it as a forum to let your staff know that it's in pretty bad taste for the book's web page to include an editorial review saying how "odd" the activity the book describes is for modern people to be undertaking. I'm sure whoever wrote it meant it as an innocuous little intro comment, but it comes off as condescending, possibly even a put down. I think that's probably why one of the reader-reviewers alluded to it at the beginning of her positive review--almost like she was put on the defensive for her interest in sewing. As I'm sure your proceeds from such books tell you, home sewing is alive and well. This sort of modernist tripe that devalues traditional female activities, on the other hand, is badly outdated. Use your heads!
Rating:
Summary: Sew Smarter
Review: I never make a garment anymore without consulting this book. The back section that summarizes the steps to construct various types of garments, with references to detailed descriptions elsewhere in the book is a stroke of genius. I do find that while all of the techniques are well-described, some of the photo illustrations are next to useless. Be warned if you need a good picture to help you visualize a tricky procedure.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for "intermediate/beginners"
Review: I'd still classify myself as a beginning sewer, but this book is very helpful. I've got a Singer Sewing book that has illustrations that are less clear, in my opinion. This book certainly doesn't take the place of a basic reference, but I'm pleased that I bought it, and I've been referring to it a lot. I consider this book a replacement for someone nearby who is an experienced sewer who would drop by my house and say things like, "you know, you can use invisible thread for that..." and things like that that I'd never know about otherwise. I do have to agree with the reviewer who said the colors of the fabric in the book are not the easiest to look at. As far as I can tell, this is true of all sewing books that include color photographs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Most Complete Reference
Review: I've been sewing for over twenty years, and have authored over a dozen crafts and quilting books. Just yesterday I checked this book out of the library and am thrilled at this discovery and am here on Amazon to order a copy.
The book gets into much more detail than most texts, and answers little questions that other books don't touch. The depth reminds me of articles in Threads. Things like: how and when to use feed dogs to your advantage; the nitty gritty on prewashing and how to test; excellent illustrated fabric ID photos and instructions (for all those pieces of yardage we have stored away;) )...
This book is an excellent deal at Amazon's price (Why did another reviewer complain? And BTW, I checked out the plaid cuff in question--it wasn't opened up fully!) and will be a welcome--and much used--addition to the sewer's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: I've sewn off and on for 30 years. It's been about 10 years since I've made anything. I bought this book thinking it was going to tell me all the things I am doing wrong, and tell me how to do them better. Instead, it pretty much told me to keep doing it like I am.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding advice from sewing professionals.
Review: If you are a competent stitcher, this is an ideal book for you to improve your skills. Every page is in full color, with each technique photographed step by step. My fitting, hems, collars, welt pockets, pressing and interfacing all improved after reading this book. There's also some healthy advice (2 pages worth) for those contemplating purchasing an industrial machine, and excellent needle/thread/tension advice. All in all, you really can't go wrong purchasing this book.
Rating:
Summary: New sewing bible. Don't go near your machine without it!
Review: This book is for all of us odd types pressed for time who, nevertheless, love the feel of fabric in our hands, enjoy the process as well as the product of sewing, and who find immense satisfaction in creating individualized, beautiful garments that fit! Or maybe we just love beautiful books on the subject. This one is crammed with up to date techniques on hundreds of topics from the most basic to most advanced. Everything is covered from "crowding" the top layer of fabric while sewing to a flawless method for marking and constructing bound buttonholes to industry standards for seam allowances. Each topic is presented with a perfect balance of detail between text and full color photographs. The book is bound with a wipable hard cover, is printed on high quality paper, lays flat when opened and its 250 plus pages take up only about 1/2 inch on your book shelf. It is a pleasure to read and to use. "Sewing Secrets" has become almost as indispensable to me as my sewing machine. Every time I open it I learn something new and so will you!
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