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Complete Book of Sewing Techniques: A Practical Guide to Sewing, Patchwork and Embroidery Shown in More Than 900 Step-by-Step Photographs
A practical guide to sewing, patchwork and embroidery shown in step-by-step photographs This comprehensive volume helps you master each technique with confidence. Whether you are cutting out a pattern, turning hems, or deciding which type of seam to use, concise instructions guide you through each stage. All the information you need to design and make your own patchwork quilt is presented, along with cutting and diagrammatic piecing plans for many traditional, popular blocks. From classic hand-stitching to contemporary machine embroidery and every technique in between, the book teaches the skills needed to be a proficient embroiderer.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 16, 2024
I came across this book while browsing at my local library while looking for books on patchwork quilting. As the title suggests, this truly is a practical guide to sewing techniques. The clear layout and colour pictures make it easy to read and follow the steps. Sections are divided as follows:
Sewing - Dorothy Wood provides a guided tour of a sewing machine, an understanding of the different types of fabric, explains lining, interfacing and thread, and all kinds of sewing.
Patchwork - I loved the explanation: "For many pioneering women, making a patchwork quilt offered an opportunity for creative expression in a bleak world. The activity of quilting, too, became a social occasion involving a whole community of women." This section explores materials and equipment, fabric colours, tones, shades and values, choosing wadding (batting) and then covers planning and construction.
Different types of quilts and techniques covered: mosaic quilts, speed-piecing a one-patch block, working with right-angle triangles, American block quilts, piecing star designs, joining g curved seams, English crazy patchwork, Log Cabin designs, Seminole patchwork, hand stitched appliqué, machine appliqué and quilting.
Embroidery - hand and machine embroidery techniques are described and illustrated in detail.
Simply put, I think this book belongs in my personal library.
Sewing - Dorothy Wood provides a guided tour of a sewing machine, an understanding of the different types of fabric, explains lining, interfacing and thread, and all kinds of sewing.
Patchwork - I loved the explanation: "For many pioneering women, making a patchwork quilt offered an opportunity for creative expression in a bleak world. The activity of quilting, too, became a social occasion involving a whole community of women." This section explores materials and equipment, fabric colours, tones, shades and values, choosing wadding (batting) and then covers planning and construction.
Different types of quilts and techniques covered: mosaic quilts, speed-piecing a one-patch block, working with right-angle triangles, American block quilts, piecing star designs, joining g curved seams, English crazy patchwork, Log Cabin designs, Seminole patchwork, hand stitched appliqué, machine appliqué and quilting.
Embroidery - hand and machine embroidery techniques are described and illustrated in detail.
Simply put, I think this book belongs in my personal library.
October 5, 2022
An Excellent book, had to get a copy of my own, borrowed from my local library, so many techniques and explanations clear and easy to follow, From darts and pleats, curtains to tassels a good book to have in your collection if you enjoy sewing and patchwork.
August 30, 2017
Not a complete book of sewing, but a comprehensive one.
December 1, 2014
This is an amazing little book that covers most aspects of sewing, patchwork and embroidery with clear well written text, step by step colour photographs and some simple projects.
The book is in three sections starting with Sewing which gives an excellent grounding in the sometimes baffling world of the huge range of options available. It introduces the reader to the basics of equipment (both hand and machine), fabrics and dressmaking techniques.
Then it moves on to the more specialised areas of patchwork and embroidery.
Patchwork covers specialist equipment, terminology, templates, hand and machine piecing, a variety of blocks and the various forms of applique, quilt assembly and the various forms of quilting and has projects with templates included at the end of the book.
Embroidery covers specialist equipment, preparing fabric, a wide variety of stitches for various uses (illustrated with clear photographs, excellent stitching diagrams and easy to follow text giving a bit of information about each stitch and tips), shisha, ribbon embroidery, counted thread work, assisi, blackwork, drawn-thread work, needlelace, goldwork, beadwork abnd machine embroidery.
Given that most techniques are covered with a two page spread the book is in many ways just an introduction but the information is clear and excellent.
The book is in three sections starting with Sewing which gives an excellent grounding in the sometimes baffling world of the huge range of options available. It introduces the reader to the basics of equipment (both hand and machine), fabrics and dressmaking techniques.
Then it moves on to the more specialised areas of patchwork and embroidery.
Patchwork covers specialist equipment, terminology, templates, hand and machine piecing, a variety of blocks and the various forms of applique, quilt assembly and the various forms of quilting and has projects with templates included at the end of the book.
Embroidery covers specialist equipment, preparing fabric, a wide variety of stitches for various uses (illustrated with clear photographs, excellent stitching diagrams and easy to follow text giving a bit of information about each stitch and tips), shisha, ribbon embroidery, counted thread work, assisi, blackwork, drawn-thread work, needlelace, goldwork, beadwork abnd machine embroidery.
Given that most techniques are covered with a two page spread the book is in many ways just an introduction but the information is clear and excellent.
July 5, 2009
too little detail for beginner or depth for advanced sewer; needs editing (misspellings & some pics miscaptioned); breadth ok
February 3, 2021
This is a one stop reference for all your sewing needs!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews