I have been sewing for about one year now. I started out with simple shaft covers for my horse drawn cart, then after my mother gave me the machine I sewed it on, I bought this book. I started out with pajama bottoms, as Nancy suggested and have moved on to dresses, curtains, skirts and pajamas. Guess I'm hooked.
Nancy's book has been a life saver. Even though I have bought patterns for beginners, the directions were not always clear. I just looked up the technique in Nancy's book and then it was simple.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

I have been sewing for about one year now. I started out with simple shaft covers for my horse drawn cart, then after my mother gave me the machine I sewed it on, I bought this book. I started out with pajama bottoms, as Nancy suggested and have moved on to dresses, curtains, skirts and pajamas. Guess I'm hooked.
Nancy's book has been a life saver. Even though I have bought patterns for beginners, the directions were not always clear. I just looked up the technique in Nancy's book and then it was simple.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

This book has a number of flaws that make it less than a joy to use. The instructions are competent enough, but given the number of books available and the basic nature of the sewing, this should be expected. Even so, I would have given more detail to the diagrams to show what exactly the written instructions are talking about. The small section on how to take your own measurements was helpful in its simplicity. But I didn't like much else about the book: the projects were generally unappealing, especially the jeans curtain that is very much a niche interest, if you see what I mean. If only a handful of projects can be presented in an introductory sewing book, why can't they be the most useful and attractive ones for a general audience? I find the book visually offputting, too, with all sorts of rather unpleasant color tones on the pages, and frumpy fabric choices. The author knows sewing, but her book completely lacks esthetic appeal. If this were a manual on fixing your printer, I wouldn't care. But learning to sew requires you to spend time in the company of the book. Sewing is a creative endeavor involving color, texture, and design. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but in any case, it counts. This is not a book to stoke one's interest. Finally, entire chapter-heading pages are taken up with useless photos above ludicrously inappropriate motivational blurbs. This is not a heal-yourself self-help book and heaven knows why such over-the-top statements were considered necessary. Frankly embarrassing. On the other hand, the "motivational memo" insets were mainly not motivating at all, just technical bits of advice. That's fine, but "quick memo" would have been better. The book is less than it should be while trying hard to be something it shouldn't.

This is a good book. I wish it had a little more information in it, but it covers the basics of beginning sewing very well.

This book is very easy to understand and is great for you if you are just beginning to sew. You get all the information you need to start sewing! I found this book easy to read, very informative and overall I loved it!

I grew up watching my mom sew, but I never learned how myself. This book, in Nancy's wonderful teaching style brought me past watching to doing. I'm not making clothes yet, but I've ventured into many home projects and am becoming more confident all the time. I use this book often as a reference- a great place to go to recount all the steps for a successful project. Nancy covers all the basics that gives the foundation for learning to sew & have fun doing it & doing it well.

This book has really helped refresh my memory. It is easy to read. The explanations and directions are clear and concise.

This is a good guide for beginners, or as a review and reference for experienced sewers. Nancy's books are always well illustrated, and the organization of information makes sense. I like her methods, and the text doesn't overwhelm a new sewer like some books might. Highly recommended.

This is a very good book for beginner sewers. Its easy to
understand and gives good tips for todays' sewing fabrics and
machines. I thoughly enjoyed reading it. It has easy to
understand diagrams and pictures.