A Beginner's Guide to Machine Sewing ~ Book Review

A Beginner's Guide to Machine Sewing

by Clementine Collinet

ISBN: 9781844489961

Publisher: Search Press

Publication: 26 March 2014

RRP Price: £12.99

The first thing that strikes me with this book is the fantastic way it is set out.

There are multitudes of pictures so you can see the step-by-step process.

The book is easily laid out so you can learn the techniques and use them

to create beautiful projects.

With 50 lessons and 15 projects it offers fantastic value for money.

The first section takes you through everything you need to know before starting.

Before starting 8 

Your sewing machine 10 

Preparing the bobbins 12 

The ideal sewing box 14 

Commonly used terms 17 

Sewing simple items 20 

All the information is backed up with large easy to see pictures

so at a glance you know what the details are talking about.

From there it's onto the first set of lessons and the project that goes

along with everything you are learning.

I love this format. 

It means at each stage you are practising each technique.

There is no better way to learn than doing.

The first lessons cover:

Prepare your work 24 

Sewing using a straight stitch 25 

Make a corner seam 26 

Finish off a seam: reverse stitch or knot 28 

Oversewing 30 

Cutting 30 

Closing up a seam 31 

Simple cushion 32 

As you can see the pictures are clear at all the stages so you 

can see if you are doing it right.

I hate it when books that are teaching you don't have pictures

to help you along.

This isn't a problem with this book!

There are a varied set of projects so you can learn all the many

skills you will need to machine sew.

The next section covers:

Working from a template 36 

Sewing shapes 37 

Adding a piece of fabric 37 

Sewing several layers of fabric 38 

Covering a button 40 

Sewing a button using your presser foot 41 

Closing up a seam by hand using small, invisible stitches 41 

Soft toy 42 

Each of the projects gives you a varied range of skills

and items to make.

The next sections covers:

Using a zigzag stitch 48 

Sewing bias binding in one single seam 49 

Bunting 50 

I love the variety of the projects and the way in such a short time 

you can be making so much for yourself.

As all the different techniques are spilt it also means

that if you are having issues with any sewing you are

doing to can check the book to see if you can resolve the issue.

The next sections covers:

Embroidering a buttonhole 54 

Topstitching a pocket 56 

Sewing on a flat button 57 

Preparing drawstring casing 58 

Preparing a tape 60 

Sliding a tape or piece of elastic into a drawstring casing 61 

Small drawstring bag 62 

The lessons are clear and easy to understand.

The step-by-step process helps you to learn them

bit by bit and not feel overwhelmed.

The next section covers:

Sewing frills 66 

Following guide marks 67 

Frilly flower brooches 68 

Sew your own clothes 70 

Sewing darts 74 

Sewing facings 75 

Making a fine tape 76 

Hem by machine 77 

Simple, strappy top 78 

Work with raw edges and seam allowances 82 

Make bias binding 83 

Sew bias binding 84 

Sew on press studs 85 

Skirt 86 

Sewing a shoulder 90 

Inserting a sleeve 91 

Making a reversible garment 92 

Baby’s reversible kimono 96 

Sew accessories 98 

Add rickrack braid 102 

Attach heading tape 103 

Make a flat hem 104 

White curtains 106 

Stiffening fabric 110 

Sewing an appliqué 111 

Inserting a zip fastener 112 

Cushion with star appliqué 114 

Quilting 118 

Quilted throw 122 

Preparing and sewing simple patchwork 126 

A patchwork throw 130 

Prepare and sew piping 134 

Attaching piping to a cushion 136 

Cushion with piping 138

Sew a bag 140 

Making a reversible bag 144 

Preparing and attaching straps 145 

Adding a braid 147 

Shoulder bag 148 

Embellishing with decorative stitches 152 

Removing excess fabric 153 

Denim bag 154

Not only do you get all the lessons & projects in the book

you also get 3 full sized patterns.

They come in a handy slot in the back of the book

so you don't loose them.

This is a fantastic book and I have learnt so much from it already.

If you want to learn to use a sewing machine then it's ideal.

If you don't have all the sewing skills you want then this

book is very handy.

There is so much covered and presented in an easy to understand fashion.

I received a copy of the book to review.

However all opinions expressed are my own.

Affiliate links are included on the post.

No monies were exchanged.