I bought this book based on the reviews along with Sew Everything Workshop. This book was thin, it didn't have much information, and only three patterns. If you use the patterns, it's worth the books cost. A better bet though is Sew Everything Workshop. It's packed with well-organized and interesting information. It comes with ten patterns (you'll duplicate them if you buy both books). I'm an absolute beginner, I just bought my sewing machine this week but even for a beginner Sew Fast, Sew Easy isn't worth the money.

I am a Professor in a Fashion Design Department of a State University. I have tested out several Sewing Books and the Best one with a really great method to learn how to sew is the Sew Fast Sew Easy book. All the other books are re-writes from the 70's and just as confusing as the originals. The Sew Fast Sew Easy Book is written by a true professional and has an easy method to learn all the basics of sewing.

I think this book was a little thin on the instruction side. It cost just as much as other books but hardly contained photos. I got the same information as I did in other books. I enjoyed the patterns included, but sewing seemed more like a chore than a fun thing to do.

I love my Sew Fast Sew Easy book. It was so easy to follow and helped me out a lot. The illustrations are done really well and have a lot of detail. This book does a good job covering basics that you wouldn't normally think about like making sure the straight grain is parrallel to the selvage when cutting out and that your fabric doesn't move and how to measure that. It's great, the information in this book. Plus the sewing patterns that it comes with are basic beginner patterns. Great for learning with. One anoying thing though, Amazon has this book listed under a BARGIN PRICE but it's not a bargin price at $19. I had to search "Sew Fast Sew Easy" to get the new book from Amazon at $16. Really weird. I wish Amazon didn't offer books like that, it's really deceiving. Enjoy your book, happy sewing!

I am completely new to sewing, so new that I had no idea how to cut out a pattern. I found a few videos on YouTube that explained how to pin the pattern to the fabric and then start cutting. Anyway, the good things about the book are that it's a very quick read because it's so small, and it does cover most of the basics like getting to know your sewing machine. However, I would recommend Sewing 101 in addition to or instead of this book, as it explains how to lay out the fabric and how to cut, etc. Sewing 101 and Home Decor Sewing 101 have better photos and illustrations of the different steps in making an item, i.e. a pillow or a shower curtain or whatever, and I appreciate the detailed step-by-step illustrations that these books provide.

I learned to sew with this book and have had great sucess. I just bought the new book "Sew On" to progress my sewing and the patterns and projects are amazing! I have learned even more techniques with the new book and I still use my Sew Fast Sew Easy book for reference. I'm really happy with these books from Amazon.

The book is probably best for true novices. I was never much of a sewer and it has been 30 years since I've sewn anything more than a button or hem. I thought I'd need to review the basics, but this book was too basic for me. i was hoping that it would refresh the basics, but lead me a few steps beyond. I can see where it would be helpful for those who are just starting out, so I can't find much fault with the book itself. It was just not what I need.

This is a great learn how to sew book for first time sewers, very easy to understand.

This is a classic beginner sewing book. I think people will learn to sew from this book generations to come. The patterns are very simple with easy to follow instructions. The illustrations are clear and helpful. I bought the new "Sew On" book to learn additional sewing skills with more advanced patterns.

I ordered the "Sew On" book and was really impressed with the written instructions and included patterns. My daughter wants to learn to sew and I ordered her this book. When she gets a little comfortable, I'll pass along the Sew On book. This Sew Fast Sew Easy book has simple, easy to use patterns and projects that will get true beginners sewing. I highly recommend this book for true beginners. If your looking for a more intermediate book, find the "Sew On" book.

I purchased this book based on its recommendations, and I'm not sorry I did. It's been 25+ years since I touched a sewing machine, and this book definitely helped take the fright away. Perfect for new seamstresses of all ages.

I have the Rip It! book and love it. I just got this book for my niece for christmas. She wants to learn how to sew and I know this is the best book out there for her. It's very easy to understand and comes with patterns for her to learn with. I'm also getting her a sewing machine from www.sewfastseweasy.com
I love giving! She is going to be so thrilled!

I bought this book for my daughter and she has taken to sewing extremely fast. She's so proud of what she makes. Her enthusiasm for sewing now is almost too much for me to keep up with. This book was was easy for her to understand and the illustrations were very clear. She's been playing around with reconstructing her clothes so I'm thinking of getting her the Rip It book as well. I'm happy to see her involved in a positive hobby that she truly enjoys and gets satisfaction from.

I just bought this book because I wanted to delve into sewing a little more. I knew how to sew but I didn't know much about sewing techniques or terms or sewing notions and how to use them. This book was very easy to understand and explains everything I need to know about sewing and using notions and patterns. It's now my sewing bible! If I get stuck on something I grab my sew fast sew easy book.

The book is great it even comes with patterns. The book is easy to understand and has lots of detail. I would definatly recommend it.

very easy, simple instructions. i've been sewing with a machine for years, but never used a pattern. this book explains in depth the steps to completing your project from beginning to end using the paterns included in the book. everything came out very excellent, very pleased. NOTE: For first time pattern users/sewers ONLY... if your more experienced you might find this to be a little basic. but the sewing patterns alone are worth the price of the book, and like i said, they come out great.

I have been very pleased with this book. It would not be for someone who is experienced, however, for a beginner, it's perfect. It explains all the things I've heard my mother say for years... Selvage, on the fold, etc. I can't wait to do the projects included!! It was easy to figure out which materialswere needed when I went to our local sewing store.

This book is designed for anyone who has NO experience in sewing. It has very basic information and 3 starter projects--a skirt in 2 lengths, a tote bag, and a pillow in 2 sizes with trim options.
I purchased this book to help teach my 20 yo daughter how to follow patterns. She has taught herself and makes items, but doesn't know traditional sewing techniques or how to use patterns. There was useful information in this book, but once you have worked through the projects, it's usefulness is limited.
This book does include the patterns, on traditional pattern tissue paper, right with it. This is extremely helpful to a beginner, who won't have to try to find patterns with features they won't even know. The instruction is useful, with minimal places of confusion. Better explanation of the type of materials that would work for each project might have been useful too.
In other reviews there were comments about the accuracy of the instruction. One person commented about the stitch length. I own 5 sewing machines, and there seems to be two different numerical scales used on them for determining this. This book points out what seems to be used on more of the newer machines. There are a couple of other things like this in the book--it would have been nice to explain both ways. A beginner, I would assume, would might be confused by this.
Otherwise, a great book with projects that aren't out dated. Just remember, this probably won't be useful as a reference book a year from now.
All in all, I do think this is a great book for good beginner projects. If you have any useful sewing experience, you might think this book is too basic.

After reading all the positive reviews, I bought this book. I made the pillow and the tote bag with little sewing experience but... the pictures and explanations require some piecing together. Some of the pictures don't match with the descriptions, some terms are defined in the glossary and used in the book with no explanations. And for the pillow, thick piping is hard to use for a first project but the author never gives any helpful hints like, "consider using thin piping." Photos of the finished projects would have been much more helpful than the drawings which rely on shadings to show fabrics, etc... which aren't easy to read. Read through the entire instructions and think about how you will put together the projects. They aren't hard projects but I think the author could have done a much better job of explaning the instructions for an absolute beginner -- her target market. And, could they have hired a proofer to find the mistakes? Nothing like an instruction book that has errors in it, seems sloppy!

I wanted to share with everyone this wonderful book that my friend Sara told me about. I purchased the book and learned to sewing using the author's soothing and detailed instruction. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever had an interest in sewing or anyone who sews and feels like they are missing some things. It comes with three patterns and instruction for assembly that gets more complex. Totally cool!

Here is my bestfriend, Sara's, commments.

This weekend I started working on a holiday card holder that I designed myself, using mostly scrap fabric in a patchwork pattern. It's like a long narrow patchwork quilt, with ribbon for hooking the cards around and a couple of pockets for stuffing cards in.

I used fusible interfacing, which I learned from the totebag project, so that the flimsier rayon fabrics would work well with the heavier cotton fabrics -- it worked like a charm.

I'm still fussing with finishing the sewing; the backing fabric is velvet -- it's hard to sew properly, it keeps gripping and shifting! But I'm also using the patience I cultivated with your book, along with judiciously wielding my seam ripper. I'll send a photo when it's done -- it's very "martha," but I think you may like it anyhow. And I definitely got the confidence and the techniques from my Sew Fast Sew
Easy projects.


Enjoy reading and sewing!

I bought this book based on other Amazon recommendations and wasn't disappointed.

I already knew the basics of using a sewing machine but couldn't get beyond using it for mending and hemming. I've even taken classes at a great fabric store, but still hadn't managed to learn enough to feel confident.

This book taught me how to work with patterns and make new items -- the envelope pillow cover is great, I've now made several as gifts, and the skirt was one I'd actually wear!

Now I've sewn two Vogue patterns, one hat and one purse, that get compliments all the time. I feel like I'm on my way to becoming a real sewing enthusiast! A great book for all newcomers to sewing machines and sewing from patterns. Enjoy it!