Rating: 
Summary: Add this one to your must have list.
Review: Carol Ahles has done a wonderful job of making the reader comfortable with the practical use of many of the decorative stitches on today's newer sewing machines. The color pictures are beautiful and inspirational. I especially liked the reference sections with machine settings to assist in achieving the perfect results every time. This book is easy to read and an absolute must for anyone contemplating a new sewing machine or trying to master the one they already own.
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Summary: Comprehensive study of heirloom sewing techniques.
Review: Excellent chapeters on hemstitching, fagotting, pintucking and more. Everyone should read this book before they purchase a new machine. The photographs are inspiring and beautiful. Even if you don't do heirloom sewing, the book has an outstanding chapter on precision sewing which will increase your skill tenfold.
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Summary: i improved the first time i used it
Review: I shied away from getting this book at first, i wasn't sure if it was for me, so many books are written with the husqvarna or elna in mind (i have a babylock) but i finally bought it, because it really is for any type of sewing machine (although it does use the hemstitches that are on the computerized machines) In a bout of insomnia i took this book out and started reading cover to cover, and i realized that i have been using the wrong presser foot!! No wonder my fabric has been puckering and getting crammed into the needle plate, i had been using my zig-zag satin foot when i should have been using my regular foot (ya there is a difference!) There are little things like that as well as techniques like corded buttonholes, scallops, pin tucks, hem stitching (point of paris, venitian, you'll even find out what to do with that daisy stitch) Sewing heirloom laces together is discussed, and there are beautiful blouses for you to try. As a tatter, i really liked the one with the column of tatted insertion.Besides sewing techniques and stitches, this book discusses optional presser feet, and also how to choose a sewing machine, something very valuable if you are thinking of geting into heirloom sewing and are in the market to get a computerized machine. Bring it with you to a trusted dealer!
Rating:
Summary: A book to place beside your machine
Review: This book contains the most up-to-date information on the new machines that I have seen. The photos are clear, matching the text in accuracy, inspiration, and easy to follow directions. How did I use my Bernina 1530 to full advantage without this book? It has maximized my skills and increased my awareness of the machine's capabilities.
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Summary: Finally - someone shows you how!
Review: This book is just awesome! I also am from Webster, NY, and also had an Elna Heirloom Edition sewing machine, which I sold, and now also have a Husqvarna Designer II. I could have written the exact same review as the first one! This wonderful book shows you just how to accomplish all of the heirloom techniques that none of the manuals or videos that come with today's sewing machines show you how to do. It was just so frustrating! I could not understand how the entredeux stitch on the Designer II could ever resemble hand-made entredeux, but now I know! I agree, the ads in the magazines show you all of the samples of what the machines are capable, but nobody shows you how to do it! This book answered all of my questions, the pictures are clear and very helpful, and the book is extremely well written! A must have for everyone with a high tech sewing machine who wants to know how it really works! The stitch charts at the end of this book for all of the current sewing machines is worth its weight in gold!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific sewing techniques book.
Review: This is an incredible book. It is clearly written with profusely illustrated with excellent quality photos. It has greatly expanded my ideas about what is possible on a sewing machine. I read it from cover to cover even though I don't actually plan to use many of the techniques. However, I have already put the author's advice on blind hemming and narrow hemming into practice. I am also intrigued by the possibilities of hemstitching (stitching hems and hemstitching are totally different things). I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best book about sewing technique
Review: This is an incredible book. It is clearly written with profusely illustrated with excellent quality photos. It has greatly expanded my ideas about what is possible on a sewing machine. I read it from cover to cover even though I don't actually plan to use many of the techniques. However, I have already put the author's advice on blind hemming and narrow hemming into practice. I am also intrigued by the possibilities of hemstitching (stitching hems and hemstitching are totally different things). I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: This is one of the few books that I actually learned something new. The pictures are fabulous. I have used the wing needle hemstitch techniques many times. A fabulous book for all levels.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: This is one of the few books that I actually learned something new. The pictures are fabulous. I have used the wing needle hemstitch techniques many times. A fabulous book for all levels.
Rating:
Summary: Fine Machine Sewing
Review: What a great book! To me this is the bible of heirloom sewing and techniques. I am a green beginner and find this book explains everything I need to know about my machine and heirloom sewing to be me going on the right track.
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