Vogue Sewing

by Vogue Knitting

The bestselling guide to sewing gets a freshening up!

And it’s from Vogue®: the most respected name in needlework.

 

A trusted classic since 1975, Vogue® Sewing has remained a consistent bestseller and sewer’s favorite. Now it’s been fully revised and updated, with the latest information and all-new photographs and illustrations, introduction, and page layout.  From choosing a machine to mastering couture techniques, it covers everything stitchers need to know to make professional and fashionable garments. It’s certain to remain the premier sourcebook for sewers everywhere.

            This technique-rich Vogue’® manual 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 a plethora of photos that showcase different options for both beginners and those more expert with a needle.

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

450 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Vogue Knitting is SoHo Publishing's flagship title. Launched over twenty-five years ago, VK has set the bar for knitting, working with the biggest and most talented names in fashion today, including Michael Kors and Anna Sui. Led by Editor Trisha Malcolm, VK is published quarterly.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is totally rocking my world. If my mom would have gotten this for me at age 10, i would have been coco chanel by now.

[Patrick Horgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a lot of good techniques, but as a beginning sewer it is really annoying that they purport to give you all the information that you need as a beginner from the beginning of the book, but as you read through you get more and more over your head because they keep assuming more and more information about sewing that they have never taught.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually have an 80s edition but it's not listed in here so I am adding this 2000 edition instead.

This is a really solid reference. I read it pretty much cover to cover but there's a lot that's hard for me to absorb without immediately applying it to a project. There is a bit at the beginning of the book that I think really dates it, primarily that it tells you that if you don't like the way you look you should just go ahead and lose weight. I would imagine that's been removed from later editions.

Definitely a worthwhile reference to have available, and pretty comprehensive. I'm positive I'll be referring back to it often.

[Emma-jane Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best sewing books I have ever found. If you are like me and your childhood had to be more academic than creative, you will have missed out on many hours experimenting with fabrics. I wanted to fast track to understanding what I was doing and this book gave me all the logic I needed to understand how to construct and fit garments properly.

I prefer vintage fashion so I bought a copy published more in the era I was wanting. I expect the updated versions are fabulous too.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just purchased "The Sewing Book" when this arrived via inter-library loan. For some reason, I'd expected Vogue Sewing to be boring, less informative, and dry, but I ended up loving it. It doesn't have the detailed illustrations of The Sewing Book or The Sewing Bible, but it does have very informative sections on working with different types of fabric and tailoring that I really enjoyed.

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic, encyclopedic guide. The fashions are ridiculously dated, but the technical advice is sound.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The section about body figures is rude and outdated thinking. (I own the 2000 edition) Most everything else is very helpful to a beginner. This is a very handy encyclopedia.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a beginning seamstress, I think this is an exceptional reference manual for understanding the basics of sewing, from different fabrics to different stitches. It is also from Vogue, and everybody knows they make the best (and hardest to make) patterns. Saying that, I have been sewing for nearly twenty years, and I did not find this book useful at all. It didn't saying anything I hadn't heard before, or learned from personal experience. If you already know a lot of the basics of sewing, this book will feel more like a review. And being not a fan of 1970s fashion, I also struggled with some of their "tips" on fashion and so many of the rather hideous "fashionable" pieces the book examines. I have a sewing book from the 1950s which does all this and also gets more detailed into timeless fitting. But this still serves a purpose for beginning seamstresses.

[Samantha Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really only a beginner's guide. Great for that, but not practiced sewists like myself. I learned nothing.

[Erika Mulvenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE how-to sewing book. Everything you ever wanted to know about sewing but were afraid to ask is included in this book with clear, concise directions, illustrations, and photographs. My copy is from the 1971 third printing of the first edition, I have not seen the new version - but I still think this is a MUST HAVE for anyone who sews.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific reference guide for those who love to sew. I am not sure if would be helpful for an absolute beginner, however. If you love to sew & have a little experience at it this is a must!

[Pam Novack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my go-to reference books for sewing. My mother gave me my copy when I was a teenager and, even though it's been updated, I still like referring to my original copy. It's a great resource!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best primers on basic sewing and patterning. This book covers everything and is a great reference book.

[Kidsbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for the home sewer, no matter how much sewing you do. It is a book that you will turn to again and again.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid sewer and have referred to this book over and over again for years, it is the best reference for sewing ever written!!!!!!
GENIUS!!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear pictures and descriptions. I'll have to look more closely when I have a specific problem or am ready to do a garment.

[Arya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just skimmed through this book when a sort-of-friend let me borrow it. I definitely need to reread this book. It seemed very detailed, informative, and helpful.

[Patty R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really get to finish this book but from what I've read so far I might have to add this y o my sewing library.

[Maria Alejandra]

great