About this How-To Guide

This how-to guide is for all age groups; for the teenager, the working girl, the young wife and mother; for anyone looking for a creative hobby; for those who have discovered that sewing can be exciting as well as economical.

Dressing well is an art, so the first section explains how to use art principles, optical illusions and facts regarding color behavior to minimize figure faults and to emphasize good points. Learn to recognize good designs in pattern books and ready-made clothing. Learn to visualize fabrics made into garments.

Constructing a garment is like a problem in mathematics; a mistake in the first step will carry through all the succeeding steps. Follow an order of work and form good working habits. Learn the meaning of sewing terms to enable you to follow instructions. Realize that accuracy in body measurements, pattern adjustments and stitching will reduce fitting problems to a minimum. Learn to do your own fitting. Master basic sewing techniques and apply them to many steps in garment construction.

No garment is better than the fabric from which it's constructed. The information on fabrics will be of assistance when shopping either in person or by telephone. The “on-the-spot” tests to determine quality and durability of fabrics will be useful when selecting fabrics for sewing and for home furnishings, also when buying ready-made garments.

We hope your sewing will prove a pleasant and a profitable pastime; and this guide will help you to select and handle patterns and fabrics intelligently; to judge quality; to choose flattering styles and colors and to make clothing which has that “professional look” which accompanies good workmanship from start to finish.