Power Sewing Step-by-Step

Power Sewing Step-by-Step

by: Sandra Betzina

Topics include: waistband seamline, add walking ease, entire wrong side, your garment pieces, nonstretch direction, back inner leg, narrow twill tape, neck seamline, stabilizer strip, hem allowance, swing tack, waist seamline, pant lining, buttonhole foot, vest right side, inner cuff, hem crease, bias skirt, garment neckline, inner leg seam, centered zipper, crotch curve, zipper insertion, regular stitch length, twin needle

Book Description:

Book Description Sandra Betzina, a renowned expert in the field, believes the shift from button-sewing novice to "power sewer" can be achieved with a minimum of fuss. Her Power Sewing Step-by-Step, in a handy spiral binding, does just what the title implies, leading the reader through the successful assembly process for each of a series of garments. Starting with fabric selection, in each chapter Betzina addresses pattern fitting, construction, and finishing. She includes instructions for adding special garment details. For example, in the pants chapter she offers a variety of pockets, shows how to add a lining and choose one of four zipper options, and demonstrates a method of eliminating the waistband altogether.--

The best sewing reference.... -- Being a Sandra Betzina fan with two of her books already, I had to have this one . The book is fabulous - hard-back, spiral bound, multiple clear color pictures, easy to read print, and the book size is very comfortable to handle. Instructions are clear and pictures are referenced by step-number to the project instuctions. Full of tips and sewing alternatives for vests, pants, skirts, dresses and jackets...some are simple...some more complex and challenging, but with the understandable directions given, anyone who sews can have their finished project look so professional! Have read the entire book through once - just like a novel - and continue to spot read certain areas...have already learned many new techniques. If you love to sew and want to improve your skill level, learn new techniques, and make clothes that fit, this is the book to buy.

Power Sewing Step-By-Step -- If you could hire a personal sewing trainer, I think the coach would be like this book. It is inspiring, clear in its direction and entertaining. The photographs are beautiful and the garments are elegant. I think anyone from a novice to an expert will find this book useful. I especially liked the ideas for details that will make a garment special without being overly fussy and crafty. Sandra Betzina also covers wardrobing, fabric selection, fitting and interestingly, how to tell when a garment is not working and to leave it behind without guilt. I was glued to this book till I'd read it cover to cover. Necessary Resource -- This book is a must for sewers of all levels. I wish this would have been available when I was teaching sewing to adults. Ms. Betzina is clear on all instructions, and has obviously put in an extrodinary amount of time sharing her expertise with us. Along with Fabric Savvy, all sewers would benefit from the tips and wonderful photos. Spotty -- Although there were several excellent tips in the book and the directions were clear, sources mentioned in the book were not listed in the back of the book as promised by the author. The best sewing reference... -- Being a Sandra Betzina fan with two of her books already, I had to have this one . The book is fabulous - hard-back, spiral bound, multiple clear color pictures, easy to read print, and the book size is very comfortable to handle. Instructions are clear and pictures are referenced by step-number to the project instuctions. Full of tips and sewing alternatives for vests, pants, skirts, dresses and jackets...some are simple...some more complex and challenging, but with the understandable directions given, anyone who sews can have their finished project look so professional! Have read the entire book through once - just like a novel - and continue to spot read certain areas...have already learned many new techniques. If you love to sew and want to improve your skill level, learn new techniques, and make clothes that fit, this is the book to buy.

Reviews:

Helpful Even For an Experienced Seamstress -- Having sewn since I was an 8-year-old 4-H-er, (more than half a century ago!) but now experiencing arthritic hands and much less time to sew, I find Sandra's tips and descriptions are extremely helpful. She recommends interfacings and linings by brand name and suggests, in great detail, ways to prepare and use current fibers. Though experienced in classic tailoring, I find her tips most useful and am expanding my library with her books just to improve my techniques. Thank you, Sandra, for permitting me to continue to show creativity - more easily! Fantastic! -- This book is worth it for the tip boxes alone. The photos are well-considered (although the styles and fabrics don't appeal to me personally, at least they are less dowdy than some other books out there), the written descriptions are short and sweet, and the production value of the book is tip-top. My only complaint is that I wish I had bought the spiral-bound edition; I have to weight the pages open if my hands are full of sewing. I own a lot of sewing manuals, but this is the one I go back to again and again. As has been mentioned in some reviews, it's not quite for beginners, but if you have basic construction knowledge, this book will improve your work.

Power Sewing Step-by-Step was written to guide you through many of the techniques you have watched on Sew Perfect (my show on HGTV), read in my syndicated sewing column, or seen demonstrated in my seminars. From grainline changes and walking ease to mastering all of the possible zipper applications, this includes the best of my Power Sewing books as well as many, many new techniques, all in a photographed format. The step-by-step photographs will give you a realistic picture of the sewing process and make it easier for you to duplicate these techniques at home. I am continually inspired by techniques I see in ready-to-wear, and I love the challenge of figuring out "how they do that." You will find many of these techniques here, including inserting a zipper opening in a pocket; adding an elasticized back waistband; choosing interfacing and knowing where to put it; making fast, professional hems; creating innovative pockets; trimming a neckline with tiny bias binding; as well as a slick, professional method for joining the bias ends on a neckline. I also explain the nuances of each technique, so you'll get professional, flawless results. This book was a mammoth undertaking for both the publisher and me. However, knowing how much the end result will help you in your own sewing, it was all worth it

Good book - requires some sewing skills -- I bought this book thinking it would be good for a beginner like myself. I soon found out that it assumes you already know basic construction. With that in mind I found it useful once I learned the basic contruction technique for a given garment. As a beginniner I still struggle with it though. I think its better suited for the more advanced sewer. This is the one -- Wow!!!What a book. It is absolutely fantastic. It is arranged so well. The author has broken the book down in sections so that if you want to sew a jacket for instance, simply open the book to that section and everything is explained including tips on using techniques from haute couture to industry tricks. Filled with color photographs using contrasting thread for easy viewing and very clear explanations. The only down side of this book is she boasts of her feats every now and then but don't let that stop you from buying this book because it is a gem. It is even spiral bound for staying open while you sew. The best for mastering technique -- This is a wonderful resource for sewers of all levels who want to learn professional sewing techniques for garments. Clearly written, well-illustrated and thorough in detail, the book will spend many hours as your "mentor" on sewing projects. The language is plain and easy, and takes care to explain technical terms. In addition to some up-front info on interfacings and fabric selection, each chapter is devoted to a clothing piece -- jackets, pants, vests, dresses, etc., and is chock-full of specific walk-me-through-the-steps instructions on how to do this or that part of a garment in a better, faster, or more specialized way. Lots of great tips for customizing pieces, too, and lots of examples of pieces that Sandra has made, with a "how I made this" explanation. Also, she occasionally deconstructs ready-to-wear and couture pieces as a way of showing different options for different effects. The only critique I have is that Betzina's self-promotion is a little heavy-handed, though not offensive.

Think twice -- The title might lead you to think this is a way to sew like store-bought, with tricks and tips to do it all faster and better. Not! With the cost of her patterns, the double and triple sample make-up before you actually cut the fabric you wish to make an item out of, this is only for emulating stores where clothes cost the same as my car. There are helpful tips and tricks but they won't make anything faster or easier; they probably will make the end result better, however and that is worthwhile. Not what I was looking for -- This book has some great tips, but it is for a rather advanced sewer. I'm certainly not a beginner, but I was hoping for some basic instruction, like how much fabric you should buy to make your own bias tape. I did like the zipper techniques, and have used them successfully. I thought way too much time was spent on vests. If you like Betzina's style and want to emulate it, you will probably get more from this book than I did. A MUST! -- This book is fabulous for sewers. She even explains how to alter ready-to-wear clothes you already have. If there is a crease under the waistband in the back iof your jeans..here is the problem, and here is what you doDo you have "smile" lines in the front or the back of your pants..here is the problem and how to correct it forever.I got out my jeans and fixed the problem immediately and this information..on all kinds of clothes I already own and am about to make has proved to be so useful..you cannot begin to imagine

Making Perfect Sewing a Reality -- Sandra is not only known for her t.v. show "Sew Perfect," but for her patterns based on realistic sizes carried by Vogue. That she was able to convince a major pattern company to offer this was awesome, I think, because she could have stayed with the independent companies. This is a book based on reality sewing, just as her sizes are realistic. It helps the sewer bridge the gap between your "eye", knowing something isn't "sew-perfect" and what your aspirations are. She continually addresses frustrations that occur and explains how to solve them. She thoughtfully has the book made in a spiral format, with clear step-by-step instructions. Its like being in a classroom. Great photos alone worth the purchase! -- Seeing all the photos of Sandra's creative wardrobe in Fabric Savvy was enough to make me decide to order this book. The book is very well organized with lots of great tips and photos. Wish something like this had been available when I started sewing... My favorite part of the book is seeing all the great photos of Sandra's clothing - this is enough to inspire anyone! She provides pattern numbers for most of the clothing shown - which is great for now because the book is new and most of the patterns are still available! This book would make a wonderful gift for a beginning sewer who is interested in making fine clothing.