Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Guide for the Creative Sewist
Review: Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques by Nancy Bednar & JoAnn Pugh-Gannon

Being fairly new to creative sewing, I found this book particularly helpful as a means of learning the techniques needed to upgrade my skills from plain sewing into the creative area.

A few of the many techniques covered include ten different methods of applique, drawn thread techniques, decorative bobbin work, quilting and trapunto quilting, silk ribbon techniques, thread painting and tucks.

For each technique, there is a description of the technique, the sewing machine set-up is given in a clear and concise manner, together with a list of appropriate fabrics and additional requisites. There are colour plates and smaller photos which illustrate the methods of sewing.

The book is mainly devoted to the creative, decorative sewing techniques, but there is also a chapter which covers 'Indispensable Techniques' from Bias Binding to Placket Zippers.

Altogether this is a book which I shall turn to again and again as I learn to make the most of my sewing machine - and to have fun while doing so!

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Guide for the Creative Sewist
Review: Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques by Nancy Bednar & JoAnn Pugh-Gannon

Being fairly new to creative sewing, I found this book particularly helpful as a means of learning the techniques needed to upgrade my skills from plain sewing into the creative area.

A few of the many techniques covered include ten different methods of applique, drawn thread techniques, decorative bobbin work, quilting and trapunto quilting, silk ribbon techniques, thread painting and tucks.

For each technique, there is a description of the technique, the sewing machine set-up is given in a clear and concise manner, together with a list of appropriate fabrics and additional requisites. There are colour plates and smaller photos which illustrate the methods of sewing.

The book is mainly devoted to the creative, decorative sewing techniques, but there is also a chapter which covers 'Indispensable Techniques' from Bias Binding to Placket Zippers.

Altogether this is a book which I shall turn to again and again as I learn to make the most of my sewing machine - and to have fun while doing so!

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable reference!!
Review: I ordered this book because I thought it would be a good "next to the sewing machine" book for reviewing basic stitches (how to do a blind hem stitch, how to reverse applique, etc.) I was pleasantly suprised! This book is a great reference for all of those basic techniques, but it contains tons of great creative ideas as well, like silk ribbon embroidery on the machine, using the marking foot to make fringe, and many more. I use this book all the time for both reviewing the basics and getting inspiration to try something new. The book is well organized, with photographs of each technique. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Great reference book
Review: This book should be in every sewing room! The instructions are detailed and easy to follow. If you only buy one book for your sewing room, this is the one to have. If you buy two, "501 Sewing Tips" from Nancy Z. is another great one filled with extremely helpful tips.

Rating:
Summary: Quick and very practical reference book!
Review: This is a great book, very well written and easy to understand (even for me who's native language is not english and sometimes has difficulty to understand!) and I fully recommend it for the novice as well as the advanced sewer. It is packed with so many different techniques that it's even hard to choose! At the beginning of each techinque you find a short explanation of what you'll actually learn about. Then the Machine Set-up comes: stitch length and width, presser foot, needles, threads, tension. Fabric Choices and if there is any Additional Supplies She lists that too. It also made it very easy on me before shopping, the list was readily waiting for me, so I didn't forget anything to buy.
Next comes the proceedure itself with pictures and under each and every picture you have a very detailed explanation. One technique is about two pages long so it's not even time consuming to sit down and learn one or two technique when you have 15 minutes. There are techniques in it (not much though) which take quiet a few practise but most of it easy to learn. However, there are cons too. The firs and very short part of the book is about maintaining your sewing machine, work area and lighting, etc. There are not many information on these things (She just bareley mentions it). But after all this book wasn't written about that. Also the book can fall apart easily, not a sturdy construction, although it's nicely printed, it'd be good quality if the glue'd hold it together..and one more thing..for all these techniques you'll need just an ordenary sewing machine with different presser feet (no embroidery, computerised machine or serger)!

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable reference!!
Review: This past winter I found this book at the library for the first time. I have a fairly large sewing book collection and when I saw how this book of techniques was presented I was thrilled. I will definately purchase this one. While I had the book I read it like a novel and in my sewing room I constantly was referring to it for new ideas and techniques for different sewing applications. I would recommend putting this book in your shopping cart and then in your sewing room!