Excellent beginning to end overview of garment making - plus it gets you really excited about sewing :)
931564
I LOVE this book and I'm so glad I purchased it. It gives an excellent overview of sewing a garment from start to finish. When I say start, I mean it really walks you through the mental process of thinking through a style, color, fabric, and overall look before you even select a pattern. Even though some other sewing books do that, I feel like this particular book is more relevant to me in particular. Like many readers, I'm in my 20s and love to create garments that I can wear out with my friends, to a bar, to work, etc. I don't want to read a sewing book and think in the back of my head "this is totally tailored to someone my grandmother's age". Which, by the way, is totally fine - I have a lot of books on sewing that my grandmother gave me, and I value and learn from each one. However it is nice to read something that was written for a slightly younger audience. :)

Second, there are a million books and a million resources out there that go into exquisite detail about how to do hems, seams, whatever. What's lovely about this book is that it DOESN'T go into fine detail on all of those things. Instead, it points out the importance of those techniques and gives you an overview that's detailed enough for you to give it a shot and make a successful garment without bogging you down and overwhelming you. I read this book in 2 days and felt EXCITED about making a dress; not like "holy crap, I'll never figure this out and master this because it is so complicated". I can always do more research into how to master a full bust adjustment; right now, I just want to make a dress that fits - and that's what this book helps you do.

Last but not least, the book is beautifully laid out and produced. It sits next to my dense copy of Vogue Sewing (a more detailed reference book of garment making start to finish). When I want more detail on a technique, I reach for Vogue Sewing (or YouTube!) When I get bogged down in the intricacies and details of a pattern and start to find myself overwhelmed, I find myself reaching for the Colette Sewing Handbook. It serves as a little reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing - because sewing is fun, it's beautiful and I get to create something really cool. Even just flipping through this book is perfect for that.
3479258
Not just for sewing, this beautiful book has several types of great projects!! The photography is beautiful, the projects are well thought-out, and so CUTE!!!! This would be a very inspiration book to add to your sewing library!
The author, Jennifer Paganelli, is such an encouragement to the reader. And her passion for what she does shows through in this wonderful book!
397301
Kay Whitt has written a fantastic sewing book that gives sewists many tools to begin creating a cute and stylish wardrobe that will work for women of many ages, using just a few patterns.

What I Like: The basic designs in this book are very flattering on many body types--raglan sleeves and empire waists are can't miss styles! The garments are neither young nor old looking--you can visual them on women of many different ages, just with a change of fabric. Additionally, the models in the book are women of different sizes--which you so rarely see. Kay also does an outstanding job of demonstrating what a difference fabric choices can make, turning casual garments into something fancy with a change of fabric and embellishment. Finally, Kay's illustrations and drawings really make this book shine--you really get a sense of her design process by looking at the drawings the precede each garment and the step-by-step illustrations will be a life-saver for sewists who are new to stitching more complicated garments.

What Could Improve:
I'm not convinced that the body measurements in the book are actually body measurements--I found that, in the dress pattern, the body measurements in my edition of the book were identical to the flat pattern measurements, which means there would be negative ease if I cut my size according to the body measurements chart. So, I suggest that--just as the Kay suggests, you make a muslin, take careful body measurements and save the excess pattern parts that you cut away in case you need to go up a size. (If you get more into garment sewing, you'll need to invest in a fit book, such as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fast-Fit/dp/1561586498/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fast Fit</a>.)

Despite that I noticed some strange inconsistencies with the measurements in the book (I suspect this is a result of editing, as opposed to writing/designing), I wholeheartedly recommend this sewing book. It's one of the few garment sewing books that's not just a simple A-line skirt and maybe a shapeless top. These are real clothes, for real people, with discussions of important topics like seam finishing and fit. For experienced folks, the patterns in the book are worth the price and more--I got tons of ideas for customization and embellishments from this book and am excited to sew more from it!
1070709
I was impressed with the wide array of projects on this book, and there are many I plan on making (laptop case, messenger bag, and craft apron in particular).  The directions seem clear and well illustrated, and all of the project examples are made up in gorgeous and fun fabrics, which I found to be a wonderful source of inspiration.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for beginning-to-intermediate sewing projects with a youthful twist.
2622101
This book did a great job in explaining the terms, techniques and patterns of sewing. It helps the reader to learn how to master a sewing machine. The tips in this book are useful and the eight beginners patterns are pretty. Well written and highly recommended!
2267591
This is the best sewing book I've ever had.  I love making clothing for my grand daughters, and this book offers a fantastic chapter(s) on garment construction.  I'm also a quilter, and basic sewing techniques are also presented in a clear and concise manner that are easy enough for anyone new to sewing.
3389380
This is an exceptional book on designing and creating shirts. It assumes you know basic sewing; this is not a book about sewing. Coffin deconstructs shirts into five different blocks or basic shapes: dress shirt, sport shirt, knit shirt, folk shirt, and shirt jacket. He also shows various collars-so many collars!-, cuffs and pockets with glorious details. By adding these collars & cuffs to the various blocks, you have nearly limitless options in your shirt- any of which, of course, can be used in a womens blouse just as well.

He does show some sewing tips: sewing without pins (wow), stitching seams, how to fold and put together a placket, and the best way to turn a point- essential for nice looking collars. Along the way are example shirts, designer pages and what theyve made, how to copy an existing shirt, and pages of helpful resources: books, classes, software, and websites. There is also bonus material- mainly patterns- that will be available online but as of today (6/22/2015) only some of it seems to be working.

This is one of those books that I know Ill turn to again and again. While not a tailoring book, the author does give a lot of tips. One thing that fascinated me was how the Duke of Windsors collars were made- obviously of the highest quality but a method that looks incomplete from the wrong side! It has a purpose, of course- to reduce bulk. Its things like that that make this book so interesting.
3237524
As someone who returned to sewing after a 20 year absence, I found this book a wonderful way to "jump start" into projects.  The instructions were clear and the illustrations made each project a "never fail" project.  Also, there are dozens of tips and sewing term explanations throughout the book that were helpful as well.  Coats & Clark even suggests the different fabrics you can use for each project which was a plus for me.  I've completed all but one project from the book and get raves from people who see my handiwork.  There are so many DIY projects and suggestions for decorating your home in this one book, it was well worth buying.
1304947
This book takes you step by step to help create garments out of knit fabric. We start with a chapter about sewing equipment. Later another chapter is about different stitches that can be used with knit fabrics. Then we learn the different types of knit fabrics and their properties.

Several chapters are regarding patterns: sizing, making your own, handling and storage. The rest of the book is filled with patterns and instructions for making the garments. Near the end is a chapter of creative ideas that can be used to spice up your wardrobe a bit. At the end there is a folder that holds the patterns for a basic tee, a hooded raglan tee, and a dress or skirt.

As a sewer, I couldn't wait to get this book! I've sewn just about everything I could think of, but I've always had a difficult time with stretchy fabrics. For some reason my machine just wouldn't make the pieces hold together and the fabric pieces never seemed to match up right. Now that I've read this book, I know exactly what I've been doing wrong.

The basic knowledge about equipment and fabrics is great for beginners and the creativity will help all sewers. The pattern pieces and instructions that are included make it easy for a beginner to figure out how to create clothing, while the ideas that have been added in each section will allow a more seasoned sewer to come up with new ideas. I was a little disappointed at how small the section is for spicing up your wardrobe, however. I was hoping for some really great ideas, and I got those, but not very many. If this section had been expanded it would have been an amazing book.

This is a great book for anyone who's learning to sew, an intermediate sewer, or an advanced sewer.

Armchair Interviews agrees.
276293
This book has really easy to follow steps which are suitable for complete beginners and those with previous knowledge and need a little refresher. Zeena provides great info about the types of mediums you can use and everything is so accessible and most items used in the printing process can be found in your home.
The photography in the book is so beautiful and all the sewing projects are all very tasteful and modern.
I will be buying this book for all my friends as Christmas gifts!
539691
I am new to the world of wool applique but loving every minute that I get a chance to work on my first project.  And now I'm even more motivated to finish it, so that I can make something from Debbie Busby's new book Sew Many Notions.  The projects and photos in the book are just as gorgeous as the book cover. There is a great introduction to wool applique and embroidery in the book, which makes this book excellent for the beginner and more experienced alike. The instructions are thorough and well written, with great diagrams and tips along the way. I'm super in love with the Button Wreath Penny Mat and thinking I may have to take some time this week to make a few Simple Tomato Pincushions.  With 80 pages and too many projects to count, you definitely get your monies worth with this book!
2092819
This book puts in one place all the different ways you know how to work  fabric: pleats, gathers, darts, etc.  All the little things you learned  over the years and never got to categorize, plus a few new ones you didn't  think of yet.  This lady deserves a standing ovation for putting together  what so many of us know, but never put to paper.  The fact that all the  work is done on white material adds to the ability to see exactly what she  is doing; no prints or stripes to detract from the simplistic beauty of  worked fabric. This book is good for any one, be you beginner or  experienced sewing hand.  It has, in a short 2 weeks, become one of my  favorite books and earned the top shelf honors!
3403495
I have been sewing for many years and had recently started a fashion design course. In purchasing this book I was after simple straight forward instructions on garment construction to supplement my course. I have a very well used copy of the first published 1976 copy of this book,this latest updated version meets all my expectations in regard to the ease of reading and finding the techniques that I require with plenty of pictures to enhance the learning process. I would certainly recommend this book to the beginner right through to the advanced sewer, after all we could all do with a refresher with regard to our techniques. This book will be one of the most important assets in your sewing room. Happy and successful sewing.
2384720
I looked at a *lot* of sewing books before I selected this one for my wife's birthday. You could say that I thoroughly educated myself on this subject (and the various books available) before parting with my dollars, and much to my relief, it appears that I got it right!  This book is excellent - well written, a joy to read, full of clear and interesting projects. The author, Kandi Christian, is clearly an expert in her subject, and her joy in sharing sewing shines thoughout the book. My wife - who is somewhat of a sewing expert in her own right - was *very* happy with this birthday present, and as she read it, has remarked on how good this book is many times. She's really enjoyed the style, as well as the content.  I would heartily recommened this book.
2907522
This is a great attachment book.  I am super impressed with the concise simplicity the author has in describing, demonstrating, and discussing the varied attachments.  I have lots of sewing machines and weird parts come with vintage machines.  Lots of mystery parts were revealed in this book.  You can find a lot of this information on the Internet but this is a handy reference guide to physically be able to use while sewing.  I hate messing with tiny images on a device while sewing.  Much easier to use a real book and cookbook stand to prop it open instead of have to constantly touch the screen to keep it lit. I refer to it over and over.
4544818
I had started sewing maybe a year ago, just making little projects here and there, mostly just bags and things to organize various items in.  Just recently (within the past 4 months), I had fallen in love with the design and construction of corsets.  I had never used a pattern for any of the three corsets I have made to date and was very proud of my accomplishment, however, they weren't the quality I had wanted to produce.  I had been stumped by the limitations of my $60 Brother sewing machine and haven't had the money to upgrade.  I decided that I would learn sewing by hand, and make a completely handmade corset.  I had researched different methods of stitching and pattern design online, but nothing that I had seen really made an impact on my style and design.  So I decided to put up the $20 to buy a book about the finer techniques of sewing.  This book is absolutely amazing, the incredibly informative and descriptive writing style, accompanied with beautiful graphics, photos and illustrated techniques was a godsend.  The book actually flows through the subjects with phenomenal continuity, and allows you to basically practice as you go along, by illustrating step by step stitches, techniques, tips and tricks.  The author has amazing knowledge and credentials, and many of the photos of garments are from her own personal collections.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to learn how to make clothes entirely by hand, or even just understand how different stitches and techniques will help you with machine sewing.  Great book for beginners and amateurs alike, but would probably not recommend it for the advanced seamstress.
4123265
This book is wonderful for first time sewers.  I had just received my sewing machine and literally did not know where to start.  This book explains it all.  From what you need in your sewing kit, to easy patterns and projects to give you confidence to create your own pillows, totes and a simple skirt.  I highly recommend for beginners.