Sewing Machine Basics: A step-by-step course for first-time stitchers

I haven't used my sewing machine in over 20 years, but recently was moved to get it out and have it serviced. I've more time on my hands these days, and I thought I'd like to make some soft furnishings and small gifts for next Xmas. It's amazing how you forget how to do even the simplest things. I'm delighted with this book, which has been very useful as a refresher, reminding me how to thread the machine, adjust the tension, choose the appropriate attachments, select functions etc. 9 pull out patterns, (for basic trousers, blouse, skirt, tote bag, apron, scarf etc.) are included to practice the various techniques, which are clearly described and illustrated. Very useful and excellent value for money.

I was a complete beginner before buying this book at the same time as a sewing machine. Long term, my plan was to alter curtains, make slip covers for furniture and fancy dress outfits for the kids. However, this book might make me expand those aspirations. I sat quite daunted before my machine and wondered if I’d done the right thing as I struggled to get it working and made some crap tester lines in some fabric!! Thankfully, it really is a simple and straightforward guide. The projects are carefully considered to expose you to many different types of stitches and hand/machine sewing. I bought a few meters of different remnant fabrics as well as a large dust sheet from screwfix to practice with. It’s given me such an appreciation of different fabrics already, eg by not using the suggested fabrics in the book I’ve probably made my jobs harder. That being said, I’m really enjoying it. I’m on workshop 3 (bound apron) and decided to adapt the pattern to make little aprons for each of my children and it’s working out much better than I’d thought hahah! I’ve just ordered the follow-up book I’m so pleased with this one. I wish I could go to a class but this is the next best thing. Thanks Jane!

I bought this as a gift for my wife who's starting machine sewing for the first time and it's an excellent introduction for beginners. It explains from the basics how to thread, and to sew seams, and then expands into slightly more involved work. There are plenty of good illustrations, easy to follow instructions and particularly useful, a set of patterns for the first-time user. The patterns are more than the usual cushion-cover or scarf. There's an apron, blouse, skirt, even a pattern for a roller blind. My only gripe is, that like most sewing books I've seen, the clothes are all for women. Is there still a perception that only women sew and that they make only women's clothes? Men sew too and they wear men's clothes (yes they do) so the pattern for casual trousers could at least have been a unisex cut rather than just designed in women's sizes. Despite sitting behind a sewing machine, some of us don't feel that sewing diminishes our masculinity, so to even things up a bit, perhaps the next edition could include a manly rugby shirt or some men's shorts. A highly recommended book if this is your first foray into sewing. I spent a long time reading reviews and checking sample pages and of course, not everyone likes the same style of approach but I'm glad I bought this one. I think you will too, even if you're male.

I bought this for my young niece who is getting her first sewing machine for xmas. I'm so impressed with it I'm going to keep it and buy two more copies as gifts. It starts at the very basics: how to thread a machine, the different machine feet, types of fabric and thread and works it way through to zippers and pattern cutting. There are 11 projects included ranging from a cushion to a pin tuck blouse but also including a scarf, an apron, a roman blind and a line skirt... so a nice range of things that are modern and usable. As the book goes on the level of detail given increases, for example the formula for working out how much fabric is needed for a blind/curtain where the fabric has pattern repeats, The difference between lining, interlining and underlining..... And best of all, at the back are full-sized patterns for all the projects. They do need tracing because they overlap one another, but they are full sized. I really think this is a good book for beginners and improvers alike.

Item delivered very quickly and in excellent condition. Book as described not sure I am going to benefit as a total beginner as seems a tad advanced for me, however I will work through it and see how I get on. Definitely well written and a bonus that some patterns are included.

I bought this book for a friend although she hasn’t got it yet, but I did take a look at it and it seems to have all the information you need to help with learning how to use a sewing machine etc. so I’m sure it will be of help to her.

I'm returning to sewing after decades, so I wanted something that would remind me of the basics. This book does that and much more – I'm delighted to see the very careful step-by-step approach, finishing up with quite a complex project. The illustrations are extremely clear and are giving me the confidence I need to start sewing again. This book would be suitable for anyone from complete beginners to readers like myself who need to be reminded of a range of techniques. I like the production qualities of this book, too – the overall design is very inviting, and when open it lies flat on the table, easy to reference. Nice work all round.

I purchased this book after buying a sewing machine like several other reviewers and like them I wanted a book which not only taught you the techniques but also gave you some projects to work through and put them to practice and in that respect this book fits the bill. There's several nice projects, giving you a wide variety of nice items at the end including bags, scarves, aprons, curtains, blouses and dresses many of which were items I really wanted to own (rather than just made to meet the criteria of testing my new skills). However, I was surprised to find given the universally good reviews on Amazon that I frequently found sections of the book (particularly the "teaching" sections) very confusing. I had to read text many times in some sections and even then I resorted to "having a go" in order to work out exactly what was meant. The diagrams were sometimes helpful but I also found these hit and miss. I think the main issue is that in each "step" you will be given multiple instructions, usually with one diagram which relates to only one of the instructions - often you don't know which! I usually end up either referring to another book to cross-check what I think is meant or looking up videos online. I don't think myself to be someone who usually struggles with such things, so was surprised to see no one else had mentioned this on Amazon. I am potentially comparing this to a wonderful knitting book (Knitty Gritty - by Anneta Patel) which I recently learnt to knit with and it's coming up short against that quite high standard. In summary, this is a nice book with some nice projects but unless you are already familiar with the basics or are willing to do a lot of re-reading and cross-checking as I have done then I feel there may be more clearly written texts available for the novice sewing machine owner.