The Top 10 Sewing Books

Learn which sewing books would make a very appreciated gift and perfect addition to any sewing library here!

   1.  Vogue Sewing: Revised and Updated by Vogue Knitting Magazine
The premier sourcebook for sewers everywhere and a trusted classic since 1975, Vogue Sewing has remained a consistent bestseller and sewer’s favorite. The 2006 version includes wonderful illustrations and has many images that help you understand fitting and alterations. This book includes basics for the beginner and in depth information for fitting issues. A great book to have on hand for fitting problems and more. From choosing a machine to mastering couture techniques, it covers everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments. The book contains comprehensive instructions for understanding pattern markings, selecting fabrics and notions, hand-stitching and mending, pressing, and measuring to fit. Everything’s beautifully laid out, with charts and detailed explanations. And as it teaches, it also steers you to the right project for your sewing level, with plenty of photos that showcase different options for both beginners and those more expert with a needle.

2.  Power Sewing By Sandra Betzina
Sandra Betzina, a renowned expert in the field, believes the shift from button-sewing novice to "power sewer" can be achieved with a minimum of fuss. Her Power Sewing Step-by-Step just what the title implies, leading the reader through the successful assembly process for each of a series of garments. Starting with fabric selection, in each chapter Betzina addresses pattern fitting, construction, and finishing. She includes instructions for adding special garment details. For example, in the pants chapter she offers a variety of pockets, shows how to add a lining and choose one of four zipper options, and demonstrates a method of eliminating the waistband altogether.  The over 500 full color photos in this book make it just like you have an instructor in the room with you, guiding you through every step. Full construction techniques as well as fitting details for all kinds of women's garments. A full, fitted wardrobe is totally obtainable through the following the various chapters included in this book. 

    3.  Fast, Fun and Easy Fabric Bowls: 5 Reversible Shapes to Use and Display (Fast, Fun & Easy) by Linda Johansen
A wonderful book filled with inspiration!  These five delightful fabric bowl projects make perfect gifts! Choose from the Easy Round Bowl, Fast Square Bowl, and other simple shapes, all ready to create in an array of fabrics and colors. Projects use simple-to-find materials and are completely washable and reversible.

4.  ABCs of Serging: A Complete Guide to Serger Sewing Basics (Creative Machine Arts Series) by Tammy Young
This is an excellent guide to learning and using your serger. A simple handbook for understanding your serger, what part does what and how to make the machine do what you want it to do. If you are looking for a book to help you REALLY learn to use your serger, this is the one to choose. It is straight forward, easy to understand and will soon have you moving beyond the basics.

5.  Complete Guide to Sewing : Step-By-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Furnishings by Reader's Digest Editors
Making even some of your clothes can save money (especially if you have kids), and sewing skills come in handy for alterations and repairs on your store-boughts (maybe you need to put in a new zipper or a hem, or you want to get creative with some old clothes). After 20 years, this is still the best all-around handbook on the shelves for sewing. No matter what your level of expertise, you'll find something you can use here. Everything from basic handstitching to using a sewing machine to sewing simple and complex patterns for clothing, bedding, slipcovers and drapes (even pesky zipper applications seem reasonable here). This newly revised edition has a slew of detailed drawings, friendly instructions and several new additions including a color photo spread of more than 190 fabric types.  Clearly organized and full of diagrams and details.  Overall, this is a great source for sound sewing basics.

6. Sewing Lingerie That Fits: Stylish Underwear, Sleepwear and Loungewear for Everyday Living  by Karen Morris
Morris, a contributing editor at Threads magazine, clearly gets a kick out of sewing, and here she communicates this enthusiasm to the reader while covering thoroughly such lingerie sewing-related subjects as selecting the right pattern and fabric, adapting patterns and fitting, and finishing and embellishing. For Morris, lingerie includes not only underwear but also sleepwear and loungewear. Included are many tips and ideas for sewing "outside the box." For example, why not wear your sheets to bed, making sleepwear out of cotton or flannel sheets? Why not turn an oversized shirt pattern into a loungewear top? Sewers of all skill levels learn how to create a wardrobe of well-fitting, affordable garments including bras, panties, and camisoles. Step-by-step instructions and detailed photos and illustrations describe fitting methods, simple pattern making, and putting pieces together. The author also discusses fabric options and embellishing techniques for personalizing one’s creations.

7.  Sewing 911: Practical & Creative Rescue for Sewing Emergencies
Even sewing experts occasionally run into sewing emergencies, and for many of us they can happen all too often. If you're tired of coping with accidental snips, fabric shortages, bungled buttonholes, lopsided hems, gapping necklines, and any number of other mishaps, check out Barbara Deckert's Sewing 911. Loaded with practical advice and laced with humor, this terrific guide offers at-a-glance troubleshooting for more than 65 common sewing calamities. So the next time an ill-timed phone call causes an ironing accident or that pair of pants you worked so hard on winds up too short or too tight, instead of panicking or cursing (or both!), turn to Sewing 911 to rescue your garment with confidence.

8.  Fine Embellishment Techniques: Classic Details for Today's Clothing
Bead-embellished garments can be irresistibly gorgeous, but as anymore who's made or worn one knows, the visual allure of the beaded garments is only half the picture.  Celebrating all that is elegant and classic about vintage clothing, this book shows how to embellish new garments to make them look as though they were crafted in a more glamorous era. Readers will learn they don't have to be experts to add embellishment techniques from the l920s, 30s, and 40s to their wardrobes. They'll discover the possibilities of adding threadwork, beading, trims, piping, and more to garments. These projects are elegant and sophisticated and especially appealing to those who like glamour but not glitz. Five categories of embellishment techniques, detailed instructions, and 70 color photographs are featured, offering design inspiration of all kinds -- from casual to evening wear.

   9.   Fast Fit: Easy Pattern Alterations for Every Figure by Sandra Betzina
Good fit makes the difference between something you love and something that simply hangs in your closet.  Store-bought patterns usually need a bit of finessing to take them from a general size to an individual's perfect fit. Sandra Betzina, the host of HGTV's Sew Perfect, knows exactly how to alter a pattern to compensate for just about every figure flaw or to accommodate any figure type. Fast Fit is packed with dozens of clear analyses of all the "problem areas"--from broad back to thin neck, sloping shoulders to large upper arms, big tummy to bowed legs--and step-by-step solutions to turn a standard pattern into something that corrects the fit in each area.

10.  Fast, Fun and Easy Fabric Boxes: Eight Great Designs -- Unlimited Possibilities by Linda Johansen
A great book filled with useful information and ideas. Linda Johansen takes her popular fabric-bowl technique a step further with fused fabric boxes that can be made quickly and easily. Thirteen beautiful box projects include square boxes, to-go boxes, treasure chests, and recipe boxes - all with lids. Crafters have unlimited options for creating their own variations with the eight basic box designs offered. They can embellish their boxes with theme fabrics, hand-dyes, or whatever catches their eye. Crafters are even provided with instructions on making truly unique boxes such as a fabric fortune cookie box. • 13 beautiful projects for Square Boxes, To-Go Boxes, Treasure Chests, Recipe Boxes, and more, all with lids included • 8 basic box designs offer unlimited options for creating your own variations • Each box is unique - choose theme fabrics, hand-dyes, or whatever catches your eye, and embellish to suit your style • Make your own quick gifts or gift boxes • BONUS instructions for fabric fortune cookies!

Any of these sewing books would make a very appreciated gift and perfect addition to any sewing library!

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