It goes over everything from what different design elements do for your form to . . .
. . . what colors and textures do for your shape . . .
. . . to how different fabrics are woven or knitted together to . . .
. . . tailoring techniques in jackets (could have used this in the Great Coat Sew Along) . . .
. . . how the heck do you padstitch anyway?? . . .
. . .plus some groovy home decor tips and patterns.
The best part for me? It's the original book from 1976 and it's mint.
Wow! Very good. Thanks for sharing. I may need to check out some neighborhood thrift stores...especially with this being the end of the year. Who knows?! BTW: I enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI used to pooh pooh the idea of a Reader's Digest guide to sewing, but it so good! (it's not condensed!)
ReplyDeleteThe teen sewing projects are way groovy.
Wow - this post has taken me for a trip down memory lane! My mum had that book (even though she wasn't much of a sewer) and I remember devouring it as a young girl when I started teaching myself how to sew. I used to love the part about the tailoring as well - the diagrams made it all look so easy! Fast forward 30+ years and I still don't know how to padstitch :D
ReplyDeleteI read so many great reviews of this book and wanted to buy one until I saw the photos of the inside. It looked really familiar. I checked my sewing books and realized that I have a Slovene translation of that book at home and have used it a lot of times. I just never bothered to check the publisher of the original.
ReplyDeleteThis really is a wonderful reference book.
Excellent find! I ended up getting a copy last year for reference and pictures.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a basic comprehensive sewing book and it looks like you found a good one. I also recommend The Complete Book of Sewing (DK Publishing) as a general reference.
ReplyDeleteI envy you. I think we have the same book in our library down town, but to own one is something completely different.
ReplyDeleteI only have one sewing book: Sewing with Burda from 1978 and use it quite often, so yours, which is quite a book, with many more pages than Sewing with Burda, will be very helpful.
I have the updated version of the Reader's Digest one and love it! My abolute fave used books, however, are the ones by Adele Margolis. How to Make Clothes that Fit and Flatter is a true gem. The woman was a genius!
ReplyDeleteI have that version, too, but had completely forgotten about it. I remember the joy I had as a teenager/young adult reading through it and devouring its contents. Thank you so much for reminding me of this great resource!
ReplyDeleteThis was the book I learned to sew from! That edition too. Honestly, I got that book and it taught me everything I know. I loaned it to a friend who now doesn't even recall me giving it to her :(
ReplyDeleteThis book was the textbook for my sewing class in college, circa 1977. Still is a great book! Mary
ReplyDeleteOh that is such a great book! I have had mine for several years and this past summer found one for my sister at a swap meet. Definitely a keeper!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have my mother's copy! I suggest this book to every sewer/sewist I know because it has almost everything. I also have their Needlework companion book which covers cross-stitch, crewel, embroidery, etc.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I have that book and I LOVE it. It has been my go-to book for tons of things, especially fly-front zippers. Just had to chime in and say you have a gem there!
ReplyDeleteI have the Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing..bought it new way back when. I spent many nights with that book when I lost track of time and pulled all nighters trying to get something finished. Now I'm asleep by 9:30.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great find. I own many sewing and craft books, yet this is the one that I pull out most frequently.
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I have that book, that edition, and I love it. I used it first years ago, to help me sew the 3 bridesmaids dresses for my sister's wedding, when all I had done for sewing before that was sew curtains and doll dresses. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat book is my consistent go-to reference. I don't have the original one, but it's still the most useful of all the books making my shelf sag in the middle. Congrats on quite a score.
ReplyDeleteDawn-
ReplyDeleteThis was a required text book for the Apparel Design Curriculum at El Centro in Dallas (the closest thing to having an FIT or Parsons in the big D)in the early 90's. Dallas used to have quite a fashion design/apparel manufacturing colony, before manufacturing was shipped overseas. It is wonderful.
This is one of the best sewing books ever written, you will love it!
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