Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide

by Claire B. Shaeffer

Eliminates the need to search through multiple sewing guides for answers. Thoroughly updated, with the addition of 225 color photos and a fabric and fiber dictionary. Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide is your one-stop sewing resource, with answers to the most common sewing questions and details about the latest advancements in sewing. This new full-color edition contains everything you need to know, and will surely be a reference you will review again and again. In addition to an extensive glossary with answers to the most common sewing questions, this must-have guide includes easy-to-read charts for needle sizes and thread and stabilizer types.

Genres: Sewing, Fashion, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Fashion Design, Dressmaking

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5; 5 stars; A+

Claire Shaeffer's Fabric Sewing Guide is a fantastic resource book for anyone who wants to do some serious sewing. Shaeffer gives detail on practically every type of fabric you can imagine, different variations in the class, special characteristics for sewing, tools you might need and problems you might run into with a particular fabric. That alone makes this a great book but, on top of the fabric info, there are about 100 pages of very detailed information and instruction on seams, finishes, edges, hems, closures, threads, needles for machine and hand sewing and a chapter on hand sewing. Special aspects that I like in any reference book include a good glossary, appendices, a detailed index and a list of other resources. This is a well organized 525 page tome that is easy to use.

This is an expensive book to find in print, I got in on inter library loan, but you can find it in eBook format from specialty stores like Interweave (a great deal as part of a collection of sewing books) or from the usual eBook vendors like Kobo or Amazon. I did read a couple of reviews that complained the Kindle version didn't have a a Table of Contents but the PDF I got from Interweave is an exact replica of the paper version.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible- I can't imagine sewing without it now.

I have been dabbling in light craft and apparel sewing for a few years, but felt pretty unprepared when my sister asked me to make her wedding dress earlier this year. I bought this book as a reference for the project, and found myself going back again and again to this book for fabric and technique advice.

Now that her dress is done, I am excited to jump into other projects and will definitely be using this book as a reference.

[Sandra de Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I wish I had in my personal library of sewing texts. Thorough and helpful. I found words about fabric I’d never heard before. The book is filled with information on virtually every type of fabric, including how to sew with it, recommended things to make, and detailed techniques for sewing techniques. Huge and heavy tome.

[Hari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most thorough, useful, brick of a book to have by your side when it comes to all things fabric. Absolutely indispensable.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone; beginners, advanced etc

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book you sit down and read, more like a reference book you keep next to your sewing machine. I have had it by my side for two months now and I love it. I'm a beginner sewist so sometimes the descriptions of techniques are a little heavy and make my head spin. Overall, a invaluable source of sewing techniques.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hints were a little goofy - not that I'd want them omitted but they were so frequent, it'd make sense to just integrate them into the text. A great resource overall - not my favorite as far as a how-to manual for methods, but impressive as a help to know more about fabrics and how to work with them based on their characteristics.

[Kayleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding. An amazing piece of scholarship.

Setting it aside. this is like an encyclopedia of fabric, so I will be reaching for it over and over again.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a resource book that I will return to again and again.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't actually read every word in this book, I only looked through it, but it's an excellent reference book. I'm adding it to my list because it's a book I'd love to own.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent definitive reference for sewing.